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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Athlete of the Week Ryder Taylor makes the start for Graham during their game Tuesday, April 8. Taylor had a dominant pitching performance while also putting in work defensively at centerfield. -
(DAVID FLYNN | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Athlete of the Week Georgia Martin competed in district at Newton Field for the track and field team Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3. Martin set a personal record in the long jump event and placed first while advancing to area.
As the school year begins to wind down, several teams in Graham are getting to the heart of their schedules.
Graham track and field is in the middle of their postseason. The team just competed in district at Newton Field and had several of their athletes advance to area at Shotwell Stadium.
Steers baseball has also crossed the halfway point of the season and they will be looking full speed ahead towards postseason ball. Both teams once again displayed outstanding performances on the field.
The Graham Leader is recognizing Georgia Martin of the Lady Blues and Ryder Taylor of the Steers as this week's athletes of the week.
Georgia Martin, Lady Blues track and field
The track and field teams needed to shine at district last week in order to keep their season alive and advance to area. Several athletes for both the running and field events were able to get the job done and advance by placing in the top four.
Martin, a senior for the Lady Blues, had one of the top performances in the entire district meet. She beat out all competitors in the long jump event placing first with her personal record jump of 17-1.75. This jump skyrocketed Martin to the top of the leaderboard and she also advanced to area with her performance in the 400 meter relay as well.
Martin has been quite the performer for the Lady Blues over the years. She reached regionals twice so far in her time with the program as a junior and a sophomore.
She placed fifth and sixth respectively in the long jump event those years. She is also a four time letter winner and a three time regional qualifier for the relay team.
However, above all the accolades, head coach Jim Walton praised Martin’s leadership as truly pivotal for the team.
“She is a tremendous competitor and one of our very best leaders,” he said. “Her leadership and example have been invaluable to our team this year.”
Martin and the Lady Blues advanced to area Friday, April 11. She looked to advance to regional meet Saturday, April 19.
Ryder Taylor, Steers baseball
Like Martin, Taylor is also a senior and veteran leader for Graham baseball. He’s a pitcher and outfielder for the Steers and he put on a show for the Graham crowd in the teams tough 2-0 loss to the Mineral Wells Rams.
Outside of the third inning where he surrendered runs, Taylor pitched an otherwise scoreless game, picking up some big strikeouts and making big plays to strand runners in scoring position.
“To see the maturity of that kid, from his freshman year until now has been phenomenal,” Head coach Allen McGee said. “I’m super proud of the way that he’s matured and just the way that he’s honed his craft. It’s allowed him to go play at the next level.”
Taylor has had other solid performances throughout the season as well. Notably, he was the winning pitcher in Graham’s senior day celebration game against Iowa Park.
Taylor will be attending Seminole State College to continue his baseball career.
