SHERMAN, Texas — Alauna Luper, a 16-year-old boxer from Grayson County, made history this month as the first female boxer from the county to compete in the National Junior Olympics, held in Wichita, Kansas.
Luper faced the number-one-ranked junior boxer in the nation in what was described as a closely contested bout. Although she did not win, her participation marked a milestone for female boxers in the Texoma region.
> "Boxing is like competing with yourself in the worst moment, but also in that worst moment you find yourself," Luper said.
Her father and coach, Andre Luper, who has trained many youth across Grayson County, expressed pride in her achievement. "For all the female boxers I ever had, for her to be the one to actually make it to that level — we're so proud of her," he said. He described her as "very disciplined" and focused in training.
Luper is already planning her return to the national competition next year. "I just plan to work hard for it, train hard, like hard hard, to go and win as much as I can," she said. She has fights scheduled across the country — from Florida to California — throughout the rest of the summer.
