by Daley Cline for DyeStatFL.com

    Well, this is it. It's the final stretch of my high school cross country career. I'm not sure whether to take a sigh of relief, or bawl my eyes out. I'm sure the other seniors out there will understand my bi-polar feelings. As a senior, it's hard. Trying to make your last season ever a successful one, puts a lot more stress on your mind then I had imagined. To be honest, I am upset with how my season has turned out up to this point. I've only had about 3 races I've actually been happy with. I approached each race thinking, "This is the last time I will run this course, ever. You better run a good race." But, instead, I should've been thinking, "This is the last time I will run this course, ever. Enjoy it and have fun." I didn't realize how fast the season would fly by, and now I'm sitting here, less than a week away from the state meet, wishing I would've believed in myself more throughout the season.

    So, I ask you, whoever is reading this, to believe in yourself. Before you know it, you'll be toeing the starting line of your very last high school race, like I will be this Saturday. Believe in yourself to achieve your goals, and run with a free mind. That is what I will be doing this weekend, at my 4th and final FHSAA 3A State Championship meet. If you're finding yourself in the same position I am, and this season hasn't been your best, guess what? It's not over. We have one more chance. Why can't this race be the best race of our lives? Why can't we go out and run a huge PR? Why can't we go out there and prove that all of our hard work hasn't been for nothing? Why can't we turn this whole season around, and end on an awesome note? We can. We just need to believe we can do it. And, if not, at least promise yourself one thing, you'll take a chance, give it everything you have, and leave it all on the line.

    Remember, "if you shoot for the moon and miss, at least you'll be among the stars."

    The best of luck to all of my fellow runners in the state meet this weekend. If you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything!