Nees, Harrell named Athletes of the Week

The Steers and Lady Blues had a very successful week of sports filled with playoff implications. 

The Steers and Lady Blues track and field teams traveled to Lubbock to compete in the regional championships. 

The regional championships for Steers golf also took place and Graham’s baseball and softball teams have put together a string of wins to add to their playoff pushes.

The Graham Leader is recognizing Jagger Nees of the Steers and Zoey Harrell of the Lady Blues as this week's Athletes of the Week. 

Jagger Nees, Steers Varsity Golf 

Steers athletes across all spring sports have had some strong performances over the past week. However, none were more impressive than Nees.

Nees finished fifth in the regional championships and punched his ticket to the state tournament, according to head coach Michael Todd. Todd said that Nees journey to this point has been one of “steady growth and strong finishes.”

Nees earned his ticket to the postseason by winning two of his three tournaments before the district championships. Todd recounted that Nees finished in a tie for second at the district tournament in Abilene earning his spot in the regional championship. 

After facing a rough start during the regional championship, Todd said he battled back grinding out a 75 the first day and then came back with a two under 70 to clinch his spot at the state tournament. 

“Jagger has been our anchor this year,” Todd said. “He’s not just a scorer, he’s a grinder who models how to fight through adversity on the course.”

What’s even more impressive is that Nees has done all of this as just a sophomore and will look to be a pillar of the team going forward. Nees has also shined in a district that Todd said was the “deepest, strongest field I’ve seen.” 

“It can’t be understated how difficult it is to get out of region one and qualify for the state,” Todd said. “What Jagger accomplished is something really special, and we’re very proud of him.”

Nees will look to accomplish something unprecedented at the state tournament.

 

Zoey Harrell, Lady Blues Varsity Softball

It sure was a week to remember for the senior starting pitcher for the Lady Blues. First, Harrell was honored with her family for senior night as the team’s lone senior and veteran leader. 

Just three days later, Harrell had arguably her defining moment on the team to send the Lady Blues to the postseason. After Larissa Warren lined a base hit into right field to represent the potential winning run in a 2-2 game in the seventh, Harrell had her “moneyball moment.”

Harrell came up to the plate in what could have potentially been her last at bat for the Lady Blues and made the most of it. She waited until the count was 3-0 before finally striking. 

Harrell cleared the fence with a two run walkoff home run to right center field, saving the Lady Blues season and sending them to the playoffs. 

“The crazy part is that could have been Zoey’s last high school at bat,” Head coach Adam Arrington said. “She handled the situation perfectly and helped get her team into the state playoffs.” 

According to Arrington, the true mark of Harrell’s character has been her ability to adapt to any situation they place her in and overcome adversity. 

She has battled through two knee injuries during her time in the program and also played multiple positions. 

While most of her time has been spent as a pitcher, she has also played at first and third base while also serving time in both left and right field. 

“I feel the girls have looked to her when different situations occur,” Arrington said. 

The team will continue to look to Harrell as they head to the playoffs and rely on her leadership.