Oklahoma State University Athletics

Israeli Cowgirl - Sivan Auerbach’s Journey From Haifa to Stillwater
December 15, 2021 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
STILLWATER — Growing up in Israel, Sivan Auerbach had never heard of cross country or track and field, she just knew that she loved running.
It wasn't until she moved to the United States for a year that she found out she could compete as a runner and the rest is history.
"It was great. I loved growing up at home," Auerbach said. "Honestly it doesn't feel special or extraordinary while you're there, but ever since I left, I started to notice the differences and what makes growing up in Israel special, with everything going on, all the complexities. I grew up in a pretty small village, just 30 minutes outside of Haifa, which is a fairly big port city."
Auerbach has always loved running. She would run around her village as a child, racing other children just for fun because she didn't know that she could race competitively.
"Honestly, looking back I don't know how I wasn't put into track earlier because all I wanted to do was run and for my parents to time me," Auerbach said. "That should've been a pretty clear indicator, but we didn't actually know that track existed in Israel. In general, sports are very underdeveloped in Israel, and we don't have school sports and collegiate sports."
It wasn't until the fifth grade when she discovered what track & field was and instantly fell in love.
"When I was in fifth grade, my parents – because of my dad's job – moved and lived one year in California," Auerbach said. "As an after-school activity, my parents put me in track because track existed in the U.S. That's actually how I started, and I loved it so much, that when we got back home [to Israel] we asked all around, and eventually through some very random hearsay of a doctor who has a friend, who's heard of a running group in Haifa, I found someone who directed me to my coach [in Israel]. He started coaching me between age 12 and when I left, so from age 12 to age 20."
After returning home to Israel, she was an Israeli cross country and 800m champion. She even holds the U-18 records in Israel in the 1000m and 2000m.
Originally, Auerbach didn't think she would be coming to the United States to run collegiately. However, after deciding she was content with leaving home, she began the recruiting process and found her home in Stillwater.
"But then I decided to give it a shot, to send out emails and I sent out emails to all the top programs," Auerbach said. "It was just after Sinclaire [Johnson] had won the 1500m, so of course OSU was on my radar. Dave [Smith] immediately responded, and he was so different than any other coaches I had talked to. In terms of how passionate he was about the job; he absolutely loves it, and I don't think he can see himself doing anything else. How much he loves the sport, cares about the sport and cares about his athletes, this is where our program really stands out."
After deciding she was going to attend Oklahoma State, Auerbach still had to wait until she could move to Stillwater. Why? In Israel, there is mandatory army service right after high school, so she had to complete that before moving to Oklahoma.
"In the army, I was a combat fitness instructor in what would be the equivalent of the Navy Seals," Auerbach said. "I was lucky to be able to be put in a position that allowed me to keep training. In terms of how it affected me and my sport, it was similar to how you do school and sports. It was like a day job, where I could go back home and I could sleep at home, get my training in, and get leave for races and all that."
Despite only being in Stillwater for two years, Auerbach has already solidified herself as an integral part of the Cowgirl cross country and track team. During the 2021 indoor season, she claimed the 1000m conference title with a blistering time of 2:46.77 and was honored as a First-Team Indoor All-American at the national championships. She earned her second All-American honors with an 18th place finish in NCAA Outdoor National Championship 800 meters.
"In our program, people are valued as human beings and they are more than just times on paper," Auerbach said. "Our coaching staff knows and believes that the most important thing is your overall mental health and wellbeing. If you're not happy, you won't be running well."
After posting two All-American performances in her freshman season and posting a top-20 finish in the 6K this season at the Big 12 Conference Championships, Auerbach has her eyes set sky high for the duration of her career.
"By the end of my four years, I want to win national championships," Auerbach said. "I want to win nationals whether it's in the 800 or the 1500, whatever Dave puts me in I'll do that. My ultimate goal is to go and represent Israel at the Olympics. I'm pretty sure that I'd be the first middle distance runner [from Israel] to be in an Olympic final."
Auerbach and the rest of the Cowgirls will enjoy their holiday break, and will be back in action in Fayetteville, Arkansas for the Arkansas Invitational on January 14.