She waits in anticipation for her first ever cross country meet. She pushes through the day, and climbs aboard the bus along with her teammates. Her friends and her enjoy the bus ride, listening to music and laughing together. When they arrive at the meet she begins to do some stretching and light jogging. She watches the varsity and prepares herself for her race. The time is here. She lines up alongside one hundred other runners, and waits for the official to sound the gun. It feels like minutes, but it is only seconds. On your marks, get set, GO!

Emily Meeks, junior, just started cross country this year. She started it to get in better shape and raise her metabolism, but since then her views on it have changed. “Yeah, I like cross country because I like the people in it,” explained Meeks. Cross country is one of those sports in which the team is more of a family. They have dinners together, run together, and support each other in various activities. Meeks has one goal and mind and with the help of her team cheering her on it should not be difficult for her to achieve. “My goal is to not come in last,” stated Meeks. With her newfound love of cross country and her goals set high she is excited for tonights meet.

In tonight’s meet there will be many 4A schools for Marion to compete against. Meeks is nervous because it is her first meet ever, but she is also excited for the meet. “I am excited to see how I do at my first meet,” explained Meeks. She feels the nerves for tonights meet set in, but she also feels a thrill inside of her.

She takes off at a full sprint trying to get ahead of the crowd knowing the faster she runs, the faster she gets to stop running.