ASPEN KELLEY

MCALESTER HIGH SCHOOL

It’s a season of hope for busy McAlester High School junior Aspen Kelley. Though she is on the pom squad, track and tennis, it’s the current cross-country season where Aspen, just in her second year in the sport, Is hoping to make her mark.

“My sister Taylor went to state in cross country when she was in high school and I’ve wanted to follow in her footsteps and I’m so glad I did,” said Aspen. “Last year was a learning experience and pretty forgettable, but I decided I wanted to change that this year. My dad (Randell) trained both me and my sister in running as he was in cross country and baseball when he was in school, and I really look up to him.”

Her high school coach Calvin Neill has high praise for Aspen.

“I wasn’t sure how well she might do this year, but she came to practice that first week even though she was sick with strep and then she had to battle through some low oxygen level problems but came out of it and finished fourth in a recent meet and I think she’s deserving of any credit that comes her way.”

Track and cross country are ways of measuring yourself according to Aspen.

“I love running and it really opens up my mind and makes me feel at peace. You’re really having to push yourself and how ever hard you to that will determine how well you do in competition,” said Aspen who is also involved in student council and 4H at McAlester High. In addition to being a former county ambassador in 4H, Aspen is responsible for something called “Story Time with Aspen”.

“This is a book drive I’ve conducted since middle school where I realized that a lot of kids didn’t have the opportunity to read books like I did.”

As she looks ahead, Aspen is clear on her goals for cross country and track where she runs the 800 meters and the mile races.

“I want to place at regionals and possibly qualify for state in both sports this year.”