For as long as I can remember, whenever someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would’ve said a professional athlete or sports reporter. Sixteen years later, I’m officially a retired athlete, and my career as a sports reporter is just beginning. And I have The Daily Texan to thank for that. 

Growing up with my dad covering high school sports for the Statesman, I knew I wanted to be like him. I used to follow him around on the sidelines asking questions and doing his stats: now I have my own seat in the press box.

Through the past six semesters, I have grown from a wide-eyed freshman who was happy to be involved in anything to a senior with a clear view of what she wants to do as a sports reporter. 

The learning experiences are yet to stop on any beat that I’ve been on, and I’m so grateful to the Texan for that. Being a student journalist can be challenging, but being thrown into the deep end of sports journalism is one of the best that could have happened.

Joining The Daily Texan was the best choice I ever made in college. I covered all aspects of Texas athletics from golf and offseason tennis tournaments to the Women’s NCAA basketball tournament and the College Football Playoff. My career at the Texan ended with Evan Vieth and me appearing on the Finebaum Show, live on SEC Network. Who would’ve thought? 

Evan and I joined the Texan at the same time, but never talked to each other until a year later in our reporting images class. One semester later we would be making our way around the Big 12, eating all of the press box food — good, bad and so many tacos — and spending countless hours in my car. Even though Big Vieth yapped my ear off and I told him in New Orleans I was so happy I didn’t have to drive eight hours back to Austin with him, I couldn’t have asked for a better co-writer.

Christina, giving me my place on the football beat made me feel like I belonged in a place where I still felt I didn’t and for that, I will forever be grateful to you. Nobody knew that Texas would have its best season in 14 years that year, and I’m so happy I got to tell the story of the 2023 Texas Longhorns.  

Before they think I have forgotten about them, I want to thank Hannah Williford for giving me my start at the Texan, Matthew Boncosky for guiding me in my first two semesters and Jordan Mitchell for being the best mentor group leader. 

I also want to thank Amelia for allowing me to have so much fun with Double Coverage and making it something that I am always proud to produce. I also want to thank Grace, Kennedy and Mia for all of their hard work. To everyone else who has been a part of Double Coverage, thank you for all of your help and for entertaining all of my ideas, no matter how crazy. Kennedy, thank you for always bringing my visions of the cover to life, even if they don’t get published. 

To the Tuscaloosers, Evan, Kennedy and Lorianne — thanks for being the best people to travel with. Peter always says that you find great friends at the Texan, and he wasn’t wrong. Our time together at games and on the road are some of my favorite memories from college. We survived all of our trips together, a very questionable bathroom stop in Shreveport and Evan’s driving.

To Katie and Emma, thank you for being the best. Katie was the first person I met when I joined the Texan when we were just two nervous freshmen excited to see where this new thing would go. Emma was there when I was promoted to the women’s basketball beat and has been a great friend ever since and partner again on the baseball beat.  

To the adults in the journalism world, aka Danny, Thomas, Caleb, Chip, Eric and Cory to name a few — thank you for being a friendly face in the press box even if you send cringy pictures to my dad. It’s how my parents know I made it to the press box alive when I inevitably forget to text them. 

To my parents and Rachel and everyone else who we consider family — thank y’all so much for supporting me and always reading my work. Y’all are the reason why I love football so much and it means the world to me and I hope I can continue to make y’all proud. 

Though my time at the Texan is ending, I’m just getting started and have already outshined my dad.