Norman's Kelbie Washington – Driven Athlete of the Month Presented by Landers Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Norman

Athletic ability is not something that you wake up with one morning. It takes a lot of time and effort and sacrifice. Norman High School sophomore, Kelbie Washington says that you have to work for yourself and no one else.

“It has taken dedication and time to get where I am,” she said. “You have to give 100 percent even on the days you don’t want to. You must put in extra time on your own and work hard when no one is looking.”

Washington is a multi-sport athlete for the Lady Tigers, playing basketball, soccer, and track. On the basketball court, she plays point guard, she lines up at forward in soccer, and on the track, she runs 100m, 200m, 400m, and relays. She placed at state in track in 2018 and she also won the Hershey Nationals in Hershey, Pennsylvania in 2012, running the 100m. She also holds a 4.0 Grade Point Average in the classroom.

Last season was a learning experience for Washington, both on and off the court.

“I learned a lot about myself last season,” she said. “I learned to lead, grew as an athlete and as a student, it was awesome! It helped a lot for this year. We are early in our season but we’ve got great talent on our team.”

Washington says that her biggest influences are also her biggest critics.

“My family is some of my biggest critics, because they are honest with me,” she said. “But they are also my biggest fans. They are always there for me no matter what I want to pursue. I know my family will be there for me every step of the way. I would also add my basketball coach, Coach Neal. He pushes me to be a great basketball player and inspires me to be the best person I can be on and off the court.”

There have been some great moments on and off the court for Kelbie, but she can narrow it down to a couple that she would call her favorite moments.

“I was named the Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman. Our team also beat Norman North at their place. That had not happened in a long time.”

At some point in their career, every athlete deals with a rough patch. A time when things are not going like they had planned or they hit a slump. Washington says that this happens to her but she knows how to overcome it.

“I have time where I am too hard on myself and that makes my confidence go down. I just have to believe in myself and trust my abilities.”

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