My Lumberjack Life: Kelsey Ramirez
4/30/2020 7:00:00 PM | Track & Field
SFA Athletics is continuing a new series called My Lumberjack Life. With the 2019-20 season of competition cut short, this series is an opportunity for our athletes to share how they've been dealing with the recent global events, and how they are spending their time away from campus and the sport they play.
I remember we had just returned to campus early from spring break and were resuming our normal practices to begin preparation for the 2020 outdoor track season. The team was pumped for outdoor season, coming on the heels of a successful indoor track season, and were ready to showcase our abilities on the outdoor track.
During one of our morning practices, as many of us were in the training room preparing for a run, we heard news that the NCAA Indoor National Championship was canceled. We were heartbroken for all the athletes that qualified for the prestigious event, but particularly for our own Lumberjacks that had worked so hard to reach Nationals. The mental and physical strength, grit, and dedication to qualify for indoor nationals is tremendous, and then to have that taken from you is unimaginable. After we finished our run that day, Coach Clark informed the team that practices were no longer allowed until further notice.
I knew it was only a matter of time before all NCAA spring sports were canceled, especially upon hearing that the NBA and other professional organizations canceled or postponed their seasons, but I remained hopeful. I was particularly hopeful that the seniors that had just one more season of collegiate running left would get to compete.
When the official news from the NCAA was released, notifying us that spring sports were canceled, it was devastating, especially because we knew our camaraderie, talent, and drive was going to propel us to be serious competitors at the conference, regional, and national level. However, we knew we could not stop working towards our goals for next year. Our indoor season was highly successful, with indoor championship qualifiers and the shattering of several school records. Even though our 2020 outdoor season was stripped away from us, our team displays perseverance and strength that will carry our success into next year.
This event was a bombshell to all athletic programs across the nation, including here at SFA. Although I have always been grateful to be a part of SFA's athletic program, that gratitude has since increased. The coaches and administrative staff have been committed to ensuring that we are safe, healthy, and our mental well-being is good. From our assistant athletic director creating meal plans for those on a budget, to our strength coaches texting us, simply to ask how we are doing, the thoughtfulness and concern we receive is more than I could have ever asked for. The love and gratitude I have for this program is immeasurable and words cannot express the appreciation I have for the coaches and staff.
Even though our 2020 outdoor season, along with in-person classes are canceled, I am still running daily and staying on top of my schoolwork, trying my best to maintain a sense of normalcy. During this time of social distancing, with more time spent at home, running keeps me active, healthy, and sane. Running is different now, with most of my runs being alone, however, I have taken the time to reshape my love for running and appreciate the simplicity of it. All I need is my running watch, shoes, and somewhere to run, and for that, I am so thankful.
Although I am blessed to have another year of competition, this time has made reflect on how time goes by so fast, and soon I will graduate and no longer be a runner for SFA. I will not take any moment for granted and cherish every memory made with my coaches and teammates even more and never lose appreciation for the opportunity to be a part of SFA's track and field team.
Thank you to all the athletic staff for making us feel loved and to learn what it truly means to be a part of the Lumberjack family.
- K
I remember we had just returned to campus early from spring break and were resuming our normal practices to begin preparation for the 2020 outdoor track season. The team was pumped for outdoor season, coming on the heels of a successful indoor track season, and were ready to showcase our abilities on the outdoor track.
During one of our morning practices, as many of us were in the training room preparing for a run, we heard news that the NCAA Indoor National Championship was canceled. We were heartbroken for all the athletes that qualified for the prestigious event, but particularly for our own Lumberjacks that had worked so hard to reach Nationals. The mental and physical strength, grit, and dedication to qualify for indoor nationals is tremendous, and then to have that taken from you is unimaginable. After we finished our run that day, Coach Clark informed the team that practices were no longer allowed until further notice.
I knew it was only a matter of time before all NCAA spring sports were canceled, especially upon hearing that the NBA and other professional organizations canceled or postponed their seasons, but I remained hopeful. I was particularly hopeful that the seniors that had just one more season of collegiate running left would get to compete.
When the official news from the NCAA was released, notifying us that spring sports were canceled, it was devastating, especially because we knew our camaraderie, talent, and drive was going to propel us to be serious competitors at the conference, regional, and national level. However, we knew we could not stop working towards our goals for next year. Our indoor season was highly successful, with indoor championship qualifiers and the shattering of several school records. Even though our 2020 outdoor season was stripped away from us, our team displays perseverance and strength that will carry our success into next year.
This event was a bombshell to all athletic programs across the nation, including here at SFA. Although I have always been grateful to be a part of SFA's athletic program, that gratitude has since increased. The coaches and administrative staff have been committed to ensuring that we are safe, healthy, and our mental well-being is good. From our assistant athletic director creating meal plans for those on a budget, to our strength coaches texting us, simply to ask how we are doing, the thoughtfulness and concern we receive is more than I could have ever asked for. The love and gratitude I have for this program is immeasurable and words cannot express the appreciation I have for the coaches and staff.
Even though our 2020 outdoor season, along with in-person classes are canceled, I am still running daily and staying on top of my schoolwork, trying my best to maintain a sense of normalcy. During this time of social distancing, with more time spent at home, running keeps me active, healthy, and sane. Running is different now, with most of my runs being alone, however, I have taken the time to reshape my love for running and appreciate the simplicity of it. All I need is my running watch, shoes, and somewhere to run, and for that, I am so thankful.
Although I am blessed to have another year of competition, this time has made reflect on how time goes by so fast, and soon I will graduate and no longer be a runner for SFA. I will not take any moment for granted and cherish every memory made with my coaches and teammates even more and never lose appreciation for the opportunity to be a part of SFA's track and field team.
Thank you to all the athletic staff for making us feel loved and to learn what it truly means to be a part of the Lumberjack family.
- K
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