Balancing Backhands & Backcasts: Allegheny Student Shines in Fly Fishing & Tennis

Justin Hardie '28 doesn't just compete; he excels, whether he's knee-deep in a stream halfway across the world or battling on a tennis court closer to campus.

In July 2025, Hardie helped lead Team USA to its third consecutive gold medal at the 22nd FIPS-Mouche World Youth Fly Fishing Championship, held in Idaho Falls. He made an immediate impact at the five-day event, landing 58 fish in a single session, a performance that helped position the U.S. squad atop the standings before the final day had even begun.

Hardie ultimately finished sixth overall in the international field, one of five Americans to place in the top seven. The dominant team capped a remarkable run for Hardie, who had already proven himself on the world stage the year before.

In 2024, he earned an individual bronze medal at the World Youth Fly Fishing Championship in Vyssi Brod, Czech Republic, where Team USA swept the podium to another gold. That breakthrough season put him among the world's elite young anglers and gave him memories he still treasures.

"That was a surreal experience," he says. "To realize that years of practicing and trying to be one of the best in the world paid off. It was incredibly fulfilling. What made it even better was doing it with teammates I grew up fishing and competing with. We've learned from each other and pushed each other for years."

Now, after wrapping up his decorated run with the U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Team, Hardie is shifting his focus from fast-flowing streams to fast-paced matches. Back on campus this fall, he's bringing that same competitive drive to the Allegheny men's tennis team.

"A lot of people are surprised, but fly fishing and tennis actually have a lot in common," he says. "Both demand total focus, quick footwork, and adaptability under pressure. Competitive fly fishing is fast-paced. You're sprinting through woods, wading in rivers, and casting in extreme conditions. It's intense."

Both sports, he adds, also test your individual resilience. "Even though there are team elements, the outcome in each moment is on you. That forces you to stay mentally strong, to bounce back, and to keep growing."

Hardie, began playing tennis as a toddler with his father, but started taking the sport seriously during the COVID-19 shutdown. "It became something fun, something I could do when everything else was paused," he says.

Since arriving at Allegheny, he's juggled academics, athletics, and international fishing competitions. "My first year was nonstop," he says. "There were times I had to miss class or even a tennis match to compete in a national fly fishing event. But I always tried to make the most of my time," whether on the court or the water.

Hardie is majoring in industrial design the intersection of arts, science, and innovation with plans to minor in physics. He says he's found an ideal environment at Allegheny to to keep exploring new academic and athletic passions.

Dave Hayden, head men's and women's tennis coach, says Hardie has already shown he's a committed and valuable part of the team.

"Justin joined the roster in fall of 2024 and has been a great addition to the team. He has a strong work ethic and brings that energy to the court when he plays. We are probably the only tennis team in the NCAA whose roster has a junior world champion fly fisherman on their roster," says Hayden.

Looking ahead, Hardie is hoping to bring fly fishing to more Gators. "I'd love to help start a fly fishing and fly-tying club here," he says. "There's so much to learn. It's hands-on, it's rooted in conservation, and it's a great way to connect with nature and unplug from stress. I think it could really resonate with a lot of students."

From bronze medals to baseline rallies, Hardie's story is still being written, one cast and one serve at a time.