A senior mass communication major, SWAC champion in track indoor and outdoor and not to mention the father of four-month-old baby boy Savion, Jarryd Gray has accomplished and overcame countless feats during his career at Prairie View A&M University.
Gray attended Southwest high school in Forth Worth, Texas where he was recruited by Texas Tech, North Texas and Prairie View A&M.
Why did the track star choose the Panthers?
Gray simply put, “Prairie View offered the most scholarship money.”
The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree in the Gray family. Gray’s father also ran track at the University of Wisconsin and gave what Gray said is a 4.2 40-time in the 40-yard dash, unofficially.
During Gray’s career at Prairie View A&M he has achieved a conference championship in the 100 and 200-meter, while also making it to regionals in the 4×4 200-relay indoor and outdoor.
Gray has a Jeremy Warner style with a long stride while running past the Panthers’ SWAC opponents.
Gray said, “Track is something fun, but at the same time I want to be the best at what I do.”
The night before a meet Gray watches “YouTube” clips of various track meets of his favorite track competitor to check out their running styles.
Before each meet Gray listens to Lil’ Wayne during the warm-up and he and his teammates get hyped when they shout out a chant to get them in the zone.
All year long Gray goes through vigorous workouts, working on endurance, speed and weight training.
Hopefully all of Gray’s vigorous training will not go for naught as he will pursue a professional career in track and field after he graduates.
Gray wants to sign a professional contract with either Nike or Adidas and move his family to California or Florida to train.
Gray is an exceptional and extroverting young man with the world on his shoulders and the determination to finish the battle.
Gray said, ” I feel like I’m ahead of where I was last year. My main goal is to continue as SWAC champion and make it to nationals in Oregon. “