NCHSAA ATHLETES OF YEAR NAMED
CHAPEL HILL —- Romar Morris of Salisbury High School and Courtney Melvin of East Bladen High School have been named winners of the 2011 Athlete of the Year awards by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA).
These are the top athletic awards given by the NCHSAA to honor the most outstanding male and female high school athletes in the state. They were presented at the Dean E, Smith Center on the University of North Carolina campus during the NCHSAA’s Annual Meeting on Thursday.
Both of the winners were selected by a special panel of media representatives from across the state. They were each presented with the Pat Best Memorial Trophy, named for the former Goldsboro High principal and president of the NCHSAA who died unexpectedly in 1988.
“On behalf of our Board of Directors and the entire membership of the NCHSAA, we congratulate these outstanding student-athletes on their tremendous achievements during their high school careers,” said Davis Whitfield, commissioner of the NCHSAA. “Both have extremely impressive credentials which are in the same vein as previous winners of this award, and we certainly wish them well in their future pursuits.
Morris is a tremendous three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track, a four-year member of those teams at Salisbury.
During his senior year, he was the leading rusher and Most Valuable Player in the NCHSAA 2-AA state championship game in football, earningthe Central Carolina Conference Player of the Year award. He also played an important role in helping the Hornets reach the Western Regionals in basketball.
Additionally in the winter season, he ran winter track and won the state championship in the 55 meters. In the spring, he runs outdoor track and will be defending his crown as the two-time defending champion in both the 100 and 200 meters. He will also participate in other relay events. During his last three years at Salisbury, he has won five individual state championships and helped lead three teams to state crowns with this spring’s season remaining.
In track, she has twice been selected as the Most Valuable Player for her team. She is the 2011 conference champion in the shot put and has qualified for regional competition.
She will continue her athletic and academic career at East Carolina University next fall.
This is the 26th year in which awards have been given to the top overall male and female athletes. Previous winners of the award include:
NCHSAA ATHLETES OF YEAR
1985-86Pam Doggett, Dudley
Patrick Lennon, Whiteville
1986-87 Andrea Stinson, North Mecklenburg
Robert Siler, Jordan-Matthews
1987-88LeAnn Kennedy, Trinity
Chester McGlockton, Whiteville
1988-89Danyel Parker, Clinton
Ethan Albright, Grimsley
1989-90Karen Davis, Forbush
David Inman, Terry Sanford
1990-91Christy Cagle, Hayesville
Mike Kendall, Albemarle
1991-92Wendy Palmer, Person
Rusty LaRue, Northwest Guilford
1992-93Holly Hill, Southwestern Randolph
Tyrone Westmoreland, South Iredell
1993-94Jamie Parsons, Millbrook
Brian Roseboro, T.Wingate Andrews
1994-95Aedrin Murray, Chatham Central
Na Brown, Reidsville
1995-96Shea Ralph, Terry Sanford
Titcus Pettigrew, West Forsyth
1996-97Jackie Houston, Kings Mountain
Tyrell Godwin, East Bladen
1997-98Clifeteana McKiver, East Duplin
Julius Peppers, Southern Nash
1998-99Anna Tharrington, Southern Nash
Nick Maddox, A.L. Brown
1999-2000Courtney Willis, Terry Sanford
Manny DeShauteurs, Brevard
2000-01Molly Pyles, Hendersonville
Derrele Mitchell, R.J. Reynolds
2001-02Katrelle Armwood, Durham School of Arts
A.J. Davis, Northern Durham
2002-03Anna Evans, Lumberton
Drew Williamson, Cummings
2003-04Eva Baucom, Forest Hills
Jim Ollis, Polk County
2004-05Jessie Sims, West Henderson
Terrell Hudgins, Rocky Mount
2005-06Megan Zullo, Farmville Central
Kendric Burney, Southwest Onslow
2006-07Gabby Mayo, Southeast Raleigh
Dee Bost, Concord
2007-08Jannetta Robinson, Pender
E.J. Abrams-Ward, Thomasville
2008-09Ali Ford, Freedom
Tyler Shatley, East Burke
2009-10Leah Mackley, Pender
Kareem Martin, Roanoke Rapids
2010-11Courtney Melvin, East Bladen
Romar Morris, Salisbury
About 200,000 athletes compete in the NCHSAA’s 23-sport program.
