Zoey Vernon: A Record-Breaking Performance

WGHS is no stranger to athletic excellence, but Zoey Vernon’s recent achievement has shown her hard work and dedication of becoming a new record for finishing triple jump with 39 feet 3.75 inches and 100 hurdles in 15.64.
by Rylee Watson

Zoey Vernon is wrapping up her final years of high school, yet she is still breaking records for the girls track and field team. Zoey has been involved in track and field for 2 years now. This past weekend her performance was phenomenal: she triple jumped, ran hurdles, as well as participated in the 4x1 relay. Vernon's success is nothing short of remarkable. Her story serves as a reminder with passion and determination, anything can be met. As she continues her athletic journey at Kennesaw State, and majoring in integrated health science. There's no doubt that Zoey will continue to inspire and leave a lasting memory at Walnut Grove high school. 

Zoey's journey has given her the opportunity to, “...recognize my weaknesses whether physical or mental, and find specific ways to improve in those areas. Then, I will implement them on a consistent basis,” expressed by Vernon. In such a competitive environment, Zoey's best advice would be to, “...don’t lose motivation even when things aren’t going how you planned. Last year in the middle of the season, the triple jump was not going the way I wanted at all. I had almost given up, but after tweaking some things, I was able to get back on track. Sometimes, all you need to do is adjust to achieve what you thought you couldn’t.”

The path to success is rarely smooth, and Zoey’s journey was no exception. She faced a number of hurdles that tested her as an athlete. Her biggest challenge was her mindset. She explains, “My biggest challenge was definitely my mindset. If I even started to doubt myself a little bit, it would impact my performance.” Through all her hardships, her biggest supporters were her coaches. “Every time I think something is out of my reach or I can’t accomplish it, they always encourage me and remind me of the milestones I’ve reached,” shared Zoey.

Zoey Vernon’s record breaking performance is more than just her personal goal; it's a moment for Walnut Grove high school to celebrate the inspiration that comes from it. Her dedication, resilience, and determination are what allowed her to battle through the season and meet her goals as a player. As Zoey leaves behind her mark, she will be facing new challenges in her own future.

​Walnut Grove wishes her the best of luck, and can't wait to see what she accomplishes in her future.

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