Kelsey Ramirez, a graduate student-athlete at Oklahoma State following her transfer from Stephen F. Austin, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss her sixth-place finish Oct. 29 at the Big 12 Conference Championships in Stillwater and both women's and men's teams sweeping the titles for the first time since 2015, which also took place on their home course. Ramirez examines Oklahoma State placing four athletes in the top seven to edge defending champion Iowa State by a 35-36 margin, and the celebration that occurred after the men's team produced a 24-31 victory against the Cyclones. She shares how significant the opportunity was to race for the first time at a Big 12 championship meet and how meaningful the support was from the local community in Stillwater, along with Ryan Schoppe, a former teammate at La Porte High in Texas, also becoming a conference champion for the Cowboys. Ramirez also reflects on how well prepared she was to make the transition from Stephen F. Austin to Oklahoma State following multiple Southland Conference track titles, and she expresses gratitude to former coaches Cody Clark and Brionne Clark for their guidance and training. She also shares her appreciation to Oklahoma State coaches Dave Smith and Anna Boyert-Thorp for welcoming her into a new program and enjoying the collaboration with them. Ramirez explains how valuable training has been with Division 1 cross country runner-up Taylor Roe, along with Molly Born, Gabby Hentemann, Sivan Auerbach, Rilee Rigdon, Heidi Demeo, Stephanie Moss and fellow transfer Clarissa Morales, who arrived in Stillwater from Division 2 Stanislaus State in California. She analyzes how encouraging it was for Oklahoma State to place fifth Oct. 15 at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational, despite competing without a full lineup, and the confidence the team gained entering the postseason in the pursuit of a podium finish Nov. 20 at the Division 1 championship meet at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla. Ramirez looks ahead to the Midwest Regional showdown Nov. 12 against Minnesota and a rematch with Iowa State at the Ashton Cross Country Course in Iowa State, and Oklahoma State trying to secure one of two automatic berths to the NCAA final, which would be her first championship appearance. She also shares her optimism for competing on the track with a strong group of middle-distance teammates during the indoor and outdoor seasons next year. Ramirez also talks about her graduate program in public health with a focus on rural and underserved neighborhoods and communities.