Knightly News

“I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to run at the next level and I am so grateful to my coaches and my parents for encouraging me to take this opportunity.” Anna Kate Yale ’25

Cross country standout Anna Kate Yale will continue competing at Harding University next fall. Anna Kate says that it felt like home when she toured the school. “I knew that even though I will be far from my home in Baton Rouge, I will have a strong community at Harding,” she says. In addition to competing with the school’s cross country team, Anna Kate plans to study nursing.

Anna Kate began her cross country journey in fifth grade at St. Luke’s and continued competing at Episcopal. “I love cross country because running always takes my mind off everyday life and I love being with my team,” she says. “Episcopal cross country has always felt like a tight-knit family to me and this program has impacted me in so many ways beyond my running abilities.”

That tight-knit cross country family packed the Episcopal field house recently as Anna Kate made her announcement.  Coach Bill Jones says that Anna Kate played a key role in this year’s success as the cross country team captain. “Anna Kate’s a great leader and a very, very dedicated athlete,” he says. Coach Claney Duplechin agrees. He praised Anna Kate for a tremendous performance at the state championship meet that helped the Knights earn a runner-up finish. Athletic Director Randy Richard also complimented Anna Kate for doing a great job as a mentor to younger students.

When Anna Kate is not running or spending time with teammates, she keeps busy with the Episcopal thesis program, student vestry, student ambassadors and the National Honor Society. She encourages classmates with a similar goal of becoming a college athlete. “Don’t be afraid to compete at the next level because you think that it will be too difficult, it is important to push yourself in everything that you do and your hard work will pay off,” she says.

Anna Kate’s hard work has certainly paid off as she takes the next step in her educational journey. Join us in wishing her well by sharing a message with her in the comments section below.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2025-2026 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.