Oklahoma State University Athletics
Home Away from Home: Gabby Hentemann’s Journey to Stillwater
October 21, 2021 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
STILLWATER – Being from Michigan, Gabby Hentemann didn't know how she would fit in in Stillwater. But once she got here and met the cross country team, she knew she made the right choice and found her new home at Oklahoma State.
Hentemann started running when she was 7 or 8 years old, taking after her parents who were runners as well. It wasn't until junior year of high school that she began to take it more seriously, and that's when she met with coach Dave Smith in Stillwater and fell in love.
"I think Dave (Smith) first sent me a letter my junior year, and I started talking with him," Hentemann said. "The moment I got on campus and met the girls, I didn't want to leave. I felt like they were already all my friends, and it was hard to go anywhere else."
Following that visit, she committed to OSU and joined the Cowgirls in 2019. Although Stillwater is a lot different than Grand Haven, Hentemann wouldn't change it for anything.
"Stillwater is so special to me because you get the small-town Oklahoma feel and I can drive out to the dirt roads or go run on a course and I feel like I have this peace and this quiet break from all the noise and chaos," Hentemann said. "At the same time, if I want to, I can go down to the middle of campus by Boone Pickens Stadium, and people are hooting and hollering when you run by and you get that school spirit, state school comradery."
Hentemann made her debut for the Cowgirls in 2019, competing in the cross country season, but it was during the 2020 season when she made her presence felt. She finished third in the Cowboy Jamboree and third in the Big 12 Cross Country Championships. She attributes her success to her teammates pushing her to be the best she can be.
"What's special is finding a group of girls that was able to do that (put in the work over the summer) and them also being my best friends and being girls that are willing to push me on my hard days and hold me accountable," Hentemann said. "Molly Born, Clarissa (Morales), Kelsey (Ramirez) two of the grad transfers, girls like Stephanie Moss as well are all really hard working, motivated people. Pairing that with their kind of craving to do big things as a team, and not as individuals, is something that makes me can't wait to see them every day."
The 2021 outdoor season was a breakout moment for Hentemann, finishing second in the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championship 5,000 meters, and being named an honorable mention All-American. Coming off that and heading into her junior year, Hentemann is looking forward to seeing what she can accomplish during the rest of her time in Stillwater.
"What's exciting to me is putting my head down, putting in the work day in and day out, and surprising myself," Hentemann said. "No limits, but going in with my eyes closed, being a little gullible to what I'm capable of is sometimes exciting."
Hentemann started running when she was 7 or 8 years old, taking after her parents who were runners as well. It wasn't until junior year of high school that she began to take it more seriously, and that's when she met with coach Dave Smith in Stillwater and fell in love.
"I think Dave (Smith) first sent me a letter my junior year, and I started talking with him," Hentemann said. "The moment I got on campus and met the girls, I didn't want to leave. I felt like they were already all my friends, and it was hard to go anywhere else."
Following that visit, she committed to OSU and joined the Cowgirls in 2019. Although Stillwater is a lot different than Grand Haven, Hentemann wouldn't change it for anything.
"Stillwater is so special to me because you get the small-town Oklahoma feel and I can drive out to the dirt roads or go run on a course and I feel like I have this peace and this quiet break from all the noise and chaos," Hentemann said. "At the same time, if I want to, I can go down to the middle of campus by Boone Pickens Stadium, and people are hooting and hollering when you run by and you get that school spirit, state school comradery."
Hentemann made her debut for the Cowgirls in 2019, competing in the cross country season, but it was during the 2020 season when she made her presence felt. She finished third in the Cowboy Jamboree and third in the Big 12 Cross Country Championships. She attributes her success to her teammates pushing her to be the best she can be.
"What's special is finding a group of girls that was able to do that (put in the work over the summer) and them also being my best friends and being girls that are willing to push me on my hard days and hold me accountable," Hentemann said. "Molly Born, Clarissa (Morales), Kelsey (Ramirez) two of the grad transfers, girls like Stephanie Moss as well are all really hard working, motivated people. Pairing that with their kind of craving to do big things as a team, and not as individuals, is something that makes me can't wait to see them every day."
The 2021 outdoor season was a breakout moment for Hentemann, finishing second in the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championship 5,000 meters, and being named an honorable mention All-American. Coming off that and heading into her junior year, Hentemann is looking forward to seeing what she can accomplish during the rest of her time in Stillwater.
"What's exciting to me is putting my head down, putting in the work day in and day out, and surprising myself," Hentemann said. "No limits, but going in with my eyes closed, being a little gullible to what I'm capable of is sometimes exciting."
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
Distance
/ Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
Distance
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