Sportsmanship recognition for NCHSAA student-athletes as “Heart Of A Champion” winners honored

Click to view

CHAPEL HILL - A total of 27 student-athletes from North Carolina High School Athletic Association member schools have been recognized for their outstanding sportsmanship as winners of "Heart of a Champion" recognition.

The sportsmanship recognition is part of the program offered by the NCHSAA Student Services Division and is sponsored by the North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company. Mark Dreibelbis, NCHSAA assistant executive director, and student services assistant Chiquana Dancy administer the program.

Each of the NCHSAA member schools had the opportunity to nominate one male and one female student-athlete for the recognition. The students must have participated in at least one varsity sport, including cheerleading, during the 2008-09 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 will be honored at a luncheon on Saturday, June 13, at the Radisson Governors' Inn in the Research Triangle Park.

North Carolina Farm Bureau Heart of a Champion 2009 Honorees:

Student Athlete, School, Nominator

Drew Absher, Davie County, Mike Absher
Christina Alevizatos, Raleigh Millbrook, Shannon Poole, Kathy Stefanou
Morgan Baldwin, South Stanly, Elizabeth Nichols
Shelly Barker, Ashe County, Laura Foster
Whitney Boykin, Clinton, Chris Owens
Megan Carper, Franklinton, Lindsay DeHart
Michelle Cox, Ayden-Grifton, Kathy Frazier
Ashley Davis, Raleigh Sanderson, Robert Catapano
Jonathon Dockery, Alexander Central, Tom Harper
Michael Gatton, West Iredell, Mark Weycker
Colin Gray, Matthews David Butler, Janet Prevatte
Marco Gupton, West Rowan, David Hunt
Leslie Hopper, Asheville Clyde Erwin, David Ball
Laura Icenhour, Matthews David Butler, Janet Prevatte
KaRonne Jones, Fayetteville Cape Fear, Anthony McMillan
Juli Leon, Jamestown Ragsdale, Brien Braswell
Jacob Lewis, North Johnston, Thomas Nelson
Hayleigh Maher, Manteo, Michael Dobbs
Kristin Maney, McDowell, Brian Franklin
Timmy McCall, Hope Mills South View, James Parker IV
Christopher Seager, Asheville Clyde Erwin, David Ball
Elizabeth Stephenson, Greenville Rose, Marie Lewis
Jake Stevens, South Stanly, Elizabeth Nichols
Emily Talley, West Stanly, Wendy Tucker
Kelsey Thrasher, Lake Norman, Steve Rankin
Nathaniel Touchberry, Raleigh Millbrook, Scott McInnes
Tyler Westall, West Stanly, Wendy Tucker