Carlie Thurmond of Bethlehem will play soccer at Morehead after her three-sport high school career that included a state soccer title. (KHSAA Photo)
Kentucky high school athletes receive a lot of special awards from Mr. and Miss Basketball to Gatorade Player of the Year in various sports.
However, the Midway University/KHSAA Student-Athlete of the Year awards to me represent a special status because it represents what an athlete does in a sport but more importantly what an athlete does in the classroom.
This year’s winners are Carlie Thurmond of Bethlehem, a three-sport standout, and Max Germann of Boyle County, a track & field athlete.
Midway started presenting a Female Student-Athlete of the Year award at each KHSAA girls’ state championship event in 2016. The program was expanded in 2019-20 to include male student-athletes with Midway honoring a deserving student-athlete in each KHSAA sport and sport-activity.
The awards are based on athletic and academic achievement, as well as community service and leadership, with Midway choosing one overall Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year each academic year.
School administrators, coaches and athletic directors nominate student-athletes, and the nominees are voted upon by a closed panel consisting of representatives from Midway.
Thurmond helped Bethlehem wins its first state soccer championship but also got the Banshees back to the state basketball tournament.
Germann won the boys 3,200-meter run and finished second in the 1,600 at the Region 2A-5 championships and was 11th in the 1,600 and sixth in the 3,200 at the state meet. Hewas seventh in the state cross country meet.
The complete list of the 2023-24 Midway University/KHSAA Student-Athletes of the Year in various sports is:
Archery: Rebecca Smith, Model; Jace Hatfield, Corbin
Baseball: Robert Hammons, Frankfort
Basketball: Gracie Howard, Christian Fellowship; Grant Bailey, Letcher County Central
Bass Fishing: Reagan Shelton, Powell County; Elijah Laflin, Christian Academy-Louisville
Bowling: Baylee Spickard, Franklin County; Colin Menner, Holy Cross (Covington)
Competitive Cheer: Ava Ledford, Knox Central
Cross Country: Autumn Egleston, Rowan County; Michael Zechella, Covington Catholic
Dance: Dixie Hall, McCracken County
Esports: Conner Layne, East Carter
Field Hockey: Megan Mauzy, Christian Academy-Louisville
Football: Jerod Smith, Corbin
Golf: MaddiJo Benton, Estill County; Jameson Corbin, Barren County
Indoor Track & Field: Flora Biro, DuPont Manual; Caleb Williams, Greenwood
Soccer: Carlie Thurmond, Bethlehem; Jonah Day, Madison Central
Softball: Lili Smith, Russell
Swimming & Diving: Haley McDonald, Sacred Heart; Landon Isler, Ryle
Tennis: Katie Switzer, Nicholas County; Sterling Chase, Central
Track & Field: Maxine Settle, Calloway County; Max Germann, Boyle County
Volleyball: Jada Knight, Warren East
Wrestling: Gabriella Borges, Simon Kenton; Kyle Wojcicki, North Oldham
