Editor’s note: This is a series dedicated to highlighting local senior athletes.

SANDPOINT — When reminiscing on Hattie Larson’s athletic career at Sandpoint High, it’s much easier to wonder what she hasn’t done.

The senior has been a star in three sports throughout her time as a Bulldog, and has truly seen and accomplished it all. She may not agree with that due to her competitive nature, but it’s hard to deny.

Hattie knows how special her journey in athletics has been, and she realizes her abilities aren’t just given to every person.

“I love sports because it pushes me to be a better person,” she said, “it pushes me to help others and to share my gifts and talents with them … I can’t take credit for all the talent I was given.”

For Hattie, going to state every year and every season became expected. In soccer and basketball, she made it to the big dance three times in four tries. In golf, she only got to state twice, but the pandemic was the only thing that stopped her from making it three.

Medals and trophies all became a part of the ride. Hattie’s name has appeared on countless all-league and all-state lists, and she’s been a key piece to a pair of state titles.

In 2019 at goalkeeper, Hattie powered the girls soccer team past bitter rival Bishop Kelly in penalty kicks in the semis, before helping the Bulldogs capture their first state championship since 2014 with a 2-0 victory over Kuna in the final.

Just two weeks ago, Hattie and three of her closest friends — CeCe Deprez, Camille Neuder and Annaby Kanning — fulfilled a lifelong goal by securing the first state title in Sandpoint girls golf history.

All the accolades are great, but at the end of the day Hattie is only concerned with one thing — lifting up her teammates.

The connections made on the field is why Hattie’s passion for sports runs so deep. Everything she does is for her team. The only problem she’s ever had is narrowing down her sports.

Growing up, Hattie tried nearly every sport. From wrestling to lacrosse to Nordic skiing to volleyball, she gave them all a shot.

“I just love trying new things and new experiences,” she said. “I get bored if I’m doing something for too long. I have to keep branching out.”

Once she reached high school, she had to choose just three. Ultimately, she picked the sports where the team was at the forefront. But she didn’t want to give up any of her sports.

Unfortunately, there’s just simply not enough time in a day to dedicate to all of them.

Hattie’s mom, Natalie, said they never forced Hattie to play any of the sports she tried. They just exposed her to them, and she did the rest.

“She just always open to jumping right in with no hesitation,” she said. “Whatever people are doing, she wants to try it.”

Hattie’s willingness to delve into so many sports is a product of her competitiveness. Natalie admitted some of that competitive fire comes from her and her husband, Brandon, but Hattie’s drive is another level. It’s just something she was born with.

“We don’t have to push anything. If anything we’re like, scale it back on things,” she joked.

Hattie believes her drive is a result of the people she’s chosen to surround herself with. From parents to coaches to friends, she said they’ve all fed her competitive spirit.

Duane Ward, a legendary figure in the history of SHS athletics, is Hattie’s grandfather and Natalie said her dad has inspired and supported her daughter throughout her athletic career.

Hattie said she will always appreciate her family for creating an environment that allowed her to pursue her aspirations. She added that her parents are her role models because they did whatever they could to make her smile.

“They have not only stood by me emotionally through all my wins and losses, but they’ve stood by me physically, taking care of me when I’m hurt or I’m sick or I’m down,” she said. “They built me back up and encouraged me. They set me up for success by their sacrifices and hardships.”

The life of a three-sport athlete is far from stress free. Add in violin lessons, homework and socializing with friends, and it can be tough to find a moment of free time on any given day. But Hattie makes it work and she’s done it rather seamlessly.

Natalie said she hasn’t heard her daughter complain about the demands of her daily routine once throughout her high school career.

“She kind of just goes,” she said.

Making the transition from the Sandpoint Waldorf School to SHS and adjusting to the workload was difficult, but Hattie embraced the challenge of balancing sports and academics, and has come to enjoy it.

“I’ve learned to love it and appreciate it,” she said, “and it just kind of motivates me onto the next thing. I’ve never really had time to stop and think about how busy I was because I was just going and going.”

In the summer of 2019, Hattie verbally committed to play soccer at Eastern Washington University. About a year later, she decided to reopen her recruitment and pursue other options to find the right fit for her.

After looking at her options and conferring with a close friend, Clark Fork alum Grace Shelton, Hattie chose Carroll College in Helena, Montana, where she will play soccer and golf.

Hattie said when she decided to reevaluate her future, she kind of had to take sports out of her decision. She focused on what mattered most to her and ultimately, Carroll was the perfect fit.

Once she decided on Carroll, she started reaching out to the golf and soccer coaches at the school and realized that playing both collegiately was possible.

At a Division I school like EWU, competing in two sports isn’t really an option. You pick one and run with it. But Carroll, an NAIA school, allowed that opportunity which made the choice even more enticing to Hattie.

“I was really excited about that because I hadn’t thought a lot about that,” she said. “It was in the back of my mind, but I didn’t know how plausible it was."

It was a hard process, but Natalie is proud of her daughter for having the courage to take a step back and search for the place that would make her the happiest.

In the classroom, Hattie plans on studying environmental science and biology at Carroll. She isn’t exactly sure what career path she wants to pursue yet, but whatever it is, look for it to be outdoors because that’s the office Hattie loves most.

Just like everyone else, Hattie has bad days. However, her ability to preserve and move past difficult situations — such as missing state for soccer her senior year — is what sets her apart, Natalie said.

“She’s pretty good at starting each day anew,” she said.

With the amount of effort Hattie has put into athletics, Natalie said it was extremely bittersweet to watch her finish off her high school career with a state title on the golf course.

“It was just a great way to end,” she said.

Natalie feels lucky to call Hattie her daughter and she’s glad she won’t be too far away from home in college.

“I’m excited to see the great things that will happen and where her life goes … but it’s very hard,” she said. “You know you’re getting them ready to launch into adulthood and go out on their own, but the closer it gets, the more you just want to hold them close.”