GHS athletes receive academic all-state selections
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(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Holton Weatherman, a senior on the boys track team, was named first team academic all-state for his work in athletics and the classroom. -
(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Lillian Graham rounds the bend of the track during one of her distance events at a track meet this season. The senior was named first team academic all-state. -
(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Left fielder Luke McCain of the Steers baseball team was named second team academic all-state for his efforts on the field and in the classroom. -
(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Sophia Schlieper sprints towards the finish line at the district track meet in Mineral Wells. The senior was named first team academic all-state.
Sports play an incredibly important role in the lives of many athletes at Graham High School. However, there are two parts to the term 'student-athlete' — the work that happens on the field or court and the work required in the classroom.
For many GHS student-athletes, finding the balance between schoolwork and athletics is a challenging but rewarding opportunity. As the spring sports seasons have come to a close or are nearing the end, many students have received recognition for their efforts.
Graham student-athletes from baseball and track and field were recently recognized for their selections to academic all-state teams by the Texas High School Coaches Association. The all-state teams recognize high school senior athletes, trainers and managers who excel in GPA, class rank and ACT/SAT scores.
To be nominated for academic all-state, a student must be an athlete, student trainer or manager in good standing with the team, of good moral character, a senior and have an overall grade point average of 92 or above.
According to the THSCA website, while a student might initially meet the criteria for nomination, that does not guarantee the student a spot on the team. For that reason, Graham’s selections to the academic all-state teams are major accomplishments.
For the Steers, Luke McCain from the baseball team was named to the second team all-state academic team. Holton Weatherman and Tyson Weaver from track and field were named first team and second team academic all-state, respectively.
The Lady Blues had a handful of athletes named to academic all-state teams, as well. From track and field, Abbie Helm, Mary Lyndell Graham, Sophia Schlieper and Lillian Graham were all named to the first team academic all-state.
The students received points based on each criteria and the total amount of points determined their selection to the teams. Graham’s athletes have represented their school well in athletic competitions as well as on the academic side.
