Also, will sign Morganton Freedom Ath Khris Gardin.
Athlete is the right word!
H.S. ATHLETES OF YEAR: Gardin darts his way to Freedom male honorsPosted: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 3:30 pm
JASON BAKER
MORGANTON — Rising Freedom senior Khris Gardin had a year to remember in football, basketball and track, making him a clear choice as the school’s 2012-13 male athlete of the year.
On the gridiron, Gardin set his place in the record book, being the first Patriot receiver to have over 1,000 receiving yards in a season after finishing with 1,157 yards and 14 touchdowns on 64 catches, averaging 77.1 yards per game.
Gardin crossed the 100-yard mark in three contests, with a season-high 201 yards at Chase, and was also a key component on defense scoring on an interception return of 59 yards versus Alexander Central.
Gardin also scored on two kickoff returns vs. South Mountain 2A/3A Athletic Conference rivals Shelby (99 yds) and East Rutherford (83) and was named to the All-SMAC and All-County first teams.
“My favorite sport is football because I’ve been playing it all my life, and the atmosphere is great. It tests my toughness and makes me a better person on and off the field,” said Gardin.
During the winter on the Patriot hardwood, Gardin was one of five players to have a scoring average in double figures (11.8), finishing eighth in county.
“Khris is first and foremost one of the finest young men that I have had the opportunity to coach,” said Freedom athletic director and basketball coach Casey Rogers. “Khris was our best on-ball defender this year and was selected to the all-conference team in basketball for the second consecutive year.”
“He has a great work ethic and is a terrific student of the game.”
While also earning All-County second team honors, Gardin’s favorite moment of the year was giving Shelby its only loss in SMAC play at home, a contest in which he scored 12 points.
“My influence to be a successful athlete is just trying to make something of myself and knowing that I can do all things through Christ strengthening me,” said Gardin. “It makes me want to succeed, and to see my family proud of me makes me want to be a successful athlete.”
On the track during the spring, Gardin added another honor as the SMAC boys runner of the year after winning the 100 and 200-meter dashes at the SMAC championship meet while joining the winning 4x200 relay.
Gardin represented the Patriots at the 3A state meet, joining Brenden Caldwell, David Burgess and B.J. Emmons on the 4x100 relay, beating out SMAC foe Burns by .03 seconds for third place at the 3A West Regional meet.
Freedom’s 4x100 relay team finished in seventh place (43.06) at the 3A state meet, 1.07 seconds off the time for state champion Northern Guilford.
“Khris leads (the track and field team) by example,” said Freedom boys track coach Adam Mazzolini. “He does not miss practice, and he gives his best each practice. He sets the standard for work at practice, and he leads with actions rather than words.”
Gardin credits Rogers as his most influential coach at FHS.
“He is not only my coach on the court, he teaches us the game of basketball (and) about life itself,” said Gardin. “He is like a second father to me.”
With experience at the state level in track under his belt, Gardin hopes to enjoy the same feeling next year in football and basketball.
“His ability to succeed at a high level during three different sports seasons combined with his high character are definitely things that set him apart from most high school athletes,” Rogers said. “Freedom High School is very fortunate to have Khris represent us as the school’s male athlete of the year."
www.hickoryrecord.com/morganton/sports/article_b7868668-d569-11e2-a205-001a4bcf6878.html