Due to COVID-19 circumstances I have felt all different types of emotions. At first I was angry as most student athletes probably felt the same. My senior season was stripped away from me due to something that was out of my control. It was difficult to process as it hit so quickly.

I remember preparing the entire week leading up to it for my last first outdoor meet of the season. That Friday on March 13th we were scheduled to compete at Murray. Murray canceled the meet the night before, I was upset but I still had hope that there was still more meets to be ran.

Then came Friday the 13th and around lunch time we had a team meeting. In that meeting I found out my season had came to an end. I was in shock and I didn't want to believe it. Once it sunk in I was angry then sad as most could tell because there was no way for me to hold back the tears. I spent around two days being upset as I didn't understand why I had spent so much time working hard for it to all be taken away and not on my terms.

I quickly realized I needed to soak in all the small moments I had left at Wesleyan because that would end sooner than expected too. I reminisced on my time at Wesleyan and became grateful. Grateful for the experience, the wonderful people I have met, and grateful for how much I have grown as a person. It has not always been easy but it has been worthwhile.

This virus has given me a lot of time to reflect and put things into perspective. I am so thankful and blessed for all of the late nights and early mornings, hard practices that made my heart beat out of my chest, challenging meets which forced PR's, and study sessions. The days were busy and long but the years were short. Looking at this situation from a positive point of view made me realize how lucky I was to GET to compete while getting an education at the next level.

To the student athletes who have a year or years left make the most of it. Appreciate those 6 a.m. practices, pre-season conditioning, and competitions because one day it will all end and it may not be on your terms. And those practices that you hated will soon become memories that you love! Also remember you are more than just an athlete so when you walk away from the sport that you love, embrace your new journey, you are made for it!