Articles
PopStar Winners Announced
By Lulu Maness, Museum Staff
May 13, 2002, 10:12am

The first annual PopStar Award winners were announced at a special event at the Museum on Friday, May 10, 2002. Sponsored by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, the PopStar is awarded to the top high school athlete in each of the 21 high school sports that are sanctioned by the MS High School Activities Association and the MS Private School Association.

Named in honor of 1981 National High School Athletic Director of the Year and long time Jackson Public Schools athletic director, the late W. C. "Pop" Allen, the honorees were selected from male and female high school

Julia Cathcart (left) of Starkville High School was the only double winner at the first annual Popstar awards. Julia claimed the trophy in female track and cross-country. She is pictured with Nicole Barrett, BCBS' Health and Wellness Coordintaor.

athletes nominated from all private and public high schools by their coaches, principals or athletic directors. The top three athletes in each category were selected by a panel that included representatives from the MS High School Association, the MS Private School Association and the Museum. The panel and members of MS print media selected the Popstar winner from the three finalists.

Darren Williams of Clarksdale took top honors in the football category. Also nominated for football were Madison Central's Parys Haralson and Warren Central's Brett Morgan. Other winners included,Emily Meyers, Our Lady Academy in Bay St. Louis, in Volleyball; Carlo Exson, Coffeeville High , powerlifting; Jennifer Farris, Oak Grove Academy in Hattiesburg, cheerleading; Beck C. Troutmen, Parklane Academy in McComb, male golf; Chrissy Kelly, Simpson Academy in Mendenhall, female golf; Kelty Jones and Alex Lepoutre of St. Joseph Catholic in Madison, female and male tennis; Julia Cathcart, Starkville High, a double winner for female cross country and track; Camp Craig of Jackson Academy, male cross country; Benjamin Warren Hill, Pontotoc High, male track; Megtan Wolters, Cleveland High, female swimming; J. T. Jones, Madison Central, male swimming; Rebekah Fleming, Jackson Academy, female basket- ball; Samuel Richardson, Hinds AHS, male basketball; Marilyn Landers, Warren Central in Vicksburg, slow pitch softball; Emily Griffin Laird, South Jones in Ellisville, fast pitch softball; Van Pope, Terry High, baseball; Courtney Hubert, Warren Central in Vicksburg, female soccer; and Kevin Curley, Madison Central, male soccer.

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