Junior Hailey Pardieck and junior Mike Bauer have more in common than just being runners. The two cross country athletes are also dating and recently competed in the Hancock County Invitational, where they both had successful races and earned themselves each a title. Running has been an important part of how the two got to know each other.
“We would run together in the neighborhood and we both just had the same mindset and we got to know each other,” Bauer said. After spending more time together, the two went on their first date at Don Rigo’s. “We went out to Don Rigo’s and I asked her to be my girlfriend that night,” Bauer said. Even though Pardieck and Bauer are dating, Pardieck said their relationship does not affect their athletic lives.
Both athletes continue to focus on the goals they made for the season. “It doesn’t, we don’t bring our dating life into practice,” Pardieck said. “We set goals a while ago for this season and nothing has changed just because we are dating.”
The two also have some differences. Pardieck plays soccer, while Bauer mainly focuses on running. “She plays soccer and I’m just boring and only run,” Bauer said. Even with their differences, running is something the two have in common. “We are both runners who are really serious about it and we both try to go the extra mile,” Bauer said. The two will also be attending Homecoming together.
Bauer asked Pardieck to Homecoming with a sign that said, “I would be XCited if we ran to HOCO.” “We are going with a group of friends and we are going to dinner beforehand,” Pardieck said. The theme for the Homecoming dance is Once Upon A Homecoming, so their story goes perfect with the theme.
So far the two have supported each other day in and day out. They started their dating journey off by something so simple. Something they enjoyed, which was running.
