May 19th 2024.
No one with a heart as heavy as hers should be able to move as fast as Gabriella Cunningham. It was an impressive feat when she won the 100-meter hurdles, but even after crossing the finish line, the Grandview track star still had plenty of energy to spare. She even mimicked one of the greatest athletes of all time, Michael Jordan, by shrugging her shoulders in a nonchalant manner, just like he did during the 1992 NBA Finals. It was a small but powerful gesture that showed just how cool and confident she truly is.
As she stood on the track at Jeffco Stadium, still basking in the glory of her second medal of the day, Gabriella couldn't help but think about her father. He had taught her so much, more than she could have ever imagined. She couldn't help but feel his presence with her, guiding her and cheering her on, even though he wasn't physically there with her. And she knew he would be so proud of her accomplishments.
When asked what her father would have said to her on that day, Gabriella paused for a moment, reflecting on all the advice he had given her throughout her life. Then, with a knowing grin, she replied, "He would always say, 'Go, go, go, G.' That was his thing. And I was telling myself the same thing during the race. 'Go, go, go, G.' It was something I had never done before, but it gave me that extra push I needed to win."
Running was in her blood, passed down from her father, who was a star athlete himself in his younger days. Gabriella was now following in his footsteps, heading to LSU in the summer to join their top-rated women's outdoor track program. It was a bittersweet moment, as she knew her father would have been thrilled to see her achieve such success.
But her mother, Lissette Ellerbe, couldn't help but feel a little sad as her daughter's high school track career came to an end. "It's all going by so fast," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "One minute, we had a few months left, and now it's just weeks. I'm just trying to savor every moment I have with her before she goes off to college."
Gabriella shared her mother's sentiment, wanting to make the most of her remaining time in high school. As the public address announcer declared her the winner of her second event of the day, Gabriella couldn't help but dance a little jig on the track. And when she stood on the medal stand, she playfully posed with her hands at her temples, as if adjusting an imaginary crown. She truly was the Queen of the Hurdles that day.
But it wasn't an easy road for Gabriella. She faced many challenges and obstacles along the way, including the tragic loss of her father in a shooting and her sister in a car accident. She had every reason to be hardened by these experiences, but instead, she remained strong and resilient. In fact, she used them to fuel her ambitions and become the best version of herself.
"I think this year was different because it was the first time I had a target on my back," Gabriella explained. "In the past, there was always someone older that I had to chase after. But this year, I was the one everyone was chasing. I knew I had to put on a show and defend my titles."
And that's exactly what she did. Despite the blustery weather, Gabriella crossed the finish line in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 42.10, just a hair behind her personal record. She executed her start perfectly but stumbled a bit on the third hurdle. In that moment, she heard her father's voice in her head, urging her to keep going. And she did, with her heart and mind focused on the finish line.
It was a bittersweet victory, as her father and sister were not there to witness it in person. But Gabriella knew they were always with her, sitting in the stands at the 50-meter mark, just as they had at every meet before. And even when they couldn't physically be there, she carried them with her in her heart and mind, dedicating every race to them.
"They're my constant motivation and inspiration," Gabriella said, wiping away a tear. "Losing my father was one of the hardest things I've ever been through. And then losing my sister, it was like a double blow. But I knew I had to keep going, not just for myself, but for them. They would have wanted me to keep chasing my dreams and never give up."
And that's exactly what Gabriella did. Her father's and sister's spirits were always with her, guiding her and pushing her to be the best she could be. As she stood on the track, wearing her medals proudly and dabbing away a tear, she couldn't help but feel grateful for their love and support. And as she looked ahead to her future at LSU, she knew they would always be with her, every step of the way.
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