Cayden Dawson’s love for running has led her to Oklahoma State
BIXBY, Okla. (BVM) — As a junior, Bixby’s Cayden Dawson emerged as one of Oklahoma’s top runners.
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.
“I actually did competitive gymnastics for six years,” Dawson said. “But I had to get three elbow surgeries, so my parents told me, ‘You should probably do a sport that doesn’t use your arms.’ 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.”
Right then and there, she was hooked. However, it would take a while for her to become accustomed to the sport.
“My sophomore year, I was running with one of my old gymnastics teammates,” Dawson said. “She would always beat me in gymnastics [and races]. Until there was one race she couldn’t 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’m going to give it my all and see it where it takes me.”
Furthermore, Dawson’s 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’s state record for the 3200.
Your 3200M Girls STATE CHAMPION Cayden Dawson!! pic.twitter.com/bBmXorAceL
— Bixby Public Schools (@BixbyPS) May 15, 2021
“I honestly didn’t know what the state record was,” Dawson said. “It was just a good day [and] my legs felt great. Next thing I know, I’m 200 meters from finishing, and someone cheered me on, saying, ‘You’re on state-record pace, don’t slow down!’ I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, then I’m going to speed up.’ I was being myself and just having a good time and enjoying running. That’s when I feel like I have the most success.”
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.
Accomplishing that feat also helped Dawson get national recognition. Earlier in 2022, Dawson was named Gatorade Oklahoma Cross Country Player of the Year.
“I had never imagined myself winning it,” Dawson said. “It 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’s such a prestigious award.”
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.
“I 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,” Dawson said. “I go out and run because it’s what I love.”
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.
“Coach Dave Smith is a phenomenal coach,” Dawson said. “He 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.”
We've got a couple more studs coming to Stillwater, up first is Cayden Dawson out of Bixby!
Welcome to the Cowgirl family Cayden 🤠#GoPokes I #run4okstate pic.twitter.com/z2K613J4Er
— Oklahoma State XC/T&F (@run4okstate) November 11, 2021
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’ll never forget her time at Bixby.
“Competing for Bixby has been an honor to be a part of a great community,” Dawson said. “Everyone 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’s supportive of everyone and what you do.”
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.
