#40Strong

Winning national and conference championships is a tradition at Texas A&M.

Those shiny rings that student-athletes wear proudly represent the hard work and dedication necessary to become a champion. As athletes and students, we are accustomed to being positive leaders while fighting through sweat, tears, challenging practices and long study nights at the Nye Academic Center.

At every Thursday meeting with the track and field team, our legendary coach Pat Henry says, “Do not let the day get away.” I ponder those words every morning. Every day is another opportunity for me to get better, whether that means being more explosive coming out of my block pedals for the 100-meter dash or understanding the material presented in the classroom. Regardless of the situation, I will overcome it.

Brea Garrett has proven that she is capable of conquering every hurdle that stands before her dreams. My friend and teammate on the track and field team, Garrett has been climbing the national rankings and claimed the No. 10 spot on the collegian all-time list in the weight throw.

Many student-athletes do not have the life that Garrett has. She has experienced the best of both worlds—being the weight throw individual champion at the 2014 NCAA Indoors and a member of the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Championship team.

“I am so proud of myself, but to also be able to brag that our team is the best—and not just myself—is the best feeling in the world,” Garrett said. “I love my team, we love each other and we all are proud of every effort we put into making this team better. It makes me feel so great inside knowing that I am one of many great athletes here at Texas A&M and that we all get to celebrate this moment together.”

Garrett and I recently added our national team title ring to our collection, which includes our 2012 Big 12 Indoor Championship and 2013 SEC Outdoor Championship rings. Our national championship ring symbolizes the accomplishments that the track and field program achieved throughout the season.

Being a part of a national championship team has been a goal of mine since I watched the Aggies claim the “triple-double” the year before I stepped foot on campus. To finally win a championship my junior year was a remarkable experience. As the 2014 SEC Outdoor Runner of the Year and a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, I strive for greatness on and off the track.

Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, marked the special day when my academic accomplishments validated that I would be graduating in May 2015 with an agricultural communications and journalism major. When the recognizable gold ring was placed on my right ring finger by my parents and brother, who traveled to Aggieland from our home outside Washington D.C. for the occasion, a remarkable smile overcame my face along with tears of happiness. My brother’s hug and my parents’ kisses showed that I have made them proud. As the first member of my family to earn an Aggie Ring, I could not have been more thankful and blessed to share that moment with them.

From the “Oval Office” to the Nye Academic Center, I had to overcome many academic challenges to earn my Aggie Ring. There have been many times throughout my collegiate career where the world has felt like it was heavily resting upon my shoulders because of the stress of finishing a paper while managing time in the training room after a hard practice. My Aggie Ring reminds me that if I remain focused and believe in myself, I am able overcome any obstacle that lies before me.

Student-athletes in every sport at Texas A&M face similar challenges to perform at a high level both athletically and academically. Allie Bailey, a graduating senior on the A&M soccer team, has used her ball-handling skills to guide the Aggies to back-to-back SEC regular season and tournament titles while earning numerous accolades for her work in the classroom. She received her Aggie Ring earlier this year. Despite the rain on her Aggie Ring Day, Bailey was able to share the moment with her mother, who flew to Aggieland from California.

“My Aggie Ring symbolizes not only my academic achievements, but also my overall experience here at Texas A&M,” Bailey said. “It has been the most rewarding and memorable experience, both on and off the field. I have made friends and memories that will last a lifetime. I think that my Aggie Ring will always remind me of that.”

Breeja Larson enjoyed unprecedented success while at A&M, earning three national and two SEC rings for her athletic accomplishments on the Aggie swimming and diving team. The 2014 graduate was a gold medalist in the 2012 Olympics and was a two-time SEC Swimmer of the Year during her time in Aggieland.

“I want to emphasize that these rings symbolize accomplishment,” Larson said. “It is something to be very proud of, whether it is a SEC, National or the Aggie Ring. Each of these rings represent the hard work that has been paid off.”

The Aggie Ring brings the Texas A&M student body together. For student-athletes, earning both a championship ring and an Aggie Ring is an absolute honor. For many students, ordering and receiving an Aggie Ring has been something they have looked forward to since stepping on campus.

“I was mostly excited to receive my Aggie Ring,” Larson said. “It’s a different kind of work ethic that you put in for sports versus for academics. It takes a long time and people have to work very hard to earn it. When you finally get that ring, it’s definitely something special.”

While an Aggie Ring embodies academic accomplishments and a championship ring represents athletic accomplishments, both of them reflect the process of achieving personal goals. Leading a team to championships and earning a degree from A&M is a rewarding experience that I will forever cherish.