TicketsCincinnati Athletics features more than 400 student-athletes who are doing incredible things on and off the field. Some will go pro in sports. Some will go on to do great things in business, medicine or other professional fields. All will be Bearcats for Life. These are their stories.
Cole Harting, a junior captain from West Chester, Ohio, is prepping for another big spring in the outfield for the Bearcats. He is coming back from a standout sophomore season, batting .313 with nine doubles, two triples and nine home runs while also making three AAC honor roll appearances. Harting and the Bearcats started their season down in Atlanta last weekend, picking up two wins against Georgia State. They'll travel next to No. 7-ranked Florida for a three-game series, with game one scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, before returning to UC Baseball Stadium for their home opener against Miami (OH) on March 1.
Learn more about Harting below!
How does it feel to be one of the leaders on the team this year?
"It feels great to be chosen as captain this year. I always try to be a supportive teammate, so it is awesome knowing that a lot of my teammates trust me and look up to me as well!!"
What do you want to accomplish this season?
"My goal this year is to win a championship. It has been a couple years now since we have brought a trophy back to Cincy and I want to change that. I really think we have the right group of guys to do that this season."
What has been the most challenging aspect of your time at UC?
"I think the most challenging thing for me was realizing that you will not succeed at everything. Most of us come into college expecting to be able to get by without a ton of trouble but that just isn't the case. You are going to struggle in a couple classes and especially as an athlete you will struggle in your sport. You cannot always be successful but if you strive to be then you will be just fine."
This being you third year playing, what does this season mean to you?
"This season means a lot to me. All seasons do but now that I have been here for a couple years and have found my spot on campus, I want to win for my team and the university. Everyone does so much for us to help us be successful and I would love for it all to pay off in a big way."
Why did you choose UC?
"I chose UC because of how much it felt like home. I know that can sound cliché but with me growing up only 20 minutes up I-75, I really feel like I have never left. I wanted to stay close to family and friends because of all the constant support they have showed me throughout my whole baseball career."
What do you like to do when you are not at the field?
"When I am away from the field and baseball, I love to do a lot of things. I always love hanging with my teammates and doing things around this awesome city whether it be the zoo or going downtown and exploring down there. I also love the outdoors so, when possible, I will get my fix of that too!"
Who was your favorite player growing up and why?
"My favorite player growing up was and still is Mike Trout. He plays the game hard every time he is on the field and is the same position as me. He is an electrifying player, and I will continue to follow closely on his career."
Who is your role model?
"My role model is my father. He has always taught me how to be a man of character and to earn respect. He was my coach for a while too and has been with me all the way through my career. He is still a top supporter of mine and I have no doubt he will be by my side the whole time."
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be?
"If I could have dinner with anyone in the world, I would choose Joe Burrow because he is one of the most swaggy and confident athletes in the world currently. I would talk to him about being successful and how to deal with failure when it comes but I also think he seems like a cool guy to just sit down and have a conversation with!"
Who is your favorite musical artist?
"My favorite artist is Morgan Wallen. I love country music and all his songs, and I am very excited to hear his new album coming out in less than a month."
Cole Harting, a junior captain from West Chester, Ohio, is prepping for another big spring in the outfield for the Bearcats. He is coming back from a standout sophomore season, batting .313 with nine doubles, two triples and nine home runs while also making three AAC honor roll appearances. Harting and the Bearcats started their season down in Atlanta last weekend, picking up two wins against Georgia State. They'll travel next to No. 7-ranked Florida for a three-game series, with game one scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, before returning to UC Baseball Stadium for their home opener against Miami (OH) on March 1.
Learn more about Harting below!
How does it feel to be one of the leaders on the team this year?
"It feels great to be chosen as captain this year. I always try to be a supportive teammate, so it is awesome knowing that a lot of my teammates trust me and look up to me as well!!"
What do you want to accomplish this season?
"My goal this year is to win a championship. It has been a couple years now since we have brought a trophy back to Cincy and I want to change that. I really think we have the right group of guys to do that this season."
What has been the most challenging aspect of your time at UC?
"I think the most challenging thing for me was realizing that you will not succeed at everything. Most of us come into college expecting to be able to get by without a ton of trouble but that just isn't the case. You are going to struggle in a couple classes and especially as an athlete you will struggle in your sport. You cannot always be successful but if you strive to be then you will be just fine."
This being you third year playing, what does this season mean to you?
"This season means a lot to me. All seasons do but now that I have been here for a couple years and have found my spot on campus, I want to win for my team and the university. Everyone does so much for us to help us be successful and I would love for it all to pay off in a big way."
Why did you choose UC?
"I chose UC because of how much it felt like home. I know that can sound cliché but with me growing up only 20 minutes up I-75, I really feel like I have never left. I wanted to stay close to family and friends because of all the constant support they have showed me throughout my whole baseball career."
What do you like to do when you are not at the field?
"When I am away from the field and baseball, I love to do a lot of things. I always love hanging with my teammates and doing things around this awesome city whether it be the zoo or going downtown and exploring down there. I also love the outdoors so, when possible, I will get my fix of that too!"
Who was your favorite player growing up and why?
"My favorite player growing up was and still is Mike Trout. He plays the game hard every time he is on the field and is the same position as me. He is an electrifying player, and I will continue to follow closely on his career."
Who is your role model?
"My role model is my father. He has always taught me how to be a man of character and to earn respect. He was my coach for a while too and has been with me all the way through my career. He is still a top supporter of mine and I have no doubt he will be by my side the whole time."
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be?
"If I could have dinner with anyone in the world, I would choose Joe Burrow because he is one of the most swaggy and confident athletes in the world currently. I would talk to him about being successful and how to deal with failure when it comes but I also think he seems like a cool guy to just sit down and have a conversation with!"
Who is your favorite musical artist?
"My favorite artist is Morgan Wallen. I love country music and all his songs, and I am very excited to hear his new album coming out in less than a month."