Bethlehem award winners, from left, Sara Thurmond, Kensey Clayton, Ashlyn Miles and Carlie Thurmond. (Larry Vaught Photo)
The third annual Rise Up Sports Media Awards Ceremony Wednesday in Lexington brought together some of the state’s best female athletes to be recognized in various categories.
Rise Up Sports Media’ Tonia Witt and her staff honored players from across the state with Dea Bradley of Hart County being named the Rise Up Player of the Year while Pikeville’s Trinity Rowe, Mercer County’s Anna Drakeford and Bethlehem’s Ashlyn Miles won player of the year honors in their areas.
“It was hard to pin down winners because there are so many great players across the state (in all sports),” Witt said.
That’s true but one team — Bethlehem — certainly has made an impact. The Banshees won the state soccer championship this year and four of the five starters on the basketball team — which won its fourth straight 5th Region title — were key players on the soccer team.
Carlie Thurmond, Bethlehem’s all-time leading scorer in soccer and basketball, was one of four to receive the Valerie Still I Rise award that acknowledges athletic achievement, scholastic excellence and community involvement.
Thurmond, who also runs track, has a 4.0 grade-point average and has also been active in community service.
Kensey Clayton, another two-sport Bethlehem standout, received a $400 Rise Up Sports scholarship for the way “she handled adversity with grace and strength” and also the leadership she provided.
The Rise Up Sports Title IX award went to Bethlehem principal Sara Thurmond. Witt noted that many accomplishments she has made with athletics and administration to showcase what females can do.
5Ss Fundraising and Rise Up Sports also gave out a $1,000 Rise Up scholarship to a student-athlete who embodies loyalty in friendship and extends that dedication to their family and faith but who also know how to infuse joy and laughter with friends and family.
The winner was Cooper senior Maleah Alexander who has a 4.56 grade-point average, is the all-time soccer scoring leader at her school and has been on regional championship basketball teams. She also volunteers at her church and started a Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at Cooper High School.
Two other awards that resonated with me went to Skylar Waller of Marshall County and Grace Bale of Taylor County. They received the Cassidy Rowe Courage Award given to an athlete who overcame adversity to play at a high level.
Walker has had two shoulder injuries and a torn ACL to score over 1,000 points and also play in the state golf tournament. She played in the state one year with a torn shoulder ligament and torn ACL and also battled through the same injuries in basketball.
Bale tore her ACL on April 12, hard surgery April 25 and was cleared to return to practice and play Dec. 18. She continues to work with a personal trainer twice each week and is ready to start AAU play.
It was just an inspirational group of Kentucky athletes — I could go on and on with what others did to earn awards — and showcased the talent and tenacity of female high school athletes in Kentucky.
