Webbers Falls junior cross country runner Cheyanne Herrier is proud to be her school’s torch bearer as the Lady Warriors and Warriors only runner, but challenging as well. “It’s a challenge being the only runner doing it,” Herrier said. “It’s fun.”

Herrier finished 37th at the 2022 Class 2A Regional Meet in Checotah as a sophomore, but did not make the cut to qualify for the Class 2A State Meet, which also was the case her freshman year. To make the cut this year, and even as a senior, is a top goal this fall.

“I would be really excited to make it to state,” said Herrier, who has made state in each of the last two springs as part of the Webbers Falls girls’ 3,200-meter relay team along with Bridgette Bear, Teralynn Colton and Abby Pense. “I’m looking forward to this fall.”

Running has been in her blood, and Herrier was glad to come out to help Webbers Falls coach Meghan Johnson help build the program from infancy.

“My dad Charlie Herrier did it in high school,” the Webbers Falls junior said. “Ms. Johnson wanted to start the program, so I decided to do it. I started it my freshman year.”

There are things that are fun to Herrier just as an individual.

“The fun part has been making new friends, competing and encouraging others throughout the whole race,” she said.

While running at the college level is on her mind, Herrier will be even happier to see Johnson’s dream and desire for Webbers Falls to have cross country teams and not just a runner — even if it doesn’t materialize until after she has graduated in 2025. It’s already happened as she worked with about six middle school runners and between eight to 10 elementary school runners last fall.

“I would be really happy to see it happen,” Herrier said. “She is like my favorite person to help me through this. My family has supported me through this whole time. Me being inspiring to others is just amazing to me.”