Last fall, finishing in the top ten at the OSSAA cross-country state meet, Gaige Maher earned All-State honors. This spring, he made the best of his final laps around the track by winning the gold medal, running his fastest time in the 800 meters stopping the clock at 1:59.1 at the Class 2A OSSAA state track championships. Joining teammates Koulter Drake, Cooper Lange and Zac Lee, the 2022 Warner senior claimed a second gold medal as the Eagles quartet won the 4×800 meter relay with a time of 8:27.5, improving their fastest time by 13 seconds. Maher also qualified for state in the 400 meters and ran the final leg on the Eagles 4×400 meter relay.

The two gold medal efforts earned Maher two additional All-State honors.

Maher’s classroom achievement was also a gold medal effort posting a 4.0 GPA and earning Valedictorian honors. He will attend the University of Oklahoma and major in chemical engineering as well as walk-on to try and compete with the Sooners track team.

Known as a person who is logical, caring and determined, Maher strives to employ high character by setting the example for others to find victory everyday.

“Having good character can help inspire and give yourself the best chance of being successful in life,” explained Maher. “The best advice I have probably received is ‘love yourself.’ We live in a world where if you are constantly focusing on everyone and everything else then you will never be happy with yourself and your situation. You have to be able to love and respect yourself if you want to be happy and truly successful.”