Cy-Fair High School senior Graham Lakin (center) placed second for the Touchdown Club of Houston’s 2018 High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year, earning the distinction among 27 finalists at a ceremony Nov. 14 at the J.W. Marriott. Joining Lakin at the luncheon were (from left): Stephanie Lyle, Cy-Fair associate principal; Ana Martin, Cy-Fair principal; Sheila Lakin, Graham’s mother; and Ed Pustejovsky, Cy-Fair head football coach and campus athletic coordinator.
CYPRESS — Cy-Fair High School senior Graham Lakin placed second for the Touchdown Club of Houston’s 2018 High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year, earning the distinction Nov. 14 among 27 finalists in Greater Houston at a ceremony at the J.W. Marriott.
Five finalists hailed from CFISD high schools, which was the most from any area school district. Joining Lakin in being honored from CFISD were seniors Travis Arey of Cypress Ranch High School, Demetric Mass of Cypress Springs High School, Dias Redmond of Cypress Ridge High School and Jake Tesch of Cypress Woods High School.
All finalists received a $500 scholarship from the Touchdown Club of Houston, with the top three honorees receiving additional scholarship money. In placing second, Lakin’s scholarship total equaled $1,250.
A multi-year starting offensive lineman for the Bobcats, Lakin helped lead Cy-Fair to the 2017 Class 6A Division II state championship and a return trip to the postseason in 2018.
Lakin carries a 6.762 grade-point average on a 6.0 scale and 1,400 SAT and 31 ACT scores. He’s verbally committed to the Air Force Academy.
“I see the off-the-field stuff as a priority over football,” he said. “That may not be a popular belief but I’ve seen football as a means to an end in order to accomplish academic gains, so I’m always striving for that academic benefit and using football as a tool to get there.”
Football coaches are allowed to nominate one senior starter from their program, with the finalists selected by representatives from the offices of the presidents at Houston Baptist University, Rice University, Texas Southern University and the University of Houston. Candidates were judged on academic honors and citizenship in addition to their football accolades.
“We are so proud to have five young men from five different campuses honored as finalists for the Houston Touchdown Club’s scholar-athlete award,” said Ray Zepeda, CFISD director of athletics. “Their accomplishments and character epitomize what we try to be about in our athletic department. The commitment that each of these young men have made to athletic and academic excellence along with service to their community is a great example for all of our student-athletes. We are appreciative of all of the administrators, coaches, faculty and staff at Cy-Fair, Cypress Ranch, Cy Ridge, Cy Springs and Cy Woods for all of their help and assistance that allowed these five young men to excel. We celebrate with their parents and thank them for the work their sons have put in to enrich our programs and community.”
Cypress Ranch High School senior Travis Arey (center) was among five CFISD nominees for the Touchdown Club of Houston’s 2018 High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Among those joining him for the luncheon Nov. 14 at the J.W. Marriott were Mike Maness (left), Cypress Ranch principal, and Gene Johnson, Cypress Ranch head football coach and campus athletic coordinator.
Cypress Springs High School senior Demetric Mass (center) was among 27 finalists for the Touchdown Club of Houston’s 2018 High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Among those joining him for the luncheon Nov. 14 at the J.W. Marriott were Dr. Cheryl Henry (left), Cypress Springs principal, and Rusty Rohan, Cypress Springs head football coach and campus athletic coordinator.
Cypress Ridge High School senior Dias Redmond (center) was among five CFISD nominees for the Touchdown Club of Houston’s 2018 High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Joining him for the luncheon Nov. 14 at the J.W. Marriott were Brad Beerwinkel (left), Cypress Ridge defensive coordinator, and Stephanie Meshell, Cypress Ridge principal.
Cypress Woods High School senior Jake Tesch (center) was among 27 finalists for the Touchdown Club of Houston’s 2018 High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Among those joining him for the luncheon Nov. 14 at the J.W. Marriott were Gary Kinninger (left), Cypress Woods principal, and Trent Faith, Cypress Woods head football coach and campus athletic coordinator.
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