By Ken Hansard
Vaelynn Cox, a senior at Hugoton High, is preparing for her final track season with the Eagles and hopes to turn a year of progress into a trip to the state meet. Competing in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, and serving as the 4×100 relay anchor, Cox brings a mix of speed, determination, and leadership to the Eagles.
Last season, Cox made significant strides, highlighted by a personal-best time of 12.86 seconds in the 100 meters. The improvement marked a breakthrough after years of hard work. “I am most proud of getting out of the 13s in the 100 last year and running a 12.86. My goal now is to get that time lower than 12.5.”
Cox finished seventh at the regional meet in Andale, narrowly missing qualifying for state, despite running competitive times. That experience has fueled her motivation for her senior year. “My goal for this season is to make it to state. I was very close last year, and I know I’m in the group that can make it.”
Originally a distance runner, Vaelynn discovered her natural speed after coaches encouraged her to try sprinting. “I used to run distance and loved the mental challenge, but my coaches saw that I was naturally fast. Once I switched to sprints, I realized I could really go somewhere with it.”
Beyond her performance on the track, Cox prides herself on being a supportive teammate and leader. “I see myself as a leader, and I want my teammates to push themselves and even try to beat me,” she said. “That competition helps all of us get better.”
Cox is a two-time track letter winner, a member of HOSA, and maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA. After graduation, she plans to attend Wichita State University to study exercise science before entering a physical therapy program, with the goal of becoming a physical therapist.
