by Rusty Ellis
Cookeville senior Emily Coonce is all set to continue her triathlon career at East Tennessee State University, as she signed her national letter of intent on Wednesday.
For Coonce, it’s a relieving and rewarding day, as she finally gets to fulfill her commitment to ETSU.
“I’m really excited,” Coonce said. “I saw the campus, it’s very pretty and it reminds me of home…I like the team and the coach, it’s kind of hilly, but it’ll be really fun.”
An injury during her eighth grade year is what originally got Coonce on the path to ETSU, as that’s when she began cross-training.
“I started working with a team in Georgia my freshman year,” Coonce said. “I reach out to ETSU and it all worked out from there.”
Her track and field coach Scott Cook thinks it’s a perfect fit as well, citing that Coonce would fit in well wherever she went.
“She is absolutely going to push herself in every workout,” Cook said. “She’s got a great attitude, and she’s always willing to do what ever she’s got to do and take it on with a happy attitude…we’re going to miss having that presence. I think she could fit in and adapt wherever she goes.”
As far as what she’ll miss from Cookeville, Coonce says she’ll miss her teams and the bond they’ve built.
“I’m going to miss the team here, the cross country team and the swim team,” Coonce said. “I’m most excited for new opportunities at ETSU.”
