Editor's Note: The following story is the third part of a series highlighting WSU student-athletes who have earned stipends through the Unleash Excellence Fund. Swimming's Mikaela Kirton was featured in the first story of the series. Cougar Soccer's Aniah Cutler was profiled in the second piece.  

Join Cougar Athletics on #CougsGive day, April 12, to learn about the positive impact the Unleash Excellence Fund has already made on our student-athletes and how you can support this critical need for Cougar Athletics.

Elijah Hainline is living his dream.

"I've been a Cougar my whole life," he said. 

"In terms of speaking to people about Cougar Athletes, this is who we're talking about," said Baseball Coach Brian Green. "This is the guy who fits the mold of who is supposed to be in Pullman.

"Elijah is tough, competitive, and consistent," added Green. "He is a hard worker who loves the game and fits the model of what WAZZU is supposed to be about."

Born and raised in Spokane, Hainline demonstrated his love for baseball and the Cougars immediately when he arrived to campus.

"To play as a freshman and make an impact on the team anyway you can, that's everyone's goal," he said.

Hainline achieved that goal, making an immediate impact on the field appearing in 48 games, 45 as a starter, as a freshman. This season, as a sophomore, he has started every game highlighted by a 4-hit, 4 RBI effort in a 22-7 win against Villanova, Feb. 18.

While he excels in the batter's box, Hainline is also demonstrating his prowess as an infielder.

"Elijah is one of the most skilled defenders in the league," Green said. "He is going to have a huge future here."

As he continues to stand out on the baseball diamond, Hainline is preparing for his future away from the field by majoring in kinesiology with the plan to attend physical therapy school.

Kinesiology, Hainline says, improves his ability to know the intricacies of how his body moves when he plays, which helps him perform on the field. In addition, he wants to use the lessons learned in physical therapy to assist his fellow athletes.

"I want to be a physical therapist to help other athletes become the best versions of themselves," he said.

As Hainline continues to build his resume, nutrition is a key component to help him be the best version of himself.

Cougar Athletics emphasizes the importance of nutrition and devotes a five-member staff with the mission of encouraging student-athlete to recognize the importance of nutrition in their performance, health and wellbeing.

The Unleash Excellence Fund stipend has helped Hainline continue to keep up with his nutrition goals when he is away from campus.

"The stipend has helped a major amount, such as purchasing groceries," he explained. "It has allowed us to maintain our body to better prepare ourselves on the field and off."

"Specifically, for our athletes, the Unleash Excellence Fund allows our players to take their nutrition from one-level to the next off the field," Green said. "They can meal prep in the summer, when they're not here, to stay in the shape they need. It's a small piece to use that funding to keep that impact as an athlete."

Whether he is wearing the Cougar uniform or attending classes, Hainline is living the dream and making an impact on WSU each day.

"It's been a dream of mine growing up," he said of being a Coug, a meaning that holds special significance for him.

"Being a Coug is everything for me," he said. "This community is amazing. The fans are amazing. Cougs are everything."