story by Lindsay King
World traveler Sage Crosby from Arcadia, Oklahoma, does not stay in one place long, leading her to pursue a medical career in the Navy. “I have always pictured myself doing something out of the ordinary. I cannot see myself sitting in an office. Some day I would like to be an emergency medical doctor in the military, specializing in trauma,” said the 17 year old. The Luther High School junior plans to attend the University of Central Oklahoma and then apply for medical school and at the same time the military. “I am leaning towards the Navy, because they have more traveling opportunities. You never know where you are going to be stationed. And they are linked to the Marines. I am drawn to the action of life essentially.”
Though her parents are divorced, Sam and Susan support Sage and their other daughter Shayne, 15, in everything they pursue. “My dad is a vet and owns Crosby Veterinary Services. His secretary Charlotte Velarde was really influential in my barrel racing career. She stepped in and started hauling me to rodeos when I was in little britches.” She also loves to haul with her 75-year-old grandma, Marky Crosby, who still runs barrels and her aunt, Reggie Herring. Sage truly competes for the fun of the sport. “I rodeo as more of a hobby than anything else. I don’t expect to get anything out of it aside from the memories and experience of it all.” The unpredictability of barrel racing captures Sage’s interest the most. “There is a lot I like about barrel racing, but I like that you cannot tell what is going to happen the most. If you don’t have the right mindset, it is not going to go well. You really have to be focused to do well in it.”
Living a mere three miles from the Lazy E Arena, makes it easy for Sage to compete there. “They have such a nice facility, there is always room to do more if you need to just go and tune up. They have the extra arena outside and their main arena is indoors, so it is never muddy.” The hardest part about rodeo and her event is being prepared for the unpredictable. “The competitors in the OHSRA really keep me on my toes, but they are always a nice group of people. I know a lot of them because my dad is their vet. But I enjoy the company of everyone in the association the most.” Though Sage is planning to hang up her spurs after this year, her love for the sport will remain unchanged. “Rodeo is something that everyone can do, no matter what. I love that there is no age restriction, it is there for everyone to enjoy and experience. It is a hobby that I believe everyone should have, it is a great community and sport.” Sage plans to spend her senior year making decisions about college and her next steps in life.
“In June I am going to New York for a medical camp. I have been to 35 states, but my favorite so far was Seattle, Washington. The whole state is beautiful, I love everything about it. We went hiking, fishing and night snorkeling for sand dollars. It was a great trip.” Sage has already been to seven different countries, including: Ireland, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Wales, England and Mexico. Sage also takes MMA and kickboxing classes, but traveling is easily her favorite hobby. “I love traveling. My favorite trip was to Ireland. I loved the culture, landscape, the people and the food was amazing also. The history of Ireland was probably the best part though. You don’t really get a grasp of history until you are there and experiencing it, walking into all the old castles and churches we read about in class. There is truly nothing quite like it.”
