Mission Estancia students take part in Amanda’s Run

Amanda Post is fondly remembered at Mission Estancia Elementary School.

In what’s become an annual tradition, sixth-graders on June 12 ran in honor of Post.

Post was just 18 when she died in a three-vehicle collision near Bishop in 2010. She attended Mission Estancia, and later ran track at Cathedral Catholic High.

In 2011, John Cotter, Post’s third-grade teacher, organized Amanda’s Run, which takes place each year the week before sixth-grade graduation. And Cotter was instrumental in naming the school’s track for her.

Cotter, now retired, kept in touch with Post over the years. He regularly had inspirational speakers from the community visit his third-grade class, and during Post’s senior year, she was invited.

“She worked hard as a student, and she worked hard as an athlete,” Cotter said of why he invited Post to speak. “So she talked to the students about the importance of setting goals.”

Cotter added the students were very interested in what she had to say and some even requested autographs.

At the June 12 event, medals were given to first-place finishers (800 meter and 1,600 meter) and ribbons to second- and third-place finishers.

Sixth-grader Mateo Lopez said he enjoyed “seeing how much endurance everyone else had.” Joshua Johnson said it was fun having other students cheer him on during the run.

An avid runner, Post earned numerous medals during high school.

And in addition to Amanda’s Run, the inaugural Amanda Post Memorial Track Meet was held June 6 at the La Costa Canyon High School track. The event aims to get more youngsters running.

Also of note, the Post family established the Amanda Post Foundation, which provides youth scholarships.

“The students and community rally together for this run,” said Greg Post, Amanda Post’s father.