2018 PlaySafe Comeback Awards Dinner
Updated: Aug 19, 2019

2018 Award Recipients
Dion Black Jr.
Pendleton High School
With an injury plagued senior season, Dion worked daily rehabbing in the training room in order to keep his edge and to get healthy again. His contribution on special teams and then later in the season, are a testament to his work ethic and determination on and off the field.
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Anne Hamilton LeRoy
Seneca High School
Anne made her journey to recovery a seven day a week process with the guidance and assistance from her athletic trainer. The physical and mental stress of such a devastating injury never changed her will to return to the sport she loves. In November Anne returned to practice in better mental and physical shape than before.
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Mary Ashworth
Hart County High School
After a knee injury forced Mary into a straight legged brace for six weeks, it was determined that surgery was the best option to repair her injury. That decision forced Mary to miss summer/fall leagues while rehabbing her injury. After a long road of rehabbing Mary returned to full competition this season.
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Tyler Dalton
Hart County High School
After keeping a knee injury he sustained to himself last football & basketball season. It was later determined that Tyler had sustained a torn meniscus and that surgery would be needed to repair it. After months in the training room with the Athletic Trainer Tyler returned to start every football game this season.
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Josie Merk
DW Daniel High School
After sustaining multiple foot and ankle injuries her Sophomore year. She work tirelessly throughout the season and off season to return to run track this season.
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Charles Smith
DW Daniel High School
After working hard through the spring and fall camps to win a starting receivers spot late in the 4th quarter of a game catching a touchdown pass Charles sustained a season ending shoulder injury. Working to catch up on his studies and rehabbing daily Charles went on to make it back for basketball where his team went on to win region with a 17-3 record.
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Chelsea Adger
Westside High School
“Every day we take risks… but when the unexpected happens we are shocked.” In December of 2016 Chelsea found that out first hand when she tore her ACL. Even in preparing for surgery going thru it and the rehab Chelsea worked through not only the injury but depression that came with watching her team on the court. Now fully recovered, Chelsea finds it an honor and privilege to be on the court with her teammates.
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Kendall Richey
Westside High School
After summer workouts and a season of lower back pain, that she and others passed off as growing pains. It became clear it wasn’t growing pains after a small place appeared at the lower portion of her back it was much more serious and required surgery. After only a week removed from surgery Kendall was back working, training and competing through the pain. ___________________________________________________
Brenna Bourgeols
Crescent High School
After multiple concussions early in her high school athletics career Brenna had to take nearly five months off from school and athletics to dive deep into therapy to overcome the effects of multiple concussions. After the months of therapy and still facing challenges from those concussions Brenna has returned to play and named all Region 1AAA soccer.
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Crescent High School
Ryleigh has overcome three elbow surgeries since her sophomore year in high school. Despite those injuries/surgeries Ryleigh has worked hard to be named a starter every season since that time. Ryleigh even had an obstacle last season during Crescents run at another softball state championship; she broke her thumb and was unable to contribute as a starter but jumped in as pinch runner. Her work ethic and determination has shown through even through adversity.
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Ryann Butts
WestOak High School
A torn tendon in Ryann’s knee sidelined him for most of the 2016-17 Football/Wrestling seasons. Putting the time in at PT and in the Athletic Training Room Ryann returned this year to contribute on both the Football and Wrestling Teams
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Ian James
WestOak High School
During the State Wrestling Tournament last season Ian tore a ligament in his arm. With surgery and rehab over the summer Ian worked his way back to contributing member on both the wrestling and baseball teams this year.
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Coach Paul Sutherland
Formerly Pendleton High School
Longtime Head Football Coach and AD of Pendleton High School, Paul Sutherland, experienced firsthand last September how important it is to have the right medical personal on staff at your school. On September 22, 2017 Coach Sutherland suffered a heart attack after a game against Powdersville, with help of the athletic trainer and a number of other first responders Coach Sutherland made to the hospital. After months of rehab and recovery Coach Sutherland is going to be back on the sidelines this coming year as the Head Football Coach at Franklin County High School in Georgia.
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