HobbsDailyReport.com
CHAPEL HILL – A group of 32 top student-athletes recognized Saturday by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) with ‘Heart Of A Champion’ awards included four from Greater Hickory area conferences.
The local selections were Gunnar Anderson of Alexander Central, Ty Causby of Patton and John Payne and Leanna Sherrill of West Iredell.
Each NCHSAA member school had an opportunity to nominate one male and one female student-athlete for recognition. Students must have participated in at least one varsity sport or activity, including cheerleading, during the 2017-18 school year, have not been ejected from any contest, and must have demonstrated outstanding citizenship and sportsmanship during their high school careers.
The students filled out an application questionnaire and then a school official, such as the principal or athletic director, also provided an evaluation.
The students were honored Saturday at a luncheon at the Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel.
“We are always looking for ways to highlight student-athletes who exhibit good sportsmanship and role model the character traits we hope all student-athletes learn through education-based athletics,” NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker said in a press release. “We are proud of the achievements of this select group of student-athletes, both on and off the field.”
HEART OF CHAMPION WINNERS
GUNNAR ANDERSON from Alexander Central, nominated by Matt Wilson
Anna Bass from Edenton Holmes, nominated by Wes Mattera
Madelyn Bates from Waynesville Tuscola, nominated by Lisa Clifford
Abby Bland from East Rutherford, nominated by Sarah McKinney
Andrew Burciu from Winston-Salem Reagan, nominated by Paul Hicks
TY CAUSBY from Patton, nominated by Dennis Brittain
Torrence Clark from Greene Central, nominated by Charles Harris
Raya Coley from Raleigh Millbrook, nominated by Chris East
Travis Ferguson from North Wilkes, nominated by Michael Greene
Parker Greene from West Rowan, nominated by Todd Bell
Ashley Hawkins from North Iredell, nominated by Robert Thompson
Hannah Jennings from Madison, nominated by Jamie Pate
Preslyn Johnson from Cape Fear, nominated by Matt McLean
Rachel Kapiko from Topsail, nominated by Barry West
Drake Liles from North Iredell, nominated by Robert Thompson
Richard Lopez-Hernandez from Franklinton, nominated by Jeremy Crawford
Brandon Massey from Durham Jordan, nominated by Rob McLamb
Christopher Matthews from Cape Fear, nominated by Matt McLean
Paul Miller from Greene Central, nominated by Allen Wooten
Michael Mull from East Rutherford, nominated by Clint Bland
JOHN PAYNE from West Iredell, nominated by Mickey Jordan
Chloe Riley from High Point Central, nominated by Daniel Villa
Kassie Robakiewicz from Northern Guilford, nominated by Kim Furlough
Maddie Ruffing from Durham Jordan, nominated by Mary Bailey
LEANNA SHERRILL from West Iredell, nominated by Mickey Jordan
Ty Snelson from Madison, nominated by Jamie Pate
Parker Spesock from High Point Central, nominated by Daniel Villa
Mirabella Valdiviezo from Asheville, nominated by Pamela Washington and Lance Abernathy
Benjamin Ward from Edenton Holmes, nominated by Wes Mattera
Owen White from Jesse Carson, nominated by Todd Bell
Lauren Wright from A.C. Reynolds, nominated by Ashley Green
Victoria Young from North Wilkes, nominated by Michael Green
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