The Barometer Online

Issue date: 5/7/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jeff Wick Junior Krista Stangel stretches at an Oregon State practice. Stangel, from Enterprise, Ore., became injured at the end of her freshman season and was forced to redshirt for a season. Stangel continued to support her teammates and get herself back into shape, before returning to the Beavers this season.

In a sport where individuals compete against one another on a regular basis, Krista Stangel embodies the ideal assets of a genuine teammate.

Raised in Enterprise - a small town in Eastern Oregon - Stangel, a junior on the track team, began running late in her middle school career. Never extremely fond of running, she avoided track until eighth grade. It was at this time that her P.E. teacher saw her run the mile and pushed the subject. After running track in eighth grade, Stangel went on to run throughout high school, eventually joining the cross country team as well.

"My first memory about Krista is my dad telling me, 'I hear that a girl from Enterprise is coming out for cross country this year, and she's supposed to be pretty fast,'" junior Hayley Oveson said.

Oveson and Stangel grew up in two small towns in Eastern Oregon and competed against each other constantly throughout high school. Upon entering college, the two became roommates at Oregon State as well as teammates.

"Because we were from such a small area, we were each other's only competition in a lot of cross country and track races," Oveson said. "Despite how close of competitors we were, we were never anything but friendly. You can't help but like Krista."

That's exactly the vibe one would get from Stangel. Sweet and full of smiles, she's more than happy to answer whatever questions are shot her way. A major in human development and family sciences (HDFS), Stangel hopes to go into education someday.

"I want to make a difference for someone or help someone out," Stangel said. "I'd like to work with children and be able to give back."

Stangel grew up with two older brothers. She was raised on a ranch and her family now raises buffalo, running a few hundred buffalo at a time on their land.

Continued...

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