Still in the running
SAXONBURG— Ben Hutterer figured out his sport of choice and found his school of choice.
The Knoch senior cross country and track standout will continue his career in both sports at Division I Monmouth University in New Jersey.
"Ben dropped basketball after last year to concentrate on his running,"said Kyle Walters, Hutterer's strength coach and nutritionist. "He enjoyed playing basketball, but knew it wasn't a sport he would continue with after high school."
Hutterer said he gave up playing basketball to extend his off-season running conditioning.
"The (basketball) team understood and it was an easy decision because the other guys on the track team were on the same program," he said. "I wanted to try to get a little stronger and take running more seriously."
Hutterer ran about 56 miles a week during cross country season. Once the winter weather arrived, he did treadmill work and other endurance exercises.
Walters has been working with Hutterer over the past year, putting him on a diet that complements his running.
"We set up a sports performance eating plan and put some more lean muscle on him to build up his explosiveness as a runner,"Walters said.
Hutterer competed in the PIAAcross country meet as a junior because Knoch qualified for that event as a team.
He qualified as an individual this past fall, finishing 95th at the state meet.
Hutterer ran the 3,200 meters for the Knights track team last spring and did not qualify for the state meet. He also ran a leg of the 3,200 relay team that finished second in the WPIALand 16th at the state meet.
He joined Kyle Reeping, Artie Black and Brian Tackett in running a school-record time of 8 minutes, 3.9 seconds last year.
"Ben's gotten a lot stronger and faster since last spring,"Knoch track coach Wess Brahler said. "We moved him to the 1,600 and 800 meter events this year. I think he can qualify for the state meet in both."
Hutterer will also run in the 3,200 relay again, though Reeping is now running at Duquesne University and Black has moved on to Messiah College.
Brahler said Hutterer's best attribute is his commitment to running.
"To be a good distance runner, you have to run a lot on your own," the coach said. "Ben does that. He trains all year."
Hutterer also considered Pitt and George Mason before settling on Monmouth. The Hawks have won the Northeast Conference men's indoor track title in each of the past two years and are favored to win the outdoor crown this year.
Monmouth coach Joe Compagni has been named NECCoach of the Year 14 times in his career — 10 for men's or women's track and field, three for men's or women's indoor track and field, once for women's cross country.
"The team welcomed me when I visited there, and the coach individualizes his workouts," Hutterer said. "It's a good fit for me."
Between academic and athletic scholarships, Hutterer is receiving a full ride to Monmouth. He carries a 3.29 grade point average.
"I doubt I'll help them much during my first year, but I'm hoping to be a major contributor there for two or three years,"Hutterer said.
