Koulter Drake capped a fifth-place finish in Class 2A Cross Country State Championship in the fall with a pair of state runner-up finishes in Class 2A Track & Field State Championships in the spring.
Drake, a Warner Eagles sophomore, ran the 1600 meter in 4:33.73, behind only Brayden Cowan of Watonga (4:31.51). In the 3200 meter, he lost to Riley Randall of Meeker, 10:14.14 to 10:22.51.
There’s always next year, and only one of them will be there with Drake — Cowan, who was a freshman.
“Back before the season I set myself a goal of getting under 4:35 in the mile. For a while it didn’t look real great but I got that in the end,” Drake said. “In the 2-mile I wanted a sub-10 minute mark at state but the heat was pretty bad that day and no one really was feeling good.
“Brayden told me he’s thinking about being in the 3,200 next year. I think it’ll make for some really exciting competition.”
VYPE: What makes you passionate about your sport?
Drake: I won a cross country race in the third grade and I’ve kept with it.
VYPE: Who inspires you?
KD: Gaige Maher was part of a state champion relay with me who graduated last year. He really took me under his wing in my freshman year and got me going with it at Warner.
VYPE: What does your sport teach you about life?
KD: Whatever you do, stick with it. You’ll get good at it.
VYPE: What’s your summer vacation plans?
KD: I’m running with No Speed Limit Club (out of Muskogee) and the nationals are in Florida in July. I’m only running in two events. We’ll be there a week and I’m only running two of those days, so we’ll probably be at the beach a lot.
