Creekside Fires and Campus Awards: A Week I Won’t Forget - Week 35
Another week has passed, and this one definitely had more going on than usual.
Training has been steady, I’ve been focusing on getting stronger in the gym while the weather keeps heating up. We’ve had some really warm days now, which has been nice for a change (though it definitely makes training feel heavier).
On Wednesday, I went with a friend to drop another friend off at the airport. On the way back, we stopped by an outlet mall, ate sushi, and ended up buying some clothes. It was a spontaneous little trip, but actually one of the highlights of the week. Always fun to break the routine a bit.
Later in the week, I went to a bingo night event, and believe it or not, I actually won a boat. Yes, a boat. I’m still not sure what I’d do with a boat in West Virginia, so I ended up selling it on Facebook Marketplace.
There was also a concert on campus where a friend of mine performed live music. I went to support her, and it was great to see the student crowd come together. There was also a small marketplace event hosted on campus where local vendors came and sold everything from handmade goods to snacks. It made campus feel alive in a different way, which was nice to experience.
The week wrapped up with a bonfire down at the creek, which turned into a pretty big social event. It felt like half the university was there. I joined in and ended up played a dice game with some people, fun, but it got a bit overwhelming. I’m always happy to hang out, but sometimes I realize I prefer the smaller, quieter moments. My mind is also pretty locked in right now, nationals are only about two months away, and I’m determined to be at my best.
But the biggest moment of my week, without a doubt, came on Monday night during the High Flyer Awards — Wheeling University’s big end-of-year ceremony. I was absolutely shocked to hear my name called… I was awarded Freshman of the Year. I couldn’t believe it. The motivation they read out was incredibly kind, and honestly, I felt both proud and humbled at the same time. It’s been a long, intense year, and to be recognized like this — especially among so many strong students — meant alot to me.
That moment reminded me why I came here. Why I put in the work. And why I keep going.
