Upload a Photo Upload a Video Add a News article Write a Blog Add a Comment
MessageReportBlock
Blog Feed News Feed Video Feed All Feeds
 

Folders

Featured (118)
Misc News (1227)
All (388)
All (4440)
 

 

Brenna Cohoon Athlete's Blog - April 29, 2020

Published by
ILXCTF - Mike Newman   Apr 29th 2020, 1:00pm
Comments

Blog #10: It Is Not Goodbye

 

By Brenna Cohoon 

All good things come to an end.  It would be naive of me not to realize that eventually my days of running for Downers Grove South would be numbered.  I obviously did not expect my final season as a Mustang to end as quickly as it did, but here we are. 

Looking back on the past four years, there is a lot to reflect upon.  It is really difficult to put my exact feelings into words.  I still smile when I think about my best performances.  I continue to learn from the races that did not go according to plan. 

Most importantly, I feel so fulfilled by what an amazing experience it has been being a part of the DGS distance program.  

I came onto this team as a freshman from a small Catholic school with a graduating class of 49 kids.  However, I never once felt intimidated by the fact that the cross country team was the same size, perhaps even larger.  That is because everyone made me feel so welcome.  I immediately sensed a family-like bond among the girls and coaches. 

At the time summer running camp started before my freshman year, I was still contemplating whether I would play volleyball or run cross country.  It ended up being a pretty easy decision for me; I knew that there was something special about these distance runners.  What I did not know then was all we would go on to accomplish together. 

Over the past few years, our cross country and track teams have done some exciting things.  We have experienced so much together, both good and bad.  We got to stand on the podium at cross country state 2018, holding our third place trophy.  We got to share in our sorrows together when we were not selected to compete at NXN.  We got to travel to Arizona this year and race against some different competition.  Although the list goes on and on, I think you get the gist. 

Our achievements pale in comparison to the bonds we have created with each other.  I have had teammates that inspire me and make me proud.  I have had teammates that encourage and support me.  I have had teammates that I know will be some of my lifelong friends. 

Now, we are living through a global pandemic together.  My teammates and I may not be able to spend time with one another in person, but we are staying connected in spirit.  Our coaches are helping us make the most of things by providing us with some fun challenges, such as scavenger hunts and sharing our gratitude.  

The tears fall easily when I imagine all that could have happened during the remainder of my final high school track season.  I am disappointed about not getting to race right now, but I am even more upset about missing out on making memories with my teammates. 

Last year’s state track meet was easily one of my favorite moments as a Mustang.  It was amazing to watch my teammates perform so well and accomplish a major goal of my own, but the best part was getting to spend the whole weekend together.  We laughed a lot, cheered our heads off, and sweat buckets in the Charleston heat.  We also shed some tears on the way home as we realized those were some of our last moments with the senior class of 2019. 

I am heartbroken that I cannot experience those things one last time.  I did not think Mustang Relays on March 9 would be my last DGS track meet.  But if I could not end the season at state, I am glad I got to do it there. 

When the IHSA officially cancelled spring sports, I spoke with my head coach Doug Plunkett and two of my teammates who are fellow seniors, Erin Reidy and Kennedy Warden.  Coach Plunkett brought up the optimistic point that we got to spend our last meet as Downers South runners on relay teams.  We were not competing individually, but rather, as a team.  At that moment, it seemed that all of this chaos was happening for a reason. 

Pandemic or not, I knew that the end of high school would be a bittersweet time for me, as I am a very emotional person.  I think what makes all of this so much harder is that things ended so unexpectedly.  I was anticipating my last day in the classroom to be in the middle of May, not March. 

Regardless of our current situation, I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have been a part of the Downers Grove South cross country and track teams.  I have loved wearing the blue on blue and screaming “this is Mustang country” on the bus ride home from a meet. 

My coaches and teammates have given me more than I could ever imagine throughout my entire crazy awesome high school experience.  I have grown so much over the years, learning lessons from the importance of focusing on the journey rather than the destination to the power behind taking risks in races and having fun while running. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my entire high school running career.  That goes out to my family, coaches, teammates, team parents, competitors, and more.  I appreciate your kindness, positivity, empowerment, and everything in between. 

Another huge thank you goes out to Mr. Newman for allowing me to write these blogs for the past two years.  I think it is safe to say that this opportunity has grown my love for running and writing even more!  Having the opportunity to reflect on my races every week has been so valuable, and to be able to share that as an aspiring journalist is a dream come true.  51 blogs later, and here we are.  A final thank you goes out to everyone who continues to read my thoughts week after week.  Your support means the world to me. 

This is not a goodbye to the Illinois running community (and beyond), but just a see you later.  Hopefully, I will learn even more over the next four years in college that I can share down the road.  For now, keep running and remember to smile. 

Photo: ©2020 Laura Duffy 

More news

History for ILXCTF - Mike Newman
YearVideosNewsPhotosBlogs
2024 528 19    
2023 1035 171    
2022 1049 193    
Show 11 more