When runner Maggie Vear ‘20 heard the initial announcement over the loudspeaker on March 12 that all sports had been suspended through March 30, she was shocked to say the least, Vear said. She had heard rumors about York High School suspending its sports, but she did not expect it could become a reality at LT. This unanticipated change brought an abrupt end to the indoor track season as conference was meant to be in just one week. Now with no idea when and if she will be able to return, Vear still trains everyday.

“I wake up every morning and get my training in before I start e-learning,” Vear said. “Before quarantine, I would go to track every day after school until 6 with my entire team. It is definitely a big shift.”

Up until now, Vear had run competitively year-round: cross country in the fall, indoor track in the winter, and outdoor track in the spring. She is used to seeing and training with her teammates almost every day the entire school year, she said.

“That’s the hardest part about the change,” Vear said. “not being able to see all of my friends and teammates everyday. It’s really hard to get these workouts in alone.”

What motivates Vear through all of this is the hope that there could be a season once school is back in session, she said. That possibility of a chance to run again in a competitive setting to complete her career at LT gets her out of bed and into her running shoes each morning, Vear said.

“Running is one of the best parts of my day because I’m able to get outside and do something active,” Vear said. “So it’s not too hard to get myself to run alone.”
On April 21, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) officially announced the cancellation of all spring state tournaments and effectively the hope of all spring athletes that they would return to a shortened season.

“Since IHSA has officially released their announcement, I’ve shifted to doing triathlon training instead, with more of a focus on biking and running,” Vear said. “I will definitely continue running in college.”