Heights’ Cantlon signs to Grace College track & field team

Submitted by Hamilton Heights School Corporation

Hamilton Heights’ senior Jackson Cantlon has signed a letter of intent to join the Grace College Lancers track & field team this fall. Located in Winona Lake, Ind., Grace College is a member of the Crossroads League and an NAIA athletic institution. He is the son of Jessica and Kurt Cantlon.

Cantlon is a multi-sport athlete who is also a four-year member of both the Hamilton Heights basketball and cross country teams. A strong student-athlete, he has earned numerous academic and athletic honors, including the Mental Attitude Award (Basketball), Top 10%, Summa Cum Laude, Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Graduate, A Chance to Serve Graduate, Four-Year Letter Award for Cross Country, College Board National Recognition, AP Scholar, and the English Departmental Award (Q3).

Cantlon said he chose Grace because it “felt like home as soon as I stepped on campus. Coach Gallion and the entire team made me feel incredibly welcome.” Cantlon plans to study Social Studies Education.

Cantlon has been a jumper since the seventh grade and has worked with many coaches at Hamilton Heights over the years to refine his technique, strength, and agility. He credits his family and Coach Dontavious Hill as having the greatest impact on his development both on and off the field.

Beyond athletics, Cantlon is deeply involved in his school and community. He serves as a student board member on the Hamilton Heights Educational Foundation, is a member of the National Honor Society, and participates in the Arcadia Christian Church Youth Group.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Jackson these past three years,” said Ryan Woolever, Hamilton Heights Track & Field Jumps Coach. “He is a hard worker, the internal optimist, and never gets down on himself or the situation even if he didn’t have the performance he was hoping for. He is also the definition of a team player when it comes to rooting for others success and will be a great teammate next year. Jackson is a couple small tweaks away from doing big things when it comes to high jump next year at Grace College. I wish him the best of luck and ‘high jumps’ for the next four years.”

Hamilton Heights Athletic Director Kurt Ogden added, “Jackson has been a pleasure to have in the athletic program(s) at Hamilton Heights the past four years. He’s a very humble and polite young man and has been a tremendous role model for all other athletes, both on and off the court. As a three-sport athlete, he’s everything you want and more … a great teammate respected by everyone. We wish him well as he continues his Track & Field career at Grace College.”