McGhee 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 Sophomore Abbie McGhee of the Winfield High School track and field team.   

 For Winfield High School athlete Abbie McGhee, pole vaulting is more than just a sport — it’s a family tradition and a personal passion that began in middle school and has driven her to the top of the state rankings. 

Her journey started in sixth grade track practice, where she immediately felt a connection to the sport. “I tried out and just felt like it was right,” McGhee said. “Then I was given the chance to try pole vault, just like my dad, and I fell in love with it. I haven’t stopped since.” 

Now a key member of the Winfield High School track team, McGhee is undefeated this season in girls’ pole vault and currently ranked fifth in the state. Her goal for the year? To clear 11 feet and become a two-time AAA state champion. “I love being able to become truly absorbed in what I’m doing,” she said. “When I’m running or vaulting, I block everything else out and focus completely on my performance.” 

Her father, Chris McGhee, is both her role model and inspiration. A former pole vaulter himself, he competed at Penn State on an athletic scholarship, clearing 16 feet, 2 inches in his sophomore year and earning numerous athletic accolades. “My dad is my inspiration,” Abbie said. “He had an incredible athletic career with records and awards across several sports.” 

In addition to pole vault and the 4x400m relay, Abbie also plays on the Winfield High School soccer team. Academically, she shines as well, having won the Young Writers Competition for Putnam County in both ninth and tenth grade. After high school, she plans to attend college and major in psychiatry, bringing the same focus and determination to her studies that she brings to the track. McGhee credits much of her team’s success this season to strong camaraderie and shared effort. “We’ve learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses. We know how to grow together, and that’s built us into a stronger team.” 

Her coach, Ian Ingraham, praised both her work ethic and her uplifting spirit. “Abbie is awesome, her hard work and dedication to the team is something that truly stands out. She is very easy to coach because she always smiles. Having her on the team brings others up with her.  That is what makes a good athlete one that does what they need to do both on and off the Track. Truly thankful to have kids like Abbie McGhee on our track team she will go to new heights with track and field but she is also one of those people that will go to new heights in life”.

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.