South Iredell's Kaitlyn Kent named Wendy's N.C. Heisman Winner

From staff reports:

CHARLOTTE, NC (November 5, 2012) – Two of North Carolina’s most outstanding high school seniors were honored with distinguished recognition as State Winners of the 2012 Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. Kaitlyn Kent of South Iredell High School in Statesville and John Tworney-Kozak of Orange High School in Hillsborough will now go on to compete for the national award that celebrates their hard work, dedication and exceptional records in athletics, academics and community leadership.

“Colleges want well-rounded students and with admissions growing more selective, a national award like the Wendy’s High School Heisman can really help students stand out,” said Archie Griffin, two-time collegiate Heisman Trophy winner. “Kaitlyn and John are inspirations to others in their school and community, and we’re honored to welcome them into the Heisman family.”


Awarded in conjunction with the collegiate Heisman, the Wendy’s High School Heisman, now in its 19th year, has set the standard for high school student-athletes and gained tremendous prestige among universities and colleges nationwide.


Kent and Tworney-Kozak were chosen from 45,000 applicants, surviving rounds that narrowed contenders to one male and one female winner from each school, and then to North Carolina’s respected group of 20 State Finalists.

Student Name
Gender
Student High School
Hometown
Kaitlyn Kent
Female
South Iredell High School
Statesville, NC
Gisele Bailey
Female
Charlotte Christian School
Charlotte, NC
Rachel Moore
Female
Andrews High School
Andrews, NC
Jordan Brown
Female
Randleman High School
Randleman, NC
Chandler Borton
Female
R.J. Reynolds High School
Winston Salem, NC
Cassidy Brown
Female
Providence Grove High School
Climax, NC
Keri Fulp
Female
East Surry High School
Pilot Mountain, NC
Brenna Grass
Female
Swansboro High School
Swansboro, NC
Kalen Perry
Female
Croatan High School
Newport, NC
Rachael Johnson
Female
Clyde A Erwin High School
Asheville, NC
Joseph Nelli
Male
Ashbrook High School
Gastonia, NC
Logan Jackson
Male
Marvin Ridge High School
Waxhaw, NC
Keegan Pardon
Male
Hickory Christian High School
Hickory, NC
Jason Ozment
Male
Wheatmore High School
Trinity, NC
Matthew Madigan
Male
Mount Tabor High School
Winston Salem, NC
Blake Covington
Male
Reidsville High School
Reidsville, NC
Grant Rivers
Male
Hendersonville High School
Hendersonville, NC
John Cook
Male
North Raleigh Christian Academy
Raleigh, NC
John Tworney-Kozak
Male
Orange High School
Hillsborough, NC
Chase Arrington
Male
Lee County Senior High School
Sanford, NC



Kent and Tworney-Kozak will compete against winners from other regions across the country for a chance to be named one of 12 National Finalists in Wendy’s annual quest to find the nation’s top scholar-athletes. These 12 outstanding students will go on to compete for the National Winner title in New York City on December 7. National Finalists will be featured during a televised ceremony on ESPN networks and will receive gold medals and $2,000 awards for their high schools. One male and one female National Winner will each receive a crystal Wendy’s High School Heisman trophy, a $500 Wendy’s gift card, and a donation from Wendy’s in the amount of $10,000 to their respective high school. Additionally, the winners will be recognized during the collegiate Heisman Trophy broadcast December 8 on ESPN