Inside Look: Brie Oakley's Rise To No. 1

In one year of competitive distance running, Colorado's Brie Oakley rose from 26th at nationals all the way to the top of the ranks to win the NXN title in 2016. This is her story.

[@janegoldy6385]

So happy to be coached by those who coached her. I am unfortunately a year too late to the team to have seen her, but her accomplishments were mentioned often this year

[@adamtki]

Somehow I became a fan. Great to see stories like this and seeing a great runner early in their career!

[@olyviakiley5646]

2:59 Claudia lane in the background. She's won two foot locker titles. Holy crap

[@commentsboardreferee7434]

Don't forget Grace Ping. And, of course, Katelyn Tuohy.

[@MrSupernova111]

And now both Claudia and Grace fell off the map. Claudia's awful form finally took its toll and led to a series on injuries. Only Tuohy remains an elite runner and hopefully she makes it to the Olympics.

[@84crich]

Work hard, dedicate your life to your goal. If you are coming up short then change and adapt what you do. People who achieve great things never make excuses they just work harder and find ways to improve.

[@Batman96925624]

So inspiring

[@yashs1999]

Frustrating how some kids are just born with the talent, whereas others no matter how hard they train, can't get the same times as those who are genetically gifted. Not saying she didn't work hard, but still...

[@Vi5ionaryGaming]

Tbh there is no substitute for natural talent .... you either have it or you don't

[@Vi5ionaryGaming]

i completely agree, what i mean is to be an elite athlete you must be willing to work and have exceptional natural talent. Sure everyone can reach their full potential, but some peoples potential is greater that other.

[@dustinwagner6505]

I disagree, everyone's genetic potential is different. Any given girl could follow the exact same training plan Brie did and end up running several minutes slower. Brie has more potential as a runner, sometimes it seems unfair but it's the nature of the sport. It's the one's with talent and work ethic that rise to the top

[@conordoherty6302]

Yash Srivastav well those who are born with the talent can work harder: hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard

[@Vi5ionaryGaming]

thats so not true

[@allisonrios5913]

This video is so powerful

[@ivansanders8459]

Yes Yash, you can't add to what God has put in only polish it. But NEVER get frustrated by this. I had a dream to be an Olympian at age 11 but injury then dashed my career as a runner. I then moved into another sport still wanting to be an international. Only finally achieving my goal 46 years later at my third sport. (Age 57!) Never give up on your dream, but simply (where necessary) try alternative ways to achieve such. Each person's body has so many hundreds of potential programmes which it may contain, and looking at the key area of movement you may be optimally programmed as say a dancer, a darts player, a golfer, or a tenpin bowler. Sometimes at more than one thing. Many give up on their dreams before adequately EXPERIMENTING. I love Brie's willingness to study and learn, dedication, application, and not least to switch and re-focus. And, without shooting for the sky, such will never be in reach. Best wishes for the future Brie. I love watching you, Grace Ping, and others on KZbin. To see such drive in boys and girls at an early age I really admire.

[@pokethekat1]

She's amazing! Awesome that she represents Colorado! I have a noob question though, why didn't she race in the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championship? Didn't she earlier race and beat Claudia Lane? Can someone please explain why they didn't race against each other?

[@purplexoxo17]

pokethekat1 There are 2 big national cross country meets. Foot locker and Nike nationals, Claudia chose to run in Foot Locker and Im assuming Brie ran at Nike because she had ran there her junior year.

[@heyyou1198]

if her birthdate is right online then she was a 19-20 year old high school senior... that’s a huge advantage

[@ChrisM-dx8up]

no, she is 19-20 now and shes a sophomore in college

[@harryspringfield6970]

She was 20 when she was a senior.

[@hansderaeymaeker9137]

Very impressive, obviously a natural talent..... but I would be somewhat concerned with the younger Grace Ping yet to reach her potential either, yet with world records already under her belt. Great to see the future is bright for athletics though.

[@myrtaherrera7914]

Hans De Raeymaeker Or The Kid From McKinney, TX., London Culbreath. Claudia Lane is only a Jr., Culbreath a Soph. and Ping a Freshman. With this said, I take nothing away from Brie Oakley. The NXN Champion and National High School Cross County Runner of the Year.

[@commentsboardreferee7434]

Have you heard yet of Katelyn Tuohy?

[@harryspringfield6970]

Myrta Herrera she was 20 years old😂😂

[@simonloo1588]

Awesome young lady

[@keithc1234]

Football*

[@label6814]

Claudia Lane.

[@erykahmcmanes1325]

brie Oakley ran better times than Claudia

[@erykahmcmanes1325]

maybe next year though

[@evelinsantiago1828]

she was 20 when she was a señior

[@commentsboardreferee7434]

Katelyn Tuohy. Grace Ping.

[@destinedtobedifferent9921]

Omfg. Her first race was 18:36 and my P.R. is 18:35... and I'm a guy! Damn... Oh never mind; these aren't 5ks are they? 15:00 is CRAZY.

[@laurenmajor3485]

BLUEDRAGONFLY they are 5ks

[@destinedtobedifferent9921]

Lauren Major !!!!!!!

[@playinglikeameng7163]

Never understood why someone would name their daughter after a brick of cheese...

[@commonsense7431]

How is she number one????? Has she raced KateTouhey? Thanks I rest my case.

[@shreyashah4799]

Didn’t her parents hold her back

[@RonWinter335]

UC Berkley!? Booo....go to CU Boulder!! Keep that talent in state!! Anyhooo - Congrats!