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About: Hey everyone!

My name is Selle James, I'm a sophomore here at UT, and I could not be more excited to be a part of this awesome team! Atlanta is home for me, but I feel so fortunate to have experienced college in Austin for the last two years.

My mom was always big into long-distance running. I grew up watching her run half marathons and lengthy mountain trails. Her passion sparked my interest to get involved with the Cross Country team at school when I was in 6th grade. My lack of coordination also kept me off of most other sports teams, but I prefer to blame it on the mom thing.

I ran Cross Country throughout Middle School and High School, and it unexpectedly became a large part of my identity. There's something about taking on a hard workout or race alongside your teammates that cultivates a unique bond between you. I loved the community aspect of the sport and the privilege of having our workouts primarily take place in the woods. In some ways, the general foundation of what T4K is reminds me of the XC program I participated in for my most transformative years.

I love people, and I love the outdoors. A little bit more about me, I have three younger siblings, two dogs, and lots of love for the longhorns (and the Georgia bulldogs). Thank y'all for taking the time to get to know me and for supporting our mission. Find my "Why I Ride" below.

Why I Ride

Amanda Neuhoff was my mom’s best friend and my godmother. More than that, she was the awesome mother of four children, a fun-loving wife, and a selfless soul to her core. Mandy passed away from brain cancer in June of 2021. She lived her life putting everyone before herself at every opportunity and never failed to smile through the most difficult hardships, even on her deathbed. We weren’t even allowed to wear black at her funeral.

I joined this team for Aunt Mandy and those across the country just like her. For those that fought, and lost. For those that are still fighting. And for those who are fighting alongside the fighting. Through this program, I want to spread love, hope and a sense of comfort to those pushing through this battle against cancer. Someone is on their side, and we’re fighting right there with them. During a Bible study meeting the first semester of my freshman year, my leader said something that I think will stick with me for the rest of my life. He said, “God guarantees his strongest followers the fullest of lives, not the longest of lives.” Whether you’re a Christian or not, I think there is something to be said about the emphasis on the quality of your life as opposed to the quantity of it. Mandy lived the fullest of lives, not the longest of lives. Her life cannot be defined in a number of years, and her legacy lives on in the fight against brain cancer. It is my honor to help that legacy flourish.