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(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Lady Blues senior Braylee Mayes has grown in the track and field program at Graham High School. Mayes has shown consistency with hurdles for four years and has seen the progress pay off with her achieving top marks in the last three competitions. -
(GRAHAM ATHLETICS | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Steers senior Scout Smith has been in the powerlifting program for four years and made the regional competition the last two years. His dedication to the program pushed him to overcome a hand injury and make regionals again this season.
Track and field for Graham is still early in its schedule while the powerlifting season has ended, and both sports have seen outstanding results from local athletes.
While Graham joins other schools this weekend at the annual PK Relays hosted at Newton Field, the powerlifting season recently concluded for both the Lady Blues and Steers.
This week, The Graham Leader recognizes Braylee Mayes of the Lady Blues and Scout Smith of the Steers for their recent performances in track and powerlifting.
Braylee Mayes, Lady Blues track
The track and field teams for Graham are moving into their fourth meet of the season Saturday, March 15 at the local PK Relays. Mayes has been a high-performing athlete for the Lady Blues during the first three meets.
“She is very athletic and works very hard. She has been very consistent for four years in the hurdles,” coach Jim Walton said. “Last year she battled injuries and illness all year and was never able to be 100% physically. This year she is healthy and competing well both in the 100 and 300 hurdles. She has medaled in all six of her hurdle races up to this point this season.”
During the first Ram Relays meet in Mineral Wells, Mayes scored first in the 100 and 300 Meter Hurdle events. Her success continued in the Windmill City Relays in Merkel where she scored second in 100 Meter Hurdles and first in 300 Meter Hurdles.
Graham traveled last week for the Brad Legan Friends and Family Invitational Meet last week in Springtown where she continued to rack up accolades. She scored second in 100 Meter Hurdles and third in 300 Meter Hurdles.
Mayes has shown what four years of dedication to one event can do for a local athlete. She will continue to be a crucial part of the Lady Blues team as the track and field season continues.
Scout Smith, Steers powerlifting
Powerlifting is a sport that Smith has been dedicated to for the last four years at Graham High School. Powerlifting coach Coby Yowell said Smith’s leadership and ability to handle pressure has pushed him to overcome an injury.
“Last year he made it to regionals but didn’t get his dead lift due to a hand injury. He used that as motivation going into this season,” Yowell said. “I am extremely proud of this young man for his hard work and dedication.”
Smith was one of three GHS athletes who qualified for the Region 1 Division 2 powerlifting meet held Thursday, March 6 at Abilene Wylie. Smith placed third in the 242 weight class with 570 pounds on squat, 375 pounds on bench press and 500 pounds on dead lift.
During the Decatur meet held Thursday, Feb. 20 where all three GHS athletes qualified for regionals, Smith walked away with a first place finish in his weight class. He lifted 590 pounds on squat, 370 pounds on bench press and 525 pounds on dead lift.
Smith had a successful powerlifting season and was also a part of the varsity Steers successful run which ended in regional finals game against the Brock Eagles in December. His dedication at GHS is one that will continue to be an inspiration for his teammates and the community.
