Hayes qualified for the 2012 US Olympic Trials, but was not expected to do much; a commentator for NBC called her "unheralded and unknown". She advanced to the finals of the long jump, and was in fifth place when the field was cut to eight with three jumps to go. She remained in fifth until her final attempt, when she scored . The distance exceeded her personal best by nearly one and half feet (half a meter) and won her second place. Additionally, the jump was the fourth longest in the world for the year, up until that point. Hayes qualified for the Olympic team, becoming the first ever track and field athlete from Louisiana Tech to represent the United States at the Olympics. Previously, fellow LA Tech alumna Olivia McKoy represented Jamaica during the 2000 and 2008 Games. Two days later, she remarked, "I'm still in shock about it ... Words can't explain it. I'm so excited. It's crazy." Hayes also competed in the 100-meter dash at the Trials, but failed to make the finals.