It’s not uncommon to hear Allie Hock’s name attached to a cross country race or track meet, but the Lake Orion High School senior will now have her name connected with something else ? being Lake Orion’s first ever MHSAA Scholar Athlete.
Hock, daughter of Chris and Lisa Hock, was selected as one of 32 athletes from around the state of Michigan, a list that was narrowed down from an original 1,965 applicants to a group of 120 finalists, and then the final 32.
Since each high school is limited in their number of applicants, Hock said that she was selected along with nine other athletes from Lake Orion High School that were nominated to apply for the award.
Hock added that she was excited, and surprised, to see her name as one of the finalists.
?(Before the finalist announcement) I was scrolling down the list of applicants and, five minutes later, I was still scrolling down,? she said about seeing how many athletes had applied for the award.
‘They had narrowed it down to 120,? Hock added. ‘I got excited that they were even considering me.?
According to Hock, she ‘Googled? the other finalists for the girls, was amazed by all of their accomplishments and didn’t think she had a chance to be selected as one of the final 32. She was shocked when she found out that she was, indeed, selected.
‘I work hard everyday in practice and everyday in school, and it was nice to see it all pay off,? Hock added. ‘It’s nice to get the recognition when you give 100-percent in athletics and in school.?
During her time at LOHS, Hock has been a member of the Varsity Cross Country team for three years, being named All-State for two years, as well as serving as captain for two years (having achieved the honor of being the first junior to be selected as a captain).
Hock is also getting ready to start her fourth season on the Varsity Track team, where she will also serve as one of the captains.
During her time on the course and the track, she has been selected Academic All-State three times and been awarded various All-County, All-League and All-Region honors.
In the classroom, Hock carries a 3.95 grade point average, and is enrolled in various honors and advanced placement (AP) classes.
She is also involved with the National Honor Society, serving as vice president, a two-year member of Television Production Workshop and is actively involved in community service projects, such as Project SHALOM and The 30 Hour Famine through her church, and volunteers with Orion Neighborhood Television.
Between her schooling and practice, Hock said that she is working and in ‘scholarship overdrive? trying to collect funds to pay for college.
‘The $1,000 (from the Scholar Athlete Award) will really help,? Hock said, noting that she plans on paying for her tuition at Michigan State University through scholarships and loans.
While at MSU, she plans on studying telecommunications, with a future dream of working behind-the-scenes in sitcom television as a writer, producer or director.
As for running while she’s at college, she said she’s ‘always going to be running,? but doesn’t plan on participating on the cross country team her freshman year.
‘I am going to get used to college,? Hock said, ‘and get focused on my academics ? that’s my first priority.?
Hock, along with the 31 other recipients, will be honored during halftime of the Class C Boys Basketball State Finals game at the Breslin Center, on Hock’s future campus of Michigan State, on March 15.