Sydney

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

Sydney loves the challenge of track and the opportunity to constantly push beyond what she thought was possible. That means even more because there was a time, after fracturing her femur, when we wondered whether she would ever run again. Today, she is an elite sprinter. She loves competing, chasing personal bests, and seeing the results of the work she puts in when no one is watching. Every race is another chance to test herself and get better.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

Sydney is inspired by athletes who have faced adversity and refused to let it define them. Having experienced that herself, she understands that success isn’t just about talent. It’s about resilience, discipline, and having the courage to keep going when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. Her coaches, teammates, and family inspire her as well, but I think her journey has also taught Sydney something important: sometimes you have to become your own inspiration.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

This year’s 4x400 national championship. Sydney was sidelined with a hamstring injury but fought to get back,not for herself, but for her teammates. She knew some had not qualified individually for Nationals, and this relay was their opportunity to earn All-American honors by finishing in the top eight. She didn’t want to let them down. Sydney made it back, they took the track together, and instead of simply finishing in the top eight, they won the National Championship. That made me incredibly