Rocket Spotlight on Hailey Slagle

Hailey Slagle is a freshman on the women’s track and field team who competes in sprint events. Slagle has seen action in 12 meets throughout her first season and set personal bests in the 100m (12.29) and the 200m (26.00) during the 2025 outdoor season.

On how she began running track

I signed up for the middle school track team because all my friends did it. We all signed up together. I didn’t start taking track seriously until my sophomore and junior years of high school when I joined a club team, Push Athletics out of Findlay, Ohio. The coaches helped me develop a passion for track. I decided to focus on track and quit all the other sports I was participating in. It was during that time I realized I could have a future running collegiately.

When I joined the team in middle school, I started off as a hurdler. One day at practice, I fell and decided to move on from hurdles. I played soccer growing up, so sprinting and running fast paced was normal for me which is how I chose to be a sprinter.

On her pre-race superstitions

I have to eat pasta the night before my meet. It can be any type of pasta, but I have to eat it. My favorite is chicken alfredo, but spaghetti has been in the rotation a lot because it is so easy to make. Before bed the night before a meet, I also drink a chocolate protein milkshake because it is good for recovery. In high school, I had to wear my hair the same way for every meet. Once I got to college, I went away from that and just made sure to eat the same meals.

On her first year of college experience

I’ve had a great experience. I’ve met some of my closest friends that I know will be my lifelong friends, which I am so grateful for. I am so thankful to have Devin (Quinn) as my coach. He’s been incredible to work with and I have learned and developed so much under him in just one year. Academically, I have had a great experience in all of my classes and with all of my professors. The professors are super knowledgeable in the College of Education, which has made my classes even better.

On choosing to study early childhood education

I really like helping people in general, but especially kids. Kids have a special place in my heart. Growing up, I had a lot of little neighbors and I would always play school with them which I think sparked an idea in my mind. I want to help kids have a great school experience. When I was in elementary school, I didn’t have the best experiences with my teachers. I want to give young kids a great experience in school and help them become better students and individuals.

On choosing Toledo

I’m from a small town. I knew everyone in my hometown and we all went to high school together. I wanted to experience something bigger than what I knew growing up and Toledo was able to provide that for me. There are also a ton of resources for student-athletes, from academic support to mental health support and more. That was something that stuck out to me when I was going through the recruiting process.

On hobbies outside of track

I like to do my nails, my hair and my makeup. When I have free time, I like to spend it on beauty products and trying new things. I also like to bake when I’m back home, especially brookies (brownies and cookies combination). Everyone seems to like them when I bring them places.