Alumna throws her way to NCAA Championship

Hannah Lizano, a Junior at Carthage College, has qualified for the NCAA Championship for weight throw. Lizano is a proud Niles North alumna, making this accomplishment is huge for her and the Niles North Athletic Community as a whole. She credits Niles North for teaching her so many valuable lessons she was able to take to college. 

“I definitely learned in high school that nothing comes easy in life. I definitely have had to work for everything I want and that plays a big impact on the work ethic I have now. I took that lesson with me to college and it has helped me in many ways and one of those ways happens to be being able to qualify for a national meet!” 

Clearly, her hard work has paid off. She attended the D3 National Championship in North Carolina on March 11, 2022, and heading into the competition she was more than ready to crush the competition. “I definitely felt the most physically ready I have ever felt for a meet. Being a college athlete, we train in a system that makes sure we peak at the right times. My body feels fresh and ready to compete.”

This meet was huge for Lizano, as she was not even expected to go to nationals. But her hard work and dedication paid off. At her tune-up meet for conference Lizano threw a personal weight throw record of 1.6 meters making her top 16 in the nation, and a NCAA Championship qualifier. “This was the biggest meet I have ever been to, and that brings on some nerves. But, I believe it was a learning experience now I know how the meet is run. Hopefully for outdoor nationals or next year I’ll be able to make All-American. I was seeded 16th in the meet and I improved 2 spots and placed 14th in the nation.”

Lizano has some advice for Niles North student athletes hoping to play college sports, “I was not the best athlete in high school but I never gave up on myself. I worked for my goals non-stop. And yes, it is exhausting with academics and maintaining a social life, but it’s worth it. The only way you’re going to get the results you want is if you work for them. There’s a reason why it’s called hard work and not easy work. Remember your goals and make a plan in order to execute that goal.”