<\/p>\n
Step, spin, throw.<\/p>\n
These are the words that repeat in Wyatt Gray\u2019s head as he steps into the circle for shot put. His nerves are racing. A weighted metal ball rests in his hands, ready to be slung across a field.<\/p>\n
As if the nerves suddenly fall out of his body and onto the pavement, he takes a few deep breaths.<\/p>\n
Inhale, exhale, spin, release.<\/p>\n
The shot lands with a thud on the field, in sync with turning heads. Whispers ripple in astonishment, and nods of approval are seen throughout the audience. Coaches can be heard chatting, impressed by the young athlete.<\/p>\n
Gray shows no reaction. He simply steps out of the circle and prepares for his next turn.<\/p>\n
For Gray, a sophomore at The Oakridge School in Arlington, this is just another throw. The defending SPC Class 3A state champion is ranked as the No. 3 class of 2028 shot putter in Texas, according to MileSplit.<\/p>\n
Gray won state<\/a> with a mark of 52 feet, 10 inches, last year and already has a personal best of 56-9.5 this season. He also won state in the discus last year at 148-6.<\/p>\n Gray started his athletic journey playing football and basketball. He loved the energy and the high adrenaline games, and his coaches took notice of his strength, determination and work ethic.<\/p>\n At first, Gray said he felt shot put was new and strange. The heavy ball, the awkward movements and the risk of being inconsistent all made him nervous. But head track and field coach Kyle White encouraged him.<\/p>\n \u201cI met Coach White in eighth grade,\u201d Gray said. \u201cHe said to me, \u2018You\u2019re really, really good. I\u2019ve seen a lot of athletes, and you have some serious potential.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Once Gray heard this, he began practicing extra. Even on school holidays or long weekends, he showed up to work on his craft.<\/p>\n White, who had led the team for eight years, said he takes pride in his athletes and their abilities.<\/p>\n \u201cWyatt is a stellar athlete,\u201d White said. \u201cNot only is he talented, but he has the drive that most 16-year-olds don\u2019t have.\u201d<\/p>\n The work that the two of them put in together paid off. Gray\u2019s ranking has changed, but his mindset has stayed the same.<\/p>\n \u201cWyatt is so humble,\u201d his mother, Taylor Gray, said. \u201cThat\u2019s what sticks out the most to people around him.\u201d<\/p>\n One of Gray\u2019s biggest career achievements was competing in the under-16 National Junior Olympics at Texas A&M in 2024.<\/p>\n The stadium was bigger, louder and more intimidating. Despite the pressure, Gray threw with a poised hand, just like he had practiced hundreds of times. Competing at an SEC school, he proved to others but also to himself that he could compete with older athletes, finishing 20th<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Oakridge](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/FTW_OakridgevsCountryDayhsfb11.JPG\" "\\"FTW_OakridgevsCountryDayhsfb11.JPG\\"")
Sophomore Wyatt Gray (77) was a lineman on Arlington Oakridge\u2019s SPC Class 3A state championship football team this season. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram <\/p>\n