Samples Earns Gamer of the Week Honors
Teays Physical Therapy Center, Inc. and The Putnam Herald are pleased to present this week’s Female Gamer of the Week to Junior Cami Samples of the Buffalo High School softball and track and field team.
Balancing two demanding sports is no easy task, but Buffalo High School’s Cami Samples is excelling on both the track and the softball field and doing it with standout performances and a team-first attitude.
Cami first gave track a try in sixth grade. “I was always told how fast I was so I decided to give it a try my 6th grade year. COVID happened so I didn’t get to run in any meets but I loved the practices and realized how fast I was,” she said. Since then, she’s blossomed into a key contributor on the Bison track team. A sprinter and mid-distance runner, Cami has posted personal bests of 13.13 in the 100m, 27.89 in the 200m, 1:02.34 in the 400m, and 14'11" in the long jump. She’s part of the 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams that currently hold school records, and she’s been the high point winner at two meets this season.
“My goals are to help my team score as many points as possible every meet through the year, especially at the state track meet. I also hope to break more school records and to qualify and run in four events again at states,” she shared. But her talents don’t end on the track. After stepping away from softball earlier in high school to focus on running, Cami returned to the sport this year—and quickly became a major contributor.
“I played t-ball all the way through middle school. I didn’t play in high school because of track but missed it enough to play again this year. Buffalo’s track and softball coaches were able to work it out to where I can do both. They have all been great,” she said.
This season, Cami is playing shortstop and batting leadoff for the Bison. “I like getting on base however possible, stealing bases, and scoring runs for my team,” she added. “Cami has a 600 average. 21 stolen bases. Utility player. Runs track and then practices softball with us for about 15 minutes. Great teammate and was recruited because we needed players. Now our leadoff hitter,” said Coach Rasnake.
Coach Jamie Burgess echoed that sentiment, highlighting her work ethic across both sports. “Cami is the ideal athlete, she does everything you ask of her and then tries to do more, we have to regulate how much she puts into training so she doesn’t wear herself out completely. Not only does she perform at a star level in track, she also plays softball. Many days she does both track and softball.”
Outside of athletics, Cami is just as active. She’s involved in National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Link Crew, and Prom Committee. She also runs cross country, where she placed 19th at the state meet, earning 2nd Team All-State and 1st Team All-Region IV AA honors, and plays basketball in the winter. “I am going to California this summer for FBLA for the National Leadership Conference. We placed at the state-wide conference for broadcasting journalism to qualify,” she said.
After graduation, she hopes to continue her athletic and academic career. “After high school I would love to run at the collegiate level. I have visited some schools for track to see what they have to offer. I see myself doing something in the medical field like nursing or physical therapy.”
Cami credits her biggest inspirations as being right at home. “My mom and dad are my role models because they constantly encourage me and inspire me to be the best version of myself. Their support and guidance has shaped my path, and I couldn't ask for better examples to follow.”
Please look for other local high school athletes to be named in next week’s Female Gamer of the Week Sponsored by Teays Physical Therapy Center, Inc. and The Putnam Herald.
MEGAN SCARBERRY, MS, CPT, POTENTIAL PLUS INSTRUCTOR AT TEAYS PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER INC.