At the end of each school year, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) awards certain students within the state with Heart of a Champion recognition. This year, Franklin High School (FHS) students Brianna Quiroz and Addix Sutton are 2024-2025 NCHSAA awardees (pictured below).
Both students will be attending the prestigious NCHSAA Awards Ceremony in Greensboro on June 18. On its website, NCHSAA stated, “This honor recognizes student-athletes across the state who have demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship, leadership, and community service, while participating in high school athletics.”
Past FHS recipients of the award include sisters Taylor and Tori Ensley, Hope Smith, and Elijah Cochran. Brianna, a senior, committed to Limestone University in Gaffney, S.C., in January and graduated from FHS on May 29. Addix, a junior, is a multiple sport athlete with baseball, basketball, and football on his resume. He was also the football team captain last season.
NCHSAA’s website listed information for both students’ qualifications leading to their selections, sharing about Brianna that she “is a standout cheerleader with multiple championship titles, including NCCCA State and National Championships, All-Region, All-State, and UCA All-American honors. Despite significant personal challenges, she maintained academic excellence with a 4.21 GPA, while contributing to her community and school through leadership roles in Health Occupations Students of America and Student Leadership. Her resilience, selflessness, and remarkable achievements make her a true champion both on and off the field.”
Expressing her appreciation, Brianna (above) told Macon Sense, “Receiving the Heart of a Champion Award reminds me that character matters just as much as talent. It’s an honor to be recognized not just for how I perform, but for how I lead, support others, and represent my team with integrity.”
Brianna’s Cheer Team Coach, Lynn Baker, offered positive aspects of Brianna’s character that impacted the award selection: “Brianna exemplifies what it means to have the heart of a champion; she leads with integrity, lifts others up, and never gives up, no matter the challenge. Her resilience, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her team and goals makes her a true role model. Whether it’s on or off the court, field, mat, or classroom, Brianna brings her full heart, motivating others to be their best!”
For Addix, his leadership was demonstrated in numerous ways throughout his time playing almost year-round sports at FHS. From NCHSAA: “A leader both on and off the field, Addix excels in football, basketball, and baseball. He has earned multiple Player of the Week honors, is a two-time All-Conference football player, and holds leadership positions in FHS Student Leadership and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His dedication and character shine, even in the face of personal challenges, and he is a true example of perseverance and humility.”
NCHSAA Heart of Champion Award.
FHS Head Football Coach Josh Brooks praised Addix for his leadership and maturity. “He hasn’t officially been named team captain for his senior year, but he’s going to be; he was a captain last year and he is just one of those guys that the team looks to for guidance, leadership, toughness and experience. He sets an example by doing things correctly and not making unnecessary mistakes.”
Brooks added that Addix possesses intangibles that you cannot teach. And he remembered seeing those attributes when Addix was considerably younger as well.
“He can sit someone down and have a tough conversation with him. He is our team leader, and everyone knows it. You could see it in Addix from a very early age. He was nominated and won this award and no one personifies all those attributes more than he does. He is way more concerned about the team and how we are doing than he is for himself. Some coaches look for that player that’s got ‘it.’ Well, he is that player and I’m blessed and thankful he’s on our team,” expressed Brooks.
Further, as reported in the April 24 issue, the 2024-25 FHS Student Leadership Team and Track Team will also receive recognition as recipients of the NCHSAA Commissioner’s Trophy at the June 18 awards banquet in Greensboro.
The WNC Sports Athletic Awards Banquet was held May 25. Although only 20 recipients can receive scholarships from across the region, FHS had five athletes selected to receive one this year. The awardees were: Aubrey Haley, Laura Covarrubias, Brianna Quiroz, Matheson Post, and David Rogers.