Skylar Evans Shows Toughness and Tenacity During Tough Times
Sklyar Evans is accustomed to transition. She has attended three high schools – Goochland, Deep Run and now Midlothian, suffered an injury that sidelined her from cross country and missed indoor track due to her move to Midlothian mid-season.
“This is my first real year of cross country,” she determines. As Midlothian’s second place finisher, she describes the upcoming state meet as ‘big.’ Goochland was a single A school so she hasn’t experienced this level of competition. “I’m excited to be going to states and competing with other top schools.”
The Midlothian girls’ team captured the top spot at both the Dominion District and Central Region Championships. Skylar believes they have a good chance of winning States and then qualifying for Nationals. “It’d be nice if I get my time down, but I want to be there for my team.”
Skylar’s team has certainly been there for her. On Sept. 17, 2011, her father died after a 7-year battle with cancer. That day in September when Skylar was not in school, the girls texted her to see where she was and her text replied, “I’m watching my dad take his last breaths.” The girls immediately traveled to MCV to be there with her.
Her mother, Gail Evans, adds, “When Joe died, we all went back to the farm afterward because we knew that it was where Joe's spirit would be as he was moving on. Suddenly, we heard a knock at the door, opening it to find Skylar's teammates and their parents standing there with food and many hugs. Having that support at that moment meant more than I can possibly say.”
It was at the family farm in Goochland where her parents watched her run in the pasture with their dogs and horses. “She was a little girl pretending that she was a horse running with the herd. It was in these moments that she learned the simple joy of running, and it is what defines her the most as a runner,” Gail effuses.
“Skylar missed running seasons, school and time with friends to be with her dad and never once complained about it. It's not easy for a person to spend their youth with a sick parent and, yet, Skylar seems to have gained an understanding of what really matters in life,” Gail adds.
Despite her personal angst, she excelled at outdoor track and cross country in 2011. She earned a PR of 2:11 and third place finish at the girls 800m run at the VHSL Group AAA State Outdoor Track & Field Championships last June, followed by a 12th place finish at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in Greensboro.
At the state meet, coach Stan Morgan thought she was out of it, but she fought back and beat Megan Moye at the line to capture third place. Morgan told a coach from Arkansas who is interested in Skylar, “She has a quality that you and I can’t teach – toughness.”
Next year, she has her sights set on attending college out west. Her top three choices are Oregon, Colorado or Arkansas. She plans on running in college and majoring in sports medicine. Outside of running, Skylar enjoys playing guitar. She hopes to follow in her sister’s footsteps and play in a band someday.
Her father, Dr. Joseph Evans, was a prominent cardiologist, but was also an accomplished baseball player. “My dad was always there, helping and inspiring me to get better. I don’t think he got to be the athlete he wanted to be and he saw that in me,” admits Skylar.
According to Coach Morgan, Joe’s life revolved around Sklyar – she was his little girl. Gail says, “Joe went to one of Skylar's meets at Pole Green this fall only a week before he passed. Too weak and ill to leave the car, I was able to park so that he could see her take off down the field. He was so proud of her and needed to be there, seeing her run gave him such pleasure.”
Gail adds, “We believe her dad is still watching her run and smiling.”
Skylar Evans Shows Toughness and Tenacity During Tough Times