Over the past four years, Spice Brown has lived with certain unalienable truths when it comes to Barat Academy track & field.
Being a fledgling school, things have taken a little getting used to. As the most prolific athlete in the school's abbreviated history, Brown has been the de facto face of Eagles athletics.
"The great thing, though, is that I have gotten a bunch of support from everybody around here," Brown said. "Things have been tough, with us not having a track ... but it has been great here and I feel like I've helped put them on the map."
Brown, the defending Class 2 state champion in the 100-meter dash, saved her best for last.
On Saturday she captured the state title in the 100 again and took second in the 200 at Dwight T. Reed Stadium in Jefferson City.
"This feels good," she said of the victory in the 100. "I have just been striving to go get it and fulfill my dreams."
Brown earned a total of 16 points for her school, putting Barat at 18th place in the team standings.
Brown's state title may be even more special in light of what she's had to go through to get to the top of the state podium.
Several months ago Brown was injured in a car accident and her rehab left some wondering if she'd even be able to run at all this spring.
"Her car was T-boned and it was pretty serious," acting Barat track coach Jim Hill said. "There was a question as to whether she would run or not. She has worked so hard to get to where she is and that's just a testament to the work she puts in."
In the 100 prelims, Brown finished second behind Monroe City's Carly Spalding.
She then overtook Spalding and A'Yonna Cartwright in the finals to win the championship race in 12.34 seconds.
"She got second (in the prelims) because of a slow start," Hill said. "Spice is such and experienced pro, though, that she made sure that it wasn't going to happen again in the final when it counted. She took care of business."
Not everything came up roses Saturday for Brown, however. She took third in the finals of the 200.
The senior was forced out of her usual routine. The finals turned into a timed event because some events - including the 200 - were washed out on Friday due to rain and skipped the prelim round all together.
"It was just unlucky," Brown said. "I usually use that (prelim) to get myself (acclimated to the track and conditions) and it didn't happen. I am a little disappointed."
With multiple state titles under her belt, Brown will now focus on the next chapter of her life.
That will be centered upon running track in college.
"I am talking to Kansas State and LSU," she said. "I just don't know how that will wind up yet. Now, I'm just concerned with passing on the torch to another (Barat) athlete. Everybody will have to watch out in the 800 for Brianna Smith."
