Hobbs Exhibits His Own ‘Natural’ Talents at JHS

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(April 10, 2022 8:00 AM) Roy Hobbs exhibited his own supernatural talents in the 1984 movie “The Natural.”

Jackson High School athlete Nathaniel Hobbs is showing people he has talent too – only in a pair of sports.

Hobbs pitched a no-hitter to kick off the season for the Vikings and recently competed in the Nike Indoor Nationals in track and field.

He is pretty good at each sport.

But the senior has learned not to take it all for granted and to work hard during the off season. He is part of the COVID generation that lost spring sports two years ago. 

“A lot of people took six months off due to COVID-19 and it shows … it still shows today,” Hobbs said. “I continued to work hard and to stay humble.

“I learned that every day you have to be on your toes and learn to adapt.”

Last year the Vikings started the season with a 2-0 record, then had positive COVID-19 tests that put them behind for two weeks.

“That threw us off for a bit,” Hobbs said. “You have to stay humble and look to improve for the remainder of the season and next season.”

The Vikings struggled through the season, but have eight seniors on the squad this season.

“Our goals are to have a winning record and battle for a district title,” Hobbs said. 

The senior is also the top middle distance runner for the Vikings. He won the 400-meter run at the Selby Meet a year ago and recently won an indoor 400-meter race at the SEC Track and Field Invitational with a time of 51.46 seconds.

He calls the 800-meter run his favorite event, looking to get down to 1:53 in the event.

“I have talked to the University of Michigan track and field coach about walking on,” Hobbs said. “I would need to be able to run 1:53 for that opportunity.”

Hobbs plans to attend U of M due to his academics record with a 3.987 grade point average at JHS. He would like to study Kinesiology and become an athletic trainer.

“I have learned not to overdo it in baseball or track,” Hobbs said. “As a pitcher you have to throw a lot of long toss, band stretching, and icing your arm.”

Hobbs also ran cross country at JHS with a best time of 17:04 for the 5,000-meter run. 

“Sports has taught me that hard work and dedication will get you place,” Hobbs said. “Competing in sports taxes you mentally, especially in cross country.”

So the senior will let the script play out this spring, but he has prepared for the long run competing in both sports.