Jasper's Scholar Athletes

At Jasper High School, athletic trainers are just as important as those who compete, just ask the head man himself, Joe Guthrie.

"As a student trainer, you can't be inside your bubble, you can't be shy and you have to be able to talk and relate to somebody," said Guthrie.

Senior Bulldog Katie Waldrup fits that mold.

"I really like being at the games and being able to help the athletes when they need something," said Waldrup.

Katie will go to TCU in Fort Worth next year.

"I got accepted into their athletic training program and they only accept about twelve a year. It's pretty exciting for me," Waldrup said.

Guthrie said, "Now Katie, she did it on her own. This is based on her merit. I didn't her where she is, she earned that."

Moving on from the dugout to the field, we now introduce you to Xavier Mays.

Mays said, "I just go out, play hard, and lead by example."

Mays plans on going to Texas A&M next fall to major in chemical engineering. Right now, he's just trying to help the Bulldogs repeat as 3A state baseball champions.

Coach Shawn Mixon agreed, "He brings a good attitude out to the park every day. He gets better every week. He's just a good example of showing other kids how to work."

Coach Mixon uses Mays as the team's top pinch-runner. Mays is modest about his skills, a trait that starts at home.

"To this point I want to thank my dad because he's always been hard on me, and it's just now that I understand why he's been. I know if he didn't stay on me, I wouldn't be as good in academics or sports," said Mays.

Mays said he will return home and the one thing he'll miss is his mother's cooking.

"I'm blessed to have a nice family and an administration here at Jasper High School that actually has helped me get to this point," said Mays.

Waldrup said she will have to make a lot of adjustments going from the small town to the big city for college, but she'll be able to manage the situation.

Congratulations to this week's scholar athletes of the week and good luck to the Jasper baseball team as they continue play against the Hutto Hippos in The Woodlands this Thursday night.

You can watch this video story in the right column. Just click under "Related Multimedia".