Jake Hilmer of North Linn (Troy Mills, Iowa) is the greatest athlete you've never heard of. He holds state career records in two sports and several national records in baseball, including the most career hits, and tops the MaxPreps list of the nation's all-time hit leaders.
Playing at a Class 2A school in Iowa, Hilmer is essentially Pete Rose and John Stockton rolled into one, accumulating staggering stat totals in both sports. His 1,106 career basketball assists is No. 1 in Iowa history and top 12 nationally. He also scored 2,332 points, which ranks in the top 10 in Iowa history. He led the basketball team, coached by his father Mike, to a record of 102-4 with two Class 2A state titles in four seasons.
But baseball is where Hilmer really shined as a pitcher, hitter and base runner. His 61 career wins rank among the most in high school history. His 81 career doubles place him in the top 5 nationally and his 233 career stolen bases are a national record. He also holds the national career record for runs with 366.
However it's his hit record that stands out among the rest. With 363 career hits, he tops the No. 2 player on the list, Will Bishop of Shoals Christian (Ala.), by 45 hits. Even if you took away his 70 hits as an 8th grader, he is still the all-time leader with 293 (Bishop also played in 8th grade).
Hilmer had his best season as a senior, knocking 85 hits with 91 runs scored, 42 RBI, 26 doubles and 55 stolen bases. He led North Linn to a record of 193-32 in five seasons with one state championship.
One of two players with over 300 career hits, Hilmer tops a list of 49 players that have 230 or more hits in their career. The career can include seasons played in 7th or 8th grade, but does not include fall baseball seasons. A list of the top five players with combined fall and spring seasons is listed below. Sources include state association record books.
North Linn's Jake Hilmer holds the national mark for career base hits with 363.
Photo courtesy of Hilmer family
No. 1-10
363 — Jake Hilmer,
North Linn (Troy Mills, Iowa) 2015-19
318 — Will Bishop,
Shoals Christian (Florence, Ala.), 2009-13
290 — Chase Smartt,
Charles Henderson (Troy, Ala.), 2012-15
290 — Jake Greco,
North Fayette (West Union, Iowa), 2009-12
277 — Cory Rasmus,
Russell County (Seale, Ala.), 2002-06
277 — Jeff Malm,
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 2006-09
277 — Darren Deadmond,
Odin (Ill.), 1985-88
276 — Jeremiah Jackson,
St. Luke's Episcopal (Mobile, Ala.), 2013-18
275 — J.B. Schmidt,
Harrison County (Cynthiana, Ky.), 1994-00
275 — Andy Beck,
Kee (Lansing, Iowa), 2003-07
11-20
274 — Drew Miller,
Long (Skipperville, Ala.), 1995-98
271 — Stafford Booth,
Madison Academy (Madison, Ala.), 2006-10
259 — Tom Imhoff, Kee (Lansing, Iowa), 1977-80
257 — Drew Henson,
Brighton (Mich.), 1995-98
256 — Nick Johnson,
New Lothrop (Mich.), 2015-18
256 — Robert Matlock,
Jackson Christian (Jackson, Tenn.), 2000-03
255 — Dom Thompson-Williams,
Sioux City East (Sioux City, Iowa), 2010-13
255 — Jordan Adams,
Newman Catholic (Mason City, Iowa), 2005-09
255 — Blake Graham,
Butler County (Morgantown, Ky.), 2011-17
254 — Mike Wilson,
Central (Marlow, Okla.), 1993-96
21-30
253 — Cory Harris,
Assumption (Davenport, Iowa), 1995-98
253 — Mitch Moser,
Benton (Van Horne, Iowa), 2010-13
252 — Dean Moliter,
Kuemper (Carroll, Iowa), 2002-06
252 — Griffin Harris,
Phil Campbell (Ala.), 2004-06
251 — Rich Harrelson,
Tishomingo County (Iuka, Miss.), 1988-92
250 — Justin Bowen,
Rock Creek (Bokchito, Okla.), 1996-2000
247 — Erik Smith,
West Harrison (Mondamin, Iowa), 2001-05
247 — Mark Milder,
West Central (Maynard, Iowa), 1991-95
246 — Dylan Creech,
Wolfe County (Campton, Ky.), 2009-13
245 — Brett Case,
Preston (Okla.), 2000-03
31-40
242 — Rick Gaebe,
Woodlawn (Chicago), 1980-84
241 — Tyler Howe,
Northeast (Goose Lake, Iowa), 2000-04
241 — Zach Daegas,
Harlan (Iowa), 1998-2002
240 — Jeff Clement,
Marshalltown (Iowa), 1999-2002
239 — Jacob Realmuto,
Carl Albert (Midwest City, Okla.), 2007-10
238 — Ryan Kyes,
Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills, Mich.), 1994-97
238 — Pat Heiderscheit, Kee (Lansing, Iowa), 1981-84
238 — Derrick Loveless,
Solon (Iowa), 2008-11
238 — Kurt Belger,
Creston (Iowa), 2008-11
236 — Conor Dishman,
Gabriel Richard (Ann Arbor, Mich.), 2008-11
41-49
236 — B.J. Foley,
Corbin (Corbin, Ky.), 1995-2002
235 — Ozzie Adams,
Clear Lake (Iowa), 2008-12
235 — Clayton Welsh, Kee (Lansing, Iowa), 2003-07
235 — Preston Overbey,
University School of Jackson (Tenn.), 2006-10
234 — Drake Tucker,
Brooks (Killen, Ala.), 2010-13
234 — Lon Olejniczak,
Decorah-North Winneshiek (Decorah, Iowa), 1976-79
233 — Eric O'toole,
Lewis Central (Council Bluffs, Iowa), 2008-11
233 — Jalen Goree,
Bibb County (Centreville, Ala.), 2008-12
230 — Drew Laidig,
Carlisle (Iowa), 2001-05
Fall and Spring Season Combine484 — Justin Bowen, Rock Creek (Bokchito, Okla.), 1996-2000
450 — Brad Loper,
Silo (Okla.), 2000-04
429 — Brandon Wells, Silo (Okla.), 2004-08
406 — Stuart Parker, Rock Creek (Bokchito, Okla.), 1995-99
404 — Josh Rorex, Silo (Okla.), 2001-05
