BOONEVILLE, Miss. - Northeast Mississippi Community College concludes its 75th anniversary celebration with the recognition of the annual Tiger Award winners.
The Tiger Award is presented to an individual from each Northeast athletic program that consistently embodies positive attributes both on-and-off the field or court of competition.
• Madison Burks (Baldwyn) was a member of Northeast's most active cheerleading squad ever. They added home volleyball matches to their busy schedule, which already featured football and basketball games plus other institutional activities such as pep rallies.
Quotable: "Madison set a great example as a dedicated student-athlete on our campus. Her incredible work ethic impacted the team tremendously. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for her," head coach Chasity Moore.
• Codey Cleveland (Red Bay, Ala.) posted an overall scoring average of 77.6 shots per round. He had a pair of top 10 showings, including a tie for eighth place in the Tigers' season opener at West Point's Mossy Oak Golf Club.
Quotable: "Codey stayed strong and gave everything he had this season. When I needed him the most, he was always there for the team," head coach Derek DeVaughn.
• Madison Gardner (Saltillo) finished in the top five in the conference in both field goal percentage at 54.2 and blocks with a total of 53. The Shorter (Ga.) University women's basketball signee also converted on a team-best 80.6 percent of her free throws.
Quotable: "Madison is the epitome of what a Lady Tiger is. She went above and beyond to be a rock for her teammates. She takes pride in leading by example and being the best possible person she can be," head coach Chelsey Rhodes.
• Lee Ellen Kelley (Wheeler) rose from the bottom singles and doubles slots as a freshman to the number one position in the lineup at times during her final campaign with the women's tennis team.
Quotable: "Lee Ellen played against some high-level opponents. She did it with a smile and a great attitude. She worked hard in practice and it showed on match days. She made huge strides during her time here," head coach Mark Gilliland.
• Kevin Kotzé (Johannesburg, South Africa) racked up 10 wins between singles and doubles play as the Tigers' number one entrant. His efforts lifted the men's tennis program to the postseason for the first time in its current format.
Quotable: "Kevin set the standard for intensity at practice every day. His dedication to the team not only improved his play, but everyone else's as well. He was a great example and brought everyone up to his level," head coach Mark Gilliland.
• Ava Meeks (Kossuth) was part of the winningest sophomore class in Northeast softball history with 79 victories over two years. She was a two-way player that boasted an 8-5 pitching record and a .322 batting average offensively.
Quotable: "Ava is an example of what you want to build your culture on. She's always cheering for others. She did an outstanding job with her work ethic and did whatever it took to put the team first," head coach Jody Long.
• Caleb Parr (New Hope) earned a scholarship to Queens (N.C.) University after helping Northeast secure its eighth all-time men's basketball conference championship. He tallied 16.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, which were all second best on the team.
Quotable: "Caleb is exactly what the Tiger Award is all about. He is an honor student in the classroom, an all-conference player on the court and a very positive presence in the community and campus life," head coach Cord Wright.
• Kristian Sprawling (Olive Branch) broke the baseball program record for most times hit by a pitch in a single season with 30. The Southern Illinois University signee also led the Tigers with a .326 batting average, .506 on-base percentage, 42 hits and seven stolen bases.
Quotable: "Kristian is everything that you want in a student-athlete. His grades are good. He's always on time. He's very good at baseball. Most important, he's a good teammate and person. We're so glad he chose Northeast," head coach Richy Harrelson.
• Holder Usry (Decatur) started in all nine football games at center. He blocked for an offense that averaged 312.2 yards and 27.2 points per contest, which was the most by any Northeast unit in more than a decade.
Quotable: "Holder was a former walk-on that earned a scholarship through hard work and fortitude. He exhibited mental toughness during his two years that gained the respect and recognition from his teammates and coaches," head coach Greg Davis.
• Kami Wilf (Amory) is the inaugural Tiger Award recipient for volleyball after serving as one of three team captains. She accounted for 653 assists, which was second best in the Magnolia State, along with five double-double performances.
Quotable: "Kami started and played every set of every match. She was one who never missed a practice. She was one of our leaders off the court and one of two players with a 4.0 GPA," head coach Brenda Mayes.