One of the fun things (and there aren’t many) that the Rutherford County Commission does is to recognize student-athletes, coaches and schools who have done something noteworthy such as win a state championship with a resolution of recognition.
Usually the student-athlete or team is recognized by the commissioner who has the school within his or her district.
Over the years we have been very busy with numerous football champions, Riverdale basketball and softball and many others from just about every sport from bowling and golf to tennis, track and soccer.
You name the event and, somebody in Rutherford County will eventually win it.
Such was the case Thursday night.
Because I am honored to be the commissioner from District 13, it fell to me to read the proclamation from the County Commission honoring a Riverdale state champion, wrestler Scottie Boykin.
As a wrestler, Scottie was unmatched this year.
He finished at 42-0 in the 195 pound class and became Riverdale’s second wrestling champion and the first in 39 years. Dennis Harrison (a former student of mine) was the first.
The final matches were held in Franklin, and Scottie marched through the competition and won the finals in an 11-4 rout over a Walker Valley wrestler who, quite frankly, wanted nothing to do with wrestling Scottie.
Scottie excelled at other sports as well. He was an excellent football player at Christiana Middle and Riverdale and got his wrestling start in the Rutherford County Sheriff's Sharpshooter program a few years ago.
Scottie also had the good fortune to be coached by Riverdale faculty member Ben Bowers and School Resource Officer Shawn Jones.
Both men are dedicated to the Riverdale wrestling team. SROs have helped at a number of schools and numerous sports and this has been very beneficial for a number of years.
Of more importance, however, is the type of student-athlete and person Scottie is.
Schools open their doors each day for academics and Scottie must be paying attention because he has a 3.15 GPA.
He is a fine school citizen and works hard at whatever he does.
He graduates in a couple of months and will make a college choice soon.
It was terrific to have the County Commission give Scottie a standing ovation on Thursday, especially with his mother Jennifer, brother Nicholas and SRO Coach Shawn Jones at his side.
Well done, Scottie. |
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