Do It for the Seniors

A CalBears.com Blog by Alison Greggor and Collin Jarvis
Welcome to the Cal track & field blog - In Stride. Throughout the 2011 Golden Bear season, distance runners Alison Greggor and Collin Jarvis will be providing exclusive insights into the team. Make sure you check the blog regularly for updates and information about Cal track & field.
Greggor is a senior from Novato double majoring in psychology and Spanish. Entering her final campaign, she ranks as Cal's seventh-fastest performer all-time in the 5000 meters (16:25.88) and fifth fastest at 10,000 meters (34:37.01). A sophomore from Vista, Jarvis is still early in his collegiate career and has yet to declare his major. He was a key member of the Cal cross country team that qualified for the NCAA Championships this past fall and, as a freshman on the track, became the No. 9 performer in the 3000 meters in school history (8:14.63).


April 13, 2011 - Do It for the Seniors

Last night (Tuesday) was the Big C Senior Banquet - a special night for all seniors in the athletic department. Ever since I received my invitation months ago, I have been hearing from people that have attended in the past that it is their favorite event of the year. I now understand why. Apart from the delicious food and good company, it was a chance to reflect on all of our accomplishments over the past four or five years. As the seniors from each team stood and were acknowledged for their athletic achievement during their Cal careers, it really hit home that we are almost finished. We have a large collection of extremely talented seniors this year, all of whom have contributed to the team dynamic in a unique yet beautiful way.
This opportunity to reflect on Cal history and appreciate our time here came at a timely moment for the seniors of the track team because the Big Meet is this weekend. Historically, the Big Meet is more than just one of the few longstanding dual meets left in the country, but a rite of passage and hopefully a means of bragging rights for any Cal Bear. It is where any member of the team can distinguish him or herself with an unexpected performance or display of heart. Still to this day, we hear stories of past team members going above and beyond what was expected to miraculously clinch the meet. It is dream that every athlete hopes to achieve.

While the whole team will be competing with our teeth bared, the seniors especially will be fighting for our last chance of glory, our last opportunity to say we beat Stanford, our last chance to make a little history of our own. Because sadly, each of us knows that next year the best we can do is cheer from the stands. While that may sound melancholy, the resounding message from last night was not that we should be sad that our Cal careers are ending, but that we are simply taking a different role as part of the Cal family. Through support by organizations like the Big C Society, the Cal spirit will continue for classes to come.

Until that time, however, we seniors have a few fights left in us!

Go Bears!
- Alison Greggor

Courtesy Cal