Hailey Kiker
Coweta Cross Country
Most high school athletes in cross country get their start in another sport before trying distance running. Coweta High School’s Hailey Kiker is no different.
“As a kid I adored dance and gymnastics for six years. Currently, I love and prefer soccer and I even started cross country to improve my soccer capabilities. On top of that, track is my favorite of my two running sports. Safe to say, I can’t wait for the second semester when track and soccer are in season, and I can really shine,” said Kiker.
As a student-athlete Kiker said Coweta is a great place to be a student and to compete as an athlete.
“For being a small town, we have many successful and dedicated athletes, and we have a strong Christian community that I love,” said Kiker.
As a member of the cross-country team, Kiker said she has enjoyed her teammates the most.
“My teammates have easily been the best part of being on the team. Good teammates are the make or= break for many sports teams but having good teammates in a running sport is one of the most important things about the sport as they push you and empower you throughout the run to the finish and beyond. These girls I run with truly inspire and strengthen me even outside of running and I couldn’t be a runner without them,” said Kiker. “We are all extremely supportive of each other and cheer everyone on even if we’re dying ourselves. These girls are all supportive and stunning runners with all amazing personalities and I’m so glad I can have them as a team in my freshman year of high school.”
With the season starting to come to a close, Kiker said she is excited to be running with the varsity team.
“The season is almost half-way over by now, but I was so excited to be on varsity at such a young age. I was also thrilled for the team I would be running with, as they are all amazing. The nighttime run at RSU was super exhilarating and I had so much fun running it. This week is a run out in Arkansas and then conference, regionals, and maybe state. Wish me luck,” said Kiker.
As a student, Kiker said her favorite subject is art and English, but the freshman is carrying a 98 percent average in all of her classes.
The freshman said she has enjoyed the season and watching teammates succeed as well.
“Paisley Collins 100 percent. She has been on fire, and we push each other to be better and to run faster and I couldn’t have ran like this without her. She is truly extraordinary. Kailey and Ava are also extremely skilled runners, but they are both just coming back from an injury from the first meet so send lots of love and prayers their way,” said Kiker.
