By Shaun Scott, Puyallup Tribal News
Puyallup Tribal Member Brayden Nicks will be a sophomore at Puyallup High School this fall and is determined to improve his speed, agility and strength in order to become a more explosive athlete.
Nicks competed on the PHS track team as a ninth grader this past spring and will suit up again for the football program this fall.
He said he prides himself on his work ethic and has been training with Travis Calloway, a personal trainer in Puyallup, to reach his goals.
The hard work has paid dividends.
Nicks drastically improved his time in the 100-meter run during the 2025 track season.
In March, he clocked in at 12.69 seconds in the event, and by the end of the season in early May, he shaved his time to a personal record of 12.1 seconds. His mom and dad were in the stands to witness his final track meet of his ninth grade year on May 8 at Sparks Stadium. Nicks said his mother, Tribal Member Lindsay LaPointe-Nicks, is one of the most influential people in his life.
“I’m always thinking of my mom everywhere I am, whether it’s when I’m playing sports or just being in school,” he said. “She is the reason why I’m very prideful to be a Native.”
Being a Tribal athlete at a public school is something that never leaves Nicks’ mind.
“We are living on Tribal lands and we’re playing sports on it,” Nicks said. “I hope people continue to talk more about the Tribe, and that it continues to get more recognized in the area.”
Nicks credits athletics for transforming him from a shy kid during his elementary school days into a confident high school student-athlete.
“Growing up, I was kind of different. I didn’t really have a lot of friends,” Nicks said. “Sports changed me a lot, and the confidence is the biggest part of it. You wouldn’t think it contributes to that, but it does a lot.”
With football season right around the corner in September, Nicks said he will compete for playing time at running back, wide receiver and defensive back.
“I’m simply just ready for it. I want to come out here to prove myself and keep improving,” he said.
