Athlete of the Year 2020-21

Apr. Week 4

Gabe Scales
Huntsville High School. 4.5 GPA
Cross Country / Track
- 4x800 Relay State Champion / School Record holder / 3x XC State Champion / 2-Year All-State Cross-Country Team Member
- “A” Honor Roll – 4 Years / Score of 35 on ACT / National Honors Society Member / Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors Society
- Active Church Youth Group Member / Mission volunteer / Community Outreach Volunteer

Apr. Week 3

Avery Tucker
Buckhorn High School, 4.40 GPA
Cheerleading
- 5-Year Varsity Cheerleader / 5x UCA All-American / 2x State Champion / 3x Region Champion / 2x D2 Summit National Champ.
- Presidential Scholarship Recipient / Top 5% of Graduating Class / AP Scholar Award Recipient /
- National Honor SocietyAlabama Girl’s State Delegate / Student Council President / BHS Student Ambassador Captain / School FCA Leader

Apr. Week 2

Joshua Lin
Bob Jones High School, 5.2 GPA
Swim
- 4-Year Varsity Swimmer / 2x Student-Athlete Award / State A Relay Swimmer / 3rd Place – 2020 State / 2x Madison City Champs
- National Merit Finalist / Presidential Scholar Nomination / National AP Scholar / 2018 State Chess Champion
- Chess Club President / Elementary School Coach & Tournament Director / Blood Drive Asst. / Youth Group Leader

Apr. Week 1

Jennifer Vega
Section High School, 4.0 GPA
Basketball / Cross Country / Track
- Basketball – 4-Year Varsity Starter, Team Captain / CC – 2-Year County Champ / 4- Year State Qualifier / 1600m All-County Track
- Academic Honor Roll / Senior Beta Club Member / Salutatorian / Carrying a 4.0 while dual enrolled
- After School Volunteer / School translator for Spanish speaking students and parents / FCCLA member

Mar. Week 4

Kendrick Bynum Jr.
Mae Jemison High School, 4.1 GPA
Football / Wrestling
- Varsity Football Starter / 3x State Playoff Qualifier / Varsity Wrestling Starter / State Wrestling Qualifier / #5 5A-6A Division
- “A-B” Honor Roll - 4 Years / AP & Honors Class Workload / Top 15 Class Ranking / National Honors Society / Dual Enrollment
- Retirement Home Volunteer / D1 District Clean up Volunteer / Church Worship Volunteer

Mar. Week 3

Aubrie Lisenby
Bob Jones High School, 4.34 GPA
Softball
- Varsity Team Starter / Top 25 Ranked Player in Nation (Fastpitch Network / 2x School MVP / 2020 USA National Champion
- A-Honor Roll / National Honors Society / 3x Recipient – Softball Team Awards / Top 20 percent of Graduating Class
- Volunteer Coach – Baseball / Manna House Volunteer / Youth softball Instructor / Mentor to younger athletes

Mar. Week 2

Cooper Smitherman
Sparkman High School, 4.59
Cross country / Track / Football
- Captain – Cross Country Team / Captain – Indoor & Outdoor Track / Top 15 Finisher – HSV Cross Country Metro Championship
- National Merit Commended Scholar / AP Scholar w/ Distinction Award / “30 Club” Recognition (ACT) / National Honor Society
- Middle School Scholars’ Bowl Aid / Manna House Volunteer / Track Meet Volunteer / Teacher’s Aid

Mar. Week 1

Gracie Lynn Butler
Hazel Green High School, 4.35 GPA
Volleyball / Tennis
- Volleyball -- 1st Team All-State – 3x / Maxx Preps “Best Player in the State” / State Champion / Tennis - #1 Seed & Co. Champ
- AP Scholar / Girls State Candidate / National Honors Society / Trojan Ambassador / Student Council / Numerous Subject Awards
- Church Bible Study Leader / Special Olympics Volunteer / S.P.A.R.K.S. Member (Assist In youth schooling) / Church Volunteer

Feb. Week 4

Dillon Cook
Grissom High School, 4.1 GPA
Baseball
- 4-Year Varsity Baseball Starter / 3-Year Varsity Team Captain / 3x WWBA All-Tournament Team Member
- “A” Honor Roll / National Honors Society / Circle of Friends Member / Latin Club / First Priority Club / Jr. Civitan Club Member
- Volunteer – Redstone Village / Special Needs Student Leader (Grissom) / Youth Leader – Younglife & Capernaum (Ministry)

Feb. Week 3

Madison Dutton
Providence Classical School, 4.34 GPA
Soccer / Track / Cross Country / Dance
- 3-Year Varsity Soccer Starter / Team Founder and Captain / 4-Year Varsity / CC Team Captain & ACAA State Champion
- “A” Honor Roll / HONORS Class Courses / Science Fair Award Winner / National Latin Exam – Summa Cum Laude Award
- Senior Class President / Music Camp Volunteer / Youth Church Volunteer / Bible Study Babysitter for Homeless

Feb. Week 2

Christopher Barraza
St. John Paul II Catholic High School, 4.54 GPA
Swimming
- State Champion – 100 Breaststroke & 200 Individual Medley / State Record Holder / US Open Qualifier / JPII Team Captain
- National Honor Society / President - House Leadership Council (JPII) / National Latin and Art Honor Society Member
- Volunteer – “Swim 4 Success” / Eagle Scout / “Green Team” Member (JPII) / Active Church Member / Lifeguard and Swim Coach

Feb. Week 1

Alexis Herr
Huntsville High School, 4.3 GPA
Cheerleading
- 3-Year Varsity Team Member / Varsity Captain / Competitive Cheerleading Member and State Champion
- “A” Honor Roll / AP and Honors Curriculum / National Honor, Latin & Math Honor Society Member / Chemistry Club President
- Community Service Club President / Volunteer - Mana House & Downtown Rescue Mission / Fundraiser-Cotillion Club / Tutor

Jan. Week 4

Baylin Navarro
Bob Jones High School, 4.38 GPA
Hockey / Lacrosse
- Team Captain – Charger Travel Hockey, NAHA Rec Hockey / Led Team to Past 5 Championships / Varsity Lacrosse Starter & MVP
- “A” Honor Roll / National Honors Society / Dual Enrollment @ UA-Huntsville / AP & Honors Class Workload
- Hockey Youth Coach Volunteer / Volunteer Lacrosse Coach / New Leash on Life Volunteer / AROTC Member

Jan. Week 3

Erica Hall
Huntsville High School, 4.51 GPA
Soccer / Taekwondo
- 3-Year Varsity Soccer Starter / Defensive MVP / JV Team Captain / Second Degree Black Belt – Taekwondo
- Academic Honor Roll / AP and Honors Class Workload / Highest Academic Achievement / Math, Latin & National Honor Societies
- North Alabama Soccer Coalition Volunteer / New Leash on Life Volunteer / Green Club Volunteer / Taekwondo Instructor

Jan. Week 2

Dillon Cook
Ider High School, 4.0 GPA
Basketball / Cross Country / Golf
- Helped create first CC Team @ Ider HS / Boys CC Placed 2nd in County Play in 2nd Year / Helped start Ider HS Golf Team
- 4-Year Class President / Senior Beta Club President / FBLA President / Yearbook Editor / National Society of HS Scholars
- Senior Citizen Center Volunteer / Peer Mentor Program / JV Volleyball Asst. Coach / Beta Club School Clean Up

Jan. Week 1

Caileigh Byrd
Oakwood Adventist Academy, 3.99 GPA
Basketball
- 2-Year Varsity Team Captain (4-Yr Starter) / 2020 AHSAA All-Tournament Team / 1st Place - Jr. NBA Challenge / School Awards
- Principals List Recipient (3-Years) / VP – Student Association / National Society of HS Scholars / National Honors Society
- Volunteer - Oakwood Academy Athletics / Downtown Rescue Mission Volunteer / Youth Ministries Volunteer / Youth Choir

Dec. Week 4

Crutcher Ezell
Riverside Christian Academy, 3.5 GPA
Football / Basketball / Baseball
- Varsity Basketball and Baseball Starter / Has Set or Broken Seven (7) Football School Records / All-American Game Participant
- A-B Honor Roll / Multiple Award Winner, School Accolades / Dual Enrollment with Motlow Community College
- “Hands-Free” Work Camp Volunteer / Hands of Mercy Volunteer / Worked with Special Needs Children and the Homeless

Dec. Week 3

Shakiya Friend
Mae Jemison High School, 4.47 GPA
Volleyball / Tennis / Golf
- 4-Year Varsity Volleyball Team Member / Received School’s “Most Athletic” Award / 3-Years Varsity Tennis
- “A” Honor Roll / Dual Enrollment with UA-Huntsville / Top-10 Class Ranking / National Honor Society
- Habitat for Humanity Volunteer / School Mentor / SGA Volunteer / Frequent Blood Donor

Dec. Week 2

Jackson Quarles
James Clemens High School, 4.0 GPA
Basketball / Cross Country / Track
- Varsity Basketball Team Captain / School Defensive Player of the Year (BXB) / Outdoor T&F Varsity Capt. / #1 in 7A Region 400m
- A-B Honor Roll (4-Years) / Heisman HS Scholarship Winner – JCHS / SGA President / National Honor Society / Mu Alpha Theta
- Founder, “Shining Within” – Raised funds for Downtown Rescue Mission / Free-2-Teach Volunteer / Church Volunteer / Tutor

Dec. Week 1

Amber Askew
Grissom High School, 4.07 GPA
Volleyball
- Four-year varsity team member (3-year starter) / School record holder – Most single game & season assists / Travel team captain
- National Honor Society / Mu Alpha Theta – Math Honor Society / AP course load / Three time volleyball academic award
- FCA volunteer / Toys for Tots coordinator / Girls Scouts / Church volunteer / 465+ hours volunteering for youth volleyball clinics

Nov. Week 4

Kacen Pierce
Athens Bible School, 4.07
Baseball & Basketball
- Varsity Baseball & Basketball starter / North/South Basketball & Baseball Team nominee / 1A-7A Best Alabama Players Honorable Mention
- Dual Enrolment at Calhoun College / “A” Honor Roll / Will graduate Athens Bible with Associates Degree
- National Beta Club Member (6 years) / Athens Mayor Youth Commission Member / Limestone Co. Sheriff’s Youth Commission

Nov. Week 3

Madison Cowan
Hazel Green High School, 4.46 GPA
Soccer & Bowling
- Varsity Soccer team captain / All-County & Offensive POY / Bowling: ranked 8th individually, 7th Women’s Team in Alabama
- AP Scholar with Distinction / “A” Honor Roll / ACT: 33 / National Honor Society
- Trojan Ambassador (Hazel Green HS) / Rescue Mission & Manna House volunteer / Church youth camp volunteer

Nov. Week 2

Drew Lawson
Bob Jones High School, 3.94
Football & Wrestling
- 3-year Varsity Football starter / 2019 All-State Team & BJHS Offensive Player of the Year / Freestyle & Greco Style Wrestling State Champion
- “A” Honor Roll / Honors classes curriculum / Member of Bob Jones High School Teaching Academy
- Church volunteer / Bob Jones High School Booster Club volunteer / Set-up volunteer (Daystar Church)

Nov. Week 1

Taryn Brown
Westminster Christian Academy, 4.21
Cheerleading
- Cheer Captain – Football & Basketball / Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) All-American / CCA Regional Champion
- “A” Honor Roll (4 years) / National Honor Society / SGA Treasurer / Key Club and Spanish Club
- Volunteer – Happy HeARTS (Special needs children) / Volunteer reader (Elementary school) / Volunteer Cheer Coach

Oct. Week 4

Hunter Wilson
Section High School, 4.0 GPA
Golf & Baseball
- Varsity starter – Golf team / Varsity starter – Baseball team
- Class rank – 3rd / Honor Roll / Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society / Selected Future Leader by Jacksonville St. University
- Jackson County Youth Leader / Volunteer - Hope On Heels / Volunteer - Read to Succeed / Peer tutoring / Christmas Charities

Oct. Week 3

Kennedy Barron
Pisgah High School, 4.0 GPA
Softball, Basketball & Indoor Track
- Five-time Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State Selection; Two-time Softball State Champion; Three-time girls Basketball State Champion
- Four-time NE Alabama CC Aurora Writing Competition Winner; English & Math Honor Societies; Dual enrollment (Math/Sci/English)
- Co-Chair - Hope on Heels Ovarian Cancer Awareness Golf Tournament; Jackson Co. Olympics Hug Buddy Program (4 years)

Oct. Week 2

Nicholaus Stokes
St. John Paull II Catholic, 4.16 GPA
Football, Wrestling, Basketball, Track & Field
- Two-year Varsity Football Letterman & Team Captain; Three-year Varsity Basketball Letterman; Varsity Wrestling; Mountain Bike Team
- National Honor Society; Boys State candidate; Honors & AP Courses; Rotary Youth Leadership Award; Student Council
- Volunteer community service (178 total hours); Basketball Junior Coach; Green Team volunteer; School volunteer

Oct. Week 1

Cali Persaud
Athens High School, 4.13 GPA
Volleyball
- Varsity starter – Volleyball; Starting setter with more than 2,000 career game assists (1,500 over past two seasons)
- A-Honor Roll; National Honor Society; Member – Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society
- Community service volunteer (More than 50 volunteer hours); Church volunteer; Pi Beta volunteer service member

Sept. Week 4

Jake Gaertner
Bob Jones High School, 4.48 GPA
Football & Lacrosse
- 3-year varsity football starter; 3-year varsity lacrosse starter; 1-year JV track & field; 1,000# Lifter (Football)
- A-Honor Roll; AP/Honors courses; Bob Jones H.S. Student Ambassador; National Honor Society
- Social and Service Chairman – Student2Student; Eagle Scout; Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership participant; Certified lifeguard

Sept. Week 3

Jessica Dodson
Buckhorn High School, 3.9 GPA
Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Soccer
- 4-Year Cross Country varsity member; Top 12 in State (XC);3-year varsity track (Outdoor); Lettered in varsity soccer
- Sigma Alpha Theta Academic Award; National Honor Society; Historical Society Member; Spanish Club
- Church volunteer (Nursery, Mission Trips, Food Pantry); School volunteer (BHS) and tutor; Manna House volunteer

Sept. Week 2

Kurt Sarner
St. John Paull II Catholic, 4.3 GPA
Football, Wrestling & Outdoor Track
- 3-year varsity football letter winner; 2-year varsity wrestling letter winner; Varsity track and field
- A-B Honor Roll (4 years); National and Math Honor Societies; Link Crew Leader; National Student Leadership Conference
- Aiding Rocket Smoke volunteer (Feed the Hungry); Huntsville Hospital volunteer; Green Team volunteer

Sept. Week 1

Madelyn Crabb
Hazel Green High School, 3.96 GPA
Volleyball & Softball
- Varsity starter for softball & volleyball; Madison Co. JV All-Tournament Team, Back-to-Back State Runner-Up (Volleyball)
- A-Honor Roll, National Society of High School Scholar, National Honor Society and Hazel Green H.S. Ambassador
- Special Olympics Volunteer, North Alabama Children’s Home Volunteer, Rainbow Omega Volunteer - Service Projects