Hello everyone, so last Friday was my last state meet, and boy was it quite the experience. This blog is pretty much going to be a big thanks to everyone so bear with me. First off, thank you to UNF for hosting the state meet, I always enjoy running there. Words cannot even begin to describe the emotions during our State meet.
From the first race to the last there was just so much adrenaline and excitement from the Lady Marauders. Every single one of us did something beyond what we thought to help out the team. In the end we were able to pull out a team title and we are so grateful for our coaches and all the support we’ve gotten.
So here is my first thank you- to the ladies on my team. Thank you for giving me this experience, one that I will cherish forever. Every single one of you has worked so hard and deserved every bit of what you have accomplished individually and what we have accomplished as a team. I saw the fierceness and will to fight in every single one of your eyes. It is just remarkable to be able to say that I was part of this team. What a great honor and such a blessing. Thank you for five years of being so supportive. Although I will not be here next year, I will always be a part of the Lady Marauders. Keep working hard and making me proud. To the other five seniors on the team, your leadership and encouragement has taken this team a very long way. I am glad to be able to share these wonderful moments with you all. I love you guys!
Having such a powerful team behind you is amazing, but having the wonderful coaches to go along with it is even more amazing. It’s one thing to have good coaches, but it is another to have good coaches who also are there with you every step of the way and who truly have faith in your ability. I have been guided by the most incredible coaches ever. They have provided me with immense amounts of knowledge that I will carry through the rest of my running career. They stress teamwork, which has brought the whole team together and prepares us well for competition. They remind us every day to always remain strong and race with mind and passion. Thank you for teaching me how to become a better runner and guiding me through my ups and downs.
To the track parents: You cheer on every one of us at every race. It is the little things that you do that means the world to the team. You’ve taught us how to handle ourselves during competition and how to act with poise. Since I came to Maclay in eighth grade all the families have been so supportive. I know I will miss seeing every one of you at my track and cross country meets the next few years and hearing you voices during my races.
The best part about Florida running is the level of encouragement you get from the crowd while you race. Thank you to everyone who has been there with me every step of the way during competition. Hearing the crowd guide me to the finish line is a great feeling. It is the congratulations that I get after races, and the hugs, and high fives that really make me love the sport of running even more. Florida running is truly a community and everyone has been very supportive.
Although it truly hasn’t kicked in yet, I am starting to get a very nostalgic feeling. Seems like just the other day I had stepped foot on the Winter Park track to compete in my first state meet. I had no idea what was going on. 
I didn’t really know what “state” meant and what it really meant to compete at that level. Now finishing off my last state meet, I have experienced a lot. I have had my share of bad and good races. I have discovered things I didn’t know I was capable of doing. Most importantly, I have truly enjoyed running these past five years. Through my ups and downs, running has taught me how to lead a team, how to compete with passion, how to train and never give up. I have made the greatest friends and created memories that will last a lifetime. Running for Maclay has been a great honor and being able to wear the Maclay jersey and standing on the podium with the team at the state meet was an experience that I will treasure forever. This has been a great blessing in itself and I promise to continue representing Florida as best as I can as a Georgetown Hoya.
Last but not least, thank you so much Todd Grasley for giving me this opportunity to blog for Flrunners. I have enjoyed it so much! It has given me a chance to get to learn more about the sport and see other athletes in Florida achieve great goals.
To everyone else who has their State meet this weekend, remember compete with passion and you will surely surprise yourself in a tremendous way. Leave everything out there and never give up!
God Speed and Go Hoyas.
