It almost doesn’t feel real but my time as the sports reporter for The Record has come to an end.
I was barely an adult when I arrived in the 209 two years ago, bright-eyed and eager to prove that I was a real journalist.
I was learning how to drive, living alone for the first time, and in my first “big girl” job out of college but despite all that, the Stockton community gave me a platform to grow.
Every coach, parent, athletic director and San Joaquin County sports fan I encountered didn’t mind telling me about the area’s history and all that I missed before becoming a part of the sports community.
As I learned about the city, I realized just how special and beautiful this diverse and adverse sports scene is.
The hot August Friday nights where I watched players leave their hearts on the field every night became the highlight of my weeks. Games with blue banners on the line were like holidays. Late-night basketball games with standing room only taught me how deep S.J. County rivalries ran — and that sportsmanship and the love for their craft ran even deeper.