Every high school has a rival school when it comes to athletics. While some of the rivalries may be bigger than others, the athletes competing and the fans in the stands want to win the game no matter what. Jaxon Laminack is a senior at Blanchard High School and he says that their rivalry goes back a few decades.

“I enjoy beating Tuttle the most because they are our cross-town rival,” he said. “This rivalry dates back many years to when my teachers were in school and they have always had the desire to beat them. It’s a good feeling to myself to know that we made them happy by beating them.”

As a multi-sport athlete, Jaxon plays football and basketball and also runs track for the Lions. He is also a member of the National Honor Society. Laminack says that representing his school when he competes in his sports is something that he is very proud of.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that I have an amazing community behind me in Blanchard,” he said. “I want the kids in the upcoming years to already have the foundation laid of outsiders knowing that Blanchard is a successful school when it comes to sports and academics.”

Becoming a successful athlete is not something that happens overnight. Instead, Jaxon knows that it takes a lot and you have to stay focused, but in the end it is all worth it.

“It takes a lot of time and effort to get to where I am now but the work is not over,” he said. “I have a lot to strive for as I have not yet graduated. I also have to keep myself motivated. For me, that is the thought of failure and the grind and the feeling of success when completing your goals.”

As a student at Blanchard, Jaxon has learned from a number of teachers. But he says that there is one teacher that has made an impact on his life.

“Mrs. Holding has been the most influential teacher in my life,” he stated. “She taught me how to respect others and treat people how you want yourself to be treated and continue to work hard in the classroom and continue to prevail through the hard times.”