Going into his freshman year at Trinity Lutheran, Sam Hayes knew he wanted to play soccer and basketball, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to run track.

“I tried track my freshman year and I ended up liking it,” Hayes said.

Ever since, Hayes has competed as a three-sport athlete throughout his time at Trinity.

He said he will remember his teammates and coaches at Trinity.

“The winning is obviously fun,” Hayes said. “My coaches have been great. They’re always supportive. They’re hard sometimes, but that’s good. My teammates are great. It’s friendships, really. You get used to playing with each-other and it’s so much fun. The bus rides have been fun talking and having fun.”

Hayes started soccer in the Seymour Park and Rec leagues, and played with the Cyclones for three years.

He played basketball beginning at a young age at Immanuel Lutheran School, and ran track for the first time his freshman year at Trinity.

The senior played right back for the Trinity soccer team.

“I kept their wingers from getting into the middle and threatening our goal,” Hayes said. “The physical part was a lot of fun. I got one yellow card last year but none this year.

“It’s not the easiest game to play because not everybody is coordinated with their feet. You have to be in such good condition as well.

On the schedule, Hayes looked forward to the home matches.

“I loved playing at home,” Hayes said. “Our field wasn’t the best, but I still loved it. We practiced on it every day. I liked playing at Scottsburg. We played a tournament there this year. They have Bermuda grass there and it is very nice.”

He said his highlight win in soccer came his junior year in the opening match of the sectional, winning in a shootout.

In basketball, Hayes is moving up to varsity from the JV squad this winter.

“I think I can help more with shooting, and just hustle plays in general,” Hayes said. “I like to shoot the ‘3’ better. I prefer the wing, probably the right side.”

“I like passing and cutting through, setting a screen, looking for an open ‘3’ or a shot down low. I would rather play against a zone because you can shoot a little bit easier against a zone.”

Hayes said he likes transition basketball.

“When we press I like to play at half-court where I can see everything and go for a trap,” he said. “I think that’s what we’re going to do a lot this year. I prefer to play man on defense. I just have to make sure my man doesn’t get past me and break down our defense.”

He said intensity is a big key to the upcoming season.

“We’re going to have to play with a lot more intensity than we did last year,” Hayes said. “We need to get up in teams’ faces and run the transition.”

Hayes is a distance runner in track, and enjoys running the 3,200 relay.

“The mile is technically a long distance race but it really doesn’t feel like it because it’s only four laps,” Hayes said. “It feels more like a sprint to me because I run the two-mile as well. My best mile has been 5:30.” He said he hopes to break 5:20 in the spring.

“My best two-mile is 11:45. Hopefully I can get to 11 or below. We normally run four or five miles at practice. I prefer to run second or third in the relay. I like to keep us in it so my teammates can go and win the race.”

He said his biggest victory in track came his freshman year at Hauser, running the 3,200.

“The kid was probably 15 yards ahead of me and I caught him at the very end, sprinting past him in the final 100,” Hayes said.

Hayes enjoys attending Trinity Lutheran.

“It’s a smaller school, and since I went to Immanuel I’ve been in Lutheran schools from pre-school,” Hayes said. “I love how we have theology class and we can talk about God in every single class.

“I’m looking forward to graduation, but at the same time I’m not. I’m going to miss being here, but I’m ready to move on.”

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Name: Sam Hayes

School: Trinity Lutheran

Parents: Darlene Hayes, Jim Hayes

Sports: soccer 4 years, basketball 4 years, track and field 4 years

Athletic highlights: soccer- 2014 sectional champions

Organizations: Student ambassadors, Euchre Club, Chess Club, drama, 4-H

Plans after high school: attend college, major in computer engineering

Favorite food: macaroni and cheese

Favorite TV show: Survivor

Favorite musician: Selena Gomez

Favorite movie: Forrest Gump

Favorite team: Manchester City F.C.

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