By Jon Devore

Dyson Hazelbaker, a senior at Vici High School, is making the most out of his senior year by taking his first leap into track and field, literally. In past years, he has been a multi-sport athlete, competing in both baseball and basketball, but this is his first year doing track and field competitively.  

As a member of the track team, Dyson competes in the long jump. He registered a 19-00.5 at the Class A regional competition earlier this spring. 

Dyson’s mother and grandfather are his biggest sources of motivation and inspiration, always giving him a great example of hard work, and providing an excellent support system. However, it was his sister, Jade Hazelbaker who won state in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash in 2021, motivating him into giving track a try in his senior year. 

He had competed at the state level with the Vici baseball team, but Hazelbaker says that it felt good to compete at that level in a different sport. 

“It was a great feeling to be able to compete at state in two different sports,” he said. “I think it shows that the hard work I have put in is paying off.”

Hazelbaker stays engaged with school outside of sports by being a member of the choir, Future Farmers of America, and student council. However, there’s always some time for a pick-up game of basketball for him. He also enrolled at the Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater, in their Energy and Power program as an Electric Line Worker. 
Though his future is looking very bright, Dyson is staying focused on the next track meet. “My season has been pretty good, and competing in another sport at state is exciting,” he said, “one of my personal goals is to jump at least 20-feet.”