A Shining Example of Student-Athlete Success

Attending Delaware Tech turned out to be a happy accident for Logan Hallee; one that allowed him to become an all-region cross country runner, a member of a division-winning men's cross country team, and an award-winning student-athlete both athletically and academically.

"I was so impressed with Delaware Tech," said Hallee, who graduated in June. "The quality of the academics went above and beyond any expectations I had, and joining a team was such a good tool for socializing. I didn't know anyone and suddenly I knew over 20 people."

Originally, Hallee moved to Delaware from Maine with his fiancé Jenna Taylor to attend the University of Delaware (UD). When those plans fell through, Hallee and Taylor decided to drive to the Stanton Campus to see what Delaware Tech offered. Hallee ended up enrolling in biological sciences, while Taylor enrolled in mechanical engineering.

"We each fell in love with our programs," Hallee said. "We also took very aggressive course loads because it was so inexpensive. We were learning a lot, there was so much help available, and we wanted to maximize our two years."

While living in Maine, Hallee ran cross country and track in middle school, and also competed in cross country skiing. When he and Taylor learned Delaware Tech had a cross country program, they decided to give it a try.

"College was a whole new playing field," Hallee said. "Running just to finish and running as fast as you can for the duration of your race is definitely a journey and an adventure."

Hallee's journey allowed him to earn individual all-region honors both years and help the team win back-to-back division championships. He also earned all-academic honors for maintaining a high GPA, and joined the team in the national meets in New Mexico and Kansas.

He finished his two seasons with Delaware Tech by receiving a lot of awards, including the MVP of the men's cross country team; the Director of Athletics Award for the men's cross country team, which is presented to the individual who personifies what it takes to be a quality student-athlete; and the President's Award, which was presented to student-athletes who demonstrate academic success, leadership, and citizenship, while being ambassadors for the athletics program.

Running for Delaware Tech reignited a passion for running in Hallee. Throughout the spring, he routinely ran 50 miles per week, often completing 15-16 mile runs. He also participated in small group runs, track workouts, and helped pace friends as they completed long runs.

In July, he decided to help ultra distance runner Mike Wardian as he made a 135-mile run through Delaware from north to south. Hallee joined Wardian in Middletown as one of his pace runners, and ran 24 miles from Middletown to Dover while maintaining a 9-10-minute pace. They started at 7 p.m., and Hallee said the hardest thing was staying fueled for that long of a distance at that fast of a pace.

Hallee has put running competitively aside for now. He plans to save his remaining two years of collegiate eligibility for grad school. However, he has his eyes on a goal of competing in the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in California one day.

"With running, you think you're capable of certain things, and then you achieve your goal and it's just the best feeling," Hallee said. "There are a lot of inspiring stories in running, and it would be cool if I was one of those stories in the future."

Hallee is now enrolled at UD to earn his bachelor's degree in quantitative biology. He is also working as a math and physics tutor at the Stanton Campus, and continues to work at the New Balance Christiana store.

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PHOTOS:
Logan Hallee competed for Delaware Tech’s cross country program in the fall of 2018 and fall of 2019. He is a two-time National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Region runner, led the men’s cross country team to back-to-back division championships, earned NJCAA All-Academic honors, and received the Director of Athletics Award and the President’s Award.

Logan Hallee, left, helped pace ultra distance runner Mike Wardian, right, for 24 miles of Wardian’s 135-mile run through Delaware from north to south in early July.