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Baytown Lee's Heaven Perkins
READY FOR LIFTOFF: Lee's Perkins Aims To Turn Dreams Into Reality
“I was really impressed with our team’s overall performance last season,” said Perkins. “Personally, I was pleased to qualify for Regionals on an individual level and ended up finishing sixth in high jump.”
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
Throughout her tenure at the Goose Creek CISD school, Perkins has established herself as one of their top athletes. She currently holds some of the best results of this year’s team – the high jump (4-8), the 400m dash (1:03.73) and a school record in the long jump (17-2).
Furthermore, the Lee High junior started off the season strong with a silver (long jump) and a fifth-place finish at the Huffman Falcon Relays, as well as another silver (long jump) and fourth-place finish (400m) at the Ed Taylor Invitational.
Track and field is undoubtedly an individual sport. However, that’s not how Perkins sees it.
“During my time here, I’ve really liked the teammates and coaches I’ve been surrounded by,” she said. “If I were to choose a favorite memory from my high school career, it would have to be the team bonding I’ve experienced over the years. We’ve been like a family and they make this sport that much more fun for me.”
Some of the stars of 2022-23 Baytown Lee Girls T&FJuan De Leon (VYPE)
With a team-first mentality and plenty of support to back her up, Perkins has big-time aspirations for her future.
“I definitely want to compete at the college level,” Perkins said. “Based on my ambitions, I’d like to maybe go to Prairie View A&M, Texas Wesleyan or possibly LSU.”
However, for the time being, she’s maintaining her tunnel vision to focus on the short-term goals with the rest of Robert E. Lee track and field team.
“This year, I want to go beyond,” said Perkins. “I’ve been to Regionals twice. So, I want to do my best to help my team make it to State this year or next year to finish off my high school career.”
With her bounce on the track, the sky is the limit for Perkins.
GCCISD Spring Magazine: Beast Mentality
On the football field, Berry is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound wide receiver and corner for the Ganders' football team that made the playoffs in the fall for the first time since 2009.
He was named first-team, all-district at outside receiver, and second-team all-district as a cornerback.
"One of his biggest assets is he is the most dependable teammate that you could have," Baytown Lee football coach Tim Finn said. "If we have a practice or workout, no matter what we're doing he's the guy that's going to be there 100-percent of the time.
"And you're going to get his best effort, no matter what sport or what day."
In the football season, Berry finished with just over 400 yards receiving and a pair of interceptions for the Ganders and now turns his attention to track season.
Looking back at last season, before everything halted due to COVID-19, Berry ran a personal-best of 22.03 in the 200-meter dash on March 5, 2020, and their 4x100-meter relay team was also picking up steam.
"I felt like we had a pretty good relay team last year, it was the fastest relay I've ever been on," Berry said. "But COVID happened.
"I have to make up for everything I missed last year. Everything I could have done, all the PRs I could have made. I have to do that this year."
The junior, who competes in the 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, 100, and 200-meter races has had a good start to the year.
The 4x400-meter relay team placed third at the Anahuac relays, where he also took second in the 200-meters – posting a season-best 22.10 time – and third in the 100-meter dash.
His favorite event though – the 200-meter dash.
"It's a long sprint," Berry said. "Coming out of the curve and down the straightaway you have to be mentally strong to keep on running. Keep your form all the way through and finish."
With the hopes of camps and 7-on-7 football happening this spring and summer, Berry is hoping to pick up some steam on the recruiting circuit.
And the dual-sport athlete knows the benefits from running track. His work now will pay off on the gridiron come the fall.
"It's everything, without track there's no success on the football field," Berry said.
