WARNER, Okla. – Connors State College freshman Koulter Drake has punched his ticket to the NJCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships following an impressive fourth-place finish at the Region II Meet in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Drake, a Warner High School graduate, crossed the finish line with a time of 27:32 in the 8k race, maintaining a blistering 5:45-per-mile pace to place fourth in a field of 50 runners and earn his spot at nationals.
“Coming to Connors was a pretty easy choice for me,” Drake said. “It’s different from running at Warner High School, but it’s been a lot of fun. The competition at the college level is a lot tougher, but I think pursuing my business degree here while running has been a great choice.” Drake will compete at the national meet in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on November 8.
Head coach Korey Keith praised Drake’s work ethic and dedication to the sport, “Koulter is a super talented kid and an incredibly hard worker,” Keith said. “He spends a lot of time on his own running—you’d see him running around town all the time. He’s earned this opportunity, and we’re excited to see him compete at the national level.”
Drake ran for coaches John Hart and Tyson Hume at Warner High School before joining the Cowboys cross country program.
The NJCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships will be held Saturday, November 8, in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
About Connors State College
Connors State College has a long history of providing the people of eastern Oklahoma with access to higher education. Since seating its first class of 17 students in 1908, the institution has grown into a comprehensive, multi-campus, two-year college that enrolls more than 2,700 students annually. To learn more about Connors State College or how to enroll, please visit connorsstate.edu.