Heidelberg Athletics Hall of Fame
For Aaron Hay ’02, going the distance was never much of a problem. In fact, it’s what he did best.
A standout for the Heidelberg Cross Country and Track & Field programs, Hay built a decorated career as one of the top distance runners in the Ohio Athletic Conference. After Heidelberg qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in 1997, Hay joined the team the next season and helped propel them over the line to the tune of three straight OAC titles. In addition, he helped the Student Princes qualify for the NCAA Cross Country Championships in both 1998 and 1999, earning All-Region honors in 1998 and again in 2000.
Hay was a four-time First Team All-OAC performer in cross country and earned All-Ohio recognition in both 2000 and 2001. His final two cross country seasons were especially dominant, as he was named the OAC Runner of the Year in both 2000 and 2001.
His success carried over to the track. Hay captured the OAC outdoor championship in the 5,000-meter run in 2001 before winning the conference title in the 10,000 meters the following spring. He also earned All-OAC honors in both events during his career on two other occasions.
Hay remains only one of two four-time male First Team All-OAC performers in ‘Berg Cross Country history. His 8K personal record still sits among the top 10 in the record book.
More than two decades after completing his Heidelberg career, Hay is still on the move. He lives in Westlake, Ohio, with his wife, Erin, and their children, Alanna and Emmet. He works as a team lead for New York Life Insurance and still enjoys running, watching sports and spending time with his family. These days, however, he spends much of his time following the activities of Alanna and Emmet -- happily trading the role of competitor for one as their biggest fans.
This profile appeared in the 2026 Hall of Fame Banquet program.
