Rocky Mount HS honors its athletes
June 3, 2012
By Charles Alston of Rocky Mount High SchoolROCKY MOUNT - Rocky Mount High School celebrated its student athletes with its annual athletic banquet last Thursday evening at the school’s main gym -- the last one ever to be held on the campus.
Athletic Director Mike Gainey served as Master of Ceremonies, but he and wife, girls basketball coach Pam Gainey, were shocked early on in the proceedings when they were both honored with the third annual Dudley Whitley Award.
RMHS alum Dee Whitley, representing family members mother Sheila and sister Beth, bestowed the award that honors the long-time coach and administrator in the Rocky Mount City Schools and later the Nash-Rocky Mount Schools. He passed away in 2009.
The award was established to annually recognize coaches who exemplify Whitley’s goals, character and sportsmanship as well as honoring a coach who serves as a positive role model for students.
Former winners of the award were Southern Nash football coach Brian Foster and Northern Nash track and field and cross county coach Jeff Dodrill.
Former Rocky Mount football coach and athletic director Walt Wiggins, who was making his first appearance at the ceremony since his retirement in 1995, presented an award to assistant principal Linwood Weeks who has announce that he will be retiring at the end of the summer. Weeks played for Wiggins as well coached under him at RMHS.
The night came to a close when the boys basketball team received their state championship rings.
The Gryphons won the NCHSAA 3-A state title over Hickory in March.
SPRING
Female Athlete of the Year - Tia Hudgins
Male Athlete of the Year - Paul Lilley
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year - Caroline Bell
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year - William Crumpler
Juan Chesson Award - Holly Fryar
Varsity Baseball
Most Outstanding Player - Jeremy Johnson
Most Improved - Damian Smith
Coaches’ Award - Andy Morris
JV Baseball
Most Valuable - Chandler Clontz
Most Consistent - Caleb Chandler
Boys Golf
Most Consistent - Gardner Noble
Coaches’ Award - Dylan Matthews
Girls Soccer
Offensive Player of the Year - Kasey Cooke
Defensive Player of the Year - Tyeisha Hardy
12th Player Award - Kaitlyn Worsley
Varsity Softball
Most Valuable - Precious White
Best Defensive Player - Carmen Richardson
Most Improved - Daiza Brown
JV Softball
Most Valuable Player - Haley Coppedge
Most Improved - Anada Woodley
Boys Tennis
Most Valuable Player - James Smith
Coaches’ Award - William Garrison
Boys Track
Most Valuable Player - Paul Lilley
Coaches’ Award - Octavis Smith
Coaches’ Award - Michael Hines
Girls Track
Co-Most Valuable Player - Savasja Davis
Co-Most Valuable Player - Fantacy Bryant
Most Improved - Takeyra Thomas
WINTER
Varsity
Boys Basketball
Most Improved - Dante Battle
Gryphon Pride Award - Levon Brutus
Most Valuable - Terrill Hilliard
JV Boys Basketball
Coaches Award - Thomas Cooper
Impact Player Award - Aumir Pittman
Varsity
Girls Basketball
Coaches Award - Alexus Cooper
Leadership Award - Tia Hudgins
Most Valuable Player - J’Kyra Brown
JV Girls Basketball
Most Dependable - Taquiyah Battle
Most Improved - Treona Bynum
Boys Swimming
Co-Most Valuable Player - Zachary Vestal
Co-Most Valuable Player - Sam Haynes
Girls Swimming
Coaches’ Award - Rebecca Pridgen
Coaches’ Award - Alex Whicker
Boys Indoor Track
Most Valuable Player - Paul Lilley
Coaches’ Award - Retho Williams
Coaches’ Award - Rodie Shambley
Girls Indoor Track
Coaches’ Award - Savasja Davis
Wrestling
Coaches Award - Janicento Williamson
Most Improved - Elliott Whitehead
Most Outstanding Wrestler- Alex Knight
Varsity Cheerleading
Coaches Award - Ami Thai
Coaches Award - Chelsea Brown
Most Dedicated - Brandy Pittman
Best All-Around - Alexsis Bryant
JV Cheerleading
Best All-Around - Brittany Collins
FALL
Varsity Football
Offensive MVP - Mason Hines
Defensive MVP - Rodquez Greene
Coaches’ Award - Delasio Bartley
Billy Smith Award - Ben Winstead
JV Football
Offensive MVP - Josh Carter
Defensive MVP - Keyaad Coley
Volleyball
Most Valuable Player - Tia Hudgins
Coaches’ Award - Evie Hunter
Coaches Award - Precious White
JV Volleyball
Coaches’ Award - Takia Draughn
Most Improved - Bailey Smith
Girls Tennis
Most Valuable Player - Mackenzie Warner
Coaches Award - Caroline Bell
Boys Cross Country
MVP - Mason Holt
Coaches’ Award - Tyler Strother
Most Improved - Kathan Bender
Girls Cross Country
MVP - Nefertiti Thigpen-Conyers
Coaches’ Award - Autumn Pilgreen
Most Improved - Grayson Hicks
Boys Soccer
Blue/Gold Award - Matt Boudreau
Coaches’ Award - Gardner Noble
Gryphon Award - Logan Barnes
Girls Golf
Most Consistent - Ali Martin
Most Improved - Ashleigh Matia
Coaches’ Award - Bailey Lewis
