Ashley Bids Farewell

As I sit back and reflect on my track and field career, it is hard to believe that my career started on the track and ended in the field. In my elementary years, I ran the 100m, the 200m, and was a part of the 4x100m relay team. I started out with these events in my early high school years, but soon found out that I was better at long jump, shot put, and discus. My high school years ended with trips to state in all theww events. In college, I really was unsure of what my role was going to be on the team. I started out in the heptathlon, but it was not for me. I gave up the long jump, and found my favorite event – the javelin. I became a full-time thrower with shot put, discus, and javelin and that is where I will finish my career. Throughout my collegiate career I have had the chance to compete in the best throwing facilities around against some of the best athletes in the nation, make the NCAA national list, and best of all make great friends along the way. And now for the thank-yous. I would first like to thank my mom and dad. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to participate in track, taking me to all of those practices, and coming to all of my meets. Thanks for your support and encouragement. You were there for it all the smiles, tears, the victories, and the losses. Everything you have done to help me achieve my track goals and dreams is sincerely appreciated. You both have sat through rain, snow and sunshine to see me succeed. I hope that I have made you proud. I love you both very much!! To my sisters and brother, Jackie, Brian, Annie: Thanks for all the great track memories. I will never forget all of the encouragement each one of you gave me. Thank you for coming to my meets and helping me work on my skills to become a better track athlete. To Amanda, a.k.a. “Clammer:” You are my best friend and practically a sister to me. You have been there for me through the good times and the bad. We have laughed, cried, and done crazy things together over the past four years. I never knew what a best friend was until I met you. You have been such a great supporter of my athletic career. I appreciate you taking time away from your studying to attend my meets. Thanks for listening, giving advice, and turning my bad nights into good ones. Without you, I would not be the person that I am today. To my fellow throwers: Ember, Beth, Amanda, and Sonnek. I could not have asked for better teammates. It has been an honor to be a teammate of yours. Each one of you brings an important aspect to this team and without you, our team would not be complete. To the coaches: Kirk, you have never failed to push me as an athlete. You have always been there to encourage and give me the support that I needed to succeed. Your knowledge of track and passion for the sport has helped me to become a better track athlete. To Ward, thanks for all of your support and your jokes that always keep people thinking. To Jackie, a.k.a. “My Big Sis,” you have been my competitor, coach, and most important my sister. You have taught me many things that I will someday use as a coach and in life in general. Your knowledge of throwing is among the best and you are always trying to make your athletes be the best that they can be. You have really turned this throwing program around from being an alright to among one of the best in the MIAC. Thank you for all you have done to help me succeed. I hope that I have carried the tradition of the Luehmann name as well as you have in the past. To my high school coach, Mr. Mills, you have taught me so much from being a thrower to being the person that I am today. Thanks for all of your encouragement and support. As a coach you have always had faith in me and given me the opportunity to become a better thrower. Your enthusiasm for track has always pushed me further as an athlete. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to become a thrower. Thanks for everything. To the Clarks. What can I say? It’s been great to have you guys in my life. Thanks for all of the support you have given me. I am very lucky to have a family like yours come and watch me compete. Thanks for all of the food, rides, and fun times at the house. To everyone else that had taken time to show their support to me over my career. To all of the professors, thank you for sending e-mails, and cutting out newspaper clippings. To all of my friends who have come and watched me compete, thank you so much it means the world to me. Over the past four years, I have made some memorable memories and friends that I will never forget. Thanks to all, who have been a part of my track career. Now there is only one thing left to say: Adieu, Aloha, Adios, Ciao, Farvel, Adeus, Tot Siens, Istenhozzád, Cheerio, and Goodbye! 12.80 meters-shot, 41.50 meters-discus, 39.24 meters-javelin … It Can Happen!!!