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Sixteen-year-old Jordan Hasay poses next a time clock with her high school record setting time of 4 minutes, 14.5 seconds at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore.
Associated Press
She is one of the most decorated high school female runners in the history of the sport and many colleges were hoping she to sign her but after taking her five official visits Jordan Hasay chose the University of Oregon.
"It was an extremely difficult decision," said Hasay during a recent press conference. "All the schools I looked at I know I could have run well there and I would have loved every school. I was looking for a school with solid academics and a great athletic program."
Hasay's college visits started with Arizona State University and The University of Arizona in October and The University of Oregon in November. After her cross country season ended, Hasay took a trip to Stanford and the University of Washington in January. Oregon shot to the top of the list until her visit at the University of Washington. Torn between the two schools she looked to her future to help make her final decision and decided she wanted to be in Eugene for her post collegiate career.
Oregon is the complete package for Hasay as many factors went into her decision. She was impressed with the Human Physiology Department and the human performance lab where they test athletes and runners. She has fond memories of her first National Championship event as a 7th grader running in the "huge stadium", and who can forget her record breaking moment at the Olympic Trials last July and the enthusiastic crowd chanting "COME TO OREGON." Coach Vin Lananna was also a huge draw for the athlete, "I think we have a really good connection and I think I will be able to work well with him and be able to run fast."
The two time Footlocker National winner and Gatorade National runner of the year, will be running cross country and track for the University of Oregon with track being the main focus. She joins an already talented group of women and will help the NCAA 2nd place team go for the national title in the fall.
Now that the decision is made, Hasay can focus on her final track season and her last few months as a high school student. Her first meet of the season will be at the San Luis Obispo County Meet on March 28th.
