From the Sidelines: Bishop Gorman’s Anne Clare Culpepper

Published 10:30 pm Monday, April 6, 2020

With spring sports currently suspended, the Tyler Morning Telegraph wants to profile East Texas seniors in those sports in a feature called “From the Sidelines”. If you’re an East Texas senior who competes in a spring sport and would like to be featured, fill out the following questionnaire and send it to sports@tylerpaper.com, along with a photo. Today’s featured female athlete is Bishop Gorman’s Anne Clare Culpepper.

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Name: Anne Clare Culpepper

School: Bishop T.K. Gorman Catholic School

Parents names: Mark and Karen Culpepper

Brothers/sisters: Anthony, Andrew and Aidan Culpepper

Sports you play: Cross country and track

Favorite high school sports memory: My cross country team placing fourth in state my senior year

Plans after high school: Attend college

If college, what schools are you considering, and what do you plan to major in? I am considering Creighton University, Baylor University and the University of Dallas. I plan to major in Biology.

Favorite song: Someday by Surfaces

Favorite food: Bagels

Favorite TV show: Prison Break

Favorite movie: Unbroken

Who are your role models? My parents and my coaches

Which coaches have had the most influence on you? Why? All three of my coaches: Coach Davis, Coach Di Paolo and Coach Alexander. Coach Davis, my head cross country and track coach, is the reason my love of running started. She has been my coach since she convinced me to join track in the seventh grade. It is very difficult to put into words how much of an impact she has had on me and my ability to grow as a runner. I feel so incredibly blessed to have had her as a coach and I am honored to have been a part of her team. Coach Alexander was my assistant cross country coach since my sophomore year. He pushed our team to reach our fullest potential and I couldn’t be more grateful for his time and dedication. Coach Di Paolo has been my distance track coach for the past four years. His kindness and patience is something that I wholeheartedly admire. He has taught me so much about the sport and I am so thankful to have a coach like him.

Who is your favorite teacher? My AP Literature teacher, Dr. Stewart

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself in my medical residency and very happy.

Something about yourself that most people don’t know: I’m vegan!

What will you miss most about high school sports? The thing I will miss the most is the bond I have with my teammates every year. Being able to work hard and achieve our goals together is a feeling like no other. Over the course of the past six years, running has become the thing I can always come back to; a rock that took away my stress and allowed me to become the best version of myself. Cross country and track were not even thoughts in my mind when I was considering the sports I would do in school, but my journey in these sports has taught me that God works in mysterious ways and he always has a plan. These sports have changed my life and couldn’t be more grateful for the people who have helped me along the way.