After first trying cross country in middle school, senior Sarabella Stakley decided to continue running when she arrived at Orange Lutheran. Having played soccer for years, she found the sport to be a natural fit.
"I run because I like to see how far I can push my body," says Stakley. "I like seeing how fast I can go, and I like seeing how all the hard work I put in at practice transfers to my races."
Now in her fourth year on varsity, Stakley leads the Lancers as a senior captain and encourages her teammates to challenge themselves to keep improving.
"Sarabella has been the heart of our program for the past four years," says OLu cross country head coach Kristen Goossens. "Her leadership, work ethic and character have always been at the core of her success as an individual. Her calm demeanor and willingness to push herself has quietly led this team."
As the Lancers prepare for their final meet of the season at Trinity League Finals on October 31, Stakley wants her teammates to approach the race with confidence while enjoying the experience together.
"I want my team to come in with a positive mindset that they're going to run the best they can for their last race of the season, not to give themselves any expectations but then also to not limit themselves in what they can do," says Stakley.
Stakley is also a varsity track runner for the Lancers, where she competes in the 200-meter, 400-meter, 800-meter, and 1,600-meter events, as well as the 4x400-meter relay. After a strong spring season in which OLu's girls 4x400-meter relay team advanced to the CIF Masters Meet, the 17-year old has set new goals for this spring to reach the CIF State Meet with her relay team and qualify for the CIF Masters Meet in the 800-meter event. She is grateful for the opportunity to represent the Lancers on the course and the track.
"I'm really grateful for this school because I like having the Christian atmosphere," says Stakley. "I like being able to wear the cross on my back when I represent OLu, and I like getting to show how fast we can be…That's really important to me."
Stakley has dealt with a number of injuries and setbacks during her time as a runner at OLu, but it was when she was sidelined that she leaned on her faith and used the opportunity to grow as a leader, focusing on how she could encourage and support her teammates.
"I learned so much from all of it," says Stakley of the challenges she's faced. "I learned how to take care of myself better and also to understand that everything's not going to be perfect and that it's okay. You can still push forward and learn how to persevere."
When she's not training, Stakley gives of her time as a volunteer at Discovery Cube OC through OLu's STEM Academy program. She also assists with the elementary school running club at St. Paul's Lutheran School, where she and her Lancer teammates are helping to inspire the next generation of runners.
Stakley's future goals include running at the collegiate level while studying materials science or chemical engineering. She draws inspiration from her cross country coaches, whose guidance has shaped her both as an athlete and a leader, and from her mom, who has shown her the power of persistence and determination. Her faith remains at the center of all she does, and she trusts that God has the best plans ahead for her.
"My faith is first and foremost, so I run for God," says Stakley. "For me, God is everything. He's the reason I get up in the mornings…I know I'm a representation of him, and I want to strive my best to do whatever I can. Even though I have hard moments, I still believe that God is stronger than my moments. He's something I can lean on in those hard moments, and I know everything is going to be okay."
