Southeastern District Female Athlete of the Year
As a three time state champion and the holder of the sixth fastest mile time in Virginia high school history, naming Great Bridge's Kristy Tobin was an easy choice for the Gameday staff. But what impressed us the most was not just Tobin's accomplishments in the athletic arena but more importantly, the way she handled a potentially adverse situation this spring.
After posting a 4:58 time to win the state championship in the mile during the Wildcats' indoor season this year, the senior was gearing up to participate in the team's outdoor campaign when she kept feeling a nagging discomfort.
The tendonitis diagnosis was devastating because it not only put her final outdoor season in jeopardy but also her plans to run for Virginia Tech in the fall - the school to which she has received a full track scholarship.
Being the competitor that she is, Tobin tried her best to make a go of it in the spring but quickly found the pain to be unbearable at an early season match at Norview. "It flared up pretty bad," Great Bridge head varsity coach, Pat Banks says. "She almost just stopped running. I've never seen anything like it."
After meeting with Banks, Tobin made the difficult decision to sit out the outdoor season in order to fully recover for her collegiate career. The Wildcat team leader for the past three seasons was soon faced with the realization that she would spend the last few months of her high school career as nothing more than a spectator. It was a reality that would have demoralized many other student athletes.
Instead of disappearing from the squad, Tobin instead stuck around practices and began serving as another coach for her fellow teammates. "It's sad to see her not be able to finish her career," Banks says, "But she's been real positive and supportive of everyone else."
Banks also says that there was a passing of the torch of sorts this spring as junior Jayna McGee was able to step out of Tobin's rather large shadow and come into her own as the next great Wildcat track athlete - all with Tobin's support and encouragement.
"Kristy has kind of been Jayna's role model for the past couple of years," Banks says. "It's been a great opportunity for Jayna and Kristy has been right there mentoring her and still goes to all of the meets."
So while the rest of the world might remember Tobin's three state titles, her ridiculous record setting 4:53 mile, and all of her district and regional crowns, we will remember the person that she was during her prolific high school career and will continue to root her on as she pursues success at the collegiate level and beyond.
