One of the stars of the Tioga Bulldogs’ high school athletic program, senior Jayson Stogner, signed his letter of intent to continue his athletic career at the next level Tuesday.
The current Tioga ISD pole vaulting record holder was honored in front of his family, friends, coaches and peers as he committed to joining the track & field program at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas.
“This is a pretty proud coaching moment and proud family moment,” said Jayson’s pole vaulting coach, Chad Andrews of Texas Express Pole Vault. “… It’s really re- warding to see the kids come in the gym, flying around sideways, doing helicopters, and then figuring out the sport of pole vault, and Jayson was one of them. We’ve traveled around the country with him and his family, and it’s kind of a bonding process, so it’s not all about pole vaulting. At the end of the day, you get to grow with them, so this is a very proud moment to see him have an opportunity to keep moving forward.”
During his time with the Bulldogs athletic program, Jayson was a USA Track & Field Junior Olympic qualifier, a 2A district champion, an area runner-up, a regional qualifier and a member of the Bulldogs football team.
Once his senior season is complete, Jayson is set to receive a partial athletic and academic scholarship as one of the newest members of the Wildcats’ track & field program.
“I’m really excited about the coaching,” Jayson said. “In my opinion, Baker has some of the best in the NAIA, and I think I’m going to have a lot of success there, and I have great teammates around me. You usually don’t get guys who are texting you like, ‘Hey man, I’m glad you signed,’ or ‘Hey man, I’m glad you committed here,’ so I’m really excited because the team is great, the coaching is great and the academics are great, and I’m ready to get started.”
Troy Horton, Jayson’s stepfather, who helped him “catch the bug” for pole vaulting, echoed his stepson’s excitement.
“It’s just been an absolute blessing as far as going to Baker University, and he couldn’t have fallen into a better situation at the NAIA level,” he said. “Baker recently hired a young lady by the name of Gabrielle Hoke that was a multi-time, All-Big 12 Conference performer and who is still training for the 2028 Olympic Trials. The team also trains at an indoor facility about 15 miles from the campus, and it’s the same place that American record holder Casey Lightfoot trains, so he’s got a phenomenal situation to train with some world-class athletes.”
Jayson also plans to use the opportunity at Baker to further himself academically, with plans to major in kinesiology or exercise science, and hopes to one day join the Marines’ officer training program.
Jayson thanked his parents and his coaches for their love and support.
“It took us all by surprise when he got so involved with pole vaulting, thanks to his stepdad, but to see all the hard work he’s put into it, to see him excel, and for all of it to pay off with him signing at the next level is a blessing,” Jayson’s father, Bryan Stogner, said. “… He really dug down deep in himself to get where he is today, and I’m so incredibly proud of him as a father.”
Jayson’s mother, Susan Horton, also shared her joy for the special occasion.
“We’re excited to watch him in his senior season of pole vaulting at Tioga High School, but I’m more excited that this isn’t the end and that I still get to watch him compete at the collegiate level because as a mom, it goes by so quick,” she said. “You think, ‘Well, I have 18 years,’ and in just a blink the time is gone … but I’m so proud of him, proud to be his mom and grateful that God gave him to me, and I can’t wait to see what’s to come.”
