Introducing our WXXV Student Athlete of the Week, Pass Christian’s Anaya Bradley!

This Saturday, the Pass Christian high school track and field team will host the regional meet on their own track. It’s not just by chance that they’re able to do this, but because of the success their team has had in the district meet this past weekend. Get to know some really fast athletes out of Past Christian, who made hosting happen including our WXXV Student Athlete of the week, Anaya Bradley.

“It’s a big blessing because we’ve got the Pirate name on our chest and we’ve just got to show everybody what we’re about,” said track athlete Ollie “Trae” Bailey.

“It means a lot. People get to come out here and see me do my thing and see us do our thing and support us and all of that,’ Harmony Walker told News 25.

Pass Christian track and field head coach Roscoe Forch says it’s because of his athlete’s dedication and development that they’re able to host the regional meet on their home track.

“The development I’ve seen over the past four years makes my heart smile if I can say it that way. To see the kids come in as eighth graders or ninth graders and put in the work year after year and get better year after year. You see the confidence grow and you see them grow as individuals as well as athletes,” said Head Coach Roscoe Forch.

Two of the many athletes Coach Forch has seen grow immensely are freshman Harmony Walker and junior Ollie “Trae” Bailey.

In her first year in the Pirate uniform, Walker has stepped up to the forefront as the fastest girl in the state currently with a 100 meter time of 11.68 seconds.

“I’m not even going to lie to you, it doesn’t even feel real,” Walker said with a smile. “When I heard I ran that time, it didn’t feel real, but they said they clocked it a lot of times and I was like, “Gosh, I actually ran that!” I feel fine, I feel great, and very happy about that.”

Over in the distance category, junior Trae Bailey broke the record mile time of 4:44 now, which is six seconds faster than the record which was previously set in 2012.

“It’s just a blessing from God because I couldn’t do it without Him and the next big goal is to win state in the mile this year,” Bailey said. “My dad is out here working with me and the team everyday and we’ve got a couple of guys out here that have a chance to make it to state this year, so we’re going to keep putting the work in.”

Speaking of athletes who have a chance at state this year, our WXXV Student Athlete of the Week Anaya Bradley has had her eyes on the prize for quite some time now. Even though she won district this past weekend while breaking the school record with a 100 meter time of 25.91 seconds, Bradley still isn’t satisfied.

Anaya Bradley: “It’s good, but also when you know there’s other people out there that are working too and could get better than you, you’ve got to work everyday no slacking,” said Bradley. “One day you could wake up and not practice but then think, “Oh wait, somebody’s getting faster, so let me go outside.”

It’s a good thing she has that mentality because she says she’s addicted to the sport.

“I’m addicted honestly. It’s just a good sport overall. We’ve got a good team and good coaches, so when you have a good surrounding energy and a good team, you want to keep coming,” Bradley said with a smile

Bradley hopes to keep running as she aspires to join a track team at the collegiate level. 

“I want to continue running and progress and run faster times in college and stuff like that while still getting my degree,” said Bradley.

Bradley went on to say she plans on going the pre-med route and possibly becoming a veterinarian.