-
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Tyler Allen has been an asset for the Graham Steers with his speed on the court matching his skills at the net. In the district matchup Tuesday, Jan. 21, Allen helped play a role along with his teammates in the second half and showed that the Steers never give up despite the odds. -
(NEWCASTLE ISD | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Catherine Youngblood got to show off her skills not only to other schools but to the entire Newcastle powerlifting team when she medaled Saturday, Jan. 18 in Dublin. The medal was the first for the school and marks a historic moment for the powerlifting program at Newcastle ISD.
With the Graham Steers heading into the midpoint of their district schedule and Newcastle making history with its newly launched powerlifting program, athletes are hard at work representing their communities.
Basketball teams are approaching the midpoint of their seasons, powerlifting is underway and district play for soccer is on the horizon. Graham and Newcastle have both had athletes make an impact for their respective sports in the last week.
Catherine Youngblood of the Newcastle Ladycats and Tyler Allen of the Graham Steers have been named Athletes of the Week for their recent athletic performances.
Catherine Youngblood, Ladycats powerlifting
It was a new beginning for Newcastle ISD after it kicked off the school’s first powerlifting program Saturday, Jan. 18 in Dublin. The sole lifter for the school was Youngblood, who had lifted before and was being observed by the other Newcastle lifters new to the program.
Not only did Youngblood put on a show, she won first place in her class with 240 pounds on squat, 145 pounds on bench press and 245 pounds on deadlift for a total of 630 pounds. The medal was the first for the school and a historic achievement for the program.
The Newcastle program is coached by Shane Mallory and Kyle Youngblood, who have worked to utilize the student interest in the weight room for the new sport. Mallory said Youngblood is one that puts work into everything she does.
“She's so well rounded from powerlifting to basketball to track. She's been to the state track meet in three events for two years,” he said. “So she's just all around (great). And that's the kind of kids we want, well rounded.”
Youngblood previously lifted for Union Hill High School in Gilmer and went to state for powerlifting. She will look to bring the same skill she had on display at the Dublin Powerlifting Invitational when the whole Newcastle team competes Saturday, Jan. 25 in Chillicothe.
Tyler Allen, Steers basketball
The Steers made it clear to the Glen Rose Tigers that they were not going to give up Tuesday, Jan. 21. The team came back time and time again despite being down and Allen was one of the players that made that comeback possible.
With scoring in the second half of the game, Allen and the Steers helped show those in the audience cheering the team on that even though the team was down it was not ready to throw in the towel.
Following a two-point shot from Ty Thompson in the third quarter, Allen followed with the final of two 3-point shots made between him and Nikolas Wankowicz.
Steers head coach Kyle Wood said Allen has a great mind for basketball and serves as a coach on the floor during both practice and games.
The head coach said as the team moves into the midpoint of their district schedule, Allen will serve an important role.
“Tyler will be an important part of the team. He can score in multiple ways. He can really shoot the ball well, and does a great job in getting to his mid-range shot,” Wood said. “Very consistent player for our team.”
Despite the game ultimately resulting in a loss for the Steers, Allen and his team showed the grit and resilience to win that the Steers have displayed all season.
