As Maya Etheredge wraps up her senior year and last track season with HSE, she reflects on a pivotal moment in her life: the year of 2023 when everything changed. She went from looking forward to her sophomore season to wondering how she’d make it through. It was a season filled with heartbreak and pain as she mourned the passing of her mom just a few months before the season had started.
Maya’s sophomore season was nothing she would have ever predicted before. She knew herself to be a mini me of her mom and wanted to live her precious life with purpose in honor of her mom. More than ever before, Maya learned that nothing was promised and let that guide her to build strength within herself.
From teammates to family members, it was evident to all that Maya didn’t shy away from putting her best step forward. She utilized her grief and struggles to obtain the strength she needed to push through the season and all that was ahead of her. A constant role model made this possible for Maya, her older sister, Madi.
“My biggest role model is my sister.”, said Maya Etheredge. “She has taught me everything I know.”.
Etheredge stayed rooted in her family and leaned on her sister to continue to guide her. Furthermore, she realized family was more than just blood. While her sister was who she looked up to, Maya also leaned on the family that track gave her.
“Regardless of the circumstances she’s faced she continues to show up and care”, said Senior teammate Addison Smith. “I see her work hard and that’s all that matters and all anyone could ask for.”.
