Throughout her four years with the Rochelle Township High School track and field team, Lady Hub senior Kiya Porter has grown more confident in her throwing abilities and improved her focus during competitive meets. Porter has ascended to become one of Rochelle’s top throwers this season, and she’ll be continuing her track and field career with Beloit College next year.

“I chose Beloit College because of the small class sizes and the one-on-one LSAT preparation course,” Porter said. “Continuing my athletic career with their track and field program was a bonus. I met the head coach and his biggest priority was giving his athletes the structure to achieve in both academics and athletics… I want to be challenged and pushed to my limits and I believe that competing at the college level will give me the opportunity to be challenged.”

A shot put and discus thrower for the Lady Hubs, Porter has achieved new personal records in both field events this season. Porter threw 79 feet 7 inches to take third in the discus competition against Sandwich and Serena, while her 29-foot, 1-and-1/2-inch mark in Rochelle’s Senior Night matchup with Rock Falls was enough for third place. Porter has compiled three second-place finishes and three third-place finishes in the throwing events this season.

“Kiya has really earned the opportunity to blossom this year,” Rochelle Lady Hub head coach Alison Vrana said. “We’ve been stacked in the throwing events over the last few years, so she didn’t have many chances to compete, but she’s been one of our top point earners this year. It’s really great to see what she’s given to the program, especially during her senior season.”

Porter said she plans to study political science in order to eventually obtain a degree, enter law school and become a public defender. Under the tutelage of Rochelle throwing coach Zach Miller, Porter said she’s learned how to not only correct her mistakes in the circle, but help others improve their skills as well. Porter said her biggest goals while competing with the Beloit College team will be to inspire her teammates and instill confidence in their abilities.

“I want to strengthen the team in any way I can,” Porter said. “Zach has coached me for a couple of years and I can confidently say that he’s made me a more focused athlete. He’s helped me recognize that I’m capable of so much more. I’ve been doing really well this season and I believe that I will be able to take this newfound confidence to college next year.”