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Sequoyah Cross Country, State Runner-Up

Sequoyah cross country runners Traven McCoy and Robert Ketcher compete in the OSSAA Class 3A State cross country meet.

The Sequoyah boys cross country team recently “ran” away with the Oklahoma Class 3A state runner-up position.  Until the state meet, the team had gone undefeated for the entire season, earning the regional championship.
            “I told them sometimes when it doesn’t finish the way you wanted it to, it will drive you to try harder next year,” said Sequoyah cross country coach Sam Horsechief.  “I’ve seen that happen.”
            Coach Horsechief should know what he’s talking about.  He is in his twenty-third year of coaching cross country at Sequoyah and during his tenure has earned eight state championships, eight state runner-up trophies, 12 regional championships and his cross country program has generated 80 All-State runners.
            “He’s a good coach,” said Robert Ketcher, Sequoyah’s boys’ cross country team captain.  “He’s been there and done it.”
            Horsechief was an All-American runner in college and ran at both Haskell Indian School and the University of Central Oklahoma before joining the Sequoyah Schools’ staff.  Horsechief is assisted by Sequoyah Schools’ newcomer Melissa Johnson, who is in her second year at Sequoyah and who also assists with girls’ basketball.
            “I appreciate these seniors who have run for me all four years (of high school),” Horsechief said. “I know they wanted to win state and they tried really hard.”
            The members of the Sequoyah boys’ varsity cross country team who competed in the state cross country meet are Aaron Henson, Bluebird Linville, Traven McCoy, David Lewis, Corri Horsechief, Robert Ketcher and Larimie Fixin.  The Sequoyah girls cross country team finished the year sixth in the state meet.  They are Krista Wildcat, Krissa Goodrich, Christie Tiger, Donetta Ross, Makayla Gilbert and Jodi Hooper.  The runners will get a short break before preparations begin for the spring track season.