Whether it’s through powerwalking with her grandmother, working her cattle, riding her horses or taking up new sports, Lady Hub sprinter Liberty Hayes has been doing everything she can to stay prepared for the upcoming track and field season at Rochelle Township High School.

Hayes has found tremendous success in track since she first began running under coach John Dobbs with the Rochelle Area Track Club in third grade. A former three-time Lutheran State Championship qualifier at St. Paul Lutheran School in Rochelle, Hayes immediately earned varsity roles with the Lady Hubs when she arrived at RTHS during her freshman year.

“I enjoy that track and field is both a team sport and an individual sport where I can compete against myself and others,” Hayes said. “I feel a sense of accomplishment after each meet and after every practice. I thought I performed well during my freshman track season. I was thankful to receive the opportunity to run at the varsity level and I was challenged greatly.”

Hayes began her first indoor season running the 200-meter dash and both sprint relays for Rochelle, helping the Lady Hub varsity team take second in the 800-meter relay during the Warrior Invitational in Sterling. Her outdoor season was headlined by a strong performance in the Ogle County Championships, where she finished second in the 100-meter dash and assisted the 400 and 800-meter relay teams to second and first-place finishes, respectively. Hayes recorded top-8 finishes in both the 100 and 200-meter dash at the IHSA 2A Rochelle Sectional.

“I had been used to running the anchor position in the past, but being able to keep the anchor position as a freshman really motivated me to work harder than ever,” Hayes said. “Before the sectional meet, coach [Alison] Vrana reminded me that she believed in me, no matter what the outcome was, and that she was proud of me. I went out and ran my fastest 200-meter time of the season that day. That race was a memory that I will forever hold close to my heart.”

Hayes had been preparing to become a leading contributor for the Lady Hubs as a sophomore. Unfortunately, she and student-athletes across the state lost their track and field seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hayes was initially in disbelief that her season had been canceled, and although those emotions briefly turned into anger over being unable to train or compete for her team, Hayes has used the loss to set even higher expectations for her junior season.

“I kept replaying all the things I wouldn’t be able to achieve or become better at,” Hayes said. “I was upset I wouldn’t be able to make my coaches or my family proud. Having lost one season, I hope to have the opportunity to work harder than ever and make up for lost time… I’m ready to step up and be a team leader and truly support my teammates and coaches. I hope to place in sectionals and continue competing in the 100 and 200, the sprint relays and even the 400.”

With activities largely shut down during the spring and summer, Hayes utilized the modified fall season to play tennis for the Lady Hubs. Hayes, who’s also a member of the RTHS varsity cheerleading team, said she has also been jogging, biking and hiking on her own in order to stay active and ready for the track and field team’s eventual return to action next year.

“One area I need to improve will be running the 400 during practice and in meets so I can improve in the 100 and 200,” Hayes said. “I’d also like to come out of the starting blocks stronger to ensure a faster start to each race. I learned I had a love-hate relationship with the 400 during my freshman season. I felt somewhat intimidated, but I received advice from teammates like Abby Tilton, who knew exactly what I needed to hear in order to stay focused.”