One of the highest honors for area student athletes is to be named the best in the five-county region. The Mount Airy News Media Group recently held the annual celebration to announce those athletes earning the best of the best in their respective sports as well as overall best athletes, coaches, and athletic directors.
The Best of Preps 2024 Banquet was held May 21 at First Baptist Church of Mount Airy with over 150 in attendance. Refreshments were served by Chick Fil-A of Mount Airy, and athletes, coaches and parents were able to be there for the announcements.
Serving as Premier Sponsor this year, Hugh Chatham Health — Orthopedics sponsored several athletes as well as the Premier Athlete, and the Best Female and Male Athlete of the year. Each individual winning athlete was sponsored by an area business, and many of the sponsor businesses were in attendance to help award these fine athletes.
Athletes are nominated by area sports writers, coaches, and athletic directors throughout the five-county coverage area of the Mount Airy News Media Group. Counties include Surry, Yadkin, Stokes, and Wilkes County, NC and Carroll County, VA. Sports writers for The Mount Airy News, The Stokes News, The Carroll News, The Tribune, and The Yadkin Ripple go through the tedious process of comparing stats, information about individual players and their competition, and evaluating notes given in the nomination process.
Each award winner received a plaque recognizing their achievement with the Premier, and Best Overall Female and Male awards receiving a plaque and a trophy.
To be selected as the Premier Athlete, several things were taken into consideration. Sponsored by Hugh Chatham Health — Orthopedics, the athlete is honored for their all-around sports accomplishments as well as community service, sportsmanship, and academic achievement. This year’s Premier Award goes to Sadie Badgett of North Surry High School.
The Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards, also sponsored by Hugh Chatham Health — Orthopedics, went to Fisher Leftwich of North Surry High School and Alyssa Ervin of Carroll County High School.
The guest speaker for this year’s banquet is well-known high school and college coach Mike Muse. Muse currently works for Wake Forest University as the General Manager of Men’s Basketball. He served as the WF Director of Basketball Operations in 2006-07, an assistant coach for the Deacons in 2007-08, and 2008-09 under Coach Dino Gaudio, two seasons at Appalachian State, and as a long-time teacher and coach in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system.
Surrounded by a room full of exceptional athletes, Coach Muse spoke about using GRACE in a world where it’s missing in today society. The “G” is for gratitude, the “R” respect, the “A” accountable, the “C” commitment, and the “E” enthusiastic. Combine all of these attributes together and it’s a recipe for success whether it’s going to college or into the workforce.
Stokes County athletes/coaches nominated and were voted Best of Prep were: Jason Sammons (Athletic Director of the Year), Brady Clark (Male Comeback Player of the Year), Ryley Bowles (Female Cross Country Runner of the Year), Zeb Mathis (Male Cross Country Runner of the Year), Gabbi Greer (Female Basketball Player of the Year), Cam Edmonds (Male Basketball Player of the Year), David Lee Williams (Male Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year), Sienna Martin (Cheerleading), Cameron Ring (Beach Volleyball Player of the Year) and Alana Barney (Lacrosse Player of the Year).
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