Warrior senior runner glad to finally make state meet

For the last three seasons, Webbers Falls Lady Warrior Cheyanne Herrier kept seeing her cross country seasons end in disappointment at the Class A Regional Meet, where she would just come up short in qualifying for the state meet.

Fourth time was the charm for the senior runner as she finally qualified for this year’s Class A State Meet on Saturday at Edmond Santa Fe High School.

“I was so excited to make it to state,” Herrier said. “I was so nervous that day about qualifying. I was really hoping (I would qualify for state). I’m really nervous about (this) Saturday because it’s going to be my first time there. There’s going to be a bunch of people there. I’m really hoping to place, but just getting a chance to be there is a great accomplishment.”

Herrier believes the nerves she was experiencing just may have helped her finish high enough to earn a berth to the state meet.

“I actually think the nerves helped through the (regional) cross country meet,” she said. “I want to give a great shoutout to Mr. (Webbers Falls Schools Superintendent Chris) Whelan for the inspiration that he gave me (before the regional meet) that it’s just a mental game for the (regional) cross country meet.”

Herrier will be a happy camper if she happens to win the individual Class 2A state championship.

“I would be really excited to be the state champion,” Herrier said. “I would want to congratulate all the girls there for doing their best at the state meet.”

A secondary goal for Herrier would be to earn All-State status, which would happen if she makes the top 10 at Saturday’s state meet.

“I would be excited about that, too,” she said. “I would still congratulate everyone for doing their best. I would be hugging my coach (Meghan Johnson).”

No matter the outcome on Saturday, the Class A State Meet will be Herrier’s final high school cross country meet in which to run. It’s brought on bittersweet feelings.

“I’m really excited that I got to go,” Herrier said. “Knowing that it’s my last year, it makes me sad to know that it’s my last year. I can pass things down to other kids.”

For most of her previous three seasons, Herrier was the cross country team. This year, she was not the lone runner, so she hopes she’s left her mark on the Webbers Falls cross country program.

“Watching this cross country team grow has made a great opportunity for the other kids,” she said. “For the other kids that have joined the cross country team, seeing me go to state makes them want to try their hardest.”

However, Saturday’s state meet will not be Herrier’s final meet in which to participate, if she has anything to say about that. The Webbers Falls senior is hoping to get to run at the collegiate level.

“I’m hoping to get scholarships running cross country,” Herrier said. “I’ve started applying to colleges, but I haven’t decided yet where to go. I would really be excited if that (having a college coach or coaches be at the state meet watching her) would happen.”