Back to the Starting Line

Pole Green Park felt familiar. Just a year ago, TJ ran that same grassy path as a high school senior. Back then, he was one of the oldest on the line, full of confidence and experience. Fast forward to this weekend: same stretches of grass and turns I've walked as a spectator before, but this weekend, everything felt different. 

This time, TJ wore his college jersey. He lined up as a freshman, one of the youngest in the field. And while the course may have been steady and predictable, what wasn't was the shift in perspective. He is no longer the big fish in the high school pond. Now he is stepping into the deeper waters of college athletics. And as his mom, I felt every ounce of that weight and possibility with him. 

And what a stage it was. TJ raced against teams from all three divisions, including powerhouse programs like UVA. Last fall, I watched Gary Martin win the ACC championship on TV, and the fan-girl in me would have loved to see him in person. Maybe it was just as well that he wasn’t racing, because all my focus stayed on TJ, right where it belonged. Still, to picture my son standing on the same line as athletes of that caliber was surreal. Equal parts intimidating and inspiring. And yes, my chest was tight watching him. 

And he did it. He held his own. TJ finished in 20:42.1, placing 97th overall, 28th among Division III runners, 10th among Division III freshmen, and 1st for CNU freshmen. More importantly, he was CNU’s 7th man, just behind upperclassmen Kevin Farnsworth and Tom Foti. As a team, the Captains finished seventh overall and were the top Division III program in the race. And just like that, its offical. TJ competed in his first collegiate meet. He is on the record as an NCAA athlete. How cool is that? 

Now, here's something I didn't realize until I became a cross country mom: that 7th runner can really matter. Only the top five officially score, but the 6th and 7th can change everything. If your 7th runner finishes ahead of another team’s 5th, you raise their score and strengthen your own team. That’s a big deal, especially for a freshman still finding his place.

That is what this weekend was about. Not winning. Not even setting personal records. It was about showing up, finding his rythm, and learning how to compete at this level. He belongs here. He matters on this team. His contribution-- even as the 7th runner-- helps the team succeed. He is a part of the engine that brings in wins, maybe even championships. 

For TJ, it was both a return and a beginning. A familiar park, a familiar course, but the start of an entirely new chapter for this NCAA college athlete. 

...And I cannot wait to see what comes next-- for him, for his teammates, for this season that has just begun. 

 

He Ate the Whole Thing

Let it be known that on August 29, 2025, Grant Brown ate this double cheeseburger with bacon.  

I mean, he didn't even hesitate or slow down. It was both awesome and horrifying to watch at the same time.

His Cross Country coach said, "his body is like a furnace with all of the running he is doing, so feed him protein." 

I mean, sure, but dang.  

(Not pictured, cucumbers and couscous).  

"First Day of School! First Day of School!"

Grant started high school today—and he’s not following in his brother TJ’s footsteps at Willow Spring. He’s forging his own path at Cardinal Gibbons. Sending him to a Catholic private school 35 minutes away was a hard choice, and I had my doubts along the way. But today, seeing him dive in and embrace this new chapter, I can clearly see it was the right decision.

Grant needs to be challenged academically. He’s smart—sometimes smarter than his own teachers. Last year, he flew through two grade levels of math and scored in the 98th percentile on his EOG tests. When he isn’t challenged, he acts up—just ask his social studies teacher, Mr. Oates. While Willow Spring would have been comfortable, we knew Grant would thrive surrounded by peers who cared as much about learning as he does and by teachers who would push him to excel. A place where college is expected, not optional—and where the world beyond North Carolina feels within reach.

This new chapter is also a shift for me. The drive to Cardinal Gibbons is long, and it requires a new level of commitment in my daily schedule. No more lingering mornings. I’m up early, part of the carpool rush, and off to work—staying until Grant’s school day is done, post-practice. Change is hard, but I’m trying to embrace it.

Grant jumped in without hesitation. He started a full week before most of his neighborhood friends and joined the cross-country team. He’d already been training with the team for a month, so he had a head start on building relationships. His first meet—the Pace Yourself Early Bird Challenge—was impressive. For his first high school race, he placed 3rd among all 9th graders in a field of 300 runners, 45th overall, and 5th on his team. Way to set the tone, Grant! I couldn’t be prouder.

Grant is stepping into a new chapter, and today was just the beginning. I hope he takes full advantage of the challenges, friendships, and opportunities ahead. This new routine—long drives, early mornings, and carpool chaos—is a small price to pay to watch him grow. I’m excited to see him carve his own path, make his own choices, and fully embrace the privilege of this experience. 

High school is just beginning, and I can’t wait to see how he makes it his own.