Vindy Spring Athletes: Xavier Bailey

Xavier Bailey didn’t win a state championship, but he’s going out on top in track.

The Brookfield alumnus was named The Vindicator’s Track Athlete of the Year in his final year running competitively. Bailey will play football at Ohio University in the fall.

Bailey had a strong showing this year in Columbus. He finished fourth in the 200, fifth in the 100 and his 4x200 relay team with teammates Nick Varga, Dionte Colwell and Alex Bell came in fourth.

“It was one of the best years in Brookfield history,” Bailey said.

“Not even in the solo events. Getting the relay to state was the biggest goal and accomplishment I’ve had.”

Bailey even managed to qualify for national competition to close out his high school career. He finished 20th out of 56 in the 200 in his final high school race.

“It sucks but I’ve still got football and we’re going to take that to the highest level,” Bailey said. “Without track it’s going to be hard but I’ll still always run around the track.”

Bailey picked the Bobcats for football over Youngstown State and Ohio State. Head coach Frank Solich and his staff didn’t shy away from Bailey running track though.

“My college coaches were saying run track, run track,” Bailey said.

“It builds my speed, endurance, everything.”

Charles Grove