Over the past four years Kayla Hale has become a constant on cross county courses in the state of Florida and beyond. Hale’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Schools came from near and far, and after months of visits, calls and soul searching a decision has been made. Kayla Hale will become a Duke Blue Devil.
The four-time Cross Country State Champion, and three-time Footlocker Nationals qualifier, says that there were a lot of things that she looked at when making her decision.
“I took forever to make a decision because to me this was about much more than just running. I feel like I sort of narrowed my choices based on programs that I felt would be a good fitting running wise. After that, I really wanted to look at everything else. I was looking for good academics, an opportunity to get involved in a church community, a team atmosphere that I felt I could fit into, and really just a place that I felt I could call home.”
When choosing Duke there were a few things that she says stood out. The team atmosphere, the great coaching, and the athletic facilities were all major pluses in the decision making. After taking her official visit there she says that she found it hard to come up with any negatives in Duke. In regards to the coaching Kayla says “Even though no one could ever replace Coach Butler, I truly feel that Coach Jermyn is a coach who knows what he is doing and who cares about me both as an athlete and as a person. There was a connection. Also, Liz Wort is the assistant coach and she is a Duke graduate. She runs with the girls which I think is really cool. She has been through it all before.”
She will be joining fellow Floridian, and 2007 Footlocker National Champion, Ashley Brasovan at Duke. Kathy Kroeger, the 2006 Footlocker National Champion, also lists Duke as one of her final two choices. With the combination of these three ladies Duke looks to return to the top five in Cross Country. They are also very good friends and will enjoy each other’s company outside of practice.
“I am really excited! I have gotten to be really close to Ashley and Kathy. I definitely made my decision based on where was the best fit for me but it is great to know that i am going with people who I have already developed relationships with. I do not know where Kathy will end up. I want her to go to where is the best fit for her and I am not one to try and persuade her. But... I would love it if she came to Duke!”
As the long decision making process has come to an end, there are a few people that Kayla would like to thank.
“First I would like to thank my parents. I think they are the most supportive and loving of them all. They only want the best for me and it matters none to them what place I finish or what time I run, only as long as I am enjoying it. They have done so much. And my brother Steven has really helped me with the decision. He seems to be the voice of reason who can really open up my eyes and help me see things from a different perspective. Coach Butler has done so much for me and he has really been supportive through it all, helping me to figure out where is the best place for me. And God, it sounds cheesy, but I have had a really hard time letting go of all of this. I like being in control. But I learned through this that my plan was not necessarily the best. I thought I knew where I was supposed to be but God really showed me very clearly that his plan was better than mine. I am so excited and I can’t wait to see what the future holds at DUKE!! ”
On behalf of the Florida running community we would like to thank Kayla for the great memories she has given us. As a fellow Holy Trinity Tiger, I would like to thank Kayla for all of the good times and congratulations on becoming a BLUE DEVIL!!!
