Track freshman Jenna Philpott earns Athlete of Year honor in her hometown
MANCHESTER, Tenn. -- Athletes have come and gone through
Manchester over the years. But none quite like Jenna Philpott.
Philpott exploded onto Manchester sports scene in 2006 and has
managed to stay front and center ever since - stacking up piles of
awards, ribbons, trophies, medals and her newest acco-lade -
Manchester Times Female Athlete of the Year Award.
The Athlete of the Year honor is Philpott's third straight - the
most by one athlete since the awards inception.
Philpott graduated from Coffee County Central High School in May
and is currently attending Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville
on a track scholarship.
"Being voted best female athlete three years in a row is very
humbling," said Philpott, "knowing there are other girls, including
teammates, who push themselves hard at whatever they do. And it's
very rewarding personally, knowing I tried to perform my best at
everything - especially sports in high school.
"I'm driven by competitiveness and if being given this award means
I have given 110-percent then I feel I have done everything I could
to help my teams be the best they could have been."
Despite only having five months to play sports for Coffee County
Central High School in 2008, Philpott made quite an impact. She
started off the calendar year with a solid second half of the
2007-2008 basketball season, where her 21 point effort led to a win
over district rival Lincoln County. She averaged over 10 points per
game from Jan. 1 through the season's final game in February, but
was known better for her defensive play.
But Philpott really shines on the track. She returned to the
Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association's Bluecross Spring
Fling in Murfreesboro for the third straight year where she placed
10th in the pentathlon and her 4x800 meter relay team finished
eighth and earned a medal. She competed in the spring fling with a
stress fracture in one leg and an inflamed nerve in the other.
She signed a track scholarship with Tennessee Tech late in the
track season and will be competing for the Golden Eagles in the
spring of 2009.
"I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for my family,
coaches and teammates," added Philpott. "They all encouraged me to
be the best I could in their own ways. My family is my support
system, my coaches were always there for guidance no matter the
situation, and my teammates made me better. For these people I
couldn't be more thankful."
