Buchanan HS alum, swimmer Colby Hatton gearing up for first year at UC Berkeley
CLOVIS, Calif. — Recent Buchanan High School graduate Colby Hatton has his eyes set on the next chapter of his story. About 180 miles north of Fresno lies UC Berkeley, where Colby intends to continue his sport of swimming, hoping to help bring another national championship home to the Golden Bears. Before leaving, though, he was awarded the B鈥檔ai B鈥檙ith student athlete award, a ceremony that was held in person for the first time since 2019. An 鈥渦nreal moment鈥� is how he described the whole experience to be, both in simply being nominated, and even further, winning the award.
As an athlete, Hatton is described as driven; his motto has become 鈥渘othing is given, you always have to put in the work鈥�. That mentality clearly does him well, as his awards and achievements are nothing short of impressive, and they are projected to continue that way at Cal.
To stay at this level, Hatton accredits a few different routines: eating right, staying hydrated, sleeping enough, stretching pre-game/race. Being the leader he wants to be, both on and off the field, takes a combination of these, keeping him mentally and physically motivated and healthy.
Swimming is not his only passion, though, as he plays water polo, too. Water polo is valued for the team aspect, the ability to lean on teammates and push one another to be the best- both individually and collectively as a team. The friendships and bonds water polo creates amongst its teammates are crucial, some lasting for many years beyond high school. Hard times are endured together, with a shoulder or two to lean on, and the good times are better, because celebrations are not individual, they are collective. Swimming, on the other hand, gives Hatton the ability to push himself, and compete at his personal best individually. Grit and leadership are some of the important qualities he has come to learn and value in himself through being an athlete.
Athletics are not the only thing in his life, though, as he balances sports with a job at Cold Stone, and, up until this May, the rigor that comes with Clovis Unified academics. This balance, along with his competitive spirit and leadership abilities, will no doubt serve him well at Berkeley and beyond.
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