After a weekend where Bridgeport High School senior Kayla Haywood won three more state titles in leading the Indians to a runner-up spot in this year’s Class AA state track and field championship in Charleston, one may wonder what she could possibly do three days later for an encore. This afternoon at the BHS library, she found the proper way reprise.

 

With family, coaches and BHS staff by her side, Haywood signed a letter of intent to continue her track and field at a Division I school. Next year, Haywood will wear the green and white of Marshall University.

 

“I’m excited to have this signing today,” said Haywood. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. I just finished my high school track career so this is a great way to wrap things up.”

 

Haywood wrapped up her track career dominating on the biggest stage in the state. She won two individual state titles – the 100 and 200 meter dashes – and was part of the winning 4x200 relay team. She also finished second in the long jump. That came after her junior year where she was also the high point performer for the state title team and took home wins in the 100, 200, long jump and as a member of the 4x200 relay team.

 

“Kayla has been a very special athlete to the track program all four years. She has grown significantly both as an athlete and a person,” said Coach Emilee Stout, who also coached her as a cheerleader on the Indians’ Class AA runner-up squad there.

 

What makes her effort even more impressive is what many didn’t know. For most of the latter part of the season she’s battled injury.

 

“She has handled a lingering hip injury for quite some time, but this never stopped her from finishing workouts. She had to modify a lot of practices, but never gave up and always finished, no matter how long it took her,” said Stout. “She did everything we asked of her and pushed through a lot of good competition through the years. I could always count on her, both in cheerleading in track.”

 

Now, she’s taking that tough attitude to Huntington. Haywood said the reason she opted to be a member of the Thundering Herd track program was simple.

 

“It came down to the fact I felt it was the best fit for me,” said Haywood. “Everyone down there was friendly, the coaches were friendly too.”

 

Marshall wasn’t the only one showing interest. Haywood said West Virginia University, Concord and several other small schools also inquired about landing her services. While at MU, Haywood said she believes she’ll continue with the 100 and 200 meter events, as well as the long jump.

 

“I have to get my times down and in my long jump I’ve got to be able to jump further. You have to be able to bump things up because what you do in high school isn’t good enough,” said Haywood, who plans to study biology. “We have longer breaks in college so it’s going to be important to work hard during those periods when I’m not actually at practice. I also need to practice on my own this summer.”

 

Stout said hard work shouldn’t be a problem. In fact, she thinks Haywood will adjust smoothly to the next level.

 

“Kayla has the right attitude for the next level.  She will have to adjust to harder, more strenuous workouts, but she can handle it,” said Stout. “I think she will have to work on her strength in the weight room. This will be another adjustment, as for many high school athletes, just because of the focus that college coaches put toward lifting. Again, Kayla will be able to adjust accordingly.”

 

Haywood walks away as the most decorated female athlete in BHS track and field history. And as noted above, she walks away as the most decorated female track athlete in Harrison County history.

 

“Kayla is one of those girls you hate to see graduate.  I am certain Kayla's teammates have learned a lot from her, and I'm sure they will miss having her around,” said Stout. “She's a special young lady and I will greatly miss her.”

 

Haywood will also miss her time at the Johnson Avenue school.

 

“I’m very proud of what we did here. My main goal was to get a state title as a team and we did that last year,” said Haywood. “To be able to get seven state titles was really special. I enjoyed my time here tremendously.” 

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Kayla Haywood, front row and second from right, surrounded by her brother Jaden, mother Marsha and father Keith. Second row, from left, is brother Jordan, personal trainer Wes Brown, godmother Michelle Douglas, Coach Emilee Stout and BHS Principal Mark DeFazio. Back row is  godfather James Gregory Douglas. Bottom two photos are action shots of Kayla during last year's state track meet.