A group of talented returners highlight the girl’s track program at Fort Gibson this spring
as coach Scott Bethel discussed his team.
“We’ve got a solid core back from last year that got a lot of experience at the state level
so if we stay healthy, I look for us to compete at a high level and we have several
medalists.”
Leading the group is senior Katie Smith who is the defending state champ in the 110-
meter hurdles after placing at state in that event in both her freshman and sophomore
years. She is also on the 4X100 relay team that qualified for state last year, runs the
300-meter hurdles, and plays basketball for the Lady Tigers.
“I prefer track over basketball because it’s more of a sport you have to push yourself
and I think it requires a stronger mindset than basketball,” said Katie. “I like the pressure
of having it on yourself like the pressure of going to state as a freshman. I started
running in sixth grade, but we didn’t have any meets to compete in. My seventh-grade
year was wiped out by the (Arkansas River) flood, so I didn’t get to run competitively
until eighth grade. I think it was the Tahlequah meet my freshman year that I realized I
was pretty good at hurdles and could do something with it.”
Katie cites her coaches as being role models for her but also a special person who was
always there for her.
“My grandma who passed away last year was very special in that regard,” said Smith
with some emotion in her voice. “I’d go to her after every meet and share my joys or
sorrows.”
As a senior leader, Katie herself serves as a role model for younger runners.
“I think I’m a role model for the younger kids because I was the first track runner to win
at state from Fort Gibson and as a role model, I know I need to set a good example,”
said Smith who will continue her track career next year at Oral Roberts University.
Bethel notes that he expects Smith to repeat in the 110 and hopefully improve in the
300 hurdles this year.
“We’ve also got Lilliana Perez returning who was on the 4X100 relay team along with
Katie, and we’ll be looking to juniors Ali Peters and McKenzie Colbert to fill the other
spots this year. Lilliana is a senior who runs the 4X100 and 4X200 and will hopefully
help us in the open 400 and 800 races. We’ve also got a sophomore move-in Myanah
Boston who might be able to help us in some of the races and senior Austiyn Miller who
will compete in the high jump and long jump.”
