September 28, 2024 Issue, Page 15 of 22

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The Elk City News SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 * 3 FALL SPORTS SPECIAL Stories By Alex Alvarez This special contains three stories of a different nature. All are about people currently in sports in one way or another. The first one is about Joby Gray, who 14 years ago played on the golf team that won the State Tournament, and how, through his business, continues in the area of sports; the second one is about Camryn Edney, a senior at the Elk City High School who plays soccer and golf, but who will not pursue college sports; and the third one is about high school coach, JW Gillett. He's just a regular guy who is not “famous” by any means, but who is one of those people who his kids will remember for- ever. JW Gillett is softball coach Canute, a high school of about 110 students, who has won the “Class A” State Championship once. Here we go, enjoy: JOBY GRAY: WEIGHTLIFTING & OTHER SPORTS Growing Up & Becoming Your Own Self Part 1: High School. gym owned by Joby Gray, who at Elk City Golf & Country Many people do not think bought it from the Joe Miller Club. To say the least, when of weightlifting as a “sport’, and Sons family. I met him, I was impressed but think of this: since it is We chose this place for our with him, then only 16 years part of the Olympic Games, special Sports edition for one old, and all of his team mem- we must consider it a sport, reason: Joby was an athlete bers. The top four players on even if most of us are not in high school and college the team, Keegan Hall, Brock much of “pumping-iron” fans, way before he ever became an Walker, Berek Dyson and Joby Itis a different type of sport ‘owner of a place that caters to were all very good and talent- that affects nearly all other athletes. Also, as young as 15, ed, but Joby loved golf more sports. Physical strength and he started training in the lo- than anyone else on the team. flexibility are necessary for cal gyms, the high school gym He practiced more than every sport that you watch and at home, to get stron- anyone, and he hit the weights on TV, golf, tennis, basket- ger and better at the sports and the gym more than any- ball, bowling, football, base- that helps with specific parts he played, basketball and one I knew on the team. ball, volleyball... you name of your body, has become very his year-round love, golf, He When the high school did it. Golfers were probably the popular. Athletes either do knew, since then, that getting not win the championship in last group of athletes who something at home, or join a properly fit would help him 2012 and 2013, he was deter- added weightlifting and gym gym with all of the equipment excel in every sport that he mined to get longer and bet- exercises into their daily rou- that can give you the strength played, and he made it a habit. ter, as he was not the biggest tines, most likely inspired by and flexibility you need for The Elk City High School kid on the team. Not winning one guy by the name of Tiger your sport. The newest place golf team won the State Cham- made him more determined. Woods. in Elk City to train in physical pionship in 2010, and I met Some people thought he was In the last few years, weight- fitness is “Modern Fitness’, a Joby in 2011 when I moved lifting and physical training, to Elk City to be the golf pro See GRAY page 4 COACH JW GILLETT: SMILEY CAMRYN EDNEY Athletic Director and A Life in Progress Great Jeb Te Area Cross Country Teams! This special column on Softball Coach at young Camryn Edney has its genesis in a new idea for our sports section in the Canute High School Elk City News: a report of a senior who plays sports in high school, who is not so “famous” in town for his/her Be a Role Model! From sports ability and who will not play sports in college. But someone clearly chosen Just Add Water | Right field to Dugout. from before birth to be pro- ductive, influential citizens. IRRIGATION You can see it in their atti- tude and their actions. These kids are okay with be in the past, but forever, it 106 N Main St, Elk City, OK 73644 Coach Gillett played base- not being the best in sports. will be part of their growth (580) 243-2001 ball in high school (Edmond Nevertheless, they like the because they learned di sports that they play for cipline, how to work with Santa Fe) and college (Bacon College in Muskogee). His many different _ reasons, others, respect, self-worth, first job was in Putnam, where the social part of belong- tolerance and many other he stayed 6-7 years before ing to a group with other life skills. coming to Canute in 2012 as like-minded kids, or maybe If they have a bad round, a the baseball coach. because they really want to bad match, a bad game, they For most people, it is diffi- test themselves in a game still go home with their head cult to understand a coaching against other students. They on high knowing that those job at a high school, and how make themselves try hard in bad moments in sports that one person, can impact your sports, just like everything day, did not take away from kids and every kid he touch- their worth. In fact, it added else. However, now it is their es, especially in a small town senior year and sports will where going to “the big city” See EDNEY page 4 is a 10 minute drive toa city of other team, It was not a “smile 11, 000! Canute, OK, Canute of satisfaction’, but a smile 316 N Eastern Ave is a town of about 600 peo- ‘of knowing that his students Elk City, OK ple, and the high school has were trying their best. When a little over 100 students, so he turned around, I saw this 580-303-4598 GOL imprint on his shirt under not much to choose from for team sports, nevertheless, he the Canute name: a reference CAD WASH/G MIN STOEAEE is committed to bring the best to “Hebrews 12:11”, without in every athlete, not just on the words of the verse. When the field, but outside the field. I went to read it, one trans- He is a true role model to his lation says, “No discipline students, players and parents. seems pleasant at the time, but What's his motivation? Show painful. Later on, however, it them that they do not have to produces a harvest of righ- belong to a large high school teousness and peace for those 2300 E. 3rd St. in order to excel, whether in sports or in life. The first time I went to take who have been trained by it”. Very fitting. If you want to be good at something, physi- LIPSCOMB CHRYSLER DODGE Jp, RAM Elk City, OK pictures ofa game, I saw him smiling during a loss to an- See GILLETT page 4 911 S Main St, Elk City, OK 106 N. Main St. Elk City (580) 225-1400 Ver. fis Waller wucescrisonettercon 580-243-2020 723 S. MERRITT RD. © 580.225.6922 www.djsrental.com