Emmie Boese
Business Manager
The Butler track and field team and coaching staff are humbled by one of their athletes winning Junior College Male Athlete of the Year this summer.
“Over the past couple years, Butler’s track and field team has been dominating, but no one was noticing that, but this award will open eyes,” Assistant Track and Field Coach Greg Franklin said.
Even though his Butler career came to an end last spring, this summer Butler’s Tavarius Wright won Junior College Male Athlete of the Year from the Wichita Area Sports Commission on Thursday, June 27. Wright had a breakout season during his sophomore year at Butler, and Wright was named national champion in the 60m and 100m dash. Wright also set a school record in the 60m dash and was undefeated in both the 60m and 100m dash. He was also the anchor leg on Butler’s men’s 4x100m relay team that won a national championship as well.
One of Butler’s former runners was also nominated to win the same award in 2017. Franklin said that Butler’s track and field team has been successful in the past, but they did not receive as much recognition. According to Franklin, the program should get more recognition from the community given Wright’s win.
“It meant a lot to see Tavarius win this award,” Franklin said. “2017 had Andre Ewers in the run to win this award and he didn’t. This award let people see that we are pushing our kids towards success.”
Wright credited his award to how much Butler’s track and field program has had a strong impact on him and his career.
“It means so much to win this award for the city of El Dorado and Butler,” Wright said. “It really speaks to how great of a program Butler is.”
Wright also referred to his teammates and coaches for their support.
“It really speaks to how hard I worked every day at practice and at meets, and it wouldn’t be possible without the wonderful Coach Franklin and Coach Dustin Mettler and all my sensational teammates,” Wright said.
Wright is now continuing his track career next season at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, NC.
