Few athletes have left a mark on Grundy High School athletics quite like Keyston Hartford.
The three-time state champion, 12-time all-state performer and one of the most accomplished distance runners in school history officially signed on June 16 at Grundy High School to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Virginia, fulfilling a dream years in the making.
Surrounded by family, friends and teammates, Hartford made official a decision he said had been settled for months.
“It feels amazing; I am really excited,” Hartford said. “Beyond that, I just can’t get over how blessed I am; the Lord has truly led me through to this point. He blessed me with the best family, friends, coaches, and teammates I could have ever asked for.”
The opportunity places Hartford in one of the nation’s premier collegiate conferences, as he will compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference at the NCAA Division I level while studying environmental science.
UVA has long been Hartford’s top choice.
“It has always been my dream school since I was young, both academically and athletically,” he said. “I always thought it would give me the greatest opportunity for improvement in both fields, and the greatest opportunity in life.”
Hartford said he expects to continue competing in many of the same events that made him one of Virginia’s elite distance runners during his high school career.
“I will be sticking to a lot of the same stuff I did in high school,” he said. “I think I will end up being more of a distance runner and run the longer stuff on the track, but only time will tell.”
His athletic resume speaks for itself.
During four years at Grundy, Hartford captured three state championships, including the VHSL Class 1 cross-country title as a junior. He also won state championships in outdoor track, the 3,200-meter run as a junior and, as part of Grundy’s state championship 4×800-meter relay team, during his freshman season.
In addition, Hartford finished as state runner-up six times, earned all-state honors 12 times and claimed 14 regional championships across cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. He was named State of Franklin Runner of the Year and earned Grundy High School Runner of the Year honors in track all four years and in cross country three times.
While Hartford’s accomplishments on the course and track are impressive, his success extended far beyond athletics.
He graduated as co-salutatorian of the Class of 2026 with a 4.11 GPA. Hartford was recognized as Student of the Year all four years of high school and earned the Citizenship Award as a senior. He also received outstanding student honors in mathematics, English and science.
A standout student leader, Hartford participated in numerous clubs and organizations, including Envirothon, Plant the Moon and Build the Moon, Key Club, Science Seminar, Prom Committee, Student Council Association, Recycling Club, SAVE, Youth Conservation Leadership Program, American Sign Language Club, Beta Club and National Honor Society. He also served as class secretary during his junior and senior years.
His success attracted attention from college programs across the region and beyond.
Hartford received scholarship offers from George Mason University, Virginia Military Institute, Radford University, the University of Charleston, Charleston Southern University and the University of North Carolina. He also had contact with programs including Georgetown University, the University of Georgia, East Tennessee State University and Appalachian State University.
Despite the attention from other schools, UVA stood above the rest.
Although he has not visited the campus recently, Hartford said previous trips left a lasting impression.
“The campus is beautiful, and the facilities are top-notch,” he said. “They both provide everything to succeed academically and athletically.”
Hartford, the son of Tina Justice and Matthew Hartford, lives on Slate Creek near Grundy. He credits much of his success to the support system around him.
“I want to thank my family for all the never-ending support they have shown me and the work ethic they have instilled in me,” Hartford said. “I want to thank all my friends and teammates for always being there and pushing me to be better.”
He also expressed gratitude to the coaches, teachers and community members who have supported him throughout his journey.
“Most of all, I want to thank God for allowing me the opportunities he has blessed me with and created for me,” Hartford said. “I want to thank him for the ability to compete and just the ability to be where I am today. He deserves every ounce of glory because without him, nothing would ever have been possible.”
As one of the final graduating seniors in Grundy High School history before the school’s consolidation into Southern Gap High School, Hartford reflected on what the Golden Wave meant to him.
“Last of all, I want to thank Grundy High School for showing me support and shaping me over the past four years,” he said. “It is bittersweet that we will never walk through the halls again, but I wouldn’t change my high school experience for anything.”
Looking ahead, Hartford hopes to make an impact both on the track and in the classroom. He plans to pursue a career focused on environmental stewardship and conservation.
“After college, I want to make a difference in this community and world by coming up with solutions to keep our environment and ecosystem clean, happy, and healthy for years and years to come,” Hartford said. “There is no where else in the world like our mountains, and it is our job to keep it together and safe.”
For a school that has produced its share of champions, Hartford’s signing with one of the nation’s most respected academic and athletic institutions adds another chapter to Grundy’s rich athletic tradition.
