Tahlequah’s Jacob Tiger

Jacob Tiger is looking to get a sub-16 minute time this season at Tahlequah. It’s is primary goal.

The junior cross country runner, who was the only freshman to qualify for state in 6A in the 3200 meter run, has been one of the Tigers’ most consistent runners.

“I feel like I improved the most in keeping my miles in the 5k consistent and tying them together,” Tiger said.

Tiger opened the 2023 season with a third-place finish in the Tahlequah Early Tiger Cross Country Invitational 5K run during the final week of August. He ran a 17:31.18 and was two spots behind invitational champion and teammate Trae Baker.

In his most recent outing on Sept. 15 at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, Missouri, he finished 52nd with a time of 16:31.14 in the Green Division.

“I think my strengths are just staying mentally tough and being really aerobic, and I feel like I’ve improved on getting a good start to races,” he said.

Tiger medaled for the first time as a sophomore in the Tahlequah Early Tiger Invitational when he finished fourth in the 4K run with a time of 13:57.65. It’s a moment that he will never forget.

Former teammate Sam Shankle has been Tiger’s biggest influence over the course of his high school career.

“He has always been a supportive teammate, and he is a hard worker. Me and him still keep in touch, and he still roots for the team,” Tiger said.

Tiger plans on running cross country at the collegiate level and wants to major in education.