AUSTIN – The third time was the charm for McLean’s prolific thrower Hailo Moon.
The highly-decorated Lady Tiger senior has been chasing a gold medal at state for the past three years, and that goal was finally accomplished with Hailo lobbing a Moon launch to win the shot put event during the UIL Class 1A state track and field championships Saturday afternoon at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
Moon, who will continue her throwing career at McMurry University, left the competition in the dust with a personal-best toss of 40-feet-8 inches, over 3-feet better than Kaitlyn Prewit of Rankin’s silver medal throw of 36-3 1/4.
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“This meant everything to me to win the gold,” Moon said. “After last year, I made it a mission that I wanted to come back to state and annihilate everyone and not even make it a competition. I wanted to know for sure I was going to get that gold. Two years ago I was shaking and really nervous going in. Last year I wasn’t as nervous, but this year all the nerves were coming back to me. I was able to calm down and got my back leg working and I got it working on my first throw.”
Moon set the tone actually winning her state championship on the opening throw of the afternoon with a 38-9. From there, Moon went on to put up numbers of 38-3 1/2 and then hit 39-8 3/4 before hitting 40-feet for the first time ever.
“I was so happy to break 40-feet,” Moon said. “I was so happy I was able to do that on my fifth throw. I’ve been striving for that all year, especially here at state, so it was an awesome way to finish out my high school career.”
Winning at the state meet ties a bow on an unforgettable high school career for Moon. This gold medal tacks on to her already impressive resume as a four-time district shot put champion, a four-time area champion, as well as a three-time Region I-1A champ.
On top of those accomplishments, what made Saturday even more cherished, is Moon spent every moment with her older sister, Hope. Hope, a former McLean basketball standout in her own right, came on as an assistant this season and has coached Moon all track season. The two have a very deep bond and this will be a memory neither will forget.
“I get very emotional talking about my sister Hope,” Hailo said. “We are very close and it means so much to me that she is out here coaching me my senior year. It’s so special and it was so awesome. Not many people get to have that. We have a special relationship and we’re a lot a like.”
Hope echoed Hailo’s comments.
“It has been an emotional experience,” Hope said. “It’s so much fun to watch my sister, because we’re very close. I love her so much and it’s been amazing to be on this journey with her and watch the hard work pay off. She does everything you tell her to do and she is just incredible.”