STARKVILLE — Walker Mattox has always set big goals.
The ability to set them and always to achieve more opened the door Thursday afternoon for the Starkville High School senior to sign a cross country scholarship with the University of North Alabama.
“I really liked the whole overall package,” Mattox said. “They offered a really nice scholarship. I like the coach and the players on the team a lot. It is a nice campus. They have a highly accredited education program. Florence is pretty. There was really nothing wrong with it. It was a great situation.”
Starkville cross country coach Caroline Woomer has taken great pride in the growth of Walker Mattox and her sister, sophomore Kate Mattox.
“It is like night and day from when she started,” Woomer said. “When she first started, we would tease her all the time because it looked like she was in pain. She would say that she was fine and not in pain and all that. She was fine because she was just getting started. Each year, she has gotten a better time. You can tell she is a premier athlete and always ready to go.”
Walker placed 12th in the state at the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A state championships with a time of 20 minutes, 7.2 seconds. Kate Mattox won the state championship with a time of 18:18.4.
“The hard work is finally paying off,” Walker said. “I am glad I have the opportunity to use the talents the Lord has given me for four more years. I love my team, my coaches. The community and my family have all supported me through my career here. I could not have had this success without them.”
The bond with Kate has helped push Walker to be the best. She had the upper hand being older and being the first to compete in track and cross country. As Kate learned to excel in the sport, the sisters quickly started pushing one another. Sisters Caroline and Libby also have taken up the sport.
“I really love when my sister (Kate) succeeds, and the same holds true for me,” Walker said. “It is great when you can share the thrill of competition like that with someone. She understands what I am going through, and I am also always there for her.”
After the Starkville High track season, Walker will be able to turn her thoughts to a new challenge. She eagerly anticipates what lies ahead.
“I get to meet a new team and become part of a new program, so that is very exciting,” Walker said. “I looked at some Division I programs and some Division II programs. The best thing about Division II is that it is more of an opportunity at national championships. There will be a little less competition, so it is a greater opportunity to move to the top. It is still a big challenge, but it is exciting.”
Follow Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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