Sports
The Drayer Family Dynasty
By: Alex Harrison, Tony Heim
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In times of hardship, people look to various sources for strength and hope. Dan Drayer, who has had ups and downs over the past couple of years, looks to his four daughters. He credits the girls for helping him prevail during his tough times.
Haley, Jessi, Brooke and Dani Drayer are Dan’s daughters, but on another note, are successful Waterford Lady Wildcats as well. Each of the four Drayer sisters have scored over 1,000 career points while playing for Waterford.
The youngest, Dani, is a current standout senior. Dani played an instrumental role in Waterford’s state runner-up team last season, and she continues to be force this season. It was during the Division IV state semifinal game of that championship run that Dani scored her 1,000 point.
“My dad woke me up and he was sitting on my bed crying,” Dani said. “… he was like ‘I gotta tell you. You’re 11 points away from your 1,000. That would be so cool if you could score there.’”
With nine points and 17 seconds remaining in the game, Dani went to the line. She made both free throws and joined the list of 1,000 point scorers. Dani was the ninth to join the list and the fourth Drayer.
Every Drayer accomplished the feat, but achieved it in different ways. Each Drayer differed in size, position and role, but all had individual and team success while a Lady Wildcat.
Over the past few years, Waterford’s girls program has grown into on of the most successful in the area. Last season was the first state championship appearance for the Lady Wildcats. This season the team ended with a 21-1 regular season record.
Through all the personal successes, a team goal is on Dani’s mind now. Dani and the Lady Wildcats aren’t content with just sectional championships. Bigger nets need to be cut down.
“We want to cut down nets there, not at Meigs,” Dani stated.