Athlete of the Week: Libby Lakey, Dadeville

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Qualifying for the state cross country meet is an achievement any runner should be proud of, and it’s an achievement Dadeville’s Libby Lakey has accomplished three times.

However, this year’s trip to state means so much more than just another chance to race.

Lakey is the top runner on Dadeville’s girls cross-country team, leading the Bearcats into the state meet.  

“It feels really good because this year I actually have a chance to medal, as long as I can get my time under 22 (minutes),” Libby said.  

Libby’s hitting her stride on her way into the last race, placing 7th at District’s and qualifying for the state meet for the third straight season.  

However, a year ago Libby never made it to the state starting line. 

“As we were preparing to go to state I ended up getting a close contact with COVID so I was quarantined,” said the Dadeville Junior.

The close contact forced Libby to stay home and watch the team bus leave without her.  

“It was really sad.” Libby continued, “Just not being able to be there with my team was really hard. It was tough. Knowing that I put all that work in and then it being taken away was really hard.”

After quarantine, and missing state, Libby’s basketball season began, but just days into practice she had another setback.  

“Her appendix ruptured, we had to rush her to the hospital and they took that out,” said Libby’s Dad Shane Lakey. 

“So, I was out for another two weeks,” Libby added. 

After the appendectomy, she had another delay.  

“As soon as I came back I got COVID so I was out for another two weeks,” Libby said.   

Libby explains her battle with COVID as a manageable cold, however, it wasn’t until after quarantine when she noticed something was wrong.  

“I ended up having a high heart rate because of COVID,” said Libby.

“They didn’t want her to do nothing with it that high. They didn’t want it to get that high and stuff. We never really got exactly what they were worried about they just didn’t want it that big,” Shane said. 

Her heart rate peaked to over 200 beats per minute and held her out of the entire basketball season.  

After six months of uncertainty, Libby was finally cleared to return to sports last Spring, starting a comeback better than ever.  

“I just know that this year I’m a better athlete despite what I thought was going to happen. I thought when this was going on I didn’t know if I would be able to come back, or if I would even come back as good as I was but I ended up coming back stronger. I’m almost thankful for it because I’m way stronger than I was last year,” said Libby. 

Also during the Fall, Libby was named all-district for softball.