Tyler Schwartz stands far right with the Dekalb YMCA Runners after they received new shoes(photo via KPC News/Brice Vance).
On Monday, July 24th, now former Dekalb Baron Tyler Schwartz finally got to put her 2016-2017 Gatorade Girls Cross Country Award to use. Along with being named the player of the year in Indiana, she received a $1,000 grant to donate back into her community. She decided to give to the Dekalb YMCA Running Club. The club used the money to buy new Saucony shoes for nearly all of the runners as a reward for coming to every practice.
"We wanted to do something special (with the money) and decided to buy every boy and girl a pair of Saucony running shoes" Schwartz said on the decision to get shoes. There wasn't any specific reason for the brand they chose either.
Schwartz donated the money almost immediately to the club, but they just now were able to purchase the shoes for the kids. It took awhile to get everything in order between the buying and deciding who would get shoes.
"I wanted to inspire a generation like a generation inspired me to run. I want these kids to hopefully carry on the Dekalb XC and Track program!" Schwartz said on her reason for giving back in this way.
Tyler Schwartz will head to Peoria, IL soon to start her college career as a student-athlete at Bradley University. Schwartz was the 2016 State Cross Country Champion, with a winning time of 18:08.
