by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Tucker Dry is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, he’s 14 years old, and he is a two-time State Powerlifting Champion.
“I play football, basketball, track and powerlifting,” said Tucker. “I’m currently finishing up my eighth grade year at Durant Middle School. I’m 6’5, 290 lbs. and I’ve been a starter on the football and basketball team in middle school. My parents are James and Carie Dry and we live in Durant, OK.”
“I won the 2020 Oklahoma West Junior HS Powerlifting Meet with a total weight of 1,095 pounds including a 405 lb. squat, 225 lb. bench, and 465 lb. deadlift,” said Tucker.
“When I was 13 years old, I won the 2019 United States Powerlifting Federation (USPF) Championship with a total weight of 830 including 275 lb. squat, 205 lb. bench, and 350 lb. deadlift. In one year, I went from a 830 lb. total to a 1,095 lb. total and that shows how much hard work and dedication can pay off,” added Tucker.
“The Durant Public School presented me with the Champion of Character award for football. In track last year I placed first in 5 of 6 of the track meets in shot and disc, placing second in one meet,” added Tucker.
This is a short video clip of his state champion powerlifting efforts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOjRAfzfdDY
This is a dry workout video clip for the 2018 NCSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffxJPOQukt0
The college football scouts probably know about Tucker Dry by now. This is a seventh grade football video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCF_UZ4Rng0
“Our values within the Choctaw Nation are faith, family and culture,” said Tucker. “I’ve participated in serving our Choctaw Elders on some occasions at our Choctaw Community Center. I’m very blessed to be able to participate in these activities to help our elders, which shows the Core Values of what our Tribe stands for. The Choctaw seniors have also enjoyed coming to some of our games to support our team.”
“My dad James Dry is the Choctaw Tribal Councilman for District 9 for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma,” said Tucker. “He has motivated me not only to become a better athlete but become a very person overall. We work out together almost every day.”
“As Tucker’s dad we couldn’t be any prouder of all his accomplishments,” said James Dry. “He’s always worked hard to make really good grades and to put a lot of work into becoming a better athlete. I can remember after one of his football games, taking him to Choctaw Wellness Center in his football pants to work out. This is just the type of kid Tucker is.”
“The one achievement we are most proud of is when Tucker received the Champion of Character award for football at Durant Middle School,” said James. “This shows his true leadership and love for others. He’s always taking up for his classmates and helping some with homework. Tucker also serves meals at our Choctaw Community Center, serving our elders. We appreciate everything his trainer Dustin Reid has done for Tucker these past three years.”
“My trainer Dustin Reid has taught me the importance of discipline, respecting others and believing in myself,” said Tucker. “I wouldn’t be here today without his help and support. Dustin has taken me under his wing and is like family to me. Dustin is also a member of the Choctaw Nation. He also introduced me to Trench Mafia with JR Conrad and Coach Micah Nall. They really helped me with improving my technique and what brotherhood is all about.”
“Tucker Dry, where do I start?” said Dustin Reid, trainer and mentor to Tucker since August of 2017. “How can I describe how proud I am? I have never seen a young athlete work as hard and consistently as he does. He has a chip on his shoulder and a fire burning to be best athlete he can be. He also maintains excellent grades at school and won an award based on character.”
“When we first started lifting in 2017, Tucker could barely lift the bar on all our lifts and now he is winning Junior High Powerlifting State Championships and shattering school records. Tucker has put in the hours, the blood, the sweat, and tears into becoming the athlete he is today. As his mentor I challenged him to play multiple sports, be active in school, and make good grades. He has excelled in everything he has set his mind to and has a bright future ahead of him. I’m looking forward to seeing how he handles the challenge of possibly moving into varsity next year. I promise as of today, there is not one kid in the state of Oklahoma working harder than Tucker Dry.”
“We also appreciate Dustin for introducing us to JR Conrad with Trench Mafia,” said James. “It’s really taught him to become a better football player but most of all about brotherhood and serving others.”
“I was introduced to Tucker and his Grandfather James Dry through Coach Nall,” said JR Conrad. “Coach Nall coached a family friend while he was at University of Central Oklahoma. We have the blessing of having Coach Nall be one of the pillars of Trench Mafia. What we have learned about Tucker is he is a very dedicated hard working young man that is committed to a high standard. To make the commitment to come to our sessions on Saturdays Tucker and his Grandfather would make about a four-hour loop. That’s a big sacrifice to give up half of your weekend, to get extra work in.”
“What a great gift that James is passing down to Tucker, showing him how to go the extra mile, that road is rarely crowded. He attends camps and trains at the Choctaw Nation Complex, at his school, and at home. I recently saw him pushing a car, lifting a huge tree, all while it was raining. He is a young guy with a huge frame and potential. If he continues to work and represent his family and the Choctaw Nation in a great way you will see this big kid playing football on Saturdays,” added JR Conrad.
“My grandfather got me into lifting weights,” said Tucker. “He encouraged me to work hard and to strive for greatness.”
“I encouraged Tucker to start lifting weights when he was in fifth grade,” said grandpa James Dry. “I used to tell him to get off his butt and quit playing video games all the time. I told him it was ridiculous to be in the fifth grade with his size, 5’ 10, 215 lbs., and not play sports. He wasn’t interested in playing any sport at that time. I got my grandson Jace who at the time was playing football for Allen HS in Texas and now plays at the Air Force Academy to help me get Tucker interested in playing football.”
“At first Tucker was undisciplined and would always complain and try to make excuses about working out. I would pick him up after school three to four times a week to have him lift weights with me. A friend of mine, Craig Northcutt, told me about a guy named Dustin Reid who was a former college football player and coach that said he would like to work with Tucker. My son and I hired Dustin to help train Tucker,” added Grandpa James.
“My dad was a coach and I’m a retired coach after 30 years in the public school system,” said Grandpa James. “I’ve been involved in sports all my life and have never seen a kid change so much on work ethics and attitude. He went from benching less than 100 pounds to now benching 255. Tucker also went from sometimes being an unruly and disrespectful child, to a very respectful and outstanding person. He used to make excuses about doing things to being a very hard worker and well-trained athlete. Now when you take him to work out he is like a ‘kid in a candy store’. He can’t get enough! He even gets his dad to work out with him. They work out together almost every day.”
“It just goes to show that if you give a kid a little discipline and encouragement what they can achieve,” said Grandpa James. “Tucker works very hard, always is very positive, and has a huge heart and cares about others. I’m very proud of him and looking forward to seeing what the future holds.”
“My advice is to spend time with your children and encourage them to excel at something,” said Grandpa James. “I don’t care what it is…you both will be rewarded tenfold.”
“From day one, I was told about this huge kid in the eighth grade named Tucker Dry,” said Bruce Hill, Durant Middle School Athletic Director. “I met Tucker for the first time during the summer pride Weight lifting program. I found out very quickly that not only was he a huge kid but also had a very special attitude. I told him in that first meeting he had what nearly every professional lineman had when they were in the eighth grade.”
“His work ethic in the weight room is that he lifts with passion. He works out not only in the weight room at school, but also at the Choctaw Fitness Center. He became Durant’s first power lifting state champion for the eighth grade with a total lift of 1095 pounds. He does not have to be pushed to work out, and he does it on his own. He does this because of his passion to play football. The most important thing about Tucker is not his size and strength but his attitude and character. He is a ‘yes’ or ‘no sir’ kid, with an infectious smile for everyone he meets. I look so forward to his meetings with me in the hall, and his ‘how you doing today coach?’ with a big ole smile. Hard to think of him as an eighth grader and he is a shining example of the very best of today’s youth. He is going to be a great high school athlete but most importantly a great young man,” said Bruce.
“My physical training plan starts with hard work and dedication,” said Tucker. “I work out six days a week to improve my strength, speed, and agility. Its important to get your mindset right to make sure you can perform at your best and show others what your capable of. When I get ready for games I know I’ve put in the work to perform my absolute best. I visualize myself doing what I need to do and thank God for giving me the opportunity to do what I love.”
“I’m practicing social distancing by staying at home,” said Tucker. “My parents have set up a workout area for myself and younger brother Noah. I’ve implemented tractor tire flips, lifting logs, and running around our neighborhood.”
“The most important thing about me is being a good teammate and leader in the classroom and football field,” said Tucker. “I encourage others to give their all not only on the field but in the classroom as well. Always go 100% not matter what the circumstances may be.”
“Tucker is one of the most humble kids you will ever come across and this shows on how he cares for others,” said James. “We can’t wait for what the future holds for him. Tucker is also very blessed to have a great support system with his trainers, coaches, and most of all our family.”
Photo Credit: James Dry
