Shrine Bowl Run coach Scott Barefield announced at a Shrine Bowl Christmas party today in Columbia Mann's Kate Borowicz and Wade Hampton's Kyle Keene will run the game ball onto the field at Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg.
Wade Hampton coach Rick Zeller emphasizes to seniors about the honor to be on the team.
"I have always made sure to emphasize to the seniors on my team that it was a very special honor to be selected and something they would remember for the rest of their lives," said Zeller. "If they had a chance to make the Shrine Bowl Run field it would be a very gratifying experience. I always encourage them to participate in everything from the outpatient Christmas party to the hospital tour to going to the game itself. It is a unique experience and all of my former runners have enjoyed it."
Runners and other participants of the game handed out presents to Shriners patients earlier today.
"Handing out gifts for the children was so rewarding," said Kate. "Just seeing the looks on their faces when Santa rolled up in his train to give out gifts was breathtaking. Their faces were glowing with excitement and hope. By the end of the day, I couldn't tell that they were patients. They all gave off their own individual beauty. Those kids are the definition of love and hope and being able to help them have the best Christmas ever was amazing."
Keene calls handing out gifts to children an honor and glad he had a part in helping others enjoy the gift of Christmas.
"I was honored to be handing the gifts out," said Keene. I thought that its was awesome to see the kids come up and get the gifts. It was rewarding to see them excited to receive the gifts. I had a great time. I am glad that I had a part in helping someone one else enjoy the gift of Christmas."
Run assignments will be announced later this week, according to Barefield.
"Kate has been blessed by God with a talent that she finds enjoyable and a talent that she feels is worth nurturing and developing," Jackie said. "I am not sure if the Shrine Bowl Run is a fundraiser (I tried to research that), but if it is, I had always envisioned a child of mine using her talent to benefit someone or something else besides herself or her team. For Kate to be chosen to run the game ball onto the field with Kyle just puts the 'icing on the cake' - the cake being the wonderful high school years Kate and her family has had in the sport of cross country. I am not ready for it to be over."
Two of Keene's senior teammates will join the General during the run Saturday. C.T. Crook and Jessica Kirkus were both selected.
"As for Kyle getting to take the game ball onto the field, I think this is a very deserving young man who improved himself and brought along his team during the season," said Zeller. "I don't think I could have asked anymore from all three of my senior runners, that are participating in the Shrine Bowl run, than what they gave me this season. They were leaders, hard workers, and fierce competitors when it mattered most. Kyle, C.T., and Jessica represent what is best about Wade Hampton's cross country program."
Runners are asked on Dec. 20 to meet at the Shriners Hospital in Greenville at 7 a.m. for a tour of the hospital prior to the 8 a.m. run time start.
"To me, carrying the ball onto the field is not a sense of pride, but a sense of care," said Kate. "I'm not running the ball for attention and praise, I am running the ball for love and support of the Shriners kids. To be selected for this event is an honor. I can't wait to carry that ball across the field, knowing that it has purpose and meaning behind it, and that we helped kids from the hospital."
"It means a lot because it represents what this event is all about," said Keene. "It is an honor to be a part of it. It represents the care for all of the kids in Shriners. It is awesome to know that I am one of the two seniors who get to represent the Shriners hospital and kids on the field. I am extremely excited to be a part of that."
scrunners.com with be onsite Saturday with photo and video coverage.