Cara Nnenya Hailey (CAH-ruh KNEEN-yuh HAY-lee;[2] born February 23, 1994) is an American hurdler specializing in the 400 metres hurdles.

[1] At the championships, Hailey advanced to the finals as the fastest qualifier and built up a significant lead through nine hurdles.

[4] Despite hitting the final hurdle, Hailey maintained her lead and won the gold medal in a world U18 leading time of 57.93 – the second-fastest time ever by a U.S. high schooler behind only Leah Nugent.

[4][5] Hailey spent the 2012–13 season on the Clemson Tigers track and field team, finishing 3rd in the 400 m hurdles at the 2013 Atlantic Coast Conference outdoor championships.

[3][6] For the remainder of her collegiate career, she transferred to the Arizona Wildcats track and field program.