For multi-sport North Park student-athlete Riana Hayes, her collegiate experience in Chicago has been more than just volleyball matches and track meets. Her path from high school to becoming a standout collegiate athlete has been a story of unlocking her potential and unwavering resilience.
 

The junior from Wheeling, Ill. is already a Division III Indoor All-American in the 200 meters. She will run at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championship this weekend in Geneva, Ohio as a member of NPU’s 4×100 meter relay team.
 
Hayes is also a three-year member of NPU’s women’s volleyball team, helping the Vikings to their first-ever CCIW regular-season championship in 2023 and back-to-back CCIW Tournament titles in 2022 and 2023.
 
DISCOVERING HER IDENTITY AT NORTH PARK
Growing up in Wheeling, Ill., Hayes was a three-sport athlete in high school and faced initial doubts about being a student-athlete in college. However, with the encouragement of her coaches and her sister, she took a leap of faith and joined the volleyball team in high school, ultimately finding success in the sport.
 

When it came time to choose a college, Hayes had specific criteria in mind. She wanted to pursue both volleyball and track & field while also finding a school that offered her desired major in elementary education. North Park – just 21 miles from her hometown – emerged as the perfect fit, offering her the opportunity immerse herself in all three areas as well as the campus community.
 
Hayes recalls feeling a sense of joy and gratitude when she discovered North Park and the coaches who believed in her potential.
 
“I ended up getting in contact with Coach Bisrat Kidane, and we started talking more and seeing the bigger picture of it all,” Hayes said. “I remember thinking to myself, I don’t know where I want to go. Do I want to go to this one school where I could only play one sport, or do I want to go to this school?
 
“Immediately, I talked to my sister about it, and she said, ‘Riana, it seems like you want to go to North Park … the way you talk about it, you have this joy in your voice and a need to see and explore something that could bring you so much gratitude.'”
 
Hayes embraced the opportunity to be a part of these teams and continue her growth as a collegiate athlete.
 
FINDING STRENGTH THROUGH ADVERSITY
Hayes’s time at North Park hasn’t been without its challenges. During her freshman year, she faced the loss of her aunt, who was like a second mother to her. The support and encouragement she received from her teammates and coaches at North Park helped her navigate through this difficult time.
 
“Although I was going through something so hard and ended up losing my aunt … I had a second family to look to as a freshman,” Hayes said. “And I will forever be thankful for North Park for bringing me into an environment that could just allow me to be vulnerable.
 
“Hey, you’re an athlete, but you’re also a person, and things happen. And this is an outlet for you, and you have people around you who will support you and allow you to flourish and get into this environment to be competitive, to want more for yourself, to not be beaten up by the things outside, but being able to bring the things outside inside to motivate and push you.”
 
A BREAKTHROUGH SEASON

Hayes’s track & field career has been equally impressive.  As a sprinter, she has experienced both triumphs and setbacks, but her determination and faith have kept her going. Hayes attributes her success to the guidance of her coaches and the support of her teammates.
 
“The biggest question – what more can you do? – is really what pushes you to that successful point,” Hayes said. “So being able to rely on my coaches within the sense of asking those things, even (Coach Kidane), I would go into his office and completely talk about any and everything, whether it’s academics, and he really was an advocate for helping me discuss the way that I feel during things and letting me know that although I am his track athlete, I am also a person.”
 
One of Hayes’s breakthrough moments came during the CCIW Indoor Championship, where she secured all-conference status in the 55-meter dash and broke yet another North Park record. Just weeks later, she earned All-America status in the 200 meters by placing 11th at the NCAA Indoor Championship.

With seven school records to her name, Hayes continues to push herself to new heights and embrace the challenges that come her way.

 

STRIKING THE PERFECT BALANCE

In addition to her athletic pursuits, Hayes is also dedicated to her academic journey. As an elementary education major, she fulfills clinical hours and gains valuable experience in classrooms. Balancing her academic responsibilities, athletics, and personal life is no easy feat, but Hayes remains focused on her goals and strives to make a positive impact both on and off the field.

 

Looking ahead, Hayes envisions a future that combines her love for teaching and athletics. She aspires to become a third-grade teacher and hopes to continue her track & field career beyond college. Hayes’s unwavering passion and commitment to her craft inspire those around her, and she is determined to leave a lasting impact in both the educational and athletic realms.

 

LOFTY GOALS IN THE FUTURE

Hayes’s journey as a student-athlete at North Park University exemplifies the power of perseverance and the support of a close-knit community. Her story serves as a reminder that with hard work, faith, and the right support system, anything is possible.

 

As Hayes continues to make her mark at North Park, she remains grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have shaped her into the athlete and person she has become.