Brooks, Ramos named Athletes of the Week
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(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Meagan Brooks of the Lady Blues is the starting catcher for the softball team and provides quality offense and defense every game. In the last week, she had numerous hits, recorded multiple RBIs and even hit a home run during a tournament game over the weekend. -
(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Saul Ramos is only a sophomore but he improves with every game in his first year on the varsity soccer squad. During the Steers’ game against Old High this past week, Ramos scored the equalizer goal for Graham to help force a penalty kick shootout.
Graham High School sports continue to push on as this week multiple teams were in action in tournaments and individual games alike.
The soccer teams are nearing the end of their district schedules while baseball and softball are just getting into the thick of their non-district games. This past week, Meagan Brooks of the Lady Blues softball team and Saul Ramos from the Steers soccer team earned selections as Athletes of the Week for their performances in their respective teams’ games.
Meagan Brooks, catcher, Lady Blues softball
Brooks has developed into a true all-around player for the Lady Blues softball team throughout her career in the program.
As a senior who has signed with Trinity University to keep playing softball following high school, Brooks acts as a leader for this team. The Lady Blues have gotten out to an 8-1 start to the season and she’s been a major reason why.
In the past week, the Lady Blues played five games, four of which came in a tournament in Abilene. During those games, Brooks batted .412 going 7-for-17 with three RBIs, one of which came on her first home run of the season, and she scored six runs.
But in addition to her work in the batter’s box, Brooks serves as the primary catcher for this Graham squad. She possesses an excellent ability to keep balls in front of her and helps Graham’s pitchers throw their best games.
The Lady Blues are hoping for and expecting a long, successful season and Brooks will continue to be a major part of that. Her dynamic abilities all around the field will help propel Graham to a successful season as she wraps up her high school years.
“Meagan has been a great player for us for four years,” head coach Adam Arrington said. “She has improved each year she has been with us. She has been solid for us behind the plate and with a bat in her hand. She is a leader for us on the field and is a great example of being a great student athlete in the classroom.”
Saul Ramos, midfielder, Steers soccer
Biding your time and making the most of your opportunities is an important part of the high school sports experience. For Ramos, he’s done that this season and did so again in a big way during the team’s game against Old High this past week.
The sophomore has seen his time on the playing field waver throughout the season, but head coach Tim Wankowicz let Ramos know before the game against the Coyotes that he was going to need him to contribute — and Ramos came through.
In the second half, the Steers found themselves trailing 2-1 against a tough Old High team who had beaten them in Graham a few weeks before. Ramos got in the game and, with a little less than 25 minutes remaining, made his mark.
Ramos found his position in the middle of the field and received his opportunity when the ball bounced off a Coyote towards him. He quickly gained control and fired a shot from 25 yards out that curved perfectly over the head of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net for the equalizer goal in the match.
The score energized the Steers and they excelled the rest of the match, despite the outcome not going their way in the penalty kick shootout. But Ramos’s lone goal made a huge difference in the momentum of the game for Graham.
“I told him due to injuries you’re going to get a lot of playing time in this game so just expect it,” Wankowicz said. “Lo and behold he set it up and just hit a banger that was beautiful into the back of the net.”
