Former Chapel Hill Track Standout Jaylen Slade Turning Pro

On Thursday, Chapel Hill track and field stand out, Jaylen Slade announced that he signed with Adidas and will begin the process of competing as a professional. Slade, made the announcement via Instagram on Thursday in a post in which he thanked the various colleges and university that expressed interest in the rising senior. “After talking with my family, coaches and school advisors, I feel that I have accomplished my goals during my time competing in high school track,” Slade wrote. Adding, “Therefore, I have decided that my next step will be to ascend to become an athlete at the professional level.”

Slade began his high school career with Chapel Hill and won the Georgia High School Association 4A boys 100M and 200M dashes as a freshman and was also recognized as one of Georgia’s top track athletes of the year in 2019 by the Atlanta Track Club. During his sophomore campaign, Slade earned the Gatorade Georgia Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year honor capping a season in which he posted three personal best times, including a 47.59 400M time, which was the No. 2 best finish among prep competitors, during the 2020 indoor season. It is being reported that Slade has signed a five year with Adidas, which is said to cover the next World Championships and 2024 Olympics. Slade competed as a junior for IMG Academy.