Devin Ray is known for his speed and charisma. The first, he employs on the football field and track. The latter, on a less predictable stage. The Warrenton senior led the Warriors in rushing last …
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Athlete of the Month: Devin Ray
Posted
By Derrick Forsythe, Record Sports Editor
Devin Ray is known for his speed and charisma.The first, he employs on the football field and track. The latter, on a less predictable stage.The Warrenton senior led the Warriors in rushing last fall, but his accomplishments extend beyond the manliest of sports.Ray is a three-sport athlete — if you count cheerleading. And he does.One of the school’s fastest athletes, he has established a reputation as a dangerous running back and sprinter. But after track practice, Ray heads to Wentzville to sharpen his skills as a member of the Full Out Xtreme competitive cheerleading team.Ray, who is back spotter and also a tumbler, began cheerleading two years ago. Six to eight times each year, he competes in competitions across the nation.The Xtreme will close out its September through April schedule with an event at Six Flags this weekend.But it won’t mean the end for Ray, who has received a scholarship to cheer while attending Lindenwood University in pursuit of an education degree. He aspires to become a high school math teacher.In the meantime, he is diligently pursuing a goal that evaded him last May.Ray is eyeing the MSHSAA Track Championships after narrowly missing the cut at sectionals as a junior. He runs both the 100- and 200-meter races, while anchoring the 400- and 800-meter relays for the Warriors.Ray owns the school record in the 100-meter dash.He also made a splash on the football field last fall, rushing for a team-best 846 yards and 10 touchdowns on 163 carries.His numbers increased drastically from his junior campaign, when he ran for 176 yards.Ray also played basketball as a freshman and sophomore.Q: If you had to pick one sport to play, which would choose?“I would have to say cheerleading. At first I didn’t like it at all. Once I got into it, I found out the bond is so different than any other sport I’ve played.”Q: What is your favorite memory from football?“Definitely being able to go to the state championship game my sophomore year.”Q: What did it mean to you to lead the team in rushing last season?“That was really important to me, because I wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps and be a good running back.”Q: What do you consider your top traits as a football player?“My reaction time is really important to me and my field of vision.”Q: What is your favorite track event?“I would say the 4x100. Track is usually an individual sport, but for relay it’s a group effort. It’s a lot better when you accomplish something you’ve worked for as a group.”Q: What are goals for track this season?“With this being my last shot, I’m really pushing to get in the top four for sectionals.”Q: What’s it like being the anchor for the relay teams?“Usually, we’re a little behind going into the final leg so my goal is to always catch that guy in front of me. Passing the guy going down that stretch is like the best feeling ever.”Q: Besides pure speed, what helps you be successful at track?“Getting out of the blocks in the open races is the difference running a 10.5 and an 11.”Q: How does teammate Jordon Washington challenge you to improve?“It definitely makes me push harder to be better, because I’m leaving after this year, and I’m afraid Jordon is going to take my record, so it gives me an extra edge to work harder.”Q: What made you decide to pursue competitive cheerleading?“A friend of mine wanted me to come to practice. I decided to join, and then I found out I could get a scholarship for it. I had no idea, but male cheer scholarships are the most unused scholarships out there.”Q: What are the greatest challenges of being a cheerleader?“Definitely working together with all your stunt groups. You can get it right all the time at practice, but you have one shot on the competition floor and that’s pretty nerve-wracking."Q: How do you handle the stereotypes of being a male cheerleader?“At first I got a bunch of crap for it, but once I showed them what it was all about, they changed their mindset.”Q: How is working at Dairy Queen a good fit for your personality?“I love working there because all the regulars who come in know my name.”Q: Tell us about your upside-down ice cream antics.“I turn the blizzard upside down to get a smile out of the kids, which is always fun. It fell once, though. It was really embarrassing.”Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your life?“My parents, because whatever it was that I’ve wanted to do — it took a while for them to get used to cheer — they’re there to support me in whatever I do. They motivate me.”Favorite Food:“Strawberries with sugar.”Favorite Restaurant:“Dairy Queen.”Favorite TV Show:“Sports Nation.”Favorite Movie:“The Lion King.”Favorite Song:“Till I Collapse” by Eminem.Favorite Musician:“Drake.”— Compiled By Derrick Forsythe,Recor Sports Editor
Warrenton senior Devin Ray is a three-sport athlete if you count cheerleading — and he does. Find out what inspires one of the Warriors' fastest competitors.
