GAMES
RANKINGS
Klein Athletes of the Month: Culver, KF Track Dominate Winter/Spring Sports
Grace Culver, Klein Oak Girls Soccer & Track and Field
Dual-sport star Grace Culver had a breakout season in soccer as the Panthers had a tremendous season advancing to the Regional Tournament. Culver is instant offense on the pitch with her elite athleticism. She also can hurdle with the best in the district. Her team set a school record last month in the 100m Shuttle Hurdle Relay, breaking their old time by more than 10 seconds.
Klein Forest Boys Track and Field
So, it’s track and field season and that means that the Klein Forest Golden Eagles take center stage. The Eagles 4x200 relay has the No. 1 time in USA and their 4x100 relay in No. 2 in the nation. Just getting on their relay team is a challenge, but look for Parker Jenkins, Jelani Watkins, Ahmir Robinson, and Jaden Galloway to dominate the headlines leading up to the State Meet. They are must-see athletes.
Klein Oak's Alaina Nugier
ALL GRIT: Klein Oak's Nugier a tough Panther to deal with
The Klein Oak senior loves the physicality of fútbol. Don’t let her smile and friendly demeanor fool you. Nugier is as tough as they come.
“It took a lot of yelling from coaches, at first, to get me to go for the ball and scrap,” Nugiersaid. “Once I got more comfortable, it just worked. I started soccer when I was six years old and I was trying out various things. When I was 10, I really started getting into it and wanting to be better.”
Nugier appreciates the team aspect of the game.
“If it was a single-person sport, I don't think I’d have as much fun,” she said. “Teammates make things a lot better.”
She also enjoys getting her uniform dirty by constantly throwing herself in the way of the ball. As a child, Nugier looked up to star defender/midfielder Julie Ertz because of the strength and toughness she played with.
“I love making tackles,” Nugier said. “Those moments when you’re running up to the ball and make a good slide tackle …it just feels good. You get to stop the attack and can counterattack. It’s cool to me.”
Nugier is a WesternKentucky University commit, so her soccer career will go on to the collegiate level. But her long-term goal is to go into nursing.
“I like helping people,” Nugier said. “There are always going to be jobs in the medical field, and I think it ’s really cool to learn about the body.”
Before then, however, she plans to enjoy her senior year playing for a school and community she adores.
“It’s my second family,” Nugier said of Klein Oak .“I have so many friends and I’m always having a good time. Especially with soccer, I really love it. It's fun messing with the forwards and getting them agitated and out of their game. On the field, I’m definitely very competitive. I’m always going after it.”
Last season, Nugier was the anchor of the backline for a Panthers’defense that surrendered just 27 goals in 23 games. She was honored as District 15-6A’s Defensive player of the Year and was a Texas Association of Soccer Coaches All-Region 2 first-team selection. A team captain, Nugier also contributed four goals and two assists.