Independence’s Maya Love Wins 2025 Observer Girls’ Athlete of the Year

Maya Love, graduate of Independence High school, has been named 2025 Observer’s girls’ athlete of the year. 

Love has been a standout star for Independence Track & Field winning NCHSAA 4A state championships in the 200-meter and the 400-meter outdoors after finishing runner-up in two state finals indoors in her junior year. 

In her senior season Love stayed dominant winning three indoor championships (55-meter, 300-meter, and 800-meter relay) and was named MVP of the 4A championships.

Love also stayed dominant when outdoor track rolled around winning three outdoor championships (100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter Relay) thats six titles in five months and eight overall in her career. 

She will take her running talent to the University of South Carolina in the fall. A program that has produced dozens of Olympic Track starts Love hopes to learn from the program and be the next one in line.