Oakwood distance standout commits to N.C. State

Hartman won the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter runs at the Division II state meet at Pickerington North High School in June. She also ran for the 3,200 relay team that won a state title. Oakwood celebrated the first state championship in the history of the girls track program.

Hartman also won the individual state championship in cross country as a junior in 2020 after finishing second as a freshman and sophomore. Oakwood finished second as a team.

Hartman wants to add state championships — individual and team — in cross country and track as a senior and is glad she can now concentrate on her final year in high school with the college decision out of the way.

“This has been over a year-long process,” she said. “You’re able to talk to so many schools with incredible programs and incredible coaches. It’s really difficult to come to a conclusion, especially being an incredibly indecisive person.”

Hartman started talking to N.C. State coach Laurie Henes in April.

“From the first phone call, I felt an immediate connection with her,” Hartman said, “and I sometimes find it difficult to connect with people over the phone, so that was something I really paid attention to from the start. Every time, I left the phone calls just being super happy.”

Hartman visited N.C. State in Raleigh, N.C., in August.

“Obviously, the biggest part of choosing a college is who you’re going to be running with, the girls on the team,” she said, “and I was able to hang out with all the girls. Everybody was so sweet, and it felt like a family. Everybody always says, ‘You want to choose a school where it feels right,’ and I never really thought I would have that. When I got there, it just clicked and I knew this is where I’m supposed to be. Everybody was so welcoming. I felt like I was already a part of the group. It was pretty clear to me.”

Hartman toured the campus and found it to be the perfect size. The track is close to everything, and there are many options for cross country training.

“You’ve got access to all these amazing trails,” she said, “and the weather’s awesome. That definitely was a factor in it, too. It’s nice to have a little bit of a different climate than Ohio.”