In the halls of North Atlanta High School, there’s one name that the Warriors associate with dedication and speed: Kayleigh Stargell. For 12 years, she’s been tearing up the track, starting her journey at the age of six. A 15-time All-American, Kayleigh had the pick of the litter when it came to D1 schools. The buzz around her commitment was major as everyone was eager to know where she’d take her talents. Spoiler alert: Vanderbilt won the sprint for Stargell, and the North Atlanta community couldn’t be more thrilled about it.
Stargell isn’t just your average runner—she owns the track with an impressive array of events, including the 400, 300, 200, and 100 meter hurdles, shot put, long jump, triple jump, high jump, and the 800, 400, 200, and 100 meter sprints. However, it was a pivotal moment at the Junior Olympic Games when she was 13 that marked a turning point in her journey. Shattering the national record with a lightning-fast 26.84 seconds in the 200-meter hurdles, Stargell realized the gravity of her passion. “I had already known I wanted to take track seriously when I was placed nationally in all of my events at the age of 8,” said Stargell, “It was the thrill of competition and the joy of pushing my limits that fueled my dedication to the sport since then.”
Choosing Vanderbilt over close contenders like Clemson and Baylor, Stargell emphasized the importance of life beyond the track, citing the many job opportunities that come with a Vanderbilt degree. The immediate sense of belonging she felt when leaving the Vanderbilt campus after her official visit affirmed her choice, making it clear that this university was meant to be her second home. “Knowing all of my hard work paid off was pure joy,” said Stargell, “I sacrificed a lot of time and social events to train for track, so getting a full ride to college is just a blessing and my reward.”
Looking to the spring, Stargell envisions ending her high school track career with a state championship title. She credits her success to the unwavering support from her family and coaches and the sacrifices made by her mother. As she gears up for Vanderbilt, majoring in Human and Organizational Development, Kayleigh dreams of excelling at the collegiate level and potentially pursuing a professional track career. While the Warriors are sad to see her go, we know she has an exceptionally bright future ahead. Congratulations Kayleigh! Go Commodores and Go Dubs!
