By PAYTON MOODY

Track and field can be a more difficult sport than some give it credit for. Track practice and training is a fair amount of solo training to be competitive. It takes athletes with mental toughness and self-determination to be successful in track and field. Torri Tottress, a decorated senior track athlete from Wagoner High School, understands just how much must be sacrificed to be triumphant.

“Track takes a lot of grit and desire,” Tottress said. “It takes a special kind of person to put in the hours necessary to compete, to want to be successful.”

Tottress has participated in track and field since the seventh grade and has many honors to show for it. She is a two-time Class 4A Regional and Conference Champion in shot put and was a three-time Class 4A state qualifier. She also maintains a 4.0 GPA at Wagoner High School.

Though Tottress is a multisport athlete, she enjoys track the most for various reasons.

“Track is definitely my favorite sport out of all the ones I have played,” Tottress said. “Track is sometimes a solo sport, which teaches self-discipline, mental toughness and work ethic to train on your own.”

Dedicated athletes sometimes need support from others to be successful. Keeping up with training, eating healthily, schoolwork, among other extracurriculars, can be a heavy burden for a high school student. Tottress has had many people in her corner during her life, and her high school years are no exception.

“My mentors are my father, Terrence Tottress, Coach Hummingbird and Coach Bryan,” Tottress said. “My biggest fan and supporter is my mother, Phyllis Tottress.”

Outside of athletics, Tottress enjoys English class at school and spending time with friends and family.

Post-graduation plans for Tottress are to attend Oral Roberts University and study criminal justice.