Heather Hayes article (GA)

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http://www.ajc.com/highschool/content/s ... yspot.html

No rest for Hayes
Jill-of-all-trades is Landmark's go-to athlete

By ROB MORTON
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/20/06
Heather Hayes doesn't have a moment's rest at track meets. She takes on the daunting task of competing in the 300-meter hurdles, the 800, the 400 relay and the pole vault.

"Nobody around does that," said Landmark Christian School track coach Bill Thorn of his jill-of-all-trades performer. But he is not just talking about Hayes' willingness to do it all on the track.

After all, she earned a black belt in karate by age 12, became a pianist by 5 and currently sings, paints and draws. And, oh yeah, she sports a 3.8 grade-point average, too.

Evidently, reaching goals is not idle talk for her. It's no surprise, then, that she did not merely compete in those four track events, but also earned medals in each at last year's state championships.

"You just don't normally do those events. They are not conducive. It's what you call unorthodox," said Thorn of Hayes' effort that went a long way toward the War Eagles claiming their sixth straight Class A title.

"It's what it takes out of you that most couldn't do it. But she trained to the point that she was able to have the recovery and do it. I mean she is a worker. I don't know of any other kid around who could do that."

Handling the pole vault is one thing. Most pole vaulters are specialists â€â€