Editor's Note:  This is the most recent piece in a series of stories shared by Gorillas to Gorillas as we all embark upon this new "season" in our lives. These certainly are unprecedented times, for young and old alike. Our hope is for Gorilla student-athletes, past and present, coaches and members of Gorilla Nation to read these pieces, awaken their Gorilla memories and then compose their own story to share with us. There is strength in numbers.
 
My time at PSU was marked by people who believed in me far more than I ever believed in myself. And, to them I am eternally indebted. To name them all would take a book the size of an encyclopedia; for the sake of brevity, I'll just mention a few.
 
I remember vividly one sweltering late-summer afternoon in cross country season of my freshman year, at the conclusion of a "knock-down-drag-out" workout. Our team captain, Hannah DeVries, called on me to lead the last rep. The other upperclassmen girls, who I idolized, joined in a chorus of encouragement. Now, these ladies were seasoned competitors who I was nowhere in sight of on meet day; goodness knows, they could have closed the workout faster than I. However, their generous show of faith took me from kneeling, wheezing in a shroud of self-doubt to standing seven feet tall with confidence. Thank you, Hannah, Carlin, and Paige, for showing me what true leadership is!
 
The following spring, I balked at the idea of racing the 10K at the outdoor conference meet. Fortunately, my veteran teammate, Christina, was by my side (literally) every step of the race. As we approached the sixth mile, I struggled to breathe through a gnarly side cramp and every fiber of my legs screamed for me to stop. Whenever I would falter in stride, Christina was there in my ear – "you can do this, Piper! I'll lead the next lap; let's go get that girl up ahead!" I was too exhausted to respond, but her words compelled me to hold onto her lap after lap. We ended up finishing within half a second of one another, a trend we continued for the remainder of our races together. Thank you, Christina, for proving what hard work can do!
 
Over the next three years, I came to realize that these are precisely the type of individuals PSU recruits. The program's success is not the result of raw talent or a few strong performers; but rather, that everyone recognizes the significance of their contribution. All Gorilla athletes step up to compete with the strength of an army supporting them.
 
I must admit, the picture was not always rosy. Running can be a physically and mentally punishing sport, and I ended several races in bitter disappointment or flat-out embarrassment. Thank you to my friends who lent a compassionate ear as I poured out my frustration over the course of a run on the country roads. Thank you to my professors, who would look up weekend race results online and congratulate me come Monday morning, even if my performance was poor. Thank you to all my teammates, who reminded me that my worth to them is not contingent on a place or a time. It's the reason I kept coming back.
 
On March 1^st, I competed in my last race as a Gorilla, at home in the MIAA Indoor Championships. Conference was always my favorite meet, for the unparalleled sense of unity and sportsmanship. All weekend I witnessed my teammates break records, win events, and smash through mental barriers. I also watched those who weren't competing selflessly volunteer 10, 12 hours at a time to work the meet, wave flags and lose their voices cheering to keep the morale high. With two events left, the women were in striking distance of a team title. I shook with nerves at the thought of competing in the penultimate event. However, in the last half of that 3000, I hardly felt the pain for the insurmountable energy my brothers and sisters extended as they lined every inch of the track in support. After a spectacular 4x400, the women won the meet. Thank you, XC/Track Family, for making my last meet better than I could have ever asked for.
 
It was that same Family that covered me in hugs and condolences when what was to be my final season was canceled in the midst of COVID-19. While this isn't the end anyone anticipated, I cannot help but reflect with joy and thanksgiving over my unforgettable experiences at PSU. This summer I will begin working as a Critical Care Nurse in Kansas City, armed with newfound strength and confidence as a result of the people I have come to know here. I cannot wait to see what they accomplish in the years to come.
 
Finally, thank you, Coach Jewett, for allowing me to be part of your Tradition these past four years. It truly was the opportunity of a lifetime.
 
Piper Misse
 
Piper Misse will graduate summa cum laude from Pittsburg State University Saturday with a bachelor's of science in nursing degree. The Overland Park, Kan., native captured MIAA titles in both the 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters to help lead the Gorillas to the 2020 MIAA Indoor Track & Field Championship. She also claimed the MIAA individual crown in cross country this past fall, helping PSU to the 2019 MIAA Cross Country Championship as well. Misse was named a finalist for the 2019-20 MIAA Fall Sports Female Student-Athlete of the Year earlier this week.
 
Please share your own personal stories/thoughts via email to dwilkes@pittstate.edu. We want to share them! (PSU Athletics reserves the right to edit content for space and appropriateness. We cannot promise to publish every submission, but we will do our best.) Thanks Gorilla Nation!
 
Through the Eyes of a Gorilla Archives
Vol. I - Dan Wilkes, Associate AD/Communications (Apr. 3)
Vol. II - Levi Wyrick, Football/Track & Field Athlete (Apr. 7)
Vol. III - Amanda Davied, Women's Basketball Coach (Apr. 10)
Vol. IV - Chris Hanna, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 13)
Vol. V - Jeff Moreland, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 15)
Vol. VI - Emily Hanenberg, Volleyball Athlete (Apr. 17)
Vol. VII - Ashley Balazs, Softball Coach (Apr. 20)
Vol. VIII - Peter Euler, PSU Alum/CC T&F Athlete (Apr. 22)
Vol. IX - Caitlin Demarest, PSU Alum/WBB Athlete (Apr. 24)
Vol. X - Tyson Cushman, Baseball Athlete (Apr. 27)
Vol. XI - Oscar Gonzalez, PSU Alum/Men's Basketball Athlete (Apr. 29)
Vol. XII - Russ Jewett, Cross Country/Track & Field Coach (May 1)
Vol. XIII - Ronald Moore, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (May 4)
Vol. XIV - Emily Regier, Volleyball Athlete (May 6)
Vol. XV - Wendi (Rickson) Horak, PSU Alum/Softball Athlete (May 8)
Vol. XVI - Josh Lattimer, PSU Alum/Football Coach (May 11)
Vol. XVII - Brad Buckley, PSU Alum/Baseball Coach (May 13)