Girls Track & Field Seniors!
With the abrupt ending to our 2020 Track & Field season, there are many things we are missing out on. One of our favorite traditions is holding Senior Night at our last home track meet. Just because that is not going to happen this year, does not mean that we will miss out on the opportunity to honor our 9 senior athletes and their parents. So, here is our Senior Spotlight. I want to introduce each athlete, their parents, and give a little more information about each one.
Our first senior is Elizabeth Campbell. She is a sprinter & pole vaulter. Elizabeth has been a member of DGS track for 4 years and served as a team captain this year. Elizabeth’s parents are Joanne and Robert Campbell. One of Elizabeth’s favorite track & field memories is “winning conference indoor season at Morton my sophomore year and the mini bus party after the Lockport meet my junior year.” One of Elizabeth’s favorite quotes is “To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you’re not, pretend you are.” -Muhammad Ali. Elizabeth will be attending Illinois State University to study social work. She says “even though senior year was cut short, the one thing I will remember about high school the most out of anything is my 4 years on this team. I will miss everyone dearly. Thank you for being not only my teammates/peers, but also my family. Love you all!!” Good luck Elizabeth, we will miss you!
The next senior is Brenna Cohoon. She is an All-State distance runner and has been a member of the DGS track team for 4 years. Brenna’s parents are Tim and Catherine Cohoon. One of Brenna’s favorite track & field memories was at last year’s state track meet. “Having a fun time with my teammates while watching everyone compete so well was the perfect way to end a great season. We made a lot of awesome memories in Charleston that weekend!” One of Brenna’s favorite quotes is “Good thing I didn’t accomplish all my goals yet because then what would I do tomorrow?” -Alexi Pappas. Brenna will be studying Journalism and Mass Communication at Iowa State University while continuing to compete in cross country and track. She says “even though things were cut short, I want to extend my gratitude to my teammates and coaches for making the past four years such an amazing experience in my life! I will forever be a Mustang.” Good luck Brenna, we will miss you!
The next senior is Kamile Dirzys. She is a sprinter, hurdler, and long jumper. Kamile has been a member of DGS track for 3 years and served as a team captain this year. One of Kamile’s favorite track & field memories is “last year at the Wheaton South outdoor Invite (Fri. April 26th) my head coach at the time told me to stay in the tent and to rest up for my events. But… I didn’t really listen… and actually spent the entire meet running around to watch and cheer as many events as I could. The sun had come out and I was feeling great, and before the 4×4 so many girls were hyping me up because I was so nervous. I not only got a PR in the 100, but after hours on my feet, I ran the most satisfying 400 and set a PR I have yet to beat. That was one of many days filled with love and support, I will forever miss our team and cherish the time running together.” One of Kamile’s favorite quotes is “Life goes on. Choose to be happy.” Kamile’s will possibly be attending Michigan Tech University for a degree in physics…OR she might go to COD… OR she might be taking a year off and learn to code on her own. She says, “I don’t know yet, covid-19 is making things complicated, but I’m getting there! 😀” (In summary… major: physics or coding of some sort. School: undecided). Good luck Kamile, we will miss you!
The next senior is Sydney Gaspari. She is a distance runner and has been a member of the DGS track team for 3 years. Sydney’s parents are Deborah and Michael Gaspari. One of Sydney’s favorite track & field memories is “pole vaulting at mock meets and meeting amazing friends.” One of Sydney’s favorite quotes is “The only thing that will make you happy is being happy with who you are.” Sydney will be attending Miami University studying Architecture. She says, “I will miss running with the team! 🙁” Good luck Sydney, we will miss you!
Our next senior is Eiman Hammad. She is a sprinter and this is Eiman’s first year as part of the DGS track team. Eiman’s mother is Zarqa Khan. One of Eiman’s favorite track & field memories is “seeing myself improve after each week of practice.” One of Eiman’s favorite quotes is “If you never try, you won’t know.” Eiman will be attending Elmhurst College majoring in Biology. She will also continue to compete in track & field. Good luck Eiman, we will miss you!
Our next senior is Jae Herring. She is a sprinter and long/triple jumper. Jae has been a member of the DGS track team for 3 years. Jae’s father is Joe Herring. One of Jae’s favorite track & field memories is “having talks after practice in the locker room that literally will end up with everyone just laughing.” One of Jae’s favorite quotes is “Pain is temporary, it may last a minute, hour,a day or a year, but one day it will subside and something will take its place, but quitting will last forever.” Jae will be attending Central State University, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Psychology. She will also continue to compete in track & field. Good luck Jae, we will miss you!
Our next senior is Ariel Johnson. She is sprinter and state qualifying long/triple jumper. Ariel has been a member of the DGS track team for 4 years. Her mother is Antoinette Ruff. One of Ariel’s favorite track & field memories is “going to Top Times last year!” One of Ariel’s favorite quotes is “Pain is Temporary, Championships are Forever.” Ariel will be continuing her track & field career at Eastern Illinois University and majoring in Kinesiology with a Pre-Med track. Good luck Ariel, we will miss you!
Our next senior is Erin Reidy. She is an All-State distance runner. Erin has been a member of DGS track for 4 years and served as a team captain this year. Erin’s parents are Jack and Cindy Reidy. One of Erin’s favorite track & field memories was “when we were at Palatine distance night! We spelled of mustangs on our stomachs, everyone ran great, and we won costume relay (mustangs chicken party)!” One of Erin’s favorite quotes is “The journey of thousand miles begins with a step.” -Lao Tzu. Erin will be studying Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota while continuing to compete in cross country and track. She says, “I would like my team to know that they will forever be in my head and in my heart! I love you guys!” Good luck Erin, we will miss you!
Our final senior is Kennedy Warden. She is a state qualifying distance runner and has been a member of the DGS track team for 4 years. Kennedy’s parents are Karin and Eric Warden. One of Kennedy’s favorite track & field memories is “winning the costume relay at Distance Night at Palatine!” One of Kennedy’s favorite quotes is “Don’t count the days, make the days count.” Kennedy will be majoring in Exercise Science at the Belmont University while continuing to compete in cross country and track. Good luck Kennedy, we will miss you!
We want to wish all of our seniors the best of luck and remind them that we are proud of them and that they are always welcome home. Once a Mustang, always a Mustang!
