Leslie Curtis Phillips and daughters Leigha and Laynee
There’s been some great teams in the history of Holdenville High School athletics and the Wolverine state championship track team of 1995 ranks near the top. Leslie (Curtis) Phillips was a member of that team. Leslie was a senior when her relay teams won three gold medals and she secured a second-place silver medal in the long jump. Leslie’s jump of 17 feet 2 inches was and is certainly remarkable. Leslie ran the third leg on the Wolverine 4 x 200 relay team that set the state record at 1:44. The performance was so remarkable that the time stood as the state record for 18 years.
Three state track meet gold medals and one silver set an athlete apart from other athletes who have worn a Holdenville Wolverine uniform. Stepping up on the medal podium at state and being recognized as the best of the best is a feeling that may bear no equal, except, seeing your offspring step on the podium! There’s nothing quite like a Mother’s pride in her children.
Leslie has that gleam in her eye when she glows with pride talking about Leigha and Laynee’s accomplishments. Both girls were regional champions as sophomores and were primed to make a charge at a gold medal at state last year, but the Covid-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of the state track meet. The twins had outstanding performances at the indoor track meet at the University of Oklahoma and they were ready to make a run at a state medal.
Leigha long jumped 15’8” and Laynee leaped 15’9” when the twins were sophomores. Laynee’s best high jump that year was 5’2”. Leigha entered the sprints that year and was clocked at 12.8 in the 100 meters.
Leslie worked in banking for 15 years after hanging up her track spikes. Leslie’s tenacity has been apparent since graduation. It takes a tremendous amount of dedication to work full time, raise a family and go to college but Leslie did it. She has completed her degree and has become a member of the Holdenville coaching staff. Maybe, just maybe, and hopefully there will be a track season this year and Leigha and Laynee will get their chance to shine at the state track meet. The twins have posted some impressive times and distances and just need a chance to compete.
