News Summary
On January 13th, the Newberry County Touchdown Club hosted its annual awards banquet at Central United Methodist Church, celebrating the dedication of local student-athletes. Guest speaker Joe Walker emphasized the importance of decision-making for young athletes. The event honored outstanding talents, including Jemarian Dewalt, recipient of the 2024 Donnie Shell Award, and recognized the Newberry County Touchdown Club All-County Team. The night also highlighted academic achievements, with awards for student-athletes from Newberry College, showcasing the community’s support for youth sports.
Newberry Celebrates Student-Athletes at Touchdown Club Banquet
What a night it was in Newberry on January 13th as the Newberry County Touchdown Club hosted its annual awards banquet! The event took place at the Central United Methodist Church, turning the venue into a lively celebration of hard work, dedication, and excellence among student-athletes from local high schools and colleges.
As community members gathered to applaud these outstanding athletes, an inspiring guest speaker took the stage. Joe Walker, a seasoned educator and coach with an impressive 41 years of experience in South Carolina, shared valuable insights. His emphasis on the significance of decision-making resonated with everyone in the room, shedding light on how the choices made during the teenage years can shape their futures. It was a timely reminder for those young athletes as they navigate their paths both on and off the field.
A Star Player Emerges
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the recognition of exceptional talent. This year’s 2024 Donnie Shell Award for Player of the Year went to the amazing Jemarian Dewalt of Mid-Carolina High School. Dewalt’s dedication to the game and phenomenal skills truly set him apart from the competition, making him a well-deserved recipient of this prestigious award.
All-County Team Honors
The Touchdown Club also unveiled the Newberry County Touchdown Club All-County Team, which features a lineup of outstanding athletes who have left their mark this past season. Recognized players included:
- Jaxson Moody, Mid-Carolina HS
- Ryker Woolstenhulme, Mid-Carolina HS
- Javon Conway, Newberry Academy
- Thomas McLean, Newberry Academy
- Jody Ray Miles, Newberry Academy
- Jared Acosta, Newberry HS
- Kenton Caldwell, Newberry HS
- Isaiah Glymph, Newberry HS
- Brady Chapman, Newberry HS
- Sam Moore, Whitmire
- Kayshaun Schumpert, Whitmire
- Blake Stribble, Whitmire
College Achievements Recognized
The night went on to honor student-athletes from Newberry College as well. The accolades were well-deserved, with the following awards being handed out:
- Cooper Trnavsky – Offensive Player of the Year
- Colby Taylor – Defensive Player of the Year
- Bryce Earley – Special Teams Player of the Year
Academic Excellence Shined Bright
A special segment was dedicated to the Newberry County Touchdown Club All-Academic Team, recognizing those who excel not just in athletics but also in academics. The standout scholars included:
- Liam Blair, Mid-Carolina HS
- Harrison Hardage, Mid-Carolina HS
- Quinn Waites, Newberry Academy
- Caleb Wilbanks, Newberry Academy
- Bryce Satterwhite, Newberry HS
- Will Satterwhite, Newberry HS
- Kayshaun Schumpert, Whitmire
- Blake Stribble, Whitmire
Newberry Observer Awards
The evening also highlighted the Newberry Observer 2024 Award Winners, showcasing standout performances from various students:
- Kenton Caldwell – MVP/Player of the Year, Newberry HS
- Jemarian Dewalt – Defensive Player of the Year, Mid-Carolina HS
- BJ Jones – Offensive Player of the Year, Newberry HS
- AD Basnight – Offensive Player of the Year, Newberry HS
- CJ Earl – Returner of the Year, Newberry HS
- Daniel Teran – Special Teams Player of the Year, Newberry HS
- Sam Moore – Newcomer of the Year, Whitmire
- Cash Brown – Newcomer of the Year, Newberry HS
- Ryker Woolstenhulme – Newcomer of the Year, Mid-Carolina HS
- Thomas McLean – Iron Man of the Year, Newberry Academy
- Bryce Satterwhite – Iron Man of the Year, Newberry HS
Community Spirit Makes It Possible
This year’s event saw a record number of sponsors stepping up to support the Newberry County Touchdown Club, reinforcing that community spirit is alive and well! Special thanks were extended to Wilson Tractor, who sponsored the Newberry Observer awards for the second year in a row.
As the evening wrapped up, it was clear that the support from the community plays a huge role in the success of these young athletes. Celebrating their achievements not only highlights their hard work but also encourages them to continue reaching for the stars!
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Additional Resources
- Newberry Observer: Touchdown Club Hosts 2024 Football Awards Banquet
- GoLaurens: Cook Named Laurens County Touchdown Club Player of the Week
- Newberry Observer: Newberry County Touchdown Club Hosts Its First Meeting in 2024
- My Clinton News: A Photo Gallery – Football So Far
- The State: High School Sports News
- Wikipedia: Student-athlete
- Google Search: Touchdown Club
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Sport
- Google News: Student Athlete Awards
