Leah Hayes Named Sports Kid Of The Year By Sports Illustrated Kids

Photo Courtesy: Hayes family

13-year-old Leah Hayes has been named the 2018 Sports Kid of the Year, appearing in this month’s issue of Sports Illustrated Kids. Hayes, who was selected as a Swimming World Up & Comer back in 2016, currently owns six National Age Group records including two from this year.

As the article that appears on the SI Kids website notes, Hayes was a natural from the start of her swimming career. During a breakout season, she broke five NAG records in a two week span as a 10-year-old. But beyond her talent in the pool, Hayes was selected as Sportskid of the Year for her ability to win races with “grace” and “positivity.”

The 13-year-old is known for her sportsmanship and ability to lift others up. The young swimmer has dealt with the disease alopecia from the age of six, which she admitted was a drain on her confidence before fully confronting her hair loss at just 8-years-old and explaining her disease to her entire fourth grade class.

You read more about Hayes and her career in the original article from Sports Illustrated Kids by clicking here.

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We see you, Leah Hayes! Congrats on being named 2018 @sikids Sports Kid of the Year! (: @donaldmiralle)

A post shared by USA Swimming (@usaswimming) on Nov 23, 2018 at 3:53pm PST

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