It came down to Arizona, Miami, Wisconsin and UCLA.
In front of a packed patio in front of close friends and family at Wolfley’s, North Canyon track star Jasmine Stauffacher-Gray signed her letter of intent to compete for the UCLA Bruins after high school.
“It’s close to home and I really, really love the coaches there,” she said. “I don’e know, when I first walked on campus I kind of fell in love. The campus is beautiful and you just kind of know. And I knew.”
“Without them this all wouldn’t be possible,” she added about announcing in front of friends, family and coaches. “Through God and the strength of my family, I am just really glad that they are here.”
Stauffacher-Gray has been among the elite girls on the track in Arizona since first stepping foot on the campus of North Canyon as a freshman. She is a three-time state champion in the 400 meter dash and added state title in the 300 meter hurdles last season.
Both events could be in Stauffacher-Gray’s future at the next level but it is still yet to be determined.
“Coach (Joanna) Hayes and I have been talking and we don’t know if I will be better at the 400 or 400 hurdles yet,” she explained. “So I am going to do a little bit of both and we are going to go from there.”
Above all, Stauffacher-Gray is pleased to have her decision made up and the papers signed, sealed and delivered during early signing period so she can focus on her last season in high school.
“Recruiting has been a lot of fun,” she mentioned. “It’s been tiring but it’s been a fun process. I can’t say that I am upset that it’s over because it was hard. But I am excited, especially going into this season stress free.”
Jared Cohen
