USJ’s Hazlehurst signs with Union cross country

JACKSON, Tenn. - 1/19/2011 - The Union (Tenn.) University women’s cross country team has signed Audrey Hazlehurst of Jackson to a scholarship for the fall of 2011. Hazlehurst will enter Union after graduation and will major in Biology/Pre-Med.

Union head coach Gary Johnson says, “Audrey is coming in with high expectations after a very successful high school running career. Audrey has a true love of running and for helping her teammates get better. We look for Audrey to compete in our top 2 or 3 positions as a freshman. She has the best high school times of anyone we have ever signed.”

Hazlehurst, a 5-foot-3 senior at the University School of Jackson, ran cross country and track for the Bruins. Hazlehurst helped lead her cross country team to a state runner-up finish in 2009. She also helped lead her track team to the 4x800 meter relay state title in 2009. Hazlehurst was named the Jackson Sun Runner of the Year four times in high school. She was also a three-time all-state runner after finishing runner-up in the state individual standings three years. Hazlehurst runs a 5K time of 18:40.

Hazlehurst has competed in multiple half marathons. Most recently, she competed in the Disney World half marathon and achieved a new personal best of 1:26:50

“Audrey is also a very strong student,” says Johnson. “She is very active in her church and we look for her to add to the depth of girls we have on our team who are academically, spiritually and athletically balanced. We look forward to her contribution to our team and the university.”

Hazlehurst is the daughter of Teddy and Jackie Hazlehurst of Jackson.

#UNION#