In Her Own Words: Denise Spann - In The Blink Of An Eye

Track season is literally a few weeks away and I honestly can't believe that it's my senior season. There have been many days where I didn't think I'd make it to where I am now. If you were going to tell me when I was a freshman that I would break both of my ankles and lose sophomore eligibility, but still be able to be sign to Michigan State (a Division I university and top 25 preseason college team), and have one last season to put myself out on the track for the world to see… I wouldn't believe it. I'm very nervous for this year, because after this there's no more preparation for the college level. I won't have high school season to change things up. In college athletics it's basically get it or go home.

I made the decision to make the switch back to Boyd Anderson this season, because it was where it all started for me, literally. My first track practice was at B.A., my first 400m, and my first high school season were there as well. I know making the move up to 3A is going to be really tough, but I've put in some serious work with my Lady Cobras this preseason.

I've realized that after signing in November, the road doesn't get any easier. Sure you don't have that pressure going into the season of not knowing where you are going after high school, but you still have to put in the work to hopefully be a better athlete than you were last season. Not only for yourself, but for that school that invested in you, for your coach that spends endless hours helping you, and for your family who's been with you from the beginning.

So far this off season, I've had two measurements and one indoor competition; from these results it looks like not only myself, but my entire team is on track for a nice season. However, just because you do it once or twice doesn't mean it's set in stone. One of the things I want to work on this season is, 'consistency'; with my times, my practices, and most importantly my mind set. I have no doubt things will be hard this season, it's hard right now. I've overcome too much to psyche myself out or give up. I have goals that I not only WANT to reach, but NEED to reach.

This upcoming weekend, (2/7/15) is the Hallandale's All Comers Meet, I've competed here all four years and its going to be my last one. I've ran against some of the best athletes in South Florida at this meet and it totally makes me nervous even though it's only a meet to see where you're at. I run the 300m and the 600m every year, and the 600m is more unsettling than the 300m; just because after winning it two years ago and then coming in 2nd last year, I know it's expected for me to perform. I mean, I expect it too. This meet just really sets the tone of how you'll begin the season, and I want to make sure that I put my best race forward and that Boyd Anderson girls are really something to look out for.

Every race I run this year will be my last as a high school athlete. My first and last time at the BCAA County meet, my last district, regional and state meet, my last Walter Dix. I don't think it's settled in yet that I'll be a collegiate athlete next year, but I do know that if I could get another year of high school track I'd take it in a heartbeat. It's just when you're a freshman you think you have all this time to get better, and that your senior season is far away, but that's not the case at all. I feel like yesterday I was joining Lauderdale Lakes Track Club and in the blink of an eye I'm 17 and graduating in four months.

I know it's kind of cliché to say, but this really is the beginning of the end of my high school track career.

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