You Will Remember These Rams
By Kenzee Hampton
Read how a select few Owasso Ram Athletes stay motivated in season and off season as they prepare to put the work in for themselves, their team and to represent their community.
Football
Senior Dillon Gilbert (No. 53) is a 6A Football State Champion. Gilbert stays motivated by working together with his teammates and relying on his coaches to help and lead them to another victory. Gilbert is always up for a challenge.
He advises to “‘Never get outworked.’ That's one of my favorite quotes I heard from my dad.”
Gilbert is not picky when it comes to the music in the gym, and he gets hyped with whatever the team is playing.
(Picture of Dillon Gilbert. Picture taken by Cambry Shields.)
Wrestling
Rodney Foster, known as “Hot Rod” by his teammates, is a junior wrestler. Foster has a mentality of a winner. He is ready to work for what he will receive.
He said, “To be good in the season, you have to do good in the off season. It's always on the clock.”
Foster's favorite motivational quote is from a fellow teammate Marshall Henderson. It is, “Don’t do stupid things and you’ll be smarter.”
Foster is inspired by his teammates and his coaches. They have pushed him to work hard and learn to have the mindset that he has today. Foster is always ready for what's next, and knows he has room to improve. He believes that every match is important and there is something to learn from each and everyone of them. Foster's favorite hype song is “Life is Good” by Future, Drake.
Basketball
Last year, Chloe Stocksen, point guard No. 12 and a junior basketball player, won co-defensive player of the year with junior Karson Zumwalt.
Stocksen looks up to Zumwalt and says, “She is a great leader on and off the court.”
Stocksen’s favorite achievement with her team was their home game last year. They were down and in just the last few seconds they came back and won the game. She is very proud of her team, and they grew even closer that day. With moments like that, push Stocksen, so she sets goals for herself and her team every year.
She states, “ I am competitive, so I enjoy challenging myself to grow.”
Stockens does not have a favorite hype song but a quote that motivates her is, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
(Picture of Chloe Stocksen and Karson Zumwalt. Picture taken by Christian Campbell.)
Swim
Zach Stelzer is all in when it comes to what he wants, and he wants to be the best swimmer he can be. Stelzer has been swimming since a very young age.
He said, “My first swim meet, my father who is also the coach, took me to Fort Gibson... I only practiced two weeks before and I won my first two races ever. That was pretty important to me because it started my solid career in swimming.”
Stelzer likes to stay motivated by picturing what the end of the season will look like. Someone that helps Stelzer see the bigger picture is Caeleb Dressel, a friend of his.
Stelzer states, “Caeleb Dressel has overcome a lot… and that has pushed him to be the best he can be and that is how I want to be.”
Last year (2019-2020), Stelzer won the Iron Ram Award. The Iron Ram Award stands for demonstrating outstanding dedication, inspiration, team spirit and leadership. As this year goes on Stelzer plans to have the mindset of an Iron Ram. Stelzers favorite hype song is “SICKO MODE'' by Travis Scott.
(Zach Stelzer diving. Picture taken by Kendyl Hopper.)
Cross Country
Gideon Hays is a hard worker not only ready to exceed his goals, but also to help his team reach theirs too. The team helps Hays stay motivated during the season and in off season. Hays loves the team atmosphere. They are not just teammates; they are also friends.
Hays looks up to some of his teammates and said, “Judah Kucharyski. He is one of, if not the most hard working guys I know, and he doesn't do it for the popularity or the glory. He is a great leader...”
Hays has had many accomplishments in his high school career, he has received some lettermans, a character coin, and a few other small awards. Hays has goals to be made and he is not ready to slow down, he will proceed to push himself and become the best teammate he can be. If Hays were to choose a hype song, it would be any 80’s rock song.
Playlist: Remember the Rams
“Life is Good by Future”by Drake(Foster)
“SICKO MODE by Travis Scott” (Stelzer)
“Don’t Stop Believing by Journey” (Hays)
Add ons:
“Remember the Name by Fort Minor” by Styles Of Beyond (Writers Favorite)
“Undefeated” by KB, Derek Minor
“Do It Anyway” by Dillion Chase, Kaydence
“I Believe” by KB, Mattie of For Today
“Learn to Fly” by Foo Fighters
“Coming In Hot” by Andy Mineo, Lecrae
“Motivated” by NF
“Crown” by NEFFEX