BYESVILLE − Soccer, softball and gymnastics have always been the sports of choice for Meadowbrook High junior Hailey Arnold.
Her number one spectator sport has always been football. From rooting on her beloved Colts on Friday nights to Saturday cheering on her favorite college team ... The Ohio State Buckeyes .
"I have always been a huge football fan," Arnold said. "I just love the atmosphere and excitement in the air on Friday nights at a Meadowbrook football game or in the Horseshoe in Columbus at Ohio State games."
Now Hailey, the daughter of Jeff and Jessica Arnold, has added varsity football to her athletic resume by serving this season as the Colts’ extra-point kicker.
In the process, she has made Meadowbrook sports history by becoming the first female student-athlete to score a point in football.
"It feels really good to be the first female at Meadowbrook to really contribute to the football team by scoring a point," Arnold said. "I've gotten so much support from my teammates, coaches and the whole Meadowbrook community. That has really helped my confidence to go out there and get the job done."
Arnold also gave huge kudos to her long snapper Casey Clendenning and holder Braylon Lowery.
"Casey and Braylon have been so great to work with," Arnold said. "We worked pretty hard those first three practices, and now I feel we're getting it down pretty good."
Powder Puff workout leads to history
Arnold never imagined getting a shot at being on the gridiron for the Colts, but during a “goof off” session at Meadowbrook's annual Powder Puff football game, that all changed.
"Last year at Powder Puff football I was just messing around," Arnold added. "And it just popped into my head, I wonder if I can kick the football, after all I played soccer for 12 years. So it's something I have lots of practice doing ... kicking, that is."
A pair of Meadowbrook assistant football coaches were in attendance at the Powder Puff game and noticed Arnold as she was getting in some kicks.
"Coach Zane Zehnder and Tyler Baker were encouraging me, and they ended up shooting a video of me kicking and sent it to Coach Norman," Arnold explained. "And that really piqued my interest and got everything started."
Powder Puff video gets Coach Norman's attention
Meadowbrook head football coach Steve Norman admitted the video he received of Arnold kicking at the Powder Puff game caught his attention.
"A few coaches showed me the video of her kicking last year at the Powder Puff game and I was impressed," Norman said. "We have had some struggles in that area the past few seasons. She told me of her background in soccer and said she wanted to give it a try. As the offseason came, I didn't hear much about it until I talked to Hailey and her dad towards the end of spring.
"Since then, she shows up every day and works hard, whether it be in the weight room or the practice field," Norman added. "She still competes in gymnastics and takes college-level classes. She is the definition of student-athlete in my opinion. She is the first female that I have had play football."
Putting in prep time at Kicking World
Once Arnold got the approval from Norman to attend preseason practices to try and earn a roster spot as the Colts placekicker, she went to work to prepare for her opportunity.
"I went to a kicking camp over the summer, it was with Kicking World in Dublin," Arnold said. "They were a great help, they taught me right from wrong and showed me some new techniques for kicking a football. They were a big help to get me started in the right direction.
"So I just took what I learned at camp and got to work," Arnold continued. "Some stuff I kind of figured out on my own as well. I just tried to get really consistent with my technique which is a key thing I learned at the camp. I feel like I'm continuing to get better and better, which is my goal."
Arnold's next step was earning a spot on the roster
Norman gave approval for Arnold to attend preseason workouts, but made it clear she needed to earn her spot on the team.
"Hailey definitely earned her spot on the roster. We have weekly competitions for spots and each one is earned weekly just like the others," Norman said. "She earned her spot by her ability to kick. Her first kicks were strong and had a nice thumping sound when she struck the ball and had a nice trajectory to it. She was very open to any type of help and coaching. She's very coachable and has a strong work ethic."
Arnold explained she went into preseason workouts just trying to work hard and just be like 'One of the Boys'... and do everything all the other players were required to do.
"I wasn't looking for any special treatment and just wanted to be treated like anyone else," Arnold said. "I do all the workouts, all the lifts that everybody else does. I don't single myself out as any different, and neither do my coaches or teammates, which I really appreciate.
"I was just looking for a chance to show I can contribute and that's exactly what I got," Arnold continued. "It's just been a great experience and I'm so glad I decided to give it a try. If they would give me the option to get out and get in on the action, I would in a heart beat.
"I would play safety, corner, linebacker just anywhere, I would be all in for sure," Arnold said. "But Coach Norman's not too keen on that idea, and I don't see that becoming an option. But if that option was on the table, it would be a no brainer."
More: Meadowbrook football dominates in the trenches to roll past Cambridge
Norman confirmed he indeed wasn't keen on putting Arnold in harm's way in a play from scrimmage.
"I'm sure Hailey would jump right into the middle of the action," Norman said. "But I wouldn't be comfortable with that since she doesn't do the contact drills that those position players go through since she is working on kicking. I feel it would be irresponsible on my part to put her in that situation even if mentally and physically she could do it. She works hard on her craft right now so we're going to stick with that for now."
Arnold is in for the long haul
Arnold quickly and emphatically responded when asked if she intended to return for her senior season kicking for the Colts.
"Absolutely...not a doubt," Arnold confirmed. "I have just loved every minute of this experience. I intend to continue to work and get even better next year. I just get so pumped up for Friday nights, the first few games I got a little nervous. But now, with all the support I have behind me I'm totally comfortable and look forward to my opportunities to kick and contribute."
Arnold even hinted she might be willing to recruit some more female student-athletes to the gridiron.
"If a freshman or any other girl came up to me and asked me about playing, I would tell them to go for it," Arnold added. "It's not just for guys, you just have to have the right mindset and it's just a lot of fun. It's something I would recommend anyone to give it a try."
Arnold is definitely very happy she did.
KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
(This story has been updated to change a photo.)
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: A video of Hailey Arnold kicking led to her entering Meadowbrook football history
Local News
