by Timothy M. Jones, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Rochester, IL — You may want to make note of this date: January 16, 2010. That was the evening of the USTA District 5 awards banquet when USTA Executive Vice President Mike Tanner presented the award for 2009 Illinois Amateur Driver of the Year to Jay Hochstetler. The award capped off a summer of very hard work and dedication by the teenager, and may also have been a stepping-stone to a very bright and promising future.

Stephanie Pennington photo

Jay Hochstetler received the 2009 Amateur Driver Award from USTA Executive Vice President Mike Tanner as his parents, Homer and Connie Hochstetler, look on.

If the Hochstetler name sounds familiar, it should. Jay’s father is noted trainer Homer Hochstetler. His mother Connie has been involved with harness racing and Grand Circuit events all her life. It also doesn’t hurt to have a Hall of Fame grandfather in Doug Ackerman either.

With a pedigree like that, you might think he would be a natural for the racing game — which may be proven so later on in life.

However, as a youngster, Jay was more interested in baseball than anything else. Sure, he liked going to the track and watching his Dad’s horses race, but he just wasn’t interested in going to the barn on a regular basis.

Currently a junior at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois, it wasn’t until the last couple of years that he caught the harness bug.

“I started jogging a couple of horses for Dad, and things just kind of clicked,” Jay stated. “The first trip I was absolutely scared to death. I didn’t want to mess up with the horses and make my Dad mad.

“It’s no big deal driving anymore. The first Amateur race (on July 19, 2009 at Balmoral) — I was really nervous. By the third one, I was getting settled in a little more and accustomed with what to do.

“In the final at Balmoral (at September 27), I loved the feeling when I got right past the first horse and I knew I was going to win!” he said excitedly. “That’s the best feeling in the world. I was really pumped!”

That feeling is something the 17-year-old will never forget, and certainly was an influence in choosing a career path after college in harness racing.

Hochstetler family photo

Jay Hochstetler is also a standout athlete in volleyball.

As a natural athlete, Jay could have stuck with baseball, or volleyball for that matter. He’s been a standout in the latter since middle school at St. Liborius in Steger, Illinois. Jay played on his High School’s sophomore team as a freshman, and then on the varsity team as a sophomore. On most weekends he plays in tournaments with the Attack Volleyball Club.

With all that on his plate during the school year, it’s the hope of getting a Qualifier and County Fair license he’s anxious for; getting back to the Amateur races also.

His father plays the role of mentor on the track, giving Jay tips and corrections when they train together.

“My Dad has been the biggest help. He tells me what I’m doing right or wrong. He also lets me figure some things out on my own. He tells me that he won’t be able to help me during a race, so I’ll have to be able to think on my own feet then.”

Jay has also made note of Marcus Miller’s plan — going to school during the day and driving at the Chicago tracks at night.

“I know it’s a lot of hard work, but it would be worth it.

“I see how he (Marcus) carries himself on and off the track. He has such a good work ethic and knowledge of the sport. We also talk quite a bit. I see him at Balmoral, and then we also chat a lot on Facebook.

“So, I think this is what I want to do. I’ve seen what my Dad does, and what people like Marcus are doing. I think it’s the thing for me.”

January 16, 2010 may be one award date of many yet to come for Jay Hochstetler.