Although many see 12 feet as an incredible accomplishment, Hayle Russell sees it a little differently. To her, it simply means she’s back on track, both figuratively and literally.
Russell claimed the Area Championship on Saturday, April 18, at Cabaniss Stadium in Corpus Christi, clearing 12 feet against a competitive field from District 31 (Kenedy, Pettus, Port Aransas, Refugio, Skidmore-Tynan, Three Rivers, Woodsboro, and Yorktown) and District 32 (Agua Dulce, Ben Bolt, Freer, La Villa, Premont, Riviera Kaufer, and Santa Maria).
Her winning vault not only secured the title but also broke the school record she set just one week earlier, marking the second time she has rewritten Yorktown’s record books this season.
“We are so proud of her continued success here at Yorktown. Her hard work and determination to the sport continues to shine through,” said head track coach Whitney Schroeder.
But Russell’s journey to this moment wasn’t easy.
After establishing herself early, clearing 12 feet in a practice meet and officially setting Goliad’s school record at 11 feet, 7 inches as a sophomore, she was on a steady rise. That momentum was interrupted after transferring to Yorktown, when a frightening practice accident involving the pole left her shaken. Though she avoided serious injury, the moment lingered mentally.
In the months that followed, Russell struggled to regain confidence, often settling for planting the pole rather than fully committing to her vaults. Russell doesn't run hurdles but had a mental hurdle to overcome. The frustration built to the point where she even contemplated putting the pole down for good and stepping away from Track altogether.
But she didn’t.
Instead, Russell faced those fears head-on. With encouragement and an unexpected opportunity, a coach from Texas A&M Kingsville reached out after seeing her previous marks, and she found renewed motivation. Slowly, meet by meet, she began to trust herself again.
And now, she’s found her rhythm.
Russell’s personal pole-vaulting coach Brandon Blain said, “She’s still battling the mental side every day, but she keeps growing, and that’s why she continues to raise the bar. We’ve had some tough days and weeks through the years, but she’s stayed the course. Believe, Realize, Become — it takes all three, and she’s proving it.”
Just one meet prior, Russell cleared 10 feet, 6 inches to set the school record, surpassing the 10 feet, 1 inch record set in 2022 by Seely Metting. At the Area Meet, she raised the bar again, literally by improving that record with a 12foot vault.
While others celebrate the height, Russell sees something deeper. It’s not a new peak, it’s a return to what she has always known she was capable of.
Now, with the regional meet ahead, she has her sights set even higher: surpassing her true personal best and continuing her upward climb.
Russell will continue her academic and athletic career at Texas A&M Kingsville, where she plans to major in business and pursue her real estate license.
Reflecting on her journey, Russell said, 'After the setback I struggled with all last year, it feels really good to be actually vaulting again like I'm used to. Although it's very exciting to break the school record, I'm much more excited and determined to break my own personal record of 12 feet that I set in a practice meet in Cuero my sophomore year. I'm just glad this personal record is now legit.'
For Russell, 12 feet isn’t the finish line. It’s proof that she’s overcome, and that her best may still be ahead.
