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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) One of the pillars of the Lady Blues softball team is Jansyn Louder and Tuesday, March 18, she made a play that secured the win for the team. Louder sent the ball flying at the left field with the bases loaded and got the team three points and their first lead of the game. -
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Jordan Alexander of the Steers varsity team performs a high jump in the PK Relays held Saturday, March 15 in Graham. Alexander is a two-year member of the varsity team and has stuck with three field events which he has excelled in so far through this season.
The district schedule for softball kicked off this week while athletes from around the state met in Graham for the annual PK Relays last weekend.
Steers and Lady Blues’ athletes have been busy as the school year winds down and seasons hit the midway point. Both varsity teams had standouts this week in both track and field and softball.
The Graham Leader is recognizing Jansyn Louder of the Lady Blues and Jordan Alexander of the Steers for their recent performances.
Jansyn Louder, Lady Blues softball
Louder had a clutch hitting performance Tuesday March 18 against the Stephenville Honeybees. This was a potential statement game for the Lady Blues as this was the opening game for district play for the team.
In the bottom of the sixth inning Louder got to live out a young child’s dream when they first started playing the game of softball.
Louder stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and two out. The team was trailing 4-2 and if there was ever going to be a time to swing momentum in the favor of the Lady Blues, it had to be now. She delivered the game’s biggest knock when the team needed it most.
Down to her final strike, the Lady Blues second baseman sent a ball flying at the left field wall that would give the Lady Blues their first lead of the game 5-4.
That would be all that was needed to seal the win.
Head coach Adam Arrington said Louder’s preparation before and during games is what allows her to live up to big moments.
“She’s very athletic and has a hot bat right now,” he said. “She does a good job for us in the leadoff spot putting the ball in play and using her speed to be dangerous on the base paths.”
Arrington preaches a message of getting a little bit better everyday and Louder showed that off in a big way.
Jordan Alexander, Steers track and field
A two-year member of the varsity track and field team, Alexander has stuck with three field events and grown as an athlete in Graham.
“Jordan is a very versatile athlete that can do many things to help a team. He spends a lot of time working on his three jumps,” Coach Greg Lee said. “Jordan is a good athlete and someone his coaches can depend on.”
During the 77th annual PK Relays at Newton Field held Saturday, March 15, Alexander put his skills on display.
In the High Jump Big School 3A, 4A competition, Alexander placed first and in the Long Jump Big School 3A, 4A competition he placed fifth.
Alexander started things off positively in the first relay of the season in Mineral Wells, where he brought home second in high jump and fourth in long jump.
That momentum continued into the relay in Merkel where came home with second place in high jump, third place in long jump and sixth place in triple jump. He continued his streak in Springtown with second place in high jump and seventh place in long jump.
The Steers and Lady Blues teams took off Thursday, March 20 in Springtown.
The teams will return home for the District 6-4A meet scheduled for Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3 in Graham at Newton Field.
