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Riley Coleman holding the state champion trophy that the Watonga cross country team won. -
Riley Coleman signing to run cross country and track with Rogers State University. -
Riley Coleman running in the regional meet where she was regional champion.
After COVID canceled her track season last year, Riley Coleman is more than eager to start it back up again.
Starting from a young age, Coleman first began running cross country in the second grade and track in the fifth grade.
Growing up in a family of runners and being around it her whole life only added to her love for the sport.
“My grandpa and dad are coaches so I would always attend practices with them. Eventually, I started running for fun while I was at the practices,” Coleman said. “This turned into a love and passion for the sport. My family has been behind me my whole career and I wouldn't be where I am today without them.”
Coleman’s love for running shows in her practices as she said she spends six days a week running.
Her Sundays are spent running up to eight miles while the rest of the week, minus Saturday, includes interval workouts and what she called half-runs. Practices aren’t the only time she spends running either.
“I will get up before school and run around three miles by myself, then later I will go to seventh-hour athletics and run again,” Coleman said. “This really helps just get some extra miles in for the week and build a solid base.“
Despite making it sound like she runs 24/7, Coleman still finds time to focus on school and said she has had a pretty easy time balancing school and sports.
“Making sure I work on my school work during my allowed school time has helped a lot with not having homework,” she said. “It is getting to be a busy time in the year where things are piling up, but I am just staying focused and really organizing my time for everything.”
When she's not running, Coleman is either hanging out with her family, taking care of her goats and pigs, spending time with friends, or being involved with school and community organizations.
Regardless of all the hard work she puts in, there was nothing Coleman could do when it came to her previous track season’s cancellation due to COVID, but she hasn’t let that stop her.
“I was devastated. I was probably in the best shape of my life and I was beyond ready for the season. It was hard to have put in so much work, but not be able to compete,” Coleman said. “Not having a season last year has motivated me more this year to make the most out of every chance I get to compete.”
Along with this newfound motivational factor, she has an optimistic and excited outlook for the overall season.
“I think this season is going to be great! I have high hopes for the team as well as for myself. I have some personal time goals I am wanting to achieve this year as well as qualifying for state and placing in all four of my events,” Coleman said. “I think as a team we have a great shot at winning state this year! I really can't wait to start going to meets and seeing what we can do!”
Though competing in track meets isn’t set to begin until the end of this week, Coleman and her team have been hard at work practicing and getting ready for the season.
“The team and I have been putting in a lot of work inside and outside of practice. Staying late and making sure we don't cut any corners in our training right now is super important,” Coleman said. “I am very proud of how hard the team is working during practice.”
After two years since her last track meet, Coleman said she is more than ready to start competing again. From being back on the team to getting to be around her friends again, Coleman sees her and her team being successful together throughout the season as well as being tough competitors.
“I am super excited to see where this season is going to take us and I can't wait to see everything that we accomplish,” she said.
Coleman's career has been studded with many personal accompaniments for her. Being a member of the 2019 Class 2A State Champion team, a member and state champion of the 4x800m relay team, and qualifying and placing in four events during both of her years in going to state were just some of the moments that stuck out to her the most.
Throughout all of this, Coleman has her family there to motivate her every step of the way. They have been by her side continuously supporting and pushing her forward and Coleman said she is very grateful for that.
“My dad and grandpa have always been my coaches and pushed me to be my best. They know how successful I can be even before I can see it myself,” Coleman said. “My mom has also been a big motivator of mine throughout my career. She is always behind me, whether it is winning or losing.”
Though this is her last year competing at Watonga, Coleman’s career in track and cross country doesn’t end here as she has committed to Rogers State University where she will be running cross country and track next year.
“I am super excited to continue my career and my love for the sport!”