Because she had started her run before the rest of the team one Christmas break practice last year, Allison Sikora missed an announcement from her coach.
Coach Cliff Robbins instructs his team prior to this
year's Viking Invitational September 1st.
But as she finished, she met up with the other girls who gave her the news she had a feeling was coming.
"The girls said, 'he has cancer,'" Sikora said. "I was like, 'awe, krap,' because he wasn't himself all month. He told us on Friday and it was on my mind all weekend."
Over Thanksgiving last fall, Council Rock-North coach Cliff Robbins, a Vietnam veteran, found out he had the life-threatening disease and that he would have to put coaching on hold during winter and spring track to undergo treatment.
"He's one of my best friends," Sikora said. "He was the main person of influence on my life and the possibility of him dying was pretty good. He made sure to let me know he had dealt with other challenges. He was such an inspiration to watch."
By April Robbins was well enough to attend meets, most importantly the state meet where Sikora would earn her first outdoor track medal.
"I could hear him and I knew he was coming back," she said.
Robbins made a full return to coaching this fall and things have been going better than well for him, his top runner and the team.
Sikora finished third at the Paul Short Invitational last month and led the team to a runner-up finish, indicating that she and Council Rock-North could be forces at the upcoming District 1 championship and at states.
Sikora at this year's
Viking Invitational September 1st.
"The team's doing really well and everyone's excited for districts," she said. "I knew this was the last season of cross country with him and that's extra motivation to make it one to remember. I feel like the highlights haven't come yet."
Teamwise, Sikora said the squad is looking to make a big impact at states with a high placing.
As for herself, Sikora said her Paul Short race was her best showing, especially since her time was close to her PR and she realized how much room she has for improvement.
Improving would mean shattering her 11th place finish from last fall. She had wanted to go top-10 and missed the spot by silvers of a second. This year she wants top five.
"It'll be difficult because Pennsylvania is really stacked this year," Sikora said. "It will take racing to a new level."
She also plans to run in the Foot Locker regional race with hopes of placing on the Keystone State team again.
And although she'll miss her coach, Sikora is already looking ahead to college. She applied early to Harvard and regular decision to the University of Virginia.
Sikora comes from a medical background - her father is a nurse - so her plan is to get into medical school. However she's thinking about obtaining her Bachelor's degree in math or social science instead of biology or chemistry, she said.
Running will also be in her future, of course.