Way back on September 26, 2021 John Hutchinson of Liberty University (on right) and Flames head coach Suzanne Flaig posted for this photo after Hutchinson won his IHSA debut in intermediate flat. Two and a half years later Hutchinson placed second in limit fences at Regionals on February 18, 2024 to join the entire Liberty team at Zones on April 6th. The Flames took the lead at the start of the season and held on to capture their first region title since 2017. Region 4 featured one of the most exciting team races anywhere in the nation, with the top five teams separated by less than 20 points at the halfway mark and Liberty finishing with a ten point lead on a Sweet Briar team which had won five straight region titles.