Sidney Ostby announced her decision continue her track and field career at the University of Pikeville during a ceremony at Apollo on Wednesday.
Ostby, a student at Owensboro Innovation Academy whose home school is Apollo, competed for the E-Gals’ track and cross country teams during the last four years. She began running in 5th grade for College View, and the relationships she made then played a big role throughout her time at OIA.
“It’s really been a home away from home,” she said of her Apollo team. “I didn’t really have any friends here, so my teammates have always been my friends. It was a really rough transition in the beginning, but the girls I ran with at College View go here so they kind of took me under their wing.”
Apollo head coach Charlie Shoulta said Ostby was never afraid to try new things, as she also competed in the pole vault for Apollo.
“She was mainly a middle-distance girl,” he said. “She was a key contributor on a few of our relay teams (4×400 and 4×800), but we had a spot to fill in the pole vault. She took it upon herself to learn how to do that event, almost on her own.”
After breaking her shoulder during her junior year, Ostby almost gave up athletics altogether. After she’d already chosen to attend Pikeville, though, the track and field coach reached out and Ostby decided to continue her career.
Being able to make it to the next level is a big step for Ostby.
“Neither my mom or my dad went to college,” she said. “I’ve been a straight-A student all my life, so it’s definitely a big accomplishment to not only be able to go, but also be able to play sports.”
Shoulta said he’s glad Ostby can keep competing and thinks she will do well.
“I’m excited for her to be able to compete at the next level because she truly does love the sport,” he said. “I’m very excited to be able to watch her progress over the next four years at the University of Pikeville.”
