Running track and cross-country takes grit, determination, endurance and perseverance — all characteristics of the Chickasaw people.
Two Chickasaw runners worked hard in high school to excel at the sport and now are racing to the next goal: college.
Last spring, twins Jessie and Mallory Foster-Anderson signed letters of intent to run track and cross-country at Mid-America Christian University, Oklahoma City.
Their scholarship offers are the result of seven years of hard work, competing in track and cross-country for Velma-Alma, Oklahoma, schools.
The sisters started competing in track in the fifth grade and added cross-country in the sixth grade.
“I wasn’t that good. I ran a mile for the first time and wanted to quit,” Mallory said.
“We both thought we were going to quit,” Jessie added.
“But, we just kept going, and we got good at it, and then we just kept getting better and better and better,” Mallory said.
Mallory capped off her high school career with a top 20 ranking in the 2025 Class 2A girls cross-country 2-mile relay with a time of 13:15:54. Jessie logged a 12:48:53 and scored a seventh place finish in the state competition, which helped boost the Velma-Alma Comets to runners-up in the cross-country state meet.
Capturing the 2025 Class 2A State runner-up title was a repeat performance from the twins’ freshman and sophomore years.
Mallory said she enjoyed and embraced every moment of her high school journey of competition and team sports.
“It’s just one of those moments. You never get high school sports again,” she said.
“I think everybody should do a high school sport because it’s very fulfilling, and it teaches you discipline, time management and work ethic. Sports have always been really important to me,” Mallory said.
Running is hard and takes tremendous fortitude, particularly with cross-country runners who battle mud, rain, heat and other environmental factors while on the sometimes rocky, uneven course.
The twins attribute the ability to persevere through it all to their Chickasaw heritage, which they trace through their mother’s family.
“Without a doubt, 110%,” Jessie said.
“Our grandpa, Floyd Ingram, my mom’s dad, he and all his brothers and sisters ran track, and they were all fast. They were fast Natives. So, we got it from somewhere,” Mallory added.
The Chickasaw Foundation offers an athletic scholarship which honors their great uncle: The James Aaron Ingram Athletic Scholarship. The scholarship is for Chickasaw undergraduate students who are also involved in the school’s baseball, softball, golf, basketball or track program. James Ingram was a decorated three-sport athlete during his college years and also a member of the American Indian Hall of Fame and the Bacone Athletic Hall of Fame.
In addition, many of the Ingram siblings hold records for running at Marietta (Oklahoma) High School, said the twins’ mother Keshia (Ingram) Anderson.
Jessie, a two-time cross-country All-State runner, added she has always been driven to participate in sports and credits their coach, family and other runners for encouragement.
In track, Jessie runs the 2-mile relay and the open 2-mile. During her sophomore year, she ran the 2-mile relay, 2-mile run, mile run and the mile relay.
“We had a few college offers, and to sign with Mid-America is exciting,” Jessie said.
Both Mallory and Jessie are looking forward to their next chapter, starting college, moving to a new city and meeting new people.
“I want these to be the best four years in school until I have to go to work,” Mallory said. She plans to pursue a nursing degree, building upon years of vo-tech training.
“My aunt and grandma were CNAs, and I didn't really know what I wanted to be. I went to vo-tech, and it just ignited my passion. I’ve always wanted to take care of people,” she said.
“It’s hard, it’s challenging but it’s fulfilling, and I like doing hard things.”
Jessie plans to major in ministry and continue vocal performances.
Both young ladies are thankful for the Chickasaw Nation’s support in pursuing their academic and sports goals. Support through scholarships, Chickasaw Honor Club and services like the clothing grant are appreciated by the sisters.
“That really helps a lot, and the (scholarships are) helping to pay for college. You can tell our nation really wants to help and support their student-athletes.”
They also appreciate the media team sharing their accomplishments in the Chickasaw Times and through social media.
“The Chickasaw Nation always wants to mention and support their athletes and student athletes,” Mallory said.
Jessie and Mallory are the daughters of Keshia and Clinton Anderson. They have two younger sisters Emma and Klara Anderson.