Meet October Athlete of the Month - Khi Tall Bull

Khi Tall Bull has become the standard-bearer for what it means to be a Ranger. A two-sport athlete in cross country and basketball, she balances competition with campus leadership as the Olympic College Student Government Director of Public Relations and Communications—all while maintaining a 3.7 GPA. Her drive, consistency, and selfless work ethic have made her a model of effort and determination for athletes across the department, earning her recognition as the October Olympic College Athlete of the Month. We stole a few minutes of her valuable time to find out what it means to be a Ranger athlete, what motivates her, and how she celebrates Tuesdays!

1. What does being named Athlete of the Month mean to you personally and as a member of the Olympic College athletics community? As a member of the Olympic College athletics community, being named Athlete of the Month is incredibly motivating because it reminds me that the hard work I put in is seen and valued.

2. Looking back on the past few weeks, what moment or performance stands out most in your mind?  I'd have to say the final weeks of cross country while transitioning into the start of basketball. I really had to stay locked in on finishing cross country strong with my team at championships before I could shift my full focus to basketball.

3. How have your coaches and teammates helped you grow or succeed this season? My teammates help me grow every day by pushing me to work harder and holding me accountable. My coaches continue to raise the standard for me, not just in terms of performance but in how I carry myself as an athlete and teammate.

4. What motivates you to keep improving—both in your sport and in the classroom? What motivates me to keep improving, both in my sport and in the classroom, is the opportunity to continue doing what I love and to make the most of the path I've been given.

5. What are you currently studying at Olympic College, and how does your major connect to your goals for the future?  I'm currently majoring in Psychology at Olympic College, working toward my associate's degree. My long-term goal is to become a psychologist, so this major is the first step toward the career I hope to build.

6. What's one area of your game you've focused on developing this year, and how has that paid off?  This year I really focused on improving my ball-handling and growing into more of an offensive threat. I spent the summer in the gym with Coach Avery, putting in a lot of reps and working through drills to tighten up my handles. All that work has definitely paid off and I feel much more confident on the offensive end. 

7. Outside of competition, what do you enjoy most about being a student-athlete at Olympic College? Outside of competition, what I enjoy most about being a student-athlete at Olympic College is the time I spend with my teammates and close friends. I love our Chipotle runs, our Taco Tuesday nights, and the fun, supportive culture we've built together.

8. What are your goals for the rest of the season, and how do you hope to build on this momentum? For the rest of the season, my goals are to stay locked in, keep contributing to my team in any way I can, and help us compete at the highest level.