Senior Moment

Graduating Senior Siena Noe Takes Time to Reflect on What Sets Linfield Apart

What sets Linfield's XC/track program apart from other programs out there? The answer is obvious for me. I got faster than I ever could have fantasized about in high school. Athletically speaking, through this program I saw vast improvement, leaps and bounds from my times in high school. I also saw my mental stamina and racing smarts increase tenfold. But to touch on just the physical nature of this program would do it a huge injustice.

After my freshman XC season with Linfield I didn't feel the need to make any other friends outside the team. It's always nice to have friends in your classes and other extracurricular activities as well. I'm not coming down on that by any means, but it's striking to me that I didn't feel the need to make any more. I LOVED my team. I didn't just enjoy working out with them. I enjoyed being around them. I jumped on every opportunity to interact with them, running related or otherwise: going on a long run, visiting a pumpkin patch, watching a movie, getting coffee, going camping, and so on and so forth. These people were the kind of people I wanted to surround myself with. They were smart, driven, compassionate, and kind of more than a little weird, a characteristic I appreciate immensely (this isn't restricted just to the athletes either *cough* Greg *cough*).

Come the summer before my sophomore year I was in for the surprise of an unplanned pregnancy. When I revealed this news to my coaches and teammates I was overwhelmed by the love and support I received despite my inability to participate in the XC and track seasons that year. I was still welcomed and encouraged to hang out with and root on the team. As a junior when I made my return to the program as an active participant the coaches had incredible patience and understanding with me and my situation as a single mother. I don't think anyone could dispute this if they've seen assistant coach, Chris McIsaac, carrying my sleeping deadweight baby around at a 6:30am practice on the occasions my nanny was unable to take him. However, the coaches haven't treated me any differently than any other athlete in the program as they hold me to same standards. They expect me to commit to the workouts as much as any other athlete. I cannot express how grateful I am for that. It forced me to push myself to excel in the sport without making excuses for myself. My teammates have amazed me, too. The notion of a village raising a child was definitely at play during my time here. As a senior this year with a full class schedule and the continued pains and joys of being a single mother, in more ways than they are aware, my team and the coaches have pulled me through some of my darkest moments, but they have also shared in my victories, celebrating my moments of unadulterated happiness.

So in short, for me this program was more than just a means to physical fitness and healthy competition. This program was something I will look back on fondly as one of the single most fulfilling aspects of my entire Linfield experience. Certainly, doesn't hurt any that we kick some ass here and there on race day, too :)

Siena Noe (2nd from left) poses with her Linfield xc distance teammates.