Brielle started running competitively when she was just 2 years old, and her love for the sport has only grown since then. In her spare time, she enjoys both distance running with, and sprinting against, her dad. One memorable day at age 6, she joined her dad for a 5 and 1/2 mile run—more than double her previous longest distance. In the final mile, she looked her dad in the eyes and asked, “Can I go, dad?” With his encouragement, she sprinted ahead and finished strong, beating her dad on her very first long run. That was the moment our family realized just how gifted Brielle was, and we began to wonder how far her talent could take her.

Now 7 years old and turning 8 in December, Brielle has spent the year competing in and winning local quarter-mile races by impressive margins. She was so far ahead that we moved her up an age bracket, doubling her race distance to a half mile in search of more competition. There, she met some of the strongest runners in the country, including Junior Olympians. The new challenge was tough, and for a while, Brielle considered giving up. But discovering the Snyder Track and Field Team and the USATF Junior Olympics reignited her passion. She transitioned from running solo to being part of a team, and even tried her hand at sprinting events like the 100M, 200M, and 400M. At just 7, she qualified for the 8u USATF National Junior Olympics in the 400M dash and placed #52 out of 89 in the nation. Her love for running is now stronger than ever.

This year, Brielle has the chance to compete in the USATF Region 2 event in Pennsylvania and the Junior Olympics in Indiana. These opportunities come with significant costs—registration fees, travel, lodging, and childcare for her little sister, Kenna. We’d be lying if we didn’t admit to having a great year, with family trips to Savannah for the Junior Olympics and a long-awaited visit to Disney World. But since then, we’ve faced career changes and challenges with our family business, making it tough to cover these new expenses. Brielle’s 8u cross country Olympic team currently only has four out of the five girls they need to compete, and she’s determined to be there for them. That’s why we’re reaching out for help—so Brielle can support her team, chase her dreams, and make the most of these incredible opportunities.