STRASBURG, Ill. (WCIA) – Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg’s Samantha Hayes was named the WCIA 3 Female Athlete of the Year on Thursday.

Hayes, who played volleyball, basketball and softball, has always hated to lose.

She has three sisters but says growing up she was the most hot-headed.

“I just remember one time, I was at home and I just threw my glove on the ground,” Hayes said.

Over time, she dialed in that competitive drive led and it her to more than 1,000 career points on the basketball court.

“Sam has been a competitor for forever,” Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg head softball coach Lindsay Krumreich said.

She also was a two-time varsity letter winner in volleyball.

However, it’s always been the pitcher’s circle where Hayes felt at home.

“I like being outside, the practices go by faster,” Hayes said. “All around, I like [softball] a lot better.”

Eighth grade was when people really began to take notice of her pitching ability.

“She started locating her pitches well, learning some new pitches and knew she was going to be great in high school,” Krumreich said.

As her talent developed, so did her character.

“Playing the game is enjoyable. Winning is a blast, but losing can be tough,” Hayes remarked. “Yet, it’s about much more. It’s about treating others well, leaving your best effort on the field, and how you conduct yourself with those around you.”

She was recognized as first team all-conference and first-team all-state. In her senior year, she achieved both a perfect game and a no-hitter. Her career batting average was .461. However, it won’t be the stats or victories that stick with Hayes the most.

“The feelings of the team and the community especially,” she said. “The community is just really here for us, really supporting us.”

The Hatchet graduate throws six pitches and calls her changeup the most effective.

Coaches say her impact on the school and community goes far beyond strikeouts, baskets and spikes.

“She’s simply one of those individuals who’s a joy to be around,” said Brian Lee, the head girls’ basketball coach at Stew-Stras. “A wonderful teammate and leader. She’s whatever you need, and the younger kids absolutely adore her.”

“Such a great group of kids and Samantha leads the way always in every sport and in the community,” Krumreich said.

Hayes was also a salutatorian in her graduating class. She plans to continue her softball career at Jefferson College in Missouri.

Click here for the 2025 WCIA 3 Male Athlete of the Year winner.

WCIA 3 FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:

2025: Samantha Hayes (Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg)

2024: Becca Heitzig (Lincoln)

2023: Trixie Johnson (Paxton-Buckley-Loda)

2022: Alyssa Williams (Tuscola)

2021: Shae Littleford (Charleston)

2020: Katelyn Young (Oakwood)