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Korlee Cunningham-Martin, second from right, gets support from her family and coach. From left to right: Kamden Martin, Chase Martin, Korlee and Savannah Martin. Back: Rylan Hincher, Tabor College Head Cross Country Coach. Courtesy photo
On March 25, Madill High School Senior Korlee Cunningham-Martin signed her letter of intent to attend Tabor University in Hillsboro, Kans. for Cross Country and Track and Field. Cunningham-Martin, who is already taking college courses at Murray State College, said she is used to performing well on and off the track.
Cunningham-Martin is an A+ Athlete and in the top 10 percent of her graduating class. She said that her grades are just as important to her as her athletic career.
She expressed her excitement about the opportunity and looking forward to what the future will hold. She also expressed her reluctance for being so far from her family.
“It’s exciting but also nervous excitement, I would say,” she said “I guess the distance part is getting to me, but I think it will be ok. If it wasn’t a good choice I wouldn’t have made it.”
When Cunningham-Martin is not on the track, she said she will be pursuing her academic interest in Fine Arts and Biological Sciences.
“Fine Arts is a first choice but I have been thinking about the Sciences lately,” Cunningham-Martin said. “Trying to find a balance between the two. Not sure yet, but I will figure it out. I would probably like biology.”
Cunningham-Martin spoke about her artistic interest, as well. “Painting, drawing, I am improving. And graphic design too.”
Savannah Martin, Korlee’s mom, boasted about her daughter’s artistic talents and how proud she was of her daughter.
“I’m very excited,” Savannah said. “It’s emotional. I haven’t been able to sleep much because I am still trying to process everything. I am very happy for her. I wouldn’t be ok with it if I didn’t 100% know it was going to be ok.”
Savannah’s emotional advice for her daughter was to stay strong in her beliefs and know her mom is still near.
“I feel like she is prepared, spirtaly, mentally,” Savannah said. “She knows I am going to be a phone call away and I’ll drive and I’ll make it to where she is at when she needs me.”
“I am happy for her to be able to spread her wings and branchouttodevelopwhoshe is, who God wants her to be,” Savannah continued. “I am very proud of her.”
Cunningham-Martin’s dad, Chase, talked about how proud he is of her accomplishments.
“I am very proud of her,” Chase said. “She was the first person to make me a dad. To see her grow up all these years, see her go through a lot of trials, and errors and to see who she is now. I just see so much in her future. I am so proud of her and I just think she is going to do amazing.”
Chase added that he’s happy for his daughter to spread her wings.
“I am happy for her to go and meet some new peopleandmakesomecollege friends,” he said.
“Dad does worry about her a little bit too but I think she is really smart. She is hard on herself, she doesn’t realize how smart and talented she is at times.”
Cunningham-Martin’s younger brother, Kamden, was just as equally proud of his sister’s accomplishments and was excited to visit his older sister.
“I am very proud of her and I am going to miss her a lot,” Kamden noted.