Owasso Rams XC Taking Home Some Hardware
By Ian Busking
Both of the Owasso Rams boys and girls cross country teams placed second at Regionals to advance to the State Championships. Oct. 30, 2021 was the anticipated date for all runners across the state. Out of the 14 teams that made it to the championships, the Rams were considered heavy underdogs on both sides. The Rams experienced many peaks and valleys during the season, something that happens to every team, but their perseverance despite these obstacles is what set the team apart.
Photo of the Owasso Boys walking up to receive their state medals and trophy taken by Sean Busking
The state meet took place on an early, cold and wet morning, with minimal winds blowing, which acted to the runners' advantage. These winds were helpful for the two senior girls and five senior boys trying to make everything out of their last race for the Rams. The atmosphere of the meet was electric with fans lined down the course yelling at the top of their lungs.
The Lady Rams ended up taking home third place—finishing behind the runner-up, Deer Creek, and the 2021 state champions, the Jenks Trojans. Despite what may sound like a less accomplished placing compared to last year’s state championship, they left their tanks on empty. Libby Booth finished in the top 15 runners to make the honorable mention all-state list and their main pack stuck together for a solid finish.
This race was only 18:57, but for Booth the moment took six years of preparation. Booth used the three days a week of 6 a.m. practices, three hour long afternoon practices in the blazing heat and many workouts that were close to death to her advantage for the race.
Booth reflects, “I think mentally I was much more emotionally driven this year more than anything; knowing that it’s my last time I’m going to spike up and represent the Rams gave me extra motivation to push like I haven’t before.”
Photo of the Lady Rams team placing third on the podium taken by Sean Busking
Since the season has come to an end, there are now other things that Booth has to put her mind to and focus on without the sport of cross country. Booth wants to start working towards track as soon as possible and getting her times down as much as she can. She just committed to continue her athletic and academic career at Arkansas Tech University.
On the boys side, the Rams made a huge leap from eighth in the state last year to State runner-up as a massive underdog team this year. Pack running aided the rams to a great finish. The Ram who stepped up and ran away from the pack was junior Casey Little.
Little led the Rams with a time of 16:19 and placed 14 to make the honorable mention All-State list as well. The main reason why he ran so well is because he learned to overcome adversity throughout the season. Having to battle COVID-19 and not being able to breathe for a while set him back but did not stop him. From being on junior varsity (JV) during that time to becoming the top runner on the Rams, Little has a bright future ahead of him.
With that being said, the program itself is on an upward trend. Despite a majority of the varsity boys graduating after this year, the team has some talented up and coming runners that should step up in upcoming seasons.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Owasso Rams and Lady Rams Cross Country team this fall. In the spring, they will return to the oval for track. So be ready for some fast times and more state medals to be brought back to Owasso in the near future!