I believe a good coach can be defined in numerous ways. They can be extremely technical, having endless knowledge of their sport, or exceedingly welcoming, making every athlete feel at home. They can devote themselves to coaching, spending hours preparing workouts and strategy, or can ensure the individual connection to each of their athletes. Good coaches often lean heavily into one of these qualities. However, life-changing coaches, like David G. Sutton, possess all of these attributes at once, creating opportunity for growth and success in their athletes both in their sport and daily lives. I’m fortunate to have one of these life-changing coaches. Just as Dave impacted so many of his athletes, Coach Wade Endress has impacted and inspired me to embody his philosophy in all aspects of my life. Coach Wade’s standard for our Track and Cross Country teams is simple: Respect, Responsibility, and Trust. He introduced this standard during his first season as our track coach, and it became immediately apparent that these ideals are ones he, too, lives by. I’d been a soccer player my whole life and only ran track to stay in shape for my fall season. However, this changed when I met Coach Wade in the winter of my sophomore year. He was the first coach to believe in me and what I thought were my quite average abilities, establishing a level of respect between us that I hadn’t felt from other coaches. This translated to the team dynamic, and we found mutual respect for even our most distant teammates. Though I was just a sophomore, he pushed me to race at a level I hadn’t thought possible. He emphasized the importance of taking responsibility for our actions both on and off the track, ensuring that we do our workouts and fuel our bodies properly to race our best. He exemplified this standard by taking accountability for his training plans, acknowledging his successes and admitting his mistakes. This mindset continues to influence my routines and will for the rest of life. Finally, the value of trust remained constant throughout the season, as he exhibited his trust in us to run successfully. We, in return, trusted him through workouts and races, knowing he was preparing us for success. This success came when we, a team of six girls from a school entirely disregarded in the running world, embodied a fighting spirit and qualified for the WPIAL Championship in the 4x800m relay for the first time in years. This achievement was incredible, and was a testament to Coach Wade’s philosophy and standard. Following that season, I switched from soccer to cross country and have devoted my life to running. I had a successful junior year, finding both a community and passion within the sport, and was a senior Cross Country captain this past fall. As a captain, I dedicated myself to upholding Coach Wade’s standards in my leadership. I made sure that all of the girls, whether they were brand new or veterans, felt welcomed. I hosted the first bonfire of the summer in order to unify the team, and I made an effort to be a supportive captain who others could confide in. During races, I cheered on my teammates and encouraged everyone to keep fighting until the end. Though they seemed small, my actions made an impact on the team dynamic and upheld the standard that Coach Wade taught me. Thanks to coaches like Wade Endress and David G. Sutton, athletes everywhere flourish and succeed. I’m lucky to have experienced such greatness, and am honored to apply for a scholarship that continues their legacies.