Redding School District

To look at Sean, you would not think of him as a cross-country runner.   Sean’s 5’ 11” tall and 145 lb frame just didn’t scream athlete.   Even so, a runner he was and off to prepare he did, as they gathered with the coach.  They all looked forward to this meet.  Yes, it’s true a trip out of town was always a welcome event but it was more than that.  The stories told were about the hills that were waiting for them on the course, Big Momma and Little Sister to be exact.  The larger schools that will be present at this meet loomed great as they thought about the challenges ahead.   

As the athletes approached the line to wait for the race to start, young Sean looked like a boy among men.  The taller, sleeker runners from the larger schools dwarfed the smaller Sean.  His teammates alongside him anxiously waited with slow even breaths.   The hot humid air of the barren hills hung in anticipation for the fifty or so runners to begin their arduous trek towards victory or defeat. 

Once the gun sounded, the runners sprang forward with a groan fighting for the coveted positions in the front of the hoards.  Sean made his way behind the larger lead pack.  His limping style of running reminded many of someone with a hurt leg.  As the pack made their way up the first hill, there was Sean with his even style, passing some of the runners who might have went out a bit fast for their level, closing in on the leaders.

Let’s pretend that we are watching a movie of this event and fast forward so we can freeze on one frame.  It shows Sean at the bottom of Big Momma.  You remember Big Momma right.  The hill that all cross country runners have nightmares about.  Well, the lead three pack of runners were already halfway up and clearly, Big Momma is living up to its reputation.   It is at that moment when Sean’s identity appeared.   The character of a young man displayed for all to see.  This isn’t a unique moment for Sean.  Later Sean would attest that he felt the fear in his opponents and his personal determination kicked in.  He didn’t just run up Big Momma, he attached it and ran those three down and showed the personal grit of a champion. 

I tell you this story to highlight a hero to our family.  Sean Jacobs graduated with one of my son’s from Foothill High School in 2006.  He attended West Point and graduated with honors and served us all in Afghanistan as First Lt. for the 2^nd Battalion.  He was killed in action on July 26, 2012.  My family is honored to have known such a fine young man who chose to serve us in duty to this country. 

John F. Kennedy said, “We must find the time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.”  And “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”