Wylie head girls powerlifting coach Katie Hathaway poses for a picture with assistant coach Reid Craft after the Pirates won the Class 6A state title in the equipped division at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association state meet. Submitted photo
By David Wolman
Katie Hathaway had severe back pain for a few days.
Yet, she was determined to coach the Wylie High School powerlifting team at one of their home meets during the 2019-20 school year — which she did. But once the meet was over, the pain became too much. She got in her car and drove to an urgent care facility.
Doctors performed a CT scan and informed her she had a tumor. She was immediately transferred to a hospital.
After further testing, it was discovered that Hathaway had leiomyosarcoma — a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in smooth muscle tissue. She underwent surgery to remove the mass, and doctors also removed her right kidney.
Hathaway was told there was a 70% chance the cancer could return within five years.
Three years later, she was again in severe pain. Doctors told her the leiomyosarcoma had returned — and this time, it was worse. The tumor was in the same location and had blocked 80% of her renal vein in her only remaining kidney. Her Dallas surgeon said there was nothing they could do.
Hathaway was told to set up palliative care.
“I was kind of shocked and devastated because I thought that I would be able to battle through it,” she said. “I just prayed and hoped for the best.”
Refusing to give up, Hathaway reached out to MD Anderson Cancer Center. Doctors there told her there was only a small chance for a successful surgery — but a small chance was better than none.
Beginning in August 2023, Hathaway started treatment: six rounds of chemotherapy and 28 radiation treatments.
After completing the treatments, a CT scan showed enough improvement to attempt surgery.
“MD Anderson was amazing because they gave me hope,” she said. “They do more than other doctors at other facilities would. Every surgeon, every oncologist was amazing. Every nurse was amazing. I spent most of the year in Houston. They’re the best in the field.”
Hathaway underwent surgery in February 2024 and spent more than 60 days at MD Anderson before being discharged.
Not long afterward, she was back coaching Wylie at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association Class 6A state meet in Frisco.
Hathaway said she didn’t feel like her usual self. She sat down more than usual and felt tired and weak — a stark contrast to her once-active lifestyle. She had played basketball, softball, volleyball and run track in high school and had done CrossFit for six years. But she was determined to be with her team.
Despite the pain, the meet provided a joyful moment for Hathaway: Wylie won its first-ever state title in the unequipped division.
“I depended on my managers and athletes to help me a lot more than usual,” she said. “They stepped up and did things that I usually do physically.”
Hathaway was cleared to return to work full time at Wylie High School earlier this year.
Shortly after, however, she experienced more pain. Her surgeon found a spinal infection that had spread into her small intestine. She underwent months of IV antibiotic therapy for the infection and when it still didn’t clear up they went in and found out that her IVC filter that was placed during her resection surgery had grown into her small intestine and had to be removed. She underwent a major medical procedure to remove the filter and infection.
Despite the challenges and emotional toll of the last five years, Hathaway said she has been surrounded by unwavering support from friends, family, coworkers and even strangers.
The Fellowship of Christian Students at Wylie High held a fundraiser, selling prayer bracelets engraved with “#KBK (Kick Butt Katie).” Her best friend, Joe, started a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses. Supporters left messages of encouragement on Facebook.
“I’ve been surrounded and supported by so many great people,” she said. “Every piece of this has been God guiding me through. It’s been one miracle after another. I definitely went into that surgery a couple of years ago at peace knowing that I might not wake up from it.”
Though Hathaway was away from the powerlifting team most of the season, she praised assistant coaches Reid Craft and Jana Harlow for keeping the program running strong.
“They ran the program seamlessly,” Hathaway said. “(Craft) did an amazing job of keeping everybody on track.”
Hathaway returned just in time for the state powerlifting meet, held March 12-13 in Edinburg — now cancer-free. Her return marked one of the greatest moments in team history.
The Lady Pirates, who had placed in the top four at state several times, finally claimed their first-ever state title in the equipped division. Thirteen Lady Pirates earned medals. Thalia Gonzalez (114 pounds) and Maya Boykins (242) won state titles in their divisions, and Nina Nguyen took first in the 114-pound weight class in the unequipped meet.
“It brought me so much joy,” Hathaway said. “My team was a big reason why I kept fighting. They always say I’m the strongest person that I know, and I can’t let them down. Never give up. Be positive. Commit every day. To finally win it was pretty cool.”
This summer, Hathaway picked up a barbell for the first time in five years.
“I felt like myself again,” she said.
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