Emily Pharris is a prime example of hard work and dedication pays off. After winning the Gold last year it could’ve been easy for Emily to just be complacent and go through the motions going into this season. However, Emily being the WINNER that she is, not only continued to show up and push herself to new levels she also took her leadership to a new level. She would always wait for her teammates to finish their race whether at practice or during meets. In fact, that is what one college coach told me after the state race. “What I love about Emily on top of her running abilities is how she waited at the finish line to give her teammates water and praise.” This is a testament to the young lady Emily is. She not only excels in sports, but is also a scholar athlete taking dual credit courses and maintaining a high GPA. Going into the state meet this year Emily knew she had to set the tempo early, as there were a few girls going into the race with faster regional times then hers. As her coach I never worried about that because Emily has always proven to be a champion when it's time to be a Champion. At the start of the race there was a young lady who jumped out in front of Emily, but it didn’t take Em long to take the lead, and one thing about Emily is when she gets the lead good luck trying to chase her down!  As a long distance runner to be great you have to have a strong mental will to win. Emily, out of all the kids I have coached or been around, has always had a different level of mental strength! In fact, she has rarely had anyone to push her this season. In practice we don’t have other Emily type runners to help her find that next gear and in meets, ( all but one this season), Emily has led the whole way. To tell the type of competitor she is I had a coach contact me for Emily to race in a meet mid season just to go against someone better. When I asked Emily if she wanted to even if it meant your perfect win streak may be gone she told me yes coach I want to run against the best. Her loss in Hudson to a really good young runner was the only race she lost all season, and until Saturday at the state meet was the race she PR’d. She was 1 second off the 2A state record at the state meet. She is a natural leader, student athlete, and all around great young person. We can’t wait to see what she does in track and field this season and to see how great of a college career she has. She has made our Shelbyville family and community proud and has brought back yet another gold medal to Shelbyville’s already stored tradition of winning and excellence. Way to go AGAIN CHAMP!