This Cross Country Female Coach’s Award represents four years of grit, growth, and the kind of perseverance I didn’t know I had until I earned it. I ran cross country all throughout high school—while also swimming competitively year-round—and pushed myself through every type of terrain imaginable. I ran 6K through mud puddles, in rain, snow, and sunshine. I powered up 400-meter hills, stumbled through uneven courses, and kept going even when everything in me was exhausted. With every race, I broke more personal records, slowly realizing just how strong I could be.

More than the miles, this award holds the friendships, laughter, and memories that shaped some of the best years of my life. My teammates became some of my closest friends, and my coaches became people I truly admired and trusted. They saw my dedication, my resilience, and the way I showed up for the team day after day. This award is my coach’s way of recognizing all of that—my commitment, my improvement, and the heart I put into every practice and race. It’s a symbol of a team that felt like family and a sport that taught me how powerful perseverance can be