Cayden Dawson鈥檚 love for running has led her to Oklahoma State
BIXBY, Okla. (BVM) 鈥� As a junior, Bixby鈥檚 Cayden Dawson emerged as one of Oklahoma鈥檚 top runners.聽
Although she has been a star for the Spartans track and cross country team, Dawson never really had the thought of pursuing a running career.
鈥淚 actually did competitive gymnastics for six years,鈥� Dawson said. 鈥淏ut I had to get three elbow surgeries, so my parents told me, 鈥榊ou should probably do a sport that doesn鈥檛 use your arms.鈥� The only thing I could think of was running. I started off by doing sprints and hurdles, just trying everything out. I liked it; it was fun.鈥�
Right then and there, she was hooked. However, it would take a while for her to become accustomed to the sport.聽
鈥淢y sophomore year, I was running with one of my old gymnastics teammates,鈥� Dawson said. 鈥淪he would always beat me in gymnastics [and races]. Until there was one race she couldn鈥檛 go to, and that was the first race I had ever won. I realized if I push myself, I can be really great. From then on, I decided I鈥檓 going to give it my all and see it where it takes me.鈥�
Furthermore, Dawson鈥檚 love and competitiveness for the sport has brought her to places she had never dreamed of being. And along the way, she has accomplished things others had never seen before. Especially breaking Oklahoma鈥檚 state record for the 3200.
Your 3200M Girls STATE CHAMPION Cayden Dawson!!
— Bixby Public Schools (@BixbyPS)
鈥淚 honestly didn鈥檛 know what the state record was,鈥� Dawson said. 鈥淚t was just a good day [and] my legs felt great. Next thing I know, I鈥檓 200 meters from finishing, and someone cheered me on, saying, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e on state-record pace, don鈥檛 slow down!鈥� I was like, 鈥極h my gosh, then I鈥檓 going to speed up.鈥� I was being myself and just having a good time and enjoying running. That鈥檚 when I feel like I have the most success.鈥�
With a time of 10:37.57, Dawson broke a 10-year-old record set by former Beggs High School standout Regan Ward. Ward set the record with a time of 10:38.38 in 2012.聽
Accomplishing that feat also helped Dawson get national recognition. Earlier in 2022, Dawson was named Gatorade Oklahoma Cross Country Player of the Year.
鈥淚 had never imagined myself winning it,鈥� Dawson said. 鈥淚t really is an honor to have your hard work recognized by such an incredible company like Gatorade. I was humbled by it because I know it鈥檚 such a prestigious award.鈥�
Along with setting a new state record, Dawson also performed well on the national stage. Dawson finished in the top 15 at the national Garmin RunningLane Cross Country Championship. But she also ran one of the best times in the 1500.
鈥淚 did a national race with my club team, and I ran a 4:33 1500, and that got a lot of colleges looking at me,鈥� Dawson said. 鈥淚 go out and run because it鈥檚 what I love.鈥�
One of those colleges that happened to be recruiting Dawson was Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State has one of the best cross country courses in the nation, so it was hard for Dawson to turn down the opportunity to compete with a prestigious program.
鈥淐oach Dave Smith is a phenomenal coach,鈥� Dawson said. 鈥淗e has produced great athletes, and I want to be a great athlete and be a part of a great team. Oklahoma State is one of the best in the nation. I want to be great, I want to compete, and I want to help them get first in the NCAA Cross County Championships.鈥�
We've got a couple more studs coming to Stillwater, up first is Cayden Dawson out of Bixby!
Welcome to the Cowgirl family Cayden 馃 I
— Oklahoma State XC/T&F (@run4okstate)
With her senior campaign winding down, it will be tough for Dawson to move on. But she is excited for what lies ahead of her, and she鈥檒l never forget her time at Bixby.聽
鈥淐ompeting for Bixby has been an honor to be a part of a great community,鈥� Dawson said. 鈥淓veryone is so encouraging and uplifting. The head football coach, Coach Montgomery, comes up to me after every meet and asks how I did. We have a great friendly community that鈥檚 supportive of everyone and what you do.鈥�
Dawson has a long and successful career ahead of her, and she can do anything she sets her mind to. But the best is yet to come for this exceptional athlete.
