Robbinsville – A recurring theme emerged as May 15's R-Club Banquet rolled through the awards portion of the evening.
In fact, it spoiled the ending.
Bryce Adams and Claire Barlow have made a name for themselves during their athletic endeavors at Robbinsville High School for playing spoiler, though: dashing the hopes and dreams of opponents in almost every sport the institution has to offer.
So it was a foregone conclusion when the two were named Robbinsville High's Ed Jackson Most Valuable Female and Male athletes of the year to wrap up the ceremony.
Their resumes throughout the 2024-25 sports calendar speak for themselves. Adams was named the Most Valuable Player of both the football and boys basketball teams. As Robbinsville's quarterback, Adams was a key component in the Knights advancing to the third round of the playoffs.
He made his biggest impact on the hardwood, however: Adams capped a stint that included being named the Smoky Mountain Conference Player of the Year for 2024-25 – a first for a Robbinsville boys basketball player – a pair of league championships, a divisional-tournament title and a third-round playoff appearance by setting the new standard in points scored. Those who follow in the small forward's footsteps will have to chip away at his program-best 1,231 points.
Barlow received the MVP award for volleyball, as well as being named Most Outstanding in Field Events for both indoor and outdoor track & field. She rounded out her time on the volleyball court with 356 kills, 241 digs and 72 blocks (54 solo) during her senior year.
Barlow's defense up front led to a new school record in blocks, as Barlow departs after leaving a new mark of 119.
Between the winter and spring track seasons, Barlow also qualified for a combined seven state-championship meets.
Award winners
Each sport handed out individual awards during the banquet:
* Baseball: Coaches Award, Peyton Brooks and Easton Shuler (co-winners); MVP, Quinn Jumper and Luke Lovin (co-winners).
* Basketball (Boys): Coaches Award, Isiac Collins and Jumper (co-winners); MVP, Adams.
* Basketball (Girls): Coaches Award, Zaelyn Phillips and Abby Wehr (co-winners); Most Improved Award, Anna Williams; MVP, Liz Carpenter.
* Cheerleading: Coaches Award, Jernie Greene and Katie-Lyn Gross (co-winners); MVP, Raylee Knott; UCA All-American awards, Alyssa Bohn, Maleah Cox, Greene, Gross, Grace Henderson, Knott and Hannah Lynn.
* Cross Country: Coaches Award, Bohn and Nathan Frederick; MVP, Xamuel Wachacha and Wehr.
* Football: Coaches Award, Collins and Jumper (co-winners); MVP, Adams.
* Golf (Boys): Coaches Award, Trey Lambert; MVP, Isaiah Brown.
* Golf (Girls): Coaches Award, Wehr; MVP, Bentley Riggins.
* Indoor Track & Field: Most Outstanding (girls): Chloe Adams and Barlow (co-winners); Most Outstanding (boys): Collins and Colton McCoy.
* Outdoor Track & Field: Coaches Award, Kadence Howell; Most Outstanding Field Events (girls): Adams and Barlow (co-winners); Most Outstanding Field Events (boys): Collins; Most Outstanding Running Events: Frederick and McCoy.
* Shooting Team: MVP, Ryan Lynn.
* Softball: Coaches Award, Suri Watty; Haley Kennedy Most Improved Player Award, Loxley Burke; Kinsley Orr Mudita Award, Olivia Lewis; MVP, Naomi Taylor.
* Volleyball: Coaches Award, Lewis; MVP, Barlow.
* Wrestling (Boys): MVPs, Skyler Anderson, Loxston Hooper and Adair Panama; Sportsmanship Award, Luke Green.
* Wrestling (Girls): Coaches Award, Julia Vazquez (Honorable Mention, Latesha Orr); MVP, Alexis El-Khouri.
Athletic director Lucas Ford also gave out special awards at the beginning and end of the ceremony:
* Black Knight Award: Matthew Phillips.
* Bob Colvin Male Sportsmanship Award: Jumper.
* Judy Nichols Female Sportsmanship Award: Lewis and Wehr (co-winners).
* Joyce Perkins Academic Excellence Award: Adams.
* Volunteer of the Year: Crystal White.
Additionally, Jake Beasley (boys basketball), Travis Hooper (boys wrestling), Billy Knight (softball) and Kent Williams (boys golf) were each recognized with awards for heading up their respective program's conference title.