DURHAM—Katie Ray of Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough is the 12th annual state winner in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s “Be A Good Sport” program sponsored by the Durham Sports Club.

The winner was recognized at the Durham Sports Club’s luncheon meeting at the Croasdaile Country Club on Wednesday. The award is known as the Russell E. Blunt Be A Good Sport award, in honor of the late long-time Durham Hillside coach who is a member of both the NCHSAA Hall of Fame and the National High School Sports Hall of Fame.

Ray was nominated by Cedar Ridge volleyball and basketball coach Laurie Calder-Green and selected as a finalist for the award, along with several others, by an NCHSAA committee. Then a special committee of the Durham Sports Club selected Ray as the overall statewide winner. Every school in the state was given the opportunity to nominate a student-athlete who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship.

The Cedar Ridge senior was an outstanding three-sport athlete, playing volleyball, basketball and soccer, and served as captain of both the basketball and soccer team. She was the homecoming queen at Cedar Ridge, a member of the Beta Club and National Spanish Honor Society, and is very active in her church.

In nominating Ray, Calder-Green wrote, “She is an honor student, always a first-class leader, but willing to do her best at whatever role coaches ask of her. She has respect and honor not only for the game, but also for all who participate or will participate. She understands that leaving a legacy for those who follow is important.”

Cedar Ridge will receive a cash donation for its athletic budget as a gift from the Durham Sports Club in honor of Katie Ray.