Sapulpa High School senior Katie Chambers has spent nearly a decade pouring herself into cross country, and along the way she has found a second family in the Chieftains program. For her, the miles, races and workouts matter, but the relationships matter just as much.
“I love how close my whole team is with each other. we are always supporting one another and cheering each other on no matter the circumstances. there’s never a secret kept within our group and that is something I’ll cherish,” Chambers said. That tight-knit culture fuels her on tough days and keeps her locked in on the goals she has set for her final high school season.
Chambers said she draws motivation from those around her, especially the people who have invested in her growth as an athlete and leader. “I take my inspiration from my fellow teammates and my coaches because I want to make everyone happy,” she said. “I have been a part of the Sapulpa cross country team for nine years and my strength as a runner is my mindset. I have to have a strong mentality when I’m racing to ensure that I perform to my greatest abilities.”
That mindset has carried into her summer training as she prepares for the fall. “I’ve been enjoying my summer training a lot. consistent miles are what contributes most for a good season, so I’ve been ensuring that I’m taking the time to get out and run every day,” Chambers said. She added that she has learned the importance of taking care of her body. “I learned how important it is to fuel yourself before and after runs and making sure your body is healthy, so you don’t push yourself into injury.”
In addition to cross country, Chambers has been a member of the Sapulpa track team for six years, and she is also involved in National Honor Society, athletic leadership council and student council. One former teammate, distance standout Stailee Heard, continues to push her from afar. “Stailee Heard left an impression on me because she holds the school record for the 5k, and I’ve worked my whole high school career to try and break it and hoping to finally do it this year,” Chambers said.
Chambers plans to attend the University of Oklahoma after graduation and pursue a career in the medical field so she can help others. Before she gets there, she is still chasing improvement. “I’m working on improving my mindset, as I’ve been letting the heat and tiredness of summer runs get to me sometimes, so I’m hoping to improve that and help myself get through runs easier,” she said.
