By Seth McCoy

There are two keys to being successful in long distance running according to Idabel Senior Mykah Stone: patience and dedication. Stone is a strong leader on the Idabel cross country team and in her senior year she has medaled in every competition thus far in the fall. Stone is determined to push herself and her team to greatness every day.

Stone first began running competitively while competing in track at her junior high school. 

She had always enjoyed running shorter distances in track, but over the years looked for another challenge. In her freshman year of high school Stone joined the cross country team and began training for longer distances.

“I felt like I needed something more challenging to do,” Stone said.

For Stone, running is a mental sport.

“There are times when your body feels like giving up but you have to stay strong and tell yourself to keep going,” Stone said.

Stone brings a positive mindset to Idabel and encourages her teammates by reminding them no runner ever succeeds at first. She knows that success and improving in cross country is not an overnight accomplishment and preaches hard work, dedication, and patience.

“As long as YOU keep putting in the work and practice then you will be better and see results,” Stone said.

Stone’s senior season has gone well so far, but she has bigger plans she hopes to accomplish in the future. She medaled in several of her early meets but plans to go even further and beat her previous race times by the end of the season.

Outside of athletics Stone often turns to her mother for support and appreciates the time and effort she has put into helping her progress throughout her young career and showing up to meets.

“My role model is no doubt my mother,” Stone said. “She is my biggest fan and comes to every one of my meets. She has always cheered me on and runs beside me when possible.”

After high school Stone plans on attending the University of Oklahoma to obtain her bachelors degree and eventually attend medical school to become a physician’s assistant. Stone hopes to one day operate her own clinic somewhere close to home.