For Kaden Turner, a cross country student-athlete at Tahlequah High School, began with a simple suggestion. “I was in offseason, and we ran a mile around the track. Some kid said after I finished that I should join cross country, so I did the next year in eighth grade,” Kaden recalled. That decision set him on a path that would lead to personal growth, team camaraderie, and impressive achievements.

Initially inspired by the challenge of trying something new, Kaden credits his biggest influence, recent graduate Trae Baker, for pushing him to improve. “Trae Baker is a good role model. He helps cheer on the team, helped me get faster, and he was my friend. He was an amazing role model and athlete,” Kaden explained. That influence has fueled Kaden’s competitive spirit, especially as the team’s chemistry drives everyone to push harder. “The team’s chemistry is competitive for a varsity spot, which is good because you got guys to push each other out of their comfort zone,” he said.

Kaden has his sights set high for this season. “My goal is to achieve All-State honors, which to do that I will need to get top 10 at state.” To reach that goal, his training is intense. “A typical week of training for me is to push myself past my comfort zone on every workout I do,” he shared. It’s that kind of determination that’s helped him overcome challenging moments, like when he ran 40 seconds slower in one race but kept his mindset positive.

Favorite teachers of Kaden’s also happen to be one on the gridiron with him: “My favorite teacher is actually his coach, David Spears. Unlike like other coaches just yelling at you all the time, coach Spears supports everyone on the team and he’s always there when I need him.”

One of Kaden’s proudest accomplishments came during a race where he set a personal best by a whole minute. “Me and my friend Wyatt came and hugged each other after great personal bests we ran that race,” he remembered. He’s also proud of how much he’s improved over the past year, running three and a half minutes faster.

With his eye on Division I college cross country, Kaden’s journey is far from over. His advice to younger runners is simple: “No matter how fast or slow you are, don’t give up… hard work pays off.”