“The track team gave me a new perspective and opened my eyes to what my life could be. When I joined the team as a ninth grader, I had no idea how enriching it would be to be part of a team, that my teammates would become lifelong friends, or that I never would have had many of the opportunities I’ve experienced if I hadn’t stood on all of those starting lines.

The track team pushed me out of my comfort zone and into the person I am today. It taught me how to set goals for myself and how to navigate challenging moments emotionally and mentally. It shaped my identity.

Joining the track team in ninth grade is one of the main reasons I am who I am today. It’s why I’m still getting faster at 33 years old, why I’m a teacher who knows how to show up for her students, and why I show up for athletes as a coach.”