The three-time returning Gatorade State Runner of the Year, the 5-foot-4 senior won her fourth-straight Class 6A state meet title this past season with a course-record time of 17:55.6, breaking the tape 40.8 seconds ahead of her next-closest competitor and leading the Sandites to an eighth-place finish as a team. Walden finished 34th at the Nike Cross Nationals Final and became the first Oklahoman to twice qualify for NXN Final. She also took 11th at the Foot Locker South Regional championships.
Walden has maintained a weighted 3.76 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a National Letter of Intent to run cross country on scholarship at Oklahoma State University this fall.
Diagnosed with central auditory processing disorder and dyslexia, Walden speaks to youth groups about her learning challenges and working to overcome them. She has also volunteered locally at the Sand Springs Children's Home and as a youth running coach. "Cheyenne had a great year," said David Ayres, Bartlesville High head coach. "She is an amazing competitor and pushes herself every race. She trains hard, eats right and knows what it takes to succeed. She is one of the best Oklahoma runners ever and it's an honor to watch her run and to be on the same field as her."
