CHAPEL HILL—A total of 22 student-athletes from North Carolina High School Athletic Association member schools have been honored 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 commissioner, and assistant director for student services 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 or activity, including cheerleading, during the 2012-13 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 at a luncheon on Saturday at the Radisson Governors’ Inn in the Research Triangle Park. 

“We are proud of the achievements of this select group of student-athletes,” said NCHSAA commissioner Davis Whitfield. “With recognitions such as these, we are continuing our emphasis on sportsmanship and the important lessons high school athletics teach.”

North Carolina Farm Bureau Heart of a Champion 2012-13 Honorees:

Student Athlete School Nominator

Timothy Bell Jesse Carson Todd Bell

Zachary Broadaway West Stanly Wendy Tucker

Jessica Bunce David Butler Janet Prevatte 

Seth Carter Clyde A. Erwin David Ball

Jennifer Dagenhart West Iredell Mark Weycker

Erica Driver Corinth Holders Don Andrews

Chase Ferrell

Devan Fincher West Stanly Wendy Tucker

Megan Gilligan North Wilkes Michael Greene

Clara Hilton Woods Charter      Elizabeth Crumb

Patrick Hunter North Iredell Nick Tomlin

Haley Jackson West Rowan Todd Bell

Zach Jarrett Hickory Tom Harper

Katie Mathewson Hickory Tom Harper

Carlos Medina David Butler Janet Prevatte 

Michelle Murphy Northwest Guilford Jennifer Knoll

Kyle Perschy Woods Charter Graeme Stewart

Lawson Ray Terry Sanford         William Yeager

Brooke Redmond North Iredell Nick Tomlin

Natalie Rhew Clyde A. Erwin David Ball

Lindsey Triplett North Wilkes Michael Greene

Thinh Truong Hickory         Tom Harper

Ze Yang West Iredell Mark Weycker