“Knowing that this is my last year is bitter sweet because I know I’ll be running in college, but Coach LeGrand won’t be my coach anymore; I’ve had a few breakdowns alone about that,” Senior Lannon McCoy said.

McCoy has been running cross country since she was twelve years old. As her senior year is coming to an end McCoy is realizing that this is her last year running with her team and running for her coach that she’s had for six years.

“The thing I’ll miss most is Coach LeGrand. He’s awesome,” she said.

Cross country for McCoy is not only an outlet for her to relieve stress, but also a spiritual experience. McCoy has made many bonds over the past six years running for Chapin cross country.

“Cross country has been an amazing experience. Just getting mentored when I was younger by the older girls and that everyone has always been really positive. When we have long runs, it’s really just a spiritual thing. I just clear my head and go through everything that’s on my mind and in my heart.”

As Chapin cross country has been ranked in the top ten over and over, but has not gotten the recognition that it deserves, McCoy says that she understands that if someone doesn’t like running, cross country would not be as exciting as other sports.

McCoy has had to overcome many obstacles during her running career. When she thinks that she can’t run any longer she names colleges that she wants to go to in her head to keep her going.

“This year it’s just mentally pushing through, that this is my last year running. I’ll think that the girl in front of me is going to get my money if I don’t beat her,” McCoy said.

As McCoy looks back, she thinks about her most thrilling race.

“In ninth grade I got to run in the Walt Disney World classic. It was the first time I broke twenty minutes and it was just fun. Afterwards we got to go to all of the parks.”

McCoy knows that next year she will have a different team and won’t have the same bonds that she has running on Chapin cross country. Although she knows she is going to miss Coach LeGrand and her team, she looks forward to possibly running forCharlestonorAnderson.