Hailey Jones '20 Recruiting Profile

I started running in 5th grade. My elementary P.E. teacher held a mock track meet and ever since I knew that this is what I wanted to do. In 6th grade, I joined the track team. I fell in love with the sport. I loved the energy I felt when I stepped on the track. Every year since I have trained to be the best I can possibly be. In the summer I would run all the time. And at the time my friends all thought that I was crazy. But my 7th grade year the high school distance coach at that time finally noticed me and asked if I wanted to work out with the high school. I was ecstatic. He would always have me do a little less then the high school, but he shortly learned that I would not cut anything short. By my 8th grade year I was ready for bigger, faster competition. My freshman year finally came. I could not wait for high school. I would finally get to run, in my own little junior high mind, with the "big dogs." I was so excited. This is what I was training for every summer. I craved the competition. I started my year in cross country. I did the full workouts and thanks to my coach I had a pretty successful season. I got my 5K time down to a 19:57. Ending the year with state, all my hard work paid off. I finished the season as the 2A girls Cross Country State Champion. Our team got 2nd overall as well. As the year went on and track season came around I kept up with my hard training and set my goals and finished the season with my 800 time as a 2:24 and my 1600 time of a 5:33, I also ran the 400 and got a 1:01, and I was in the 4X800 meter relay. At the state meet our relay took 3rd, I finished 1st in the 800 and the 1600 and I got 4th in the 400. And of course once that season was over I took a short break and started my summer training. During the school year I got invited to go to Australia to run cross country with the DownUnder Sports USA team. So that summer I went down to Australia to run. We did two races, a 5.7K and a 5K. The 5.7K was a road race with people from all over the world. I finished 111 our of over 2,000 and I finished 16th out of all the women. Then the 5K was an All- American race with just the kids that got invited to Australia. I finished 2nd overall and 1st in my age group. At the end of week and a half they held a banquet where I got the honor of being the MVP runner for the 16 and under age group. Recently, my sophomore year, I got my 5K time down to a 19:39 and ended the season as a 2X 2A State Champion and our team finished 3rd. Then in track I got my 800 time down to a 2:16, my 1600 meter time down to a 5:19, my 400 time down to a 1:00.14 and we took a sprint medley (2-2-4-8) where I ran the 800 and our team won. I was the returning 2A State Champion in the 800 and 1600. Our relay team, since this was the first year Wyoming has done the sprint relay, set the record and won, we ran a time of 4:27. In the 400 I finished second overall. 

Along with running, I am very active at Moorcroft High School, located in the Northeastern corner of Wyoming. I have been in student council since the 5th grade. I have been the Class President every year except my 6th grade year, I was the Vice President. I love student council and the involvement it has with the student body. It has helped me be a better leader and organizer. Along with student council I am in FFA, Band, and NHS (National Honor Society) In FFA I participate in a CDE (Career Development) The CDE that I study is Veterinarian Science. I also recited the FFA Creed in local and regional competitions. Reciting the Creed in front of an audience has helped my public speaking skills. I was a really shy kinda awkward kid but doing and joining FFA has really helped me open up to people. Along with all of my activities I make sure that I maintain a 4.0 GPA.   

I am also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Every month we do a day of service. There is also a Personal Progress program that helps the young women be the best they can be, and that helps me set goals and set steps to achieve my goals. Along with that there are three different classes, the youngest class, known as the Beehives. The middle class, the Mia-maids and the oldest class, the Laurels. I have the privilege of being the Laurel class president.

I live on a family operated ranch that my grandparents own and operate. So at a young age I was introduced to hard work and working together. My summer jobs usually consist of helping with branding, fixing fences, milking our dairy cows, and just whatever needs to be done. Every year I also show animals in the county fair which helps me with patience and time planning. I have to make time for all of my animals so that they are ready for the fair.  With my background of animals I want to pursue a degree in Veterinary Science to become a veterinarian or a vet technician. 

This year (2017-2018) I was so fortunate to be introduced to the Congressional Award. It is a big organization that the President himself is involved in. It is a time span of 13 year olds to the time they turn 24. It is a process of community service and personal development to help build better character and to help our wonderful nation. I just started this year and it has already helped me be closer to my family and community, my goal for the Congressional Award is to receive the Gold Medal and walk on stage in front of the White House.  

The best thing about living in a small town is that you are close to everyone and friends with everyone there. So I have a lot of support in everything I do. Especially with my family. They are my biggest cheerleaders. I am so lucky to have such a supportive family that encourages me and helps me achieve my goals. My parents and siblings are at all of my track and cross country meets. Family is the most important thing to me along with my church, my God, my friends and of course my school and athletics. My family is very outdoorsy, so when we get a break to go camping we take every chance we can. My dad has taught me to be prepared of anything and for everything, and trust me when I say that I learned the hard way. He has taught me how to rely on myself and what to do in emergencies. And my biggest goal is to make my family proud.

I can't wait to see what the future holds but I know that no matter what I will not lose my determination to work hard and achieve my goals, I am excited to start this journey and to make my mark in the world.