Haylie Cox wins Buddy Hurlock Unsung Hero Award
I was standing at the finish chute along the edge of the tree line on a brilliantly beautiful Oct. 31 afternoon across from Sussex Tech High School. The event was the Sussex County Cross Country Championships. The low-slung, late-afternoon sun brightened the colors of school uniforms. The boys had finished their 5K race, and the girls had been crossing the finish line for the last 20 minutes. I took pictures of them all. To me, it’s all about capturing the essence and soul of the youthful runners. This paragraph led off my column in the Nov. 3 issue of the Cape Gazette:
Better two too late than never - Runners Lizeht Patraca of Indian River and Haylie Cox of Delmar doubled down the 5K winning time of Cape’s Olivia Brozefsky, 20:01 to 44:19, at the Sussex County Cross Country Championships Oct. 31. The athletes trailed the field early, but they hung tough like wolverines on leather work boots. The boys’ then girls’ results became data entries into the laptop computer. All except for IR and Delmar. The best race finish of the afternoon commenced a signature signing off of Championship Tuesday. Two athletes raced each other to the finish line in “no way, not today,” focused fury. I sprang from my blue chair fearing I may get plowed and harvested like feed corn. I focused myself for the game-day photo finish. I asked veterans at the finish line, “Was that just crazy or more inspirational?” They all said, “Go with inspirational.” I know it meant something to me, a guy who has waited for the last runner to cross the finish line a thousand times. I’m inspired by everyone, front to back and in between, so thanks, girls. Thanks from all of us. Who won? Look it up! Ironically, it doesn’t matter to me, but it sure as heck mattered to them.
And so that was the end of that, but it was also the beginning of something greater.
I received a Facebook message from Indian River teacher Carla Yngve: “I told Lizeht that you took a photo of her and wrote a little about her race ... she was so excited and told me that she was running her race and the girl came out of nowhere and she couldn't let her beat her. I loved hearing it and told her that's the spirit of the run/race and what it is all about. Nice seeing her face light up telling me the story. She is an A student and band girl who stepped out of her comfort zone to try something new. Thanks for noticing her!”
And later an email from Robin Cox, mother of Haylie Cox, arrived in my inbox: “I just want to thank you for the article about Sussex County Cross Country meet and my daughter. You have no idea how you made her day!
“I want to tell you a little story about her if you will bear with me. Haylie is a wonderful 16-year-old who was born at 24 weeks, and weighed only 1-pound, 6-ounces at birth. She suffered a brain bleed at birth and developed hydrocephalus as a result. She has a shunt on the upper right side of her skull to relieve the extra fluid her body creates. We have, literally, almost lost her twice due to her shunt malfunctioning. The first time was within 30 minutes if she hadn't had emergency surgery. She also has mild cerebral palsy and some learning disabilities.
“That being said, she perseveres! This is her third year running cross country. She started out running a 5K in a little over an hour and has reduced to her best of 39 minutes.
“I met Haylie at the age of 2. She is technically my step-daughter, but I've raised her as my own. Her father, Bob, has full custody of her and her older brother, Stephen. We have a son together, Taylor.
“If you would have known her at 2, and see her now, you would be astounded. She couldn't speak, had meltdowns because she couldn't communicate. She was getting occupational, physical and speech therapy three times a week. She had night terrors that would break your heart.
“Now her special education coordinator at Delmar calls her a poster child for early intervention. We enrolled her at Howard T. Ennis at the age of 3. She would get on the bus at 6:30 every morning with a smile on her face and head to school. She excelled! Her goal was to be mainstreamed at 20 percent by kindergarten – she was at 90 percent by the end of the year! And Muff (my nickname for her) has never looked back! She mainstreamed for first grade, full time!
“She is an AMAZING young lady who I love with all my heart. Your article was so spot on; it brought tears to my eyes!
“The Delmar cross country team has embraced my daughter, encouraged her drive and has made her one of their own. You should have been to meets where the entire team, after finishing their own runs, have gone back to find her and run with her to the end! Shouting encouragement the whole way!
“So my husband and I want to say ‘Thank you very much!’ from the bottom of our hearts for seeing how much this means to the kids at the end and taking the time to write about them. You have no idea how touched we are! Also, thank you for letting me share her story with you. 
And so that had to be the end of that, but the story continues. The Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association gives out annual awards, one of which is the Buddy Hurlock Unsung Hero Award. I nominated Haylie among a list of inspirational candidates.
A Saturday morning meeting of sports media at the ChesDel Diner on Route 13 came in January. All other awards were by secret ballot. Kevin Tresolini of the News Journal stood and suggested a vote of affirmation for Haylie Cox. Scott Selheimer, retiring sports information director at the University of Delaware, said Haylie was just an amazing story. Chuck Durante, DSBA president, agreed. I spoke briefly of the power “we” had to make a positive impact in the lives of kids, but it’s mostly they who inspire us and keep us “professionals” positive.
“Buddy would have loved this story,” said Tresolini, a friend and colleague to the late writer.
Haylie will be honored at a luncheon Monday, Feb. 19, at the Sheraton Wilmington South along with the Athlete of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year and Herm Reitzes Service to Sports recipient.
Robin Cox reacted to the news that Haylie was receiving the Buddy Hurlock Award: “Haylie has always been our miracle child, but to have someone outside our family to go to such lengths to acknowledge her accomplishments is so touching. I don't think Haylie can comprehend all this either.”
