Back to the Oklahoma State Cowboys Newsfeed

English runner finds acceptance at OSU after coming out as gay

Abbie Hetherington anxiously hovered her finger over the navy blue Facebook “send message” button.

It was summer 2015. She had finished her first year at Oklahoma State and was back home in Carlisle, England. A second year was not yet certain. The response to her Facebook message would heavily influence that decision.

After a year at OSU hiding her secret, Hetherington was about to reveal it. She is gay.

From England to Oklahoma

Hetherington was set on running at OSU long before she suited up for the Cowgirls. She started running competitively at 9 years old.