In her final season representing Trinity Lutheran, senior Hailley Peters solidified her legacy in the track and field program’s history books.

All season, Peters dominated the high jump on a regional level before making it back to the big stage at Indiana University’s track complex.

Now, she’s eyeing a roster spot with an NCAA Division I program.

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With all her accomplishments this season, Peters has been named the 2017 All-County Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

Coming off her first-ever state appearance in 2016 — placing 18th — Peters had high expectations going into her senior year.

Trinity coach Caleb Tormoehlen said that Peters put in the work leading up to the season.

“(Peters) put the extra time in,” Tormoehlen said. “She hit the weight room pretty hard in the off season. She got a lot stronger. Hailley worked with (jumps coach) Hayden (Stuckwisch) and a lot of other coaches as well.”

Peters said she didn’t lose one regular-season meet in the high jump, and also picked up blue ribbons in the discus and 100.

She was named most valuable performer at the Sam Sumner Invitational at Borden on April 15 and broke the school record at 5 feet, 5 inches during a meet at Jac-Cen-Del.

Her success didn’t slow down come the postseason.

At the Seymour Sectional, Peters was champion by clearing 5-3.

She then followed up by winning the Bloomington North Regional with a jump of 5-4.

While she didn’t match her school record at state, Peters hit 5-4 again to claim 10th of 27 athletes.

Peters credited the coaching staff for helping her achieve new heights.

“A lot of the practice and preparation that Trinity has taught me — and the time management — prepared me for the big stage of state and beyond that,” Peters said.

For her efforts at state, Peters was invited to the MidWest Meet of Champions, hosted by Ohio Wesleyan University.

The meet featured the top senior track and field athletes from Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.

Jumping 5-4, Peters placed fifth on the day.

“At state, you had a lot of good people. At (the MidWest meet) it was the best of the best out of the surrounding states,” Peters said. “There was a girl there that is most likely going to go to the Olympics. I got to be in a picture with her and told her I hope to see her on TV one day.”

Peters will attend Ball State University this fall, and said she plans on walking on with the track team.

“(Whether or not to compete in college) went been back and forth, really,” Peters said. “I want to be a nurse. Nursing school is really hard to get in to. Also, clinicals will be going on, so it will be very difficult to balance track meets and practices with that. However, high jump is a passion of mine. If I don’t like it after one year I can give it up. If I do, maybe I can get a scholarship my sophomore year. I just love it so much that I can’t give it up yet.”

Peters said she talked to the coaches, and met with them at a recent college visit, and they have interest in her coming aboard.

“I don’t know many athletes from here that have had the chance to play D1,” Tormoehlen said. “For her to be given that opportunity is exciting. Hopefully we will be able to see her jump at Ball State one day and continue to excel.”

Tormoehlen believes that many athletes in the future will look back at Peters’ career.

“Track and field-wise, she will probably be considered one of the greatest from here,” he said. “She definitely left a lasting legacy here.”

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Joining Hailley Peters on the 2017 All-Jackson County girls’ track and field team:

Trentity Vaught, Brownstown Central, senior, thrower

Accomplishments: sectional champion (discus), MSC champion (discus), finished 18th in discus, BCHS Outstanding Field Event.

Brooklyn Snodgrass, Brownstown Central, sophomore, sprints

Accomplishments: sectional champion (100, 200, 4×100 relay), MSC Champion (100, 200, 4×100, pole vault), finished 21st at state in the 100, BCHS MVP, school records in 100 (12.4) and 200 (26.61).

Kristen Stuckwisch, Brownstown Central, junior, sprints

Accomplishments: sectional champion (4×100 and 4×400 relays), MSC champion (4×400 relay), 6th at regional in 400, BCHS Outstanding Sprinter.

Kaelyn Johnson, Brownstown Central, sophomore, distance

Accomplishments: 5th at sectional (3,200), 12th at regional (3,200), BCHS Outstanding Distance Runner.

Grace Jaynes, Brownstown Central, junior, throwing

Accomplishments: MSC runner-up (discus), 3rd in sectional (discus), 6th at regional (discus).

Breanna Barger, Crothersville, senior, multiple events

Accomplishments: finished 26th at state in the 800, SAC champion (400, 800, 4×800 relay), regional qualifier (800, 1,600, 4×800 relay), holds multiple school records (4×800 relay, 400, 800, 1,600, 3,200) .

Katrina Christian, Crothersville, senior, multiple events

Accomplishments: SAC most outstanding athlete, SAC Champion (300 hurdles, high jump, long jump, 4×800 relay) school records (300 hurdles, 4×800 relay, 100), regional qualifier (300 hurdles, 4×800 relay).

Ashton Chase, Seymour, sophomore, distance

Accomplishments: finished 15th at state in the 1,600,  sectional champion and regional qualifier (4×800 relay, 1,600 and 3,200).

Avery DeHart, Seymour, sophomore, multiple events

Accomplishments: regional qualifier (pole vault, 4×100 relay).

Liz Lenart, Seymour, sophomore, sprints

Accomplishments: regional qualifier (100, 4×100 relay).

Megan Ritz, Seymour, sophomore, high jump

Accomplishments: regional qualifier (high jump, 4×100 relay)

Sarah Benefiel, seymour, senior, pole vault/hurdles

Accomplishments: regional qualifier (pole vault).

Makenna Sunbury, Seymour, junior, distance

Accomplishments: regional qualifier (3,200).

Emma Brock, Seymour, junior, distance

Accomplishments: sectional champion (800, 4×800 relay).

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2017 Jackson County Girls’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year

Hailley Peters, Trinity Lutheran, senior, high jump

Accomplishments: finished 10th at state, tied for 5th at MidWest Meet of Champions, sectional and regional champion, three straight sectional championships, back-to-back state appearances, school record in high jump (5-5), Sam Sumner Invitational most valuable.

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