Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week-Haley Bruns

Senior Haley Bruns has bought into the “process.” The girl’s track team has adopted the motto of “dock the boat,” which, as assistant coach Steve Ideran says, roughly translates to “consistent effort over time without letting rough patches disrupt you.” As the model OE athlete for the results of hard-work and determination, she has earned the distinction of Oswego East student athlete of the week.

This high jumper and member of the 1600m relay team has sacrificed a great deal to earn her place on the team. Head coach Erik Aister says, “starting before the summer of her junior year to now, Haley participated in 95% of our off-season workouts, which was the most for any sprinter or jumper on the team.” Haley believes the light bulb really turned on for her this past summer, when she realized this was her last season to make a lasting impact.

As a junior, Haley mostly ran in JV meets, with the occasional call-up to the varsity. Entering this summer, she recognized the 1600m team would return their top three runners in Abby Flammersfeld, Meghan Stock, and Mya Larrieu, and would face stiff internal competition for the final spot. Haley’s willingness to make the sacrifices necessary to improve herself is an example of buying into the process. “She is such a reflective athlete, and always questioning how she can improve,” says Aister. He goes on to add, “[Haley] has really been a model example for what hard work can bring.”

Haley and her teammates have come extremely close to qualifying for the Illinois Top Time meet, which is the unofficial state indoor meet. She has improved her 400m time this year by a full two seconds. In the high jump, Haley recently set a personal record of 5’0, only 2 inches away from the state qualifying mark of 5’2.

That moment led to an embrace of joy with high jump coach Connor Downs, an exchange captured on Twitter by Aister. Downs believes Haley’s growth as an athlete correlates with Haley’s maturity as a person. “[Haley’s] growth as a mature adult has played a huge part into her development as well,” says Downs. He goes on to add, “[Haley] has done so much to improve in order to put herself in the position she is now. We’re all very proud of what she has accomplished.”

While Haley does not see herself extending her track career into college, it has ignited a passion for her future career. She plans on majoring in kinesiology at college in Colorado, and credits track with putting her on this path. “I think because of track it is something I have found that really drives and motivates me, and something I actually care about,” says Haley.

Working the process has lead to both personal and athletic growth for Haley, something her mother, Stacy Bruns, sees at home as well. “Haley has grown so much over her four years on the track team at East…..[which] has brought out this drive in her I didn’t know she had,” says Stacy. She goes on to add, “When [Haley] puts her mind to something, she goes all in, including training while on vacation. The track team has built her confidence not only as an athlete but as an individual.” Haley’s personal growth can also be seen in class. Her Business Law teacher, Stacy Sajder, says, “Haley is a very kind, genuine student. She always looks out for her peers and encourages everyone to be nice to everyone. She is thoughtful when she speaks and is such a team player.”

As a team, the girls are hoping to send as many athletes downstate as possible, and place at the top of the conference meet. Haley is striving to qualify for state in both the high jump and as a part of the 1600m relay, as well as pushing for an all-conference nomination. The growth Haley has experienced during her time at East qualifies her to provide sound advice to any future Wolf, saying, “there are lots of opportunities to take advantage of here at East, there really is something for everyone.” She goes on to add, “take things seriously from the start, and work to develop relationships with your teachers, because there are a lot of teachers that will stay late or come in early to help because they care.” Oswego East offers their very best to Haley on her and her teammates as they continue to “dock the boat.”