Pinnick back on track for Waubonsie
It's like she never left.
That was the word from Waubonsie Valley's eight-time all-state track athlete Shakeia Pinnick, who returned to practice with the team Monday, 11 days after her parents removed her from the squad.
"Yeah, I'm happy," said Pinnick, an Arizona State recruit who had considered running open events at collegiate meets in lieu of the prep season.
"I was looking for the college stage, but I've still got four years for that," she said. "This was my last year, so I guess it still worked out."
Pinnick, who holds seven Waubonsie Valley records in track and field, showed up at North Central College last Friday to watch the Warriors compete at the Gus Scott Invitational.
Team camaraderie - as well as improving upon three state runner-up finishes in the 300-meter hurdles - was, to her, a big reason to return.
"The girls definitely said they missed her," said Pinnick's mother, Deidre.
The feeling was mutual.
"Being my last year, everything that contributes to the team, the social part," Shakeia Pinnick said. "Then I've still got my last year to finish, the state championships, stuff like that."
A main issue between Deidre and Roderick Pinnick and Warriors coach Dr. Jim Braun - who kept his word that the senior could be welcomed back - had been the topic of missed practices, particularly on Thursdays due to tutoring sessions, according to Deidre Pinnick.
In the wake of the news that Shakeia had left the team, that seems to have been rectified.
"We actually had a bunch of calls and e-mail from people offering to tutor her so she could return to the team," Deidre Pinnick said.
Two practices into her return to the squad were too soon to pinpoint Shakeia Pinnick's first competition. The Warriors' will run Saturday at Glenbard East's Ram Invitational.
"It depends on how she does at practices, and if she does her practices well I wouldn't be surprised to see her run," said Braun, who noted he was pleased she was back.
"But it's one day at a time."
It sounds like her days are a little sunnier.
"I'm glad it's over," Shakeia said. "Like I said before, it still worked out in the end."