Hardin Awarded Gamer of the Week Honors

Teays Physical Therapy Center, Inc. and The Putnam Herald are pleased to present this week’s Female Gamer of the Week to Junior, Ella Hardin of the Hurricane High School cross country team. 

Hurricane’s Ella Hardin is having a spectacular season placing 20th at the Adidas Challenge in Cary, NC with a time of 18:26, 4th in the Louisville Classic with a time of 18:45, and 1st place in the MSAC with a time of 19:16. Hardin was also recognized as MSAC runner of the year as well as having the 2nd fastest cross country time for all female athletes that have ran at Hurricane High School with an 18:26. “Ella has worked so hard for what she has accomplished. She's determined and willing to put in the extra work to continue to improve herself. She has the best attitude and really is a team player. She has her goals set high and I have no doubt she can reach them. Her work ethic and determination to get better ranks up there with some of the best I've ever coached. Excited to see how this season plays out for her.” said coach Jimmy Cuningham.  

Ella Hardin began her running career when she was in the sixth grade “Me and my friend Addie were very shy, and her mom wanted her to try cross country now that she was in middle school. She didn’t want to join the team alone, so she asked me if I would run with her.” Hardin has continued running since. “I really enjoy the running community, thanks to this sport I have friends from all over the state, and everyone is always so supportive, even when you are on opposing teams.” Hardin believes her team's success this season is because her teammates all work so hard whether they are at practice or at a meet and give 110% to make sure that they are the best runners that they can be. “We have great coaches that are there for us every step of the way.” Ella’s goal for the remainder of this season includes getting All-state for the first time in her career.  

Role models that help support Hardin’s running career include “two role models from the cross-country world, and they would be my former teammates and now collegiate runners Asha Bora and Audrey Hall. I have looked up to them since I started running for hurricane high. They have both worked and still work so hard to be where they are today, and even when things get tough, they never give up, and they inspire me to do the same.” Outside of the running course Hardin is a part of Helping Paws, National Honors Society, National Art Honors Society, FCA, Environmental Club and volunteers at Little Victories. Hardin also runs track in the spring. After high school Hardin would like to become a collegiate runner and get her doctorate in zoology. 

Please look for other local high school athletes to be named in next week’s female Gamer of the Week Sponsored by Teays Physical Therapy Center, Inc., and The Putnam Herald. 

MEGAN SCARBERRY, MS, POTENTIAL PLUS INSTRUCTOR AT TEAYS PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER INC.