Russell Blunt “Be A Good Sport” Award

The Russell Blunt “Be a Good Sport” award was established as a cooperative between the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) and our Durham Sports Club. The award is presented to a high school athlete who has exemplified acts and activities that mirror good sportsmanship. All applicants for this award are selected from a larger group that has submitted their scholastic and academic resumes for consideration to the NCHSAA as North Carolina’s top athlete(s). Our nominees are generally a mix of male and female athletes from across the state of North Carolina.

An award of this stature was formulated to honor Mr. Russell Blunt for all of his contributions to the world of athletics; most notably track and field. It has been established that Mr. Blunt’s teachings on sportsmanship, leadership, integrity and life’s responsibilities have benefited many whom he coached throughout his career. Local, national and international athletes have all been influenced by his instruction and friendship.

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Jenna Huff with Sam Brubaker, Committee Chairman

For 2011, the Award recipient is Jenna Huff of North Stanly High School.  Jenna just finished her sophomore year, and she is a 5-sport athlete, participating in Cross Country, Swimming, Basketball, Soccer and Track.  She received All-Conference honors for Cross Country, Swimming and Track in both her freshman and sophomore seasons.  Jenna was her freshman class Treasurer, and her sophomore class President.  She also boasts a perfect attendance record from Kindergarten to 10th grade!  On top of all of this, Jenna participates in Club-level basketball and swimming.  She also does volunteer work, and among her accomplishments in that are setting up a Cross Country team at the Richfield Child Development Center for afterschool children ages 5 to 12.

What really set Jenna apart for this Award, however, happened at a Cross-Country even this year with Cuthbertson High School. As you’ll see from the pictures below, the Cuthbertson runner injured herself just prior to the finish line.  Jenna, who was behind her, helped her to the finish line and had her cross the line first!  This epitomizes the reason for the Russell Blunt “Be a Good Sport” Award.  Congratulations, Jenna!

The first Durham Sports Club meeting

The first Durham Sports Club meeting in June is designated for presentation of the Russell Blunt “Be A Good Sport” Award.