One Very Proud Daughter

I am taking a quick break from studying for finals to share some really exciting news with you all. I promise there are pictures, like really great throwback pictures. I hope you all have a great next few weeks; I will be hidden away at the library. Alrighty, now for the actual post. 

From day one I have always been a "Daddy's Girl," no question about it. I look up to my dad more than anyone else in the world. Having the unique experience of not only being a daughter to him, but also one of his athletes has been a great experience. Having a parent as a coach can really put a strain on a relationship, not knowing when to stop being a coach, or when to not be a parent can be a really hard balance. Luckily for my sister and me my dad has always been able to manage this balance well. 

A great example of this would be how he handled my knee injury. I am sure many of you who are reading this know about my knee injury that I battled for most of high school. I have had two different surgeries, but still little relief. The most frustrating thing about the entire situation is that I always felt like everyone thought I was making it up. (I promise I wasn’t and I’m not) My dad always believed me and trusted me, for that I will always be grateful. The most discouraging moment came when I had to stop running my junior year. (Guys, I just want to insert here for those of you who may be wondering, I was NOT a fast runner by any means, like at all, but I really loved it, so like this whole injury thing not a big loss to anyone but me. Okay moving on.) I was so scared that I was letting my dad down, and that this injury would in some way hurt our relationship. After a very emotional season, my dad managed to teach me that I could not rest my identity in running, he told me I had far more to offer the world than my athleticism. (Can we all take a moment to thank the LORD! Seriously if that’s all I had to offer, I would be living in a cardboard box the rest of my life, again not that great of a runner.) After my second surgery, I was able to return for my senior cross country season. Slow and steady I made it through the races. Even though my times had slowed dramatically from my freshman to senior year, my dad loved me the same! I am again so grateful for his patience, and care, and love for me. 

Okay, enough about me I am going to get to the point of this post. On October 31^st my dad coached the Southeast of Saline girls cross country team to a state championship. I have never been more proud than that day. With tears of joy I hugged (more like tackled) both my little sister and Dad as we celebrated their win. Just the other day I got a call from him and he informed me that he is being recognized as the Kansas class 3A cross country coach of the year! Seriously, I am so happy for him and I could not think of a more deserving coach! (I might be a little biased.) In January, my family will be attending a banquet in honor of him and I cannot wait! In order to do a little celebrating I have decided to steal some photos from the SES XC Alumni Facebook page and post them here on the blog. Enjoy!

So, that super tall guy on the back row is my dad, and the guy on the second row third from the left is my Uncle Cade. This was the 1986 State Championship team.

This team here got third place at state in 2005.

In 2006 the boys took second place at state.

Again, in 2008 another second place.

The girls also got third that year!

Back in August the first ever SES XC Alumni race was hosted, I got to run against both my dad and Uncle. My team won, I really had nothing to do with that but I participated!! Oh, and can we please not judge how bad I look in this photo, it was really early and i had no coffee in my system.

Look at that stride. But really Dad, this was the finish, "On the toes and go!"

Again a repost of CJ and me at State. It is a really great thing you can't see my eyes that well i'm sure I still had tears at this point.

The 2014 class 3A girls State Champions!

The two coaches celebrating their win.