MaxPreps Weekly Honor Roll, presented by the United States Marine Corps: Justin Fitzpatrick, Hillsboro

Mid-May is going to be an exciting and busy time for Justin Fitzpatrick. In a span of four days, he will graduate from Jefferson College with an associate's degree and then will graduate from Hillsboro (Mo.).

Yes, he'll graduate from high school after receiving his two-year college degree. That's how much of a go-getter Fitzpatrick has been during his high school days.

Fitzpatrick will graduate with 68 college credits, working diligently to get ahead all the while being a three-sport athlete — track and field, soccer and football — and the class president who carries a 4.05 weighted grade point average.

"It's just a testament to the kind of kid he is," Hillsboro activities director Edward Moreno said. "He's a hard worker, and to be able to commit to three sports and still carry over a 4.0, that says a lot."

Life doesn't seem to slow down for the 18-year-old, but that's the way he likes it. He's a balanced and well-rounded young man who enjoys athletics as well as the classroom setting.

"I think it keeps me busy, because I don't really enjoy just sitting around because I get bored really fast," Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick had a hectic fall season playing for the soccer team and had an unexpected opportunity to be the kicker on the football team.

It was a challenge for Fitzpatrick to jockey two sports and keep up his exceptional grades.

"It was kind of different because there were some days where we'd have a game for soccer up in St. Louis, which is about 50 minutes away from us, and then we'd have a home (football) game here," Fitzpatrick said. "So, I'd play my game and then my parents would have to pick me up at the soccer game, drive me back here and I'd change in the car and then go out for football."

"He seemed to handle it well," Moreno said. "He did a great job."

Learn More: Semper Fidelis Athlete of the Month presented by the Marines

The balancing act seems to work out pretty well. He was able to satisfy his commitments to both sports and perform at a high level.

"I went to soccer for the whole practice but we got out about 4:30 and then I went to football practice after that," Fitzpatrick said. "I always tried to get in at least 50 kicks a day."

Football was a different beast for Fitzpatrick than soccer. He has played soccer since he was little kid but had never competed in football before this season.

Fitzpatrick's job on the football time was to kick off as well as boot extra points and field goals. However, Hillsboro didn't kick many extra points and field goals. In fact, the team only attempted two point-after kicks last season and both times the snap didn't reach the holder.

"One time I went to do it they snapped it and the snap went three yards wide. I went and picked it up and ran it," said the 5-foot-8, 145-pound Fitzpatrick.

"I picked it up and got demolished."

That's why Fitzpatrick's main sport is soccer.

He was a three-year starter on the soccer team, playing center midfield as a sophomore before shifting over to a defensive midfield in his final two years of high school. Fitzpatrick was elected as a team captain in 2017 and notched three goals and seven assists.

For his play on both sides of the ball this season, Fitzpatrick was awarded first-team all-district and second-team all-conference.

Currently, Fitzpatrick is competing for the Hillsboro track and field team. This is his second season running on varsity, racing primarily individually in the 800 meters and sometimes the 1,600 meters. Last year, he ran with the 3,200-meter relay team and it qualified for districts. Fitzpatrick is looking to be an alternate on this year's relay squad.

Fitzpatrick is really concentrating on the dropping his time in the 800. He logged a personal-best time of 2 minutes, 14 seconds in an early season race.

"I just wanted to break by PR for the 800, that's my main goal for this year," Fitzpatrick said.

Along with keeping up his busy schedule with sports, Fitzpatrick is always helping out with activities at school. He's the treasurer for National Honor Society (NHS) as well as the class president.

"He does a lot for us," Moreno said. "He represents our school well. He's a model student, and that's what you want."

Last summer, Fitzpatrick was honored to be able represent his school at Missouri Boys State. Held at the University of Central Missouri campus, Fitzpatrick said the eight-day program was an excellent experience. Being a part of the government-based program opened his eyes to volunteering more and being more active in his community.

Through NHS, Fitzpatrick has helped with such events as running a safe Halloween event at a school and making Thanksgiving baskets to hand out to those in need around Hillsboro. Away from school, Fitzpatrick volunteers for activities through the Knights of Columbus.

Fitzpatrick is also an Eagle Scout, achieving that status at 13 years old. Most boys who are attempting to be an Eagle Scout don't reach that rank until they are 17 or 18.

Fitzpatrick is already set for the next chapter of his life when he heads off to Missouri S&T in the fall. He'll technically transfer into the college since he'll already have received his associate's degree.

His plan is to major in engineering management and minor in civil engineering. Anticipating his courses will be extremely difficult and require the utmost commitment, Fitzpatrick won't pursue competing in athletics in college. However, he'd love to play intramural soccer.

Fitzpatrick has already been taking college courses for two years at the local community college, Jefferson College. This semester, he's taking four college classes, two at the school and two online. The first part of his school day is spent at the community college and his last three classes are at the high school.

Fitzpatrick, who is scheduled to graduate from Missouri S&T after the fall semester in 2020, has worked hard in the classroom to get where he's at today. He's reaping the rewards and will be two years ahead of most of his high school classmates.

"It's a great feeling because I feel like I'm already so far ahead of my peers and then I'll be able to really get a jump on anyone that I have to compete against for those jobs," Fitzpatrick said.

That's Fitzpatrick's competitive side shining through once again.

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