Salina Central standout commits to Tar Heels

Special to Kansas Pregame

The most decorated distance runner in Salina Central history has committed to be a Tar Heel.

Junior Katelyn Rupe, the only Central boy or girl cross country runner to win a state title, announced on social media recently her intention to the University of North Carolina for the 2025-26 season.

“Prior to Katelyn, the highest finish for a Salina Central girl was a fourth-place finish in 1975 by Glenda Richter,” cross country coach Brad Dix said. “Prior to Katelyn, the highest Mustang finish was a third-place finish by Robbie Seiler in 1986.”

“Committing to UNC feels amazing,” Rupe said. “When I was on my visit there, it just felt right. The team is amazing, the coaches are amazing and just the overall atmosphere was amazing. I am so thankful for the opportunity to get to be able to run there, and really think I will be able to succeed there.”

Rupe went on five official college visits. They included Utah, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Wake Forest and North Carolina.

“I loved all of my visits, and all of the amazing people that I met,”she said. “Ultimately though, UNC just felt right, and I can not thank Coach Milt, Coach Riden and Coach Moini enough for such an amazing opportunity to be a part of such an amazing program.”

Rupe owns personal records this year in the 1600 and 3200 meters in respective times of 4:58.83 and 10:17.40. She’s won three races, two in the 3200. At the KU Relays recently, Rupe placed second in the 3200 and fourth in the 1600.

Rupe is the defending two-time Class 5A state champion in cross country. She finished second last fall at NXR Nike Heartland Regional Championships which qualified her for Nike Cross Nationals where she finished 28th. She was named the 2023 Kansas Cross Country Gatorade Player of the Year.

“Katelyn benefits the longer the race is,” Dix said. “She has trained for that, and she is so mentally tough that she is able to go to a place deep inside her as the race goes on. Her best races are still in front of her.”

She’s already a two-time state champ in the 3200 with gold medals her freshman and sophomore year. Rupe won the 1600 her freshman year and took second as a sophomore.

Currently, Rupe ranks second in both distance events in the state.

Another sport tugged her heart her freshman and sophomore campaigns.

“I played tennis my freshman and sophomore year,” she noted. “My freshman year I solely played tennis, and my sophomore year I dual-sported tennis and cross country.”

A USD 305 rule limiting freshmen from dual sporting is the reason she didn’t dual sport her freshman year.

“I was a two-time 5A State qualifier in tennis,” she said. “My freshman year I placed seventh at 5A State Tennis. The Central tennis team placed second my freshman year and third my sophomore year.”

“I have never seen someone so dedicated to their sport and being a good teammate,” sophomore Tayton Morris said. “She truly shows what a great leader she is day after day.”

“I have known Katelyn for a long time and grew up running track in Salina Burn with her,” sophomore Isak Howe said. “She is always willing to learn from others and take criticism even when others look up to her. She is dedicated to her craft and is always seeking out ways to perfect her game and bring others up around her, too. She is hard-working and never strays away from a challenge, seeking out harder and harder things to do to challenge herself and keep her mind sharp.”

“I'm thrilled for Katelyn's commitment to running at North Carolina,” freshman Kaylie Shultz said. “Her dedication and relentless work ethic have always set her apart, and I have no doubt she'll excel at the collegiate level. I’m excited to have one more year with her as she trains and competes throughout her senior year.”

Rupe didn’t see running in college in her future, until high school.

“Growing up, I didn't think that I would be able to play any sport collegiately, let alone D1,” she said. “It wasn’t until my freshman year of track season that I realized that I might be able to run in college, and at the D1 level. Then it really became apparent that I had an actual shot at it my sophomore cross country season.”

Running is something Rupe loves.

“I look forward to getting to run everyday, whether it’s a hard workout or an easy run,” she said. “I started running when I was in second grade, where I joined a track club in Salina, Salina Burn. I was a distance runner, but was not very good.”

Then came her eighth grade year.

“But ever since I started training for a half marathon with my Dad in eighth grade I have learned to love it,” she said. “Our runs together were always so much fun and getting to work towards something together was really special. This training is what made me realize that I could run fast. When we first started, he was the one encouraging me to keep going (he has run multiple marathons and has now even run ultra-marathons), and he was the one slowing down to match my pace.”

The summer going into her freshman year, Rupe then started running with Winter Soldiers and Distance Inc. which are both Salina Burn off-season training groups (Winter soldiers in the winter, Distance Inc. in the summer).

“I was now surrounded by other high schoolers who enjoyed running and wanted to work hard to get better,” she said. “I continue to run with the Salina Burn off-season training groups. I also get to be a volunteer coach for Salina Burn, the same track club that I had first started running. I love being able to help the younger kids and am inspired by the effort they put into running at such a young age, all while seeming to really enjoy doing it.”

She will be running cross country, indoor track and outdoor track at UNC.

“In Kansas high school track meets, the furthest distance you can race in is the 3200 meters. In college the furthest distance on the track is 10k,” she noted. “I think the longer the better, and that the further the race is the better I do. I don’t know exactly what events I will do yet though, but I think I will be racing longer distances than I am now.”

“She has a powerful aura around her that makes others respect her and her style and she carries it out through practices and meets,” Howe said. “She is also great to run with and fun to talk to, always asking us how our days are going and how we are doing. She's kind and considerate and does not place herself above others, being humble off and on the course.”

“For the girl whose determination knows no bounds, whose dedication lights up every task, and whose work ethic inspires those around her: may your efforts always be recognized, your journey always celebrated, and your achievements forever cherished,” Central track coach Mike Kilgore said.

“Running has taught me the importance of hard work if you want to achieve your goals,” Rupe said. “I would not be able to run the times that I do without all of the training that I do. I am putting in the miles and running hard workouts as well as lifting three times a week to try and be the best runner that I can be.”