Autumn Bids Farewell

Where do I begin to explain how much life changes? How much one decision could influence the person you become and the goals you set for yourself in the future? My decision was to play intercollegiate athletics; however, I never thought that my sport of choice would be track and field. I still remember crossing the finish line at the state meet, thinking to myself that I would never run track competitively again. Once I got to college, I found I just could not get away from running fast and turning left! I always knew that college would come and go and my athletic career in track and field would come to an end, but honestly, this fast? These past four years flew by with lightning speed. I have learned many things from track: How to be dedicated and determined. Even though I have to say good-bye to a chapter of my life that meant so much, I will never forget the great times, amazing friendships, and lasting memories …THANK YOU! To all my teammates, I want to thank you for all your hard work and dedication to track. You have made the team into what it is today. We have made many accomplishments in not only your own racing by reaching your personal bests, but also to the program itself by breaking records, placing at the top of conference, and having the most number of track and field athletes in conference to qualify for nationals. CONGRATS!!!! Those are things to be proud of. All of you are very blessed athletically and I cannot wait to see what is in store for you next year. I want to extend a special thank you to Maria. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to get to know you over the last year. Track would have never been what it is now without your support and friendship. I will never forget the practices where we would try to embarrass everyone around us. There are so many unforgettable things like the Drake Relays, gas stations, herbal essences, baseball boys, and icing on the cake … need I say more? As for the meets, you are the BEST block holder EVER!! Kirk, you are one fantastic coach. There are not enough words to tell you how much I appreciate you. Thank you for believing in me! You have made me believe in the athlete I am. I would have never had the opportunity to go to Nationals if it was not for your continued guidance and support, not mention for you to do all the mental thinking ?. I am going to miss everything about track like getting out of practice for various reasons, the good laughs, and making you turn completely red. Thank you for restoring my love of this sport. Ward, guess what? I am YOUR athlete too!! I told you I was going to win. I would not want to trade anything for our high jump practices. Thank you for giving in and letting me do it for fun. I truly valued being able to do something new and getting to know you too. Oh look, Autumn can rhyme! Aren’t you proud?!?!? Jackie, you always seem to put a smile on my face and a little spring in my step. It would not be the same if I didn’t chase you around the track and watch you take off in a dead sprint! Why do you do that again, you’ll have to refresh my memory?? Thank you for all your time teaching me to throw shot even though I never did the multi…it was tons and tons and tons of fun! Most of all, I want to thank my mom and family. Your continued faith and love in me has made me into the person and athlete I am today. Thank you for dealing with my whining when I complained about my aches and pains, practices, and meets. You have taught me to set my goals high and reach for them. Never in a million years did I ever think that I would be ranked in the hurdles at the national level … how amazing!! Thank you for coming to my track meets. It meant the world to me seeing the faces of the people who believed in me when I didn’t and who loved me no matter how I did. Having you as a part of my college track career will always hold a special place in my heart. I LOVE YOU!!! Do you know what's weird? Day-by-day, nothing seems to change, but pretty soon...everything's different. How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.