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  • July 23, 2026
  • Sean Doherty

Northwestern Employees ‘Walk Around Oklahoma’ More Than 10 Times Over

Five Northwestern Oklahoma State University employees, members of the Red-Hot Chili Steppers walking team, smile together on the steps outside the Administration Building on the Alva campus. Back row, left to right: Cheryl Ellis and Stacy Sanborn. Front row: Alexa Yost, Tara Hannaford and Jaime Johnson.
Members of the Red-Hot Chili Steppers, the winning team in the J.R. Holder Wellness Center's Walk Around Oklahoma challenge, are (back row, left to right): Cheryl Ellis, human resources director; Stacy Sanborn, administrative assistant to the vice president for academic affairs; (front row, left to right) Alexa Yost, payroll clerk; Tara Hannaford, financial aid director; and Jaime Johnson, payroll accountant.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University employees combined to walk, run and hike 16,769.87 miles this spring — far enough to travel from Alaska into South America. The mileage came from the Walk Around Oklahoma Challenge, a three-month wellness event the university’s J.R. Holder Wellness Center hosted for full-time faculty and staff on the Alva, Enid and Woodward campuses.

Challenge Details

The Walk Around Oklahoma Challenge ran from April 1 through June 30. Eight teams of five employees each tracked their daily physical activity toward a shared goal: covering Oklahoma’s 1,450-mile perimeter.

Yellow retro-style “Walk Around Oklahoma” graphic featuring a vintage roadside sign, a map of Oklahoma marked with pins for each of the eight participating teams, and two illustrated figures walking near the top of the state.
Eight employee teams combined to cover 16,769.87 miles during the “Walk Around Oklahoma” 2026 walking challenge sponsored by the J.R. Holder Wellness Center. (Graphic: J.R. Holder Wellness Center)

Final Team Standings

  • Red-Hot Chili Steppers — 2,607.52 miles (MVP: Jaime Johnson)
  • Roaming Rangers — 2,557.3 miles (MVP: Dana Roark, instructor of business)
  • The Pace Makers — 2,453.32 miles (MVP: Brad Janney, intercampus courier/ITV facilitator)
  • Rangers on the Run — 2,442.6 miles (MVP: Kaylyn Hansen, director of assessment and institutional effectiveness)
  • Shockley Steppers — 1,885.04 miles (MVP: Dr. Tim Maharry, professor of mathematics)
  • Holy Walkamolies — 1,758.01 miles (MVP: Shannon Warnock, instructor of education)
  • Red Dirty Ramblers — 1,653.77 miles (MVP: Kennedy Dietz, Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association marketing and communications manager)
  • Team Books — 1,412.32 miles (MVP: Dr. Shannon Leaper, library services director)

Winning Team: Red-Hot Chili Steppers

The Red-Hot Chili Steppers finished first with 2,607.52 miles. The team included Cheryl Ellis, human resources director; Tara Hannaford, financial aid director; Jaime Johnson, payroll accountant; Stacy Sanborn, administrative assistant to the vice president for academic affairs; and Alexa Yost, payroll clerk. Johnson was named the team’s most valuable participant.

A Wellness Initiative for Northwestern Employees

The J.R. Holder Wellness Center offers this challenge as one of several wellness initiatives for full-time faculty and staff throughout the year. Blue Cross Blue Shield funds the program.

Putting the Mileage in Perspective

Combined, Northwestern employees logged 16,769.87 miles during the challenge. If that distance were plotted on the Pan-American Highway starting at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, the group would have traveled deep into southern Argentina. The full highway spans an estimated 18,600 to 19,000 miles.

Visit and Membership Information

  • The J.R. Holder Wellness Center is open to the public.
  • Location: Northwestern-Alva campus
  • Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday (closing at 8 p.m. Fridays in June and July), 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, 4 to 8 p.m. Sundays
  • Membership Information

Follow the wellness center on Facebook for daily updates.

Contact Information

  • Wellness Center: Dr. Olivia Lohmann, director, 580-327-8109, oayandel@nwosu.edu
  • Media contact: Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist, 580-327-8480, sjdoherty@nwosu.edu

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