WL-Salem’s Stapleton to run at Southern Illinois
Two years ago Katelyn Stapleton didn’t have any aspirations of running at the college level.
After winning two team state championships and relay state title, the West Liberty-Salem star has her sights set on competing in the Division I college level.
The unexpected turnaround was completed Wednesday when Stapleton signed her national letter of intent to run cross country and track and field at Southern Illinois University.
“I didn’t want to run in college as a freshman and sophomore,” said Stapleton. “Recently I thought maybe I would run at a Division II program, but Southern Illinois reached out to me and I feel as if it was meant to be. I didn’t know who they were, but they were very consistent communicating with me. I wasn’t expecting this, but I’m glad it turned out this way.”
As a sophomore, Stapleton helped the Tigers win a Division III state track and field title in 2019. She was also part of the state championship 3,200 relay team that year. This fall Stapleton helped the Big Orange girls cross country team win a Division III state championship.
That success helped draw the attention of Southern Illinois University and head cross country coach and the track team’s distance coach Kevin Cataldo.
“What really stuck with me the most was their coach,” said Stapleton. “I couldn’t go there because of the Division I dead period, so I couldn’t have an official visit. He continued to reach out to me, was very consistent and super nice. I had a Zoom call with the team and bonded with them. I did end up going there and was able to see the campus and loved it.”
Stapleton had also considered Bowling Green State University and the University of Findlay, but WL-Salem head girls cross country and track and field coach Ann Vogel knew her senior had found a home with Southern Illinois.
“She really looked at three colleges and found she fit in with their team the best,” said Vogel. “She really likes their coach. She sees that they will give her an opportunity to grow as a student-athlete. Our programs train similarly, so I think it will be a good transition for her from high school to college.”
Stapleton is one of the first cross country runners at WL-Salem to be a three-time all-Ohioan. She placed 18th this fall at the state meet, 19th as a junior and 18th as a sophomore.
During the 2019 state track meet, Stapleton was part of the state runner-up 1,600 relay team and finished 10th in the 800. She still has one more track season left in the spring.
Vogel and Stapleton both see new opportunities with the Salukis.
“I really think there is room to improve,” said Vogel. “I can see her being on varsity on cross country as a freshman. In track, they might move her up to the 1,500 or even the steeplechase. She’s athletic enough to do that. She needs to go and see where she fits in and work her way up in the program. She’ll go in with an open mind and I’m proud of her spreading her wings and trying to run at the Division I level.”
While Stapleton’s athletic ability gets the most attention, she is also as standout student. Stapleton was a three-time academic all-Ohioan in cross country. Vogel also praised her leadership ability this fall in mentoring a cross country team full of freshmen to a state championship.
“They’re coaches see that leadership in her,” said Vogel. “She has some great qualities. She gave our freshmen wings to be better runners this fall. She’ll not only be a leader on the team, but in the college community and as a student athlete.”
With one more track and field season left, Stapleton has already been a part of the most historic teams in women’s athletics at WL-Salem. She was on the first ever women’s state championship team with track and field and helped lead the first ever women’s cross country state championship.
“She has left her mark,” said Vogel. “What she has left is an example for other athletes. That the path to success is now always easy, but it’s obtainable if you keep showing up and doing the little things. In the long run, it will add up to big things. She is one of three girls on our team that has been on two state championship teams. No one can take that away from her.”
“One of my best memories, specifically, was the 3,200 relay team winning state,” said Stapleton. “That was the first event of the first day and it kick started everything that weekend. Those girls on the relay are my closest friends and having the that opportunity with them was the best thing. I’m so blessed to be a part of this history and I hope the legacy continues for future teams coming up.”