All-Region male multi-sport athlete of the year: Nathan Hawthorne

Nathan Hawthorne needs excitement in his life. That is why he never seems to take a break. That is why his high school career is full of accomplishments.

Jacob Bystry, Columbia River

All-Region football; All-league track and field

Isaac Ennis, Columbia River

All-Region football; All-league track and field

Troy Flanagan, Woodland

All-Region football; All-league basketball

Silas Griffith, Ridgefield

All-Region cross country and track and field

Kaden Harbertson, Skyview

All-Region cross country and track and field

Trevor Huddleston, Woodland

All-Region baseball; All-league football

Preson Jones, Mountain View

All-Region football and baseball

Marcus Lord, Skyview

All-Region basketball; All-league track and field

Jacob Ringold, Columbia River

All-Region track and field;

All-league football

Jordan Suell, Fort Vancouver

All-Region basketball; All-league football

El Whitmire, Woodland

All-Region football and track and field

Cole Zarcone, Camas

All-Region football; All-league track and field

“No. 1, I think it’s boring to specialize,” said Hawthorne, who recently graduated from Columbia River High School after starring for the Chieftains in football, basketball, and track and field. “No. 2, it’s boring.”

Hawthorne was the Class 3A Greater St. Helens League’s defensive player of the year in football, made first team all-league in basketball, then helped the Chieftains finish fifth in the state 400-meter relay.

The Columbian has named Hawthorne its All-Region Multi-Sport Male Athlete of the Year.

Hawthorne’s advice to younger athletes is to play as many sports as possible, at least through their sophomore year of high school. He said at high school, competing in a sport becomes more than just fun, but a responsibility. Athletes owe it to themselves to keep their options open before determining if a sport might not be for them.

“Eventually, you have to hang them all up. So enjoy it all while you can,” Hawthorne said. “And if you’re talented enough, why not play three sports?”

Hawthorne enjoyed being a senior leader of the football team that reached the state quarterfinals.

“You have the opportunity to pass on knowledge to the younger guys,” he said.

Football, he added, is his favorite sport.

Hawthorne described the state basketball tournament as the bittersweet 16. Sure, the Chieftains made it to the state round of 16, but did not fare so well. Still …

“That team was the most fun team to play with,” said Hawthorne, the point guard. “It was a unique thing to distribute the ball to everybody, and everybody fueled off the energy. It was, ‘Find whoever’s open and let them get the shot.’ Plus, we were best friends off the court.”

Hawthorne joined the track team as a junior, he said, to help build speed and stay in shape for football.

“You get out of it what you put in,” Hawthorne said. “I’m still learning about track. I didn’t even begin to break the ice in track.”

Next for Hawthorne is Eugene, where he will be a walk-on with the University of Oregon football team, as either a slot receiver or defensive back.

“I’ve been in the Oregon Duck household my whole entire life,” he said, noting his father wrestled for the Ducks in the 1980s. “I love the school.”

He could have assured himself more playing time at a smaller school but instead wanted to test his skills in the Pac-12.

“It’s just worth it to put myself in a situation to not only live out a dream but to put my best against the best.

“You never want to leave a ‘what-if?'”

There were no regrets at Columbia River.

Nathan Hawthorne got everything he could out of high school athletics.