Hoop Makes Successful Transition From Running to Hockey

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(February 27, 2022 8:00 AM) Lumen Christi Catholic High School athlete Matt Hoop has made a number of transitions in sports.

Up until his freshman year, Hoop did not play goalie on his various hockey teams.

He made the move to goalie as a freshman learning through a number of coaches.

For two-thirds of the year, he is a successful runner at Lumen Christi.

Saturday Hoop closed out his hockey career with a 4-1 loss to East Grand Rapids in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 regional semifinal.

This spring he will compete in track and field and transition into running at Trine University next fall.

Along the line, Hoop has experienced a lot in sports – especially hockey.

“I have met so many friends through hockey,” Hoop said. “You learn that effort takes you a long way in this sport.”

Hoop started for the Titans as a junior and had a successful season for the Titans this winter. He had a save percentage of .914 with three shutouts. Hoop earned 16 wins this season for the Lumen Christi, despite testing positive for COVID-19 midway through the season.

“My freshman and sophomore year I worried about getting injured,” Hoop said. “The last two seasons we worried about getting COVID.”

Hoop improved throughout his career by working with coaches and different drills. He worked on his crease movement and finding the posts while in goal. Hoop also kept himself in the game by moving around to stay focused.

“Some of the time I would get cold just standing there,” Hoop said. “This season I made sure I stayed dialed in by staying warm.”

He works on hand-and-eye coordination by juggling racquet balls. 

Last fall Hoop finished 12th at the MHSAA Division 3 cross country regional and advanced to the state meet.

Just like in hockey, Hoop started slowly at the state final but came on in the end. 

“I focused on getting out slower and moving up,” Hoop said. “I think at one point I was in last place but moved up to 65th^.”

Hoop finished with a time of 17 minutes, 22 seconds at the state finals. 

“It wasn’t the result I wanted, but I had such a good time at MIS,” Hoop said.

The senior recently signed to run cross country and track at Trine University in Angola, Ind.