Eva Hayes is an offensive cutter from Plano, Texas, currently living in Utah to pursue a degree. Hayes is just 18 years old but has already made quite an impact in the world of Ultimate. Hayes most recently represented Team USA at the U20 Women’s and also led her YCC mixed club team to a gold medal last year.
Hayes got her start with Ultimate thanks to her father, who was invited to a Saturday morning pick-up game and brought her along when she was around eight years old. “He brought me along and sooner rather than later I was the one dragging him to go every Saturday morning,” said Hayes.
Hayes said some of her favorite memories from playing Ultimate were those pick-up games, growing up playing Ultimate with her family. “We have community leagues, and competitive leagues, and we go in with me, my dad, my brother-in-law, and older brother. I feel like any memories of playing with my family are my favorite. That’s kind of where it all started and it’s what I love doing.”
Hayes also spoke about her time with Team USA, saying her experience playing at the U20 Women’s tournament has fueled her excitement to continue playing with the Wild. “I’m most excited to play more competitive women’s Ultimate,” said Hayes. “The first time I played competitive women’s Ultimate was on Team USA, so I’m excited to have another experience with high-level women’s players.”
“It was a super cool opportunity. I got to travel the world to play Ultimate. I got to meet kids from all over the country, and I now have friends all over the country that play Ultimate. It was just a super unique experience,” said Hayes about her time with Team USA.
“It was just cool to find kids who were just as obsessed with the sport as I was, who were just cracked. It was so cool to be like, ‘Wow, these kids are so good and we’re all on the same team. We’re all just here to play some fun Ultimate. We’re all here to cook and that’s exactly what we did,’” said Hayes.
Going into the next season, Hayes is excited about what the Wild is bringing to the game and women’s sports in general.
“We are going to bring all the fire to the sport. I’m hoping we, as the Utah Wild, can give women’s sport a name and show that we mean business,” said Hayes. “We’re not just some team that’s here to throw a bunch of turnovers, we’re here to take the dub and win it all. I’m just hoping we can make a splash and show that women’s sports are the real thing and no joke.”
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