Dear Team,

When I first transferred, I was nervous about making friends. I kept imagining that I would have no one to talk to or hangout with. It wasn't until I became part of the track team that I knew automatically who my friends would be.

I remember the first practice and being so nervous to talk to my teammates. As soon as I started talking to a couple of the girls on the team, however, I knew it was going to be a perfect fit. These were the people I would be spending the next five months with and I knew that these months were going to be the best days of my life. I am so grateful to call each and every one of you my teammates.

From strenuous practices on the track to 4 a.m. bus rides to meets, my team was there through it all. Always cheering each other on through the good, the bad and even the ugly meets we didn't want to talk about. As our amazing season comes to an end, all I can say is thank you.

Thank you for welcoming me to the team, for helping me adjust to the hustle and bustle of practice and for guiding me through the drills that I found confusing at times.

Thank you for the laughs. Whether it was laughing through the pain or the many inside jokes we had, this is what got me through practices when I needed it most.

Thank you for pushing me through the workouts. When the road seemed long and monotonous, and it didn't seem like there was an end in sight, thank you for pushing me forward by telling me to keep going. Thank you for not allowing me to give up when times got tough and for telling me to keep pushing myself.

Thank you for coaching me through my events when there wasn't a coach around. There were practices when coach wouldn't show up and we had to coach ourselves, and I thank you for helping me with what I didn't understand.

Also, thank you for sharing the painful embarrassment of track tan lines and peeling skin after we got sunburnt at a meet.

Thank you for the pasta dinners the night before meets. They were always delicious and definitely needed.

Lastly, thank you for never giving up. We all had those days when we didn't feel like practicing and wanted to quit, but you didn't. You showed up each and every day because you knew your team was going to be there by your side, helping you through it all. You made a commitment and I thank you for keeping it throughout the season.

Looking back on my first year at a new school and on a new team, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Each and every one of you has taught me something new and I am grateful for the countless memories that I will always remember. We have had a tremendous season and I can't wait to see what else is in store for us.