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Samy On the Track in Tallahassee

After a long four-hour drive, Sunlake High School sophomore, Samantha “Samy” Stewart was ready to run the course, at the Hoka Nights of Thunder in Tallahassee, Florida. Representing the Junior Varsity Seahawks, Samy helped push the team to a solid 6th-place finish out of 13 schools. On an individual level, she delivered an amazing performance, navigating a packed field to claim 56th place out of 165 runners. The evening event provided a break from the usual morning meets, turning high school competition into party central. For Samy, the highlight of the night wasn’t just crossing the finish line, but the team bonding before the race even began. “Getting all dressed up, putting on face paint and glow-in-the-dark tattoos was really fun,” she shared, capturing the spirit that the Seahawks showed. The course itself presented odd challenges. Recent rains turned the trail into a slippery track, creating obstacles along the course. “My least favorite part was the amount of mud on the course,” Samy stated. “It was so muddy people’s shoes got pulled off, and they had to run without a shoe!” Despite the challenging terrain dragging down overall times, the big crowd and fun energy kept everyone pushing forward. “The race was slower because the course was slower, although it was a very fun atmosphere.” The excitement wasn’t limited to the race setup—the four-hour journey to Tallahassee proved to be just as memorable. “The drive up was long, but also fun because we did karaoke.” As a seasoned veteran who has been running cross country since fourth grade, she continues to find joy in the sport’s competition, traveling, and fun activities. “I definitely enjoy it; I mean, I keep coming back to it.” Overall, the night was a success, proving once again that Samy and the Seahawks know how to perform well under pressure.