Hi-Line Athlete Profile: J.T. Hauer, Chinook

The Hi-Line has seen its fair share of talent make it big at the next level. Those athletes have always started from somewhere and worked hard to make their way to the top. The dedication, effort and skill that these athletes have put forth has made them something special among the crowd.

And now, another Hi-Line talent is ready to do just that.

Chinook senior J.T. Hauer has been involved in sports for a long time. Along with playing football for the Sugarbeeters in the fall, Hauer has been tearing up the mat as a wrestler for Chinook in the winter. Now, Hauer is finishing up his last year for the Beeters.

With 16 years of experience on the mat, Hauer makes the most of every competition, with a focused mindset to stay on top of his game.

"Each meet, I go in and focus on one match at a time," Hauer said. "I focus on the guy in front of me and that's all. I don't try thinking about anything after that. If I take it one match at a time, I can't get ahead of myself."

Hauer competes in multiple weight classes, a skill that allows him to be flexible, like the 152, 160 and 170-pound weight-class on the mat and has put up 16 pins so far in his senior season. His successes include a third-place finish at the 2020 Cut Bank Booster Invitational and a first-place finish in the 2019 Havre Wrestling Round Robin Tournament.

Not only does his wrestling prowess impress, but his football talents have caught the eye of an NAIA college in North Dakota, the University of Jamestown. Not only has Hauer verbally committed to play for the Jimmies but has now signed with Jamestown as a linebacker.

Hauer will be aiming to make a big impact for the Jimmies by bringing his Hi-Line toughness with him and U of J football head coach Brian Mistro is excited to have Hauer on the team.

"First and foremost, we're super excited to have him because not only are we getting what we think is a great football player, but we're getting a great family to join our program, too," Mistro said. "His versatility is great and he's a natural competitor in whatever he does. You can just tell be talking to him, whether it's on the field or the mat he's got that drive and passion for whatever it is he's doing. He's got that knack you're looking for, especially at that linebacker spot."

Hauer, now a part of the Jamestown program, will be bringing the heat to the field. But why did he choose to play for the Jimmies?

"I think the biggest reason for why I chose Jamestown was because when I went there on a visit, something clicked inside," Hauer said. "I felt that the energy everyone was bringing and just how everyone treated me, it felt like home. I'm hoping to bring some Hi-Line toughness and just spread out that mentality throughout every team we play, as well as some energy and some hard hits."

Hauer is ready to take his next step forward in his football career, but first he will finish up his senior wrestling season with the Beeters in hopes of bringing home some hardware and ending it off on a high note. The Beeters are at the Northern B-C Divisional Saturday in Conrad. But before that, the Havre Daily News caught up with Hauer for five questions.

HDN: What are your academic goals at the University of Jamestown?

Hauer: "I plan on getting a degree in athletic training or physical therapy, graduating and getting a good job."

HDN: What has been your favorite memory as a Chinook wrestler?

Hauer: "I'd say my freshman year going to state with Tate Niederegger and just getting to experience it all on a different level for the first time."

HDN: What is your favorite thing about wrestling?

Hauer: "I think my favorite thing about wrestling is just the mentality. Not everyone can do it, so to be a wrestler you have to be a part of the elite few, and that's what I think I love the most about it."

HDN: What are your hobbies outside of wrestling?

Hauer: "I really like outdoor activities. I love to go boating and skiing during the summer. During the winter I like sledding and I also love to hunt."

HDN: What has been your favorite meet so far this season?

Hauer: "I'd say my favorite meet has to be between CMR and Cut Bank. There is always quality competition and I always get pushed to perform my best there."