Springville's Haden Penrod Finds Right Choice In BYU


Springville (UT) High senior Haden Penrod had been deciding for months on where to continue his track and field career. 

Would it be Weber State, where he would have a great opportunity to compete right away? Or would the decision be Brigham Young University, where his parents attended and his mom ran?

In the end, Penrod couldn't pass up history. He verbally committed to the Cougars soon after running at the Arcadia Invitational this past weekend in California. 

"I always kind of wanted to go to BYU," said Penrod, who owns a US No. 5 time in the 800m of 1:50.79 and ran 4:15.43 in the 1-mile at Arcadia. "I live so close and both my parents went there. It's always been what I wanted to do." 

The National Letter of Intent regular period begins Wednesday, April 12, and runs through August 1 for all sports.  

The Cougars, who also locked in the commitments from three American Fork stars -- Gatorade National Runner of the Year Casey Clinger, McKay Johns and Patrick Parker -- are in a good position to claim one of the best classes in the country. 


"There will be a lot of people to train with who are really good," Penrod said. "And they've had a lot of success in the past." 

It's important to note, however, that Penrod will take a two-year break from school after graduation when he accepts his invitation by the Latter-day Saints Church to go on a religious mission -- he'll learn of the assignment, he said, in the next week.  

"I'll have the opportunity to do that right away," he said. 

Once Penrod returns, the Cougars will get a formidable middle-distance runner who has the ability to run at a top-level in a series of events. Penrod said BYU coach Ed Eyestone envisions him in anything from the 800m to the 1600m. 

Penrod, who has a cross country PR in the 5K of 15:55.80, will also get an opportunity to train with the cross country team at BYU.