Allyson Girard competes in Highland teal at the Chandler Rotary this season. Arizona Milesplit Photo.
It was the middle of October. Despite some minor setbacks the cross country team was running well. With the championship race in November, the team looked poised to surpass pre-season rankings. One could sense a growing sense of excitement. Then misfortune struck. In a flash their leader was gone. All of a sudden a top finish in the post season looked unrealistic. No, I am not talking about the Colorado team from Running with the Buffaloes, I am talking about last fall's Lady Hawks from Highland HS.
While Highland's loss doesn't compare to the loss suffered by CU and the Severy family, an unfortunate turn of Lauren Ellsworth's knee blew out her ACL. In a flash, not only her season, but the rest of her high school career was over. When a top tier runner and team leader goes down, one usually expects the team to fade. That didn't happen to Highland though. This was due, in large part, to the efforts to two of Lauren's classmates, Allyson Girard and Addi Montgomery.
Coach Monty knew his girl's season was on the ropes after hearing Lauren's diagnosis. Finishing top three at state now seemed like a pipe dream. Then Addi and Allyson sat him down for a little chat. He vividly remembers the conversation. It was short but powerful. “Allyson and Addi just looked me in the eyes and told me, 'Hey coach, we got this!'" recalled Coach Monty. Judging by the look in their eyes, he knew they were ready to tackle the daunting task at hand. Turns out they had already taken the first step to make sure the team would be successful without Lauren.
Before Addi and Allyson even approached Coach Monty, they had already gathered the team together. Allyson distinctly recalls the emotions she had. “It was an incredible feeling to have that talk with the girls and get them on board and know that we could face the pressure," she recounted. “It was an even greater feeling to tell Coach Monty that we weren't backing down despite Lauren's tragic accident." Like all teams the Lady Hawks respond to both their leaders and their coach's attitude. Coach Monty had faith in Addi's and Allyson' leadership and it showed. Allyson explained, “I speak for myself and the girls when I say Coach's confidence in us made it that much easier to persevere."
Even with Coach Monty's support, Allyson was terrified of the role at first. Since she is the same grade as Lauren, Allyson had always been able to sit back and let her best friend be the leader and spokesperson for the team. Now it was her turn. Allsyon took charge of keeping the team focused at the task at end. With or without Lauren they still had to run workouts in practice every day. The state course was still going to be held at the Cave Creek Golf Course. The course was still going to measure 5000m. There was still going to be the big hill shortly after the first mile. Allyson recognized that none of this had changed and communicated this message to the girls. Running was still putting one foot in front of the other a little quicker than the person next to you. No more, no less.
Before the season started the girls had decided they wanted to finish top three. Taking it upon herself to make sure the team stayed resolute, Allyson helped reinforce Coach Monty's coaching philosophies. “Coach Monty's emphasis on the family aspect of the team has brought all of us so close together." It also helped Allsyon that Lauren stayed as involved as she could after her surgery. “The process was scary but Lauren never ceases to remind me how proud she is of me and it helps tremendously!" From the very first meet without Lauren each and every girl stepped up and ran focused and mentally tough as a result of Allyson's leadership. Even with good leadership, situations like this make or break teams. The Lady Hawks did not break.
Addi also had to adjust. Since Allyson and Lauren had always been the top girls, she had never really been noticed by the press. In fact, it would be safe to say she had spent her running career floating under the radar. “I never really cared for being in the spotlight or the center of attention, as long as I was PRing I was happy." Now she was noticed. Not that a 3rd runner isn't important, but a 2nd runner gets a lot more attention and has a lot more pressure. Addi thrived on this pressure. Historically she just saw herself as one of the runners. With being a leader she learned that she could do great things. “Having to step up from my previous place gave me a confident mindset and a better outlook on how I perceive myself as a runner." In fact her performance at state helped earn a scholarship to Mesa Community College next fall.
So how did it end up for the Hawks? Well, just like the 1998 Colorado team they were able to place 3rd. Coach Monty was thrilled. “Even with Lauren I am not sure we would have gotten by Desert Vista or Xavier." The girls did it, they were able to overcome the loss of their star. In fact they continue to do it. Heading into the state track meet they own the fastest 4x800m time. Even without Lauren, the state 800m record holder, they are in contention to repeat. Will the Hawks do it? It remains to be seen. On paper Desert Vista should win, but that's why they run the race. Whatever the outcome on the track may hold, in many ways they have already won. “Having to step up to the plate and become a leader has given me a certain confidence that has already made several appearances in and out of the running scene," Allyson explained, “I believe I will carry this confidence with me beyond high school and even beyond this sport."
Most athletes will never go pro, but what they learn while competing in the sport will hopefully benefit them for the rest of their lives. If you get the chance this weekend, cheer for Allyson, Addi and the Lady Hawks. They will be wearing their signature teal singlets and probably running near the front of the pack. Even though they lost their star, Highland has learned valuable life lessons about perseverance and dealing with the curve balls that life throws at you. That is what track is all about.