As close as Muldrow High School senior cross country running twins Katelynn and Kennady Moore have been throughout their lives, it came as no surprise when they signed to run cross country at the collegiate level that they would both sign with the same school.
In a signing ceremony inside Roger Sharp Activity Center, the Moore twins signed letters of intent to run for the Carl Albert State College Lady Vikings.
“I think it’s an amazing opportunity for us,” Katelynn Moore said. “It’s just going to be really fun. I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’m really excited because this is a sport I started two years ago (when the program was created at Muldrow High School),” Kennady Moore said. “We never expected to get anywhere. It’s really great. I’m looking forward to it.” Both twins are pretty sure unless both would have inked their letters of intent with the same school, neither of them likely would have signed.
“That was the biggest influence (in signing with CASC),” Katelynn Moore said.
“If Katelynn would have gone somewhere else, it would have been really hard to leave without her because we have been close,” Kennady Moore said. “At the same time, sooner or later, we’re going to split up. Now, we’re going to be roommates.”
“I watched them run at regionals,” said CASC cross country coach Kristin Snyder, who a couple days before signed Spiro’s first-ever cross-country runner to sign a letter of intent, Lindsey Wortham. “They competed very well. It was fun to watch them run. I can see also the joy and excitement they have. They’re going to bring a lot of energy.”
The Lady Bulldogs advanced as a team to the Class 4A State Meet, which took place in October at Edmond Santa Fe High School. Katelynn Moore was 29th at state, while twin sister Kennady was 89th. As a team, the Lady Bulldogs were 14th.
“It’s very exciting,” Muldrow Lady Bulldogs cross country coach Debra Silva-Mc-Donald said. “We have two this year, and we had one last year that signed to run (college) cross country. To improve and grow on that is really exciting.”
Both Moore twins also liked the fact CASC is in Poteau and not too far away.
“It’s not that far of a drive, like a 45-minute drive,” Katelynn Moore said.
“I am a family girl,” Kennady Moore said. “I need to be close to my home, at least for the beginning of (college cross country running).”
Snyder believes they can begin contributing immediately once arriving at CASC.
“I feel they can start making contributions immediately,” she said. “I’m excited to see what happens next year.”
Snyder said the future of the CASC women’s cross country program is bright.
“As of right now, I will have eight girls to compete, and some girls who will be able to run fast,” she said. “I feel like we’re going to do great at our regionals, and even compete on the national level. Numbers help with running. Sometimes there’s injuries, so with eight girls I feel like we’re going to be able to have a full team and be able to compete.”
Both Moore twins cannot wait until their college running careers begin.
“I’m pretty anxious,” Katelynn Moore said. “I think it’s going to be an amazing opportunity for us. It should be fun and nice for us to do.”
“I’m really excited because we never expected this to happen two years ago,” Kennady Moore said. “We’ve only ran track, and we didn’t really see anything coming from that. When cross country came, that finally gave us the opportunity.”
“They will definitely be successful,” Silva-McDonald said. “They’ve got the work ethic for it. I’m happy for them. I’m very excited for them.”
