Chapman Cross Country’s Taylor Briggs poised to win fourth state title

CHAPMAN, Kan. (Catch it Kansas) - The cross country season is in full swing and Taylor Briggs, one of the best girls high school runners in state history, is poised to cap off her career winning her fourth straight 4A state title for Chapman High School.

Briggs fell in love with cross country in middle school.

“I went out for cross country my seventh grade year and loved it,” said Briggs. “My dad and I trained together.”

Now in her senior season at Chapman, her approach hasn’t changed. Throughout her career, she’s never been focused on finishing first but on beating her own times.

“It’s still the same as when I’m a freshman, I’m just really looking to bring my time down and just keep bettering myself,” she said.

It’s her reason for running that pushes her to her limits every day.

“The ultimate reason that I’m running is for God, because he’s the one that gave me the body to run and to work hard. I just want to glorify him.”

Her coach, Gareth Hoffman said her dedication and commitment to the sport has always been impressive.

“She was born with something special, but she’s hyper focused and her work ethic is off the charts for somebody this age,” Hoffman said.

She said her faith is what pushes her through her toughest days.

“Not every day is a great day and it gets a little hard sometimes but during the hard days I like to think that Jesus died on the cross for me and endured all that pain, not only for my sins but for everyone and if he can endure all that pain I can endure a little pain on this run for him.”

Briggs wants to run cross country in college but hasn’t committed to a school yet.

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