On the track and field, senior Daniela Hughes is the master of all trades. With six school records, five state qualifications and two CCS victories, Daniela is making a leap with a Division I commitment to the University of California, Berkeley. Her nearly decade-long track career has been an adventure of finding her love for her now seven event specialties.
“I hope to be able to thrive both academically and athletically at Berkeley,” Daniela said. “My goals are to practice with the best coaches and best team and become a point scorer on the team.”
Daniela began competing in track when she was in third grade, starting with local track meets, then moving on to the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics the next year in the 100 meters.
“Track has always been a big thing in my family — my mom competed DI and my grandpa was an Olympic Trails qualifier,” Daniela said. “But I didn’t really start liking it until eighth grade, even though I had been training with my mom for years.”
In her freshman year, Daniela immediately hit her stride, qualifying for CCS Finals in four events — the 100m, 200m, 100m hurdles and the 4×100 meter relay, which advanced further to the CIF Championships.
Robyn Hughes — LAHS track coach and Daniela’s mom — has coached, inspired and raced Daniela since her running start.
“Up until last year, she couldn’t beat me,” Robyn Hughes said. “Last year was the first time she was able to beat me, and I think that motivates her a lot.”
After her freshman track season, Daniela joined Max Velocity Prep (MVP), a local track club, to keep training outside of school. At MVP, she runs alongside other top CCS athletes, pushing herself to be a better runner, leader and teammate — a mindset she carries anytime she steps on the track.
“Seeing her hard work makes me want to work harder, and she pushes me to not only be a better athlete, but a better person,” junior Oshea Orozco said. “If I ever feel unmotivated or anyone else on the team does, she always makes sure to remind us what we’re working towards.”
Daniela said a career highlight was the West Coast National Championship last June, where she finished second and became an All-American heptathlete. Robyn Hughes said that the meet also showed Daniela’s resilience — despite a four-hour thunder delay, she still finished on the podium.
“She managed to remain focused at the highest stage, and I’m so proud of her composure,” Robyn Hughes said.
Compared to the seven events she competes at high school and club meets today, Daniela will shift to competing in the heptathlon full-time in college. The seven-event series is competed across two days and includes the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin and 800m. Despite taking on several new events, Daniela is confident she can take the transition in stride.
“I’ll still be able to compete in my best events like the 200m, hurdles and high jump, which is what I was recruited for,” Daniela said. “I’m not excited for the 800, but I’m excited to transition from being a sprinter and jumper into a full-time heptathlete.”
With her achievements throughout high school, college recruitment was always on Daniela’s radar. She visited multiple DI programs around the country, such as the University of Washington, the University of Nevada and University of California, Los Angeles, and finally decided on UC Berkeley this March.
“My dad played basketball there, and he always talked about how much he loved it,” Daniela said. “I also felt very cared for on my UC Berkeley visit, the coach always made time to check in and see how I’m doing and I saw myself fitting in with all the girls.”
