Jada Hale, a 2016 graduate of Boyd Buchanan High School in Chattanooga will return to her hometown to compete for the Chattanooga Mocs women's cross country and track and field teams.
 
"Jada has a lot of natural talent," Chattanooga head coach Andy Meyer said. "We recruited her out of high school but things didn't go our way. She has decided to return home and we are very pleased with her decision. She fits our needs as a middle-distance runner."
 
The distance runner competed for Austin Peay in the 2018 cross country season in three meets, clocking a season-best time 21:55.41 in the UAH Chargers 5-kilometer race.
 
At Boyd Buchanan, she became the first Lady Buc to sign a college scholarship to run cross country and track. She was a four-year member of Boyd Buchanan's cross country team and the Region 3-A/AA champion in her last two seasons. She set a school record time 19:53 her senior year in the race.
 
She earned all-state honors her final two years and placed 13^th in the state A-AA final at Percey Warner Park in 2016. The Buccaneers do not have a track team, so she competed in distance races for nearby Brainerd High School.
 
"We look forward to her coming in and being immediately eligible to run the 800 and 1500 meters in track," Meyer said. "More importantly, she fits UTC perfectly with her grades and outstanding personality. She will be a great addition to UTC and our team."
 
The Mocs opened the indoor track and field season on November 30 at the Birmingham Southern Panther Ice Breaker. Up next for UTC will be the Samford Invitational in January. Follow all the action online at GoMocs.com.