The Sarasota high school cross country and track community is mourning the loss of a beloved teammate, Brian Kerry.
The team took to Facebook Monday night to mourn Brian and the legacy he left on the Sarasota team writing, "He truly embodied the spirit of the Sota Boys... #cancersucks."
The class of 2014 graduate battle with cancer started back in 2018 when he was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma. Today, his family, friends, and running community remember his fighting spirit and the smiles he put on his friends faces.
"Nothing made me happier than laughing with you. You will forever be in my heart," Sarasota state champion, Adam Bradtmueller shared in a Facebook post Monday night.
"Brian was the perfect XC teammate. He was so incredibly positive and supportive of everyone no matter their race times. He had the morale of a good leader and was one of the best cheerleaders," Sarasota Riverview XC alumna, Abigail Hagan wrote in a Facebook comment.
The "endearing jokester" as his former teammates would call him, was a leader on the cross country course and track as much as he was off of it. In 2013 he ran a huge PR of 16:51 for the 5k distance to finish fourth for the team, his fighting spirit earning them a district title with an outstanding 29 point finish.
Today, Brian Kerry leaves behind a wife, young daughter, and countless memories with the Sarasota running community.