Balliew breaks school record, wins two races to start season

By Lynsi Perry Musselman

Tucker Balliew, eighth grade athlete at Wylie West Junior High and son of Kristen and Slone Balliew and Alex and Ross Green, has two first place wins to start the 2025 track season. Slone Balliew and Alex Green are 2007 graduates of Albany Junior Senior High. 

At the Wylie Hugh Sandifer Stadium on Friday, February 28, Tucker Balliew shined with two first place finishes in the 2400-meter race and the 1600-meter run. Balliew set the record for Wylie West Junior High 1600 meter run with a time of 5:14:43. The previous time was 5:18:89.  Also, Tucker ran the 2400 meter at 8:05:99, beating his previous time of 8:16:2.

Grandmother Carie Balliew said “Tucker started the 2025 Track season at Wylie, in first place just like he ended last year in the 2024 Cross Country season, winning first place in every CC meet.”

Lots of grandparents in Albany also cheer for Balliew; including  Carie and Jeff Balliew, Wendy and Nate Tinkle, Susan Balliew, and Wayne Balliew.