Dear Megan,

Your efforts this season did not fall short, even if the stopwatch cruelly leads you to believe otherwise.

I love sports, but I also know that sports – on their own – are a little silly. Boys and girls running around quarter-mile ovals, throwing balls, tackling each other … without context it’s all a bit absurd.

I do, however, love the situations and stakes that are uniquely created by sports. When the scoreboard is on and the timer is running the intensity is dialed up and we inevitably learn things about ourselves.

I hope you’re proud of what you’ve learned.

I can only imagine how much fun you would have had at state track this week. I know it’s been a calendar staple for most of your life, watching your mom, Melissa, coach hurdles for The Classical Academy.

I’ve heard about the effort you put in this year to get there and represent the Titans. Tolerating the humbling grind of the cross country season because of it was part of the bigger picture. Managing your time to put an emphasis on sleep. Drawing every bit of speed out of yourself.

I can only guess at the number of conversations you and your mom must have had about technique and strategy.

I marveled as you set seven consecutive personal records in the 300-meter hurdles this season. I saw your time come down from 57.27 seconds in March to 50.04 this past weekend in Johnstown. I know ultimately that left you 0.07 seconds out of the final qualifying spot. It’s a heartbreaking blink of an eye. And I know the stakes were raised this year, with TCA set to jump from 3A to 4A next year because of the program’s dominance, and that jump will raise the degree of difficulty in qualifying for your senior year.

But 50ish seconds of running at state, as meaningful as it would have been to you and your family, should not detract from what you’ve accomplished.

There’s no hiding in track and field. The stopwatch sees all. You embraced that challenge and turned yourself into a state contender.

Your journey this season was far more intriguing than any other I’ve followed. I deeply admire your commitment and the steady progress that sprang from it. I also thank you for providing an example to reference as I fight my own internal voices of opposition every time I start a workout.

As an athlete myself and the dad of a few more, I’ve lived the highs and lows. I also know they all end. Tomorrow always comes, and we’re left with nothing but memories and lessons. You’ll be left knowing you have it in you to chase a dream with a ferocity that allows you to transform yourself and inspire those around you.

I would wish that for everyone who embarks on this silly enterprise of sports. I hope you see it. And I hope you’re proud of it.

Thank you,

Brent