Arlington sophomore shot putter climbing state rankings

Step, spin, throw.

These are the words that repeat in Wyatt Gray’s 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.

As if the nerves suddenly fall out of his body and onto the pavement, he takes a few deep breaths.

Inhale, exhale, spin, release.

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.

Gray shows no reaction. He simply steps out of the circle and prepares for his next turn.

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.

Gray won state 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.

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.

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.

“I met Coach White in eighth grade,” Gray said. “He said to me, ‘You’re really, really good. I’ve seen a lot of athletes, and you have some serious potential.’”

Once Gray heard this, he began practicing extra. Even on school holidays or long weekends, he showed up to work on his craft.

White, who had led the team for eight years, said he takes pride in his athletes and their abilities.

“Wyatt is a stellar athlete,” White said. “Not only is he talented, but he has the drive that most 16-year-olds don’t have.”

The work that the two of them put in together paid off. Gray’s ranking has changed, but his mindset has stayed the same.

“Wyatt is so humble,” his mother, Taylor Gray, said. “That’s what sticks out the most to people around him.”

One of Gray’s biggest career achievements was competing in the under-16 National Junior Olympics at Texas A&M in 2024.

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.

Gray returned to the National Junior Olympics last summer in Savannah, Georgia, and made a huge improvement to finish fifth.

“That meet taught me more about having confidence in myself,” Gray said. “Seeing my great throws in practice translate into one of my biggest meets was really cool to see. Going there as a sophomore is crazy enough. It’s cool to be No. 3 in the nation, but I want to be No. 1.”

First, Gray will aim to defend his SPC state championships May 1-2 in Houston.