Vania Jure understood that the most important cross -country meets are on Saturdays.

She was a Brockton High freshman who wanted to join the team but, she told the coach, if a meet were on Saturday she would not compete. On that she would not compromise.

The coach explained that she would miss the larger competitions and the postseason meets. And that weekday meets would be few and far between.

Jure did not budge. As a Seventh-day Adventist, "I can't run on Saturday," said Jure. "It's Sabbath for us."

But she would, she vowed, do her best at every event she could attend. With that, the coach welcomed her to the team.

Four years later, Jure spills over with pride about what is now her favorite sport. She has become the team motivator, and has challenged herself to get better.

In October, Jure completed the last race of her high school career with a personal-best time. When she crossed the finish line, her teammates greeted her with a group hug and shared tears of excitement.

"Even though she couldn't be there on Saturdays, the fact that she stayed with it and didn't give up is something great for the rest of the girls to see," said Kasey Sheehan, Brockton's captain.