AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Amarillo High senior Braylee Cothrin signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her cross country career at the collegiate level.
Cothrin recently helped guide the Lady Sandies cross country team to a District 3-5A title in her senior campaign, finishing third overall with a time of 20 minutes and 15 seconds.
The runner battled injuries throughout her high school career and credits hard work, dedication and faith for getting her through the adversity.
“To continue my career as a cross-country runner at the collegiate level means so much to me because a year and a half ago I thought that my world fell apart when I tore my ACL and I thought that I would never be back to where I am now, but because of God and his strength I’m better than I was before and I can’t wait to just put my ability that God has given me out on the course,” Cothrin said.
Choosing LCU
Cothrin will attend Lubbock Christian University, where she has been attending summer camps for six years.
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“I’ve been going to summer camp at LCU for six years and I just fell in love with the community and the type of people that are there that just proved to me that it’s not just about getting your major done with, it’s about the people. I genuinely feel every time that I’m on the campus that I feel like I’m seen,” she said.
At the collegiate level, Cothrin plans to compete in the 5k for cross country and hopes to compete in the 3200 and 1600 for track.
Team impact
Cothrin praised her high school team for its support throughout her career.
“Being a part of the cross-country team at Amarillo High has been truly just life-changing. It’s just a completely different culture and honestly it’s an honor,” she said. “I don’t think I would have made it through four years of high school... without this team supporting me and pushing me to be the best I can be.”
Head Coach Jonathan Woodward said Cothrin has been instrumental in the program’s success, helping the team win district championships four years in a row.
“Braylee has done an excellent job the last four seasons on cross-country,” Woodward said. “We’ve won district four years in a row since she’s been here, but what she has done and brought to our program, not just this season but the last four combined with mental toughness, physical toughness, her being kind, caring, helping our younger girls battle.”
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