Freshman Phenom Jamaya Hooker Takes Home Triple Silver at State
In her first season on the track and field team, freshman Jamaya Hooker made it clear from day one that she was something special. Her work ethic stood out immediately—showing up every day not just to participate, but to improve. From her very first 400m, it was evident that Jamaya had the talent, drive, and focus to be a serious competitor.
Throughout the season, she dedicated herself to learning the fundamentals—everything from block starts to proper sprint form to mastering warm-up mechanics. Her growth was steady and consistent, and so were her times. By the end of the regular season, Jamaya had positioned herself among the top sprinters in the state, entering the NCISAA State Championships ranked 4th in the 100m, 5th in the 200m, and 5th in the 400m.
Jamaya’s first event of the championship—the 100m dash—was met with unexpected chaos. A false start by another athlete combined with a misfire from the starter’s gun forced the competitors to run a full 100m before being told they had to re-run the race. Faced with a mental challenge early in the day, Jamaya made the choice to rise above it. She stepped back on the line with composure and delivered a powerful race, finishing in 2nd place with a time of 13.26. In the 400m, she battled down the final stretch in a tight pack of sprinters, refusing to back off and powering through the line in 1:00.02—good for her second silver of the day and a new school record. By the time the 200m arrived, the heat had worn down the field, but Jamaya stayed locked in. She closed out her championship debut with yet another 2nd-place finish, earning her third silver medal of the meet.
Jamaya Hooker’s performance at her first-ever state championship was nothing short of remarkable. With three silver medals, incredible composure, and unmatched work ethic, she’s not only set the tone for her high school career—she’s made a name for herself in O’Neal Track & Field history. Varsity Track & Field head coach, Mason Kinn related, “From the beginning I knew Jamaya was going to be a great athlete, but she has exceeded even my own expectations. Jamaya is not the kind of athlete to boast of her accomplishments, but I am incredibly happy for all she achieved this season!” There is no question that this is only the beginning for Jamaya Hooker.
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