OU’s Ally Stephenson nabs academic honors

Eight University of Oklahoma track and field student-athletes earned All-Academic honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association ( USTFCCCA), the organization announced Monday.

Among them was Ally Stephenson of Kingfisher.

To qualify for USTFCCCA All- Academic Athlete honors, the student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher, completed at least two semesters at the nominating institution and meet the following athletic criteria: For the outdoor season, must have participated in any round of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, or for the multi-events, must have finished the season ranked in the top 48 in the East or West region.

A communications major, Stephenson wrapped up her sophomore season competing in the heptathlon at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships in May.

She put up a career-best performance in posting five personal records at the event.

Her PR of 5,344 points was good for eighth place, which scored a point for the Sooners. It also ranked No. 8 in OU’s all-time outdoor history.

It was also announced earlier this month that Stephenson was named to the 2024 Spring Academic All Big 12 Team. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher, either cumulatively or the two previous semesters, and must have participated in 20% of their team’s scheduled contests.

Stephenson was named to the first team. A 2022 Kingfisher High School graduate, Stephenson is perhaps the most decorated female track and field athlete in the program’s history.

She was a three-time state champion in the high jump (her junior year was derailed by COVID-19) and also won a state championship in the long jump.

She won her first high jump state title as a freshman and broke the school record multiple times along the way.

She broke her own school record at the 2021 Class 4A meet during her junior season when she cleared 5 feet, 8 inches (she added eight inches to the school record from where it stood when her career began).

That mark also tied a 36-year-old Class 4A state meet record.

Also as a junior, Stephenson was the state runner-up in the long jump and the 400 meter dash.

Stephenson won her third high jump crown as a senior, won the long jump and - in her first year competing in the events - was the state runner-up in both the 100 and 300 meter hurdles.

When she graduated, Stephenson owned school records in the high jump, long jump, 100 meter dash, 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles.

Her heptathlon total at the 2024 Big 12 Championships was 565 more points than her showing the previous year when she placed 14th in the event.

Stephenson improved her time, distance or height in all seven heptathlon events during the course of the year.

evening.

Other Action

Trustees approved the $12,913.56 purchase of a 7.5 ton Lennox rooftop unit for Town Hall from S&J Heating and Air, Kingfisher. They also approved claims and monthly department manager reports.

In the Audience

Friends of the Library members Pat Vaverka, Jan Lichtenburg, and Ann and Tim Taylor attended the meeting.

See upcoming edition about action on FOL building permit for storage barn on library property and mowing, trimming and upkeep of the outside of the town library.