The Lady Panther Cross Country team is looking to reach the podium this season after finishing sixth at the 2025 State Meet.
The podium is placing in the top three at the State Meet, an honor Pauls Valley most recently achieved in 2024 as State Runner-up and in 2023 as State Champions.
For the team’s upperclassmen, the sixth-place finish is inspiring them as they practice early in the morning to avoid the summer heat.
“I’m a little sad because I felt I could have done better, but I was proud of how it went, and we all got better,” said junior Blakely Shelton.
“I was ready but nervous,” added sophomore Savannah Johnson, who ran in the State Meet as a freshman. “We’ve been working out all summer and mentally getting ready for State.
We have a reputation to uphold.”
The team only graduated one senior from last year’s team and has added five freshmen to its roster. Rachel Hamilton, the team’s lone senior, emphasizes successful team bonding as the team’s strength.
“This season, we’re focused on growing as a team, whether physically or spiritually,” Hamilton said. “All this stuff is just temporary, and our identity doesn’t just come from a sport.”
While cross country often seems like an individual sport, the Lady Panther team dynamics stand out even among athletes who participate in other sports.
“I enjoy cross country the most of all the sports I play,” said junior Hannah White. “It’s a great time of year, and my favorite team because we are all so close.”
In Class 4A, the competition is a 2-mile run.
Pauls Valley competes in some meets that are a 5K (about 3.1 miles). These longer meets are generally considered preparation for those who eventually run in college meets, which are 6K (about 3.7 miles).
However, Coach Ryan Caldwell thinks the 5K runs provide added benefits now. “It gives you more endurance for the 2-mile,” Caldwell said.
Some of the runners appreciate these longer runs. The Newcastle Meet is one with a 5K, and it is a favorite for some.
“I love Newcastle because it’s not a regular 2-mile. It’s a 5K,” Shelton said. “I can pace myself more, and it is flat except for one little hill. We can also see the fans, so I like the environment.”
Hamilton achieved a personal record of 12:57.2 at the 2025 Bethany meet, which is her favorite race of the season.
“The medals are awesome,” she said. “It’s a purple broncho, and it stands out.”
Meets for the 2026 Lady Panther season start Sept. 1 at Marlow.
“It’s a very underrated sport. People don’t give cross country enough credit because they don’t understand how difficult it is,” White said.
“Even if I don’t run in college, I’ll run the rest of my life. It’s something I have that I enjoy and that not everyone can do.”
