It would be more appropriate to call this season's Coaches Award winner for Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Cross Country team the "You've Come A Long Way" Award.
As a sophomore, Wilasinee "Bee" Daloonpet '16 disliked running so much she would make excuses to try and get out of practices and meets.
"I was the slowest person on the team and my time didn't get any better," Bee said. "And I walked a lot during the meets. I hated running."
Bee's running experience got a little better as a junior before it took a big turn at the end of the season when she was named captain for her senior year. It was an unexpected role she embraced.
"Bee helped to bring the team together both on and off of the field," Coach Marissa Axtell said. "She set a positive example everyday when she got to practice and consistently pushed herself to her limit."
"Being a captain, I couldn't complain nearly as much," Bee said. "Sophomore and junior year I would constantly complain. I hated running. But this year I had to keep the team positive. Even if we were doing a hard practice, I had to pretend to enjoy it so my teammates would enjoy it with me."
Bee's times have improved over the last two years. She wasn't one of the top runners on the team, but she certainly wasn't coming in last anymore, and her appreciation for the sport grew as she got better.
"I enjoy running," Bee said. "Part of it is I'm not last and I'm a lot faster. I enjoy meets and look forward to them.
"I didn't think I was going to win the Coaches Award because I think there are better runners on the team. But I'm happy the coaches saw the characteristics of winning the Coaches Award in me."