At Evangel University, Liberty Wiles is achieving more than her own academic and athletic dreams ~ she is continuing a remarkable family legacy three generations in the making. A senior graduating in May 2026 with a degree in exercise science, Liberty competes as a hurdler on the Evangel track and field team. She set the school record in the 400 meter hurdles a few weeks ago and broke her record again last week to qualify for the nationals meet in North Carolina in May. She is on the 4X400 relay team that also broke the school record and will be heading to nationals. She participated in indoor track as well and enjoyed being part of the successful 4X400 meter relay team that competed in Florida.
Her presence on the track is part of a tradition deeply rooted in both family and faith. She is a third-generation hurdler at Evangel, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, father, and representing a broader family connection that spans decades.
The story begins with her grandparents, Marlene and Richard Wiles (class of 1961). They met at Evangel then married in Montana following graduation. Marlene dedicated herself to a career in education, while Richard initially worked at Boeing before returning to Idaho, where he became a farmer and city inspector. During his time at Evangel, Richard also competed in track and hurdles, setting the tone for future generations.
The legacy continued with Liberty’s father, Greg Wiles, a 1991 Evangel graduate and fellow hurdler, plus part of the 1988 football team inducted into the EU Hall of Fame. Greg also built a career in education, serving as a teacher, middle school principal, high school track, basketball and football coach, and eventually a superintendent for Nampa Christian Schools in Idaho. Liberty’s aunt, Denise Wiles, who graduated in 1993, became a corporate project manager for companies in Idaho and Minnesota.
Now, Liberty adds her own chapter. Balancing academics and athletics, she has embraced the same discipline and determination that shaped those before her. More than just shared experiences on the track, the Wiles family is united by a strong faith in the LORD Jesus Christ and a close-knit bond that continues to reinforce each generation.
For Liberty, running hurdles at Evangel isn’t just about competition, it is about honoring a legacy, strengthening family ties, and stepping confidently into her own future proclaiming the faith in God that has defined her family for over 60 years. Starting as Crusaders and finishing as Valor, the Evangel connection remains a defining thread in the Wiles family’s story.