Hannah Howard broke the Jefferson High School record last season in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.22 seconds.
For Howard, it was about more than just the time. It was achieving something deeply personal: her older sister held the previous record.
“When I crossed the finish line, I knew I had run a good race,” Howard said. “I knew that was it. Like if that wasn’t it, then I don’t know what is.”
Her sister Abbey, who lives in California, wasn’t able to attend the record-breaking race. Their dad texted her the news.
“I just rolled my eyes and laughed,” Abbey said. “I knew she would do it because she was doing so well. …I wouldn’t want anyone else to break it other than her.”
Howard knew her big sister would have been cheering if she had been there.
“She has always been so supportive of me through track and volleyball because I’ve followed in her footsteps through everything in sports,” Howard said. “I’m in the same position as her (on the volleyball court). I run the same races as her. There’s never been any hard feelings about it.”
Playing in the family position – middle hitter – Howard helped the Dragons win their first volleyball state title in early November.
Abbey took a red-eye flight to surprise Hannah at the championship. When Howard first saw her, she started crying. She hadn’t seen Abbey since June, and it meant the world to her that she flew across the country to see her win the state championship.
After beating Calhoun in straight sets for the Class 3A title on a Saturday, Hannah started track practice the following Monday.
“I always just encourage her to be in the moment and to try and enjoy what you’re doing with the people around you,” Abbey said.
This year, Hannah, now a junior, is adding pole vaulting to her already demanding track and field lineup, which includes hurdles, relays and high jump. She has set several ambitious goals, including leading her relay team to the state meet and breaking the 15-second mark in the 100-meter hurdles.
“She’s gonna shatter that record,” said track coach Llonisha McElhaney.
Howard’s adaptability shines through her ability to switch between sports seamlessly while taking on new challenges.
“She’s been a great attacker for us at the middle position,” Jefferson volleyball coach Brittani Lawrence said. “She adjusts really well, of course, with those muscles that she has built and trained with high jumping and track; she’s able to translate those onto the volleyball court.”
The transition to pole vaulting will complement Howard’s high jump practice. She plans on tuning her skills at Sky Vault Club, a pole vault-specific training facility in Commerce, in addition to track practice.
Jefferson had a pole vault state champion and a third-place finisher last year (both graduated), so she is motivated to contribute to that legacy.
“She’s kinda got what I call internal glory, like ‘Oh I got this,’ and that’s gonna push her even further,” McElhaney said.
