Her achievements at the Drake Relays have become something of legend after helping Atlantic to numerous come from behind wins in the sprint medley, which she anchored to victory four straight years, and the 4×400, which she led to three consecutive gold medals on the legendary Blue Oval.
Hall of Fame coach Bruce Henderson called Cortney Jacobs a “coach’s dream”. Henderson added, “She was a great team member, a great team leader and very low maintenance”. Henderson mentioned all of these characteristics before saying anything about the immense talent Jacobs had shown while becoming one of the state’s best ever quarter milers.
Before graduating from Atlantic high school in 2004, Jacobs had helped her team to 3 state team titles. She qualified to state in 13 events winning gold 11 times, including four in the 400 meters; only 2 others have accomplished that feat. She held the 3A state meet 400 meter record of 55.52 for 10 years.
Jacobs won three events at the state meet three different times.
Running at Drake Stadium seems to bring out the best in competitors and Cortney Jacobs was no exception. Going into the 4×4 at the 2004 state meet, the last high school meet of her career, Jacobs took the baton 15 meters behind the leaders with Atlantic trailing Mt. Pleasant in the team point race. As she had done so many times before, Cortney brought the Trojans from behind, to the victory, and a tie with Mt. Pleasant for the first place trophy.
In addition to track and field Cortney was an accomplished cross country runner and basketball player. She was a four time state qualifier in cross country, finishing in the top ten three times, including a runner-up finish in 2001. She was a starter and the defensive stopper on the 2004 state semi-finalist basketball team.
After graduating from Atlantic, Jacobs took her talents to Kansas to compete for the Jayhawks where she earned indoor and outdoor All Big 12 honors.
Cortney currently lives in Lenexa, Kansas. She stays busy working as an account manager at a staffing firm and caring for her daughter Kiara. She has recently become certified as a Revelation Wellness Group Fitness Instructor for Christian Fitness Ministry and plans to start leading group fitness classes.