Eric Hacker (para-athlete)
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Eric Nathaniel Hacker | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | American | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 2001 (age 24–25) Columbus, Ohio, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Track and Field | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Disability | Cerebral palsy | ||||||||||||||||||||
| T38 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Events | Middle-distance, Long-distance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Fleet Feet Columbus Track Club | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Shawnee State Bears | ||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Eric Nathaniel Hacker (born c. 2001)[1] is an American middle- and long-distance runner from Ohio who competes in para-athletics in the T38 classification.[2] He is a multiple national-level medalist and record holder in junior para-athletics events,[3] and a graduate of Shawnee State University.[4]
Early life and education
Hacker was born in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in Chillicothe, Ohio.[1] Diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant, he wore leg braces during early childhood while undergoing physical therapy.[1][5] The Chillicothe Gazette described him as “one of the top runners in the area” despite the physical challenges of CP.[5]
He began competitive running in junior high and qualified six times for state-level championships.[6]
Hacker graduated from Unioto High School in 2020, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and an honor-roll student.[6] He later attended Shawnee State University, earning President's List recognition for academic excellence in 2022.[7]
High school career
At Unioto High School, Hacker qualified 14 times for the OHSAA State Championships in cross-country and track and won multiple conference titles.[6]
In 2019, he helped lead Unioto to a runner-up team finish at the OHSAA Division II State Cross Country Championships.[8]
He was also a multiple-time Academic All-Ohio honoree and recipient of the 2020 Archie Griffin Award recognizing athletic and academic excellence.[6]
Para athletics and national competition
Hacker competes in the T38 para-athletics classification.[3] At the 2019 Adaptive Sports USA Junior Nationals, he won national titles in the 1500 m and 3000 m T38 events, both setting national records in his classification.[3] His 1500 m performance (4:29.0) is listed as an American record by Adaptive Track & Field USA.[2]
He is a 13-time national qualifier, two-time All-American, and two-time Junior National Champion.[3] Hacker qualified for the U.S. Paralympic Trials and competed on the pathway toward the Tokyo Paralympic Games.[9]
Collegiate career
Hacker competed for Shawnee State University in cross-country and distance track events.[4] He completed his collegiate running and academic career with the Bears.[4]
Recognition
In 2019, the Ohio House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 225 honoring Hacker for his national titles at the Adaptive Sports USA Junior Nationals.[10]
His athletic achievements and advocacy for adaptive sports have been profiled in national and regional media, including Runner’s World and the USA TODAY Network.[1][5]
Personal life
Hacker resides in Columbus, Ohio, and continues to train and compete in distance running and para-athletics.[4]
Major championships and personal bests
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Running with Cerebral Palsy Hasn't Slowed Eric Hacker Down". Runner’s World. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
- 1 2 3 "ATFUSA Records" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-10-19.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "2019 Junior Nationals Results" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-10-19.
- 1 2 3 4 "Eric Hacker – Shawnee State Bears roster". Retrieved 2025-10-19.
- 1 2 3 "Eric Hacker's cerebral palsy not limiting his goals". Chillicothe Gazette. 2019-04-29. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Eric Hacker – Ohio MileSplit profile". Retrieved 2025-10-19.
- ↑ "Shawnee State University President's List Spring 2022". Retrieved 2025-10-19.
- ↑ "Unioto boys finish state runner-up in Division II cross country". Chillicothe Gazette. 2019-11-02. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
- ↑ "Team USA Para Athletics". Retrieved 2025-10-19.
- ↑ "Ohio House Resolution 225 (2019)". Retrieved 2025-10-19.