Leah Hayes

Leah Hayes (born October 21, 2005) is an American swimmer, currently swimming for the Illinois-based team Fox Valley Park District Riptides.

Leah Hayes
Personal information
Nationality United States
Born (2005-10-21) October 21, 2005
Sugar Grove, Illinois, U.S.
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesIndividual medley
ClubFox Valley Park District Riptides
CoachNancy Hooper
Medal record
World Championships (LC)
Bronze medal – third place2022 Budapest200 m medley

Early life and career

At the age of 10, Hayes would earn her first national age group record in the 200m freestyle.[1]

Career

2018

In 2018, Hayes was featured on Sports Illustrated Kids as the 2018 SportsKid of the Year.[2][3]

2019

In 2019, it was announced that Hayes would start attempting national meets in order to get Olympic Time Trial cut times.[4] In June, Hayes earned an Olympic Time Trials cut time at the 2019 Swim Pink A+ Invite in the 400m individual medley.[5]

2021

In 2021, Hayes would swim in the 2020 United States Olympic trials in the 100m freestyle, the 200m individual medley, and the 400m individual medley. However, she would fail to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics in all three events.[6]

2022

On April 26, it was announced that Hayes had suffered a stress fracture in her foot.[7] However, she would still compete in the 2022 USA Swimming International Team Trials.

At Trials, Hayes managed to qualify for both the 200m and the 400m individual medley. While Hayes came fourth in the 400m behind Katie Grimes, Emma Weyant, and Hali Flickinger, Hayes was able to get herself into second place in the 200m, thus qualifying her for the USA Worlds team.[8] and competed in the 2022 World Aquatics Championships in the women's 200m individual medley.[9] Hayes, in an interview, was reportedly in shock at making the team, saying "To make the team, it’s definitely quite a surprise... As we were getting our pictures taken and I was standing with all these incredible athletes, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ I had a conversation with Katie Ledecky and with Lilly King. What in the world?"[10]

Hayes was added to the roster of the 2022-2023 U.S. National Team by USA Swimming.[11]

Personal life

Hayes was born to parents Jill and Tim Hayes.[2] Hayes was diagnosed at the age of six with alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss.[12] Hayes currently attends Kaneland High School, and is scheduled to graduate in 2024.[13]

References
  1. Miller, Dionne (2021-06-13). "Sugar Grove teen to make Olympic trial debut for swimming in Omaha". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  2. Fuchs, Jeremy. "Leah Hayes is Our 2018 SportsKid of the Year". SI Kids: Sports News for Kids, Kids Games and More. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  3. "Leah Hayes Named Sports Kid Of The Year By Sports Illustrated Kids". Swimming World News. 2018-11-24. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  4. Rohr, Lauren. "Swimming lets Sugar Grove teen be herself". Effingham Daily News. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  5. "13-Year-Old Leah Hayes Notches Two Wins, An OT Cut At 2019 Swim Pink A+ Invite". SwimSwam. 2019-06-24. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  6. "The record-breaking Aurora teenage hair loss teenage swimmer Leah Hayes opens an inspiring trail in the pool". injuredly. 2021-07-19. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  7. Penland, Spencer (2022-04-26). "Leah Hayes Dealing with a Stress Fracture in Her Foot, in a Walking Boot". SwimSwam. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  8. "Leah Hayes Only New Name to Join Worlds Team on Final Day of Trials". SwimSwam. 2022-04-30. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  9. Zaccardi, Nick (June 18, 2022). "At a trying trials, Leah Hayes endured to make swimming worlds at age 16". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  10. "Leah Hayes 'Honored' as She Qualifies for Worlds, Breaks Katie Hoff's National Age Group Record". Swimming World News. 2022-05-02. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  11. "USA Swimming Announces 2022-2023 U.S. National Team Roster Presented by Toyota". USA Swimming. September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  12. Grisham, Holly (2021-07-19). "Record-breaking Aurora teen swimmer with alopecia blazes an inspiring trail in the pool". ABC13 Houston. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  13. "Girls swimming: Kaneland's Hayes wins 2 state titles". Daily Herald. 2021-11-13. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
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