The coronavirus has stolen much. It cannot, however, steal the desire of great competitors.

The virus has sidelined four Emmaus Green Hornet 4x100-meter relay runners. Seniors Alanna and Kayla Smith, Mackenzie Dries and Breyanna Roper will be unable to break the 4x100 school record.

The record, set in 2014 by Annae Wetherhold, Chanel Boothman, Amber Blunt and Devyn Hannis, is 48.63. The current foursome’s best mark, set in 2018, is 48.91.

The girls had hoped to do the job in the 2019 track season. However, Roper experienced a significant injury during their last indoor meet at the Lehigh Carnival. That left 2020.

“It was one of those moments in my coaching career that will haunt me forever,” said coach Kami Reinhard of the 2019 injury. “It was due to athletes from different teams colliding after the relay exchange for the 4x200 relay.”

In the sprint relays, handoffs and team chemistry are crucial. This is particularly true in the 400-meter relay, the shortest and fastest of the sport’s three relays.

“The 4x100 relay is a work of art, really,” Reinhard said. “It’s extremely technical and requires precision among all of the athletes. There is no way to ‘make up’ time if there is a mistake.”

Reinhard said they take this aspect seriously.

“Mastering the 4x100 is figuring out which athletes are suited best for each leg,” she said. “For example, an athlete who runs the curve of the track strong and receive and handoff the baton well will be the third leg.”

Consistently that has been Dries.

If the 2020 season is not eventually canceled, rule changes to the 4x100 will impact everyone. There is no longer a 10-meter acceleration zone and a 20-meter exchange zone. Instead, sprinters have a general 30-meter relay exchange zone.

“We began working on it already the first two weeks of outdoor track and I honestly could not wait for the girls to get a chance to run the 4x100 with the new rule. It has made exchanges much less stressful with more wiggle room to adjust.”

Unfortunately Reinhard is relegated to contemplating “what if” scenarios for Smith, Smith, Dries and Roper thanks to coronavirus.

“The thought of not watching them race again in the yellow and green EHS uniform brings me to tears.”

The four girls, to put it mildly, have “very different personalities,” their coach says. A comment sure to bring a few laughs to each.

“To me, I think that is what made them so very special,” Reinhard adds.

Alana and Kayla Smith have been the most consistent sprint performers on the team, and that goes for the boys and girls squads, their coach says.

“Even on bad days, they were able to perform at a very high level competitively,” she said. “They always attended option practices along with the entire indoor seasons.”

Reinhard’s praise doesn’t end there.

“They are truly irreplaceable,” the coach says. “I’m not sure I will have another set of dynamic twins come along so incredibly talented and devoted to this sport.”

Dries began her freshman year focusing more on the open 400 in which she broke the one minute mark. Gradually, she grew to love the 100 and 200 along with the 4x100.

“She is the carefree soul of these girls with a heart of gold,” her coach says. “She would do anything for anyone. ‘Mackie’s’ smile is contagious to all. We all will miss seeing that smile next year.”

Roper was looking for a comeback 2020 season after a successful injury rehab.

“Breyanna’s strength, humbleness and kindness will come around tenfold in her future,” says Reinhard. “She is one of the hardest workers and has faced challenges in her high school journey with the most positive attitude possible for a teenager. She sets the bar high for character on her team.”

Hopes for this talented foursome to have one last season, one more trip to the Penn Relays, one more chance at breaking that record and one final trip to the Ship for state competition are all but gone.

“I believe all things happen for a reason,” the coach said “In a split second, things can change and can be taken away.”

If there is a lesson for Reinhard’s fabulous foursome, and all her athletes, perhaps this is it.

“Take advantage of any opportunity and time you have.”