Cross Country season 2016 has come and gone and I wanted to reflect on my season, but not the season directly. The people I have spent the last four months with, every day, morning and night. I have gained a family and owe it to them with my appreciation.

When I came to Campbellsville University, I was scared to meet new people and afraid of what would come once I arrived for the first time. I never knew a family would be awaiting me. So thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Zachary, thank you for being the leading example that initially brought me to Campbellsville. Without you, I would be a world away from running and probably would have stayed in Mount Washington the night before I was supposed to move in. If it wasn't for you answering my facetime, showing me how pretty main street was at night, and comforting me, I wouldn't have been sitting on campus writing this right now.

Brandon, Thank you for continuing to be my "big brother." that left after you graduated my freshman year of high school. You always picked me up and made me laugh then, and you make me feel important and make me laugh now. I owe a lot of memories to you "Buddy."

Adam, thank you for being a leader on the team and showing everyone what it looks like to be completely all into the sport. Thank you for being one of my brothers best friends, its cool to see such good guys as such good friends. Thank you also for getting in the way of a potentially decent picture, and for always saying hi when you're out and about.

Ross, thank you for making awkward situations more awkward and for making awkward silences funny. You are never short of jokes to tell and you're always fun to talk to in the training room. You make light of bad situations and continuously make going to practice enjoyable with the kind of person you are.

Bret & Corbin, Thank you for helping last minute with the lip sync contest that won us third place (soon to be first.) And for being two men on the team that welcomed us all in with open arms at the beginning of the season, knowing we were probably as terrified as you were when you first walked into the first practice. Thanks for keeping me company at lunch and all of the rides to the caf after practice.

Will, thank you for the friendship we have gained in the four short months of knowing each other, and for constantly checking to make sure I'm okay when you think I might not be, and for being the kind of friend I can count on. Thank you for being so funny and making everyone laugh, and making almost anything funny.

Kanyon, though you didn't get to run with us this season, the fact that you stuck around, woke up every morning to be with the team is the kind of dedication that I would probably choose sleep over. Thanks for encouraging us during the races and workouts and pushing us to beat previously hit times.

Hunter, Jio and Matt, thank you for tackling this first season with me and for being supportive of not only the guy's team, but the girl's as well. The "Come on Olivia!" and the good jobs mean more than you know. I cant wait to spend the next four years with you guys whether you like it or not.

Chris & Camryn, you all are the dynamic duo and two people I would probably drop anything for. Chris, thank you for being so honest and fun to be around. You're so insightful and so wise. You aren't judgemental and would probably still be my friend if I did the worst thing in the world. You make the team lighter and more fun with your personality and make even an election fun to watch when you're around. You've become like a brother to me and for that I am thankful. Cam, thank you for simply being you. I didn't expect to gain a best friend here at CU, and get along with someone as well as I get along with you. Any time I need to vent about life or confide in someone, Im glad it can be you. You love your friends so much and would do anything for them, stop to talk even if you have somewhere to go, and I know would protect each and every one of us with your life. Its cool to know such God-fearing men.My life has become a little sweeter since I met you guys.

My ladies have a special place in my heart and I have gotten some sisters out of running for Campbellsville. We all have our little arguments or disagreements but at the end of the day I can say I am happy to have known each and every one of you

It was the first week of preseason when I basically handed my life over as we jumped off of "The Point." At Green River for the first time. It was terrifying but once we held hands and jumped from the cliff I realized that some things are only as scary as you let them be. I loved you all the first time I met you.

Brandi & Abby, Thank you for being "Brabby." without you two I wouldn't have known unconditional support and encouragement without you both. Thank you for all the laughs and vent sessions and fun memories I will always take with me and for just having fun together. I won't ever forget the nights we shared or the memories we made. I love you both with my whole heart.

Elise and Jessica,

Thank you all for being so fun to be around and for the encouragement I have received from you. It was never discounted and always appreciated. Jess thank you for pushing me so hard in workouts and races even if you didn't know you were, and thank you for rolling my legs out (even though I spiked you and made you bleed.) Elise thank you for being so fun to talk to and deal with fartlek runs (because we definitely both hate them.) Thanks for listening when I complain and tell me to ignore certain people that try to tell us how to run.)

Julianna, I am thankful for your sweet, giving soul and for being such a great friend who is always there to listen and give advise and for being a Christian example in my life. You've been supportive from the start and fun to be around! Even when your'e running away in the dark to scare us in the woods, I am thankful for you even then. You're like a big sister to us freshman girls, along with the other girls who are big sisters as well and really showed us hard work and dedication.

Madison, you've been fun since we moved in and I'm thankful to have your spunk on the team. You're a naturally gifted runner who is up for anything and willing to get up and dance in front of the school (lip sync battle) for the cause of the team. It was so much easier to adjust to school when you had other freshman helping to distract you and I am thankful for that!

Lydia and Miranda, both of you have remained so positive and make the best out of bad situations, and really just make me feel good about myself. Thank you both for being that person in my life. Miranda thank you for listening when I'm having a bad day and for always checking on me

Jennifer, whether you knew it or not, you pushed me in workouts and its cool to have seen how far you've come this season! You bring a happiness to the team because you always seem to be happy about some thing or the other!

Taylor, I didn't even know you at LINC (freshman orientation) and kept trying to find you because I knew we would be on the same team, but I never imagined you would soon become my best friend. Everything that has happened to be while in Campbellsville, you were one of the first to know. In the short time I have known you, I would trust you with my life and have been so thankful to have been blessed with such a sweet friend like yourself. Whether it's you waking me up for class or crying because boys are mean, you and I are like two peas in a pod. So thankful Campbellsville has brought us together.

The people I have been blessed with and the family I have gained, I never knew I would grow to love as much as I do now. Cross Country itself is hard, and it would be harder if I didn't like the people on my team. But I wanted to make an ode to you all for helping shape the person I will become, and for the past four months who I have spent the most time with. Every person and every memory I hold dear to my heart and owe it all to you guys for making me love Campbellsville so much.