Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WILLOW WOOD —When Lisa Bryant was the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings’ girls basketball coach, she took some team members to the Pat Summitt basketball camp at the University of Tennessee.
The experience of meeting the legendary Summitt was something Bryant said she’d never forget.
And she hasn’t.
Summitt died in 2016 after suffering from Alzheimer’s. This past weekend, Bryant along with Kelcy Taylor and McKayla Herrell — former Lady Viking athletes — participated in the “Forget Me Not” 5K race for the Pat Summitt Alzheimer’s Foundation.
“I’m very proud of these two young ladies who trained for eight weeks this past summer to prepare for this 5K race,” said Bryant who teaches at the school.
Taylor finished third in her age division with a personal best time of 35:54 over the 3.1-mile event. All three finished the race.
“They were so excited to participate when I found out about such an event back in April,” said Bryant.
“I asked if they were interested and they said ‘absolutely,’ especially when I explained to them about Pat Summitt and what she has meant to not only women’s basketball and women’s sports, but for women in general. They already know how much I admired here and what she has meant to me since I was 16 years old.”
Money raised for the event was used in the research of the disease. The Pat Summitt Clinich to Advanced Alzheimer’s Care is located in the Brain and Spine Institute at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
“I’ve always been blessed with my students and players that I have had the privilege of teaching and coaching at Symmes Valley, but truly blessed to have Kelcy and McKayla participate in this special race with me. I will never forget their effort and determination they showed during this run and so very proud of both their accomplishments.”