Bryson City – Thursday the Swain County Athletic Hall of Fame welcomed their 2017 class in a ceremony held at the Swain Arts Center. Five outstanding athletes were enshrined – Robbie Brown, Steve Claxton, Cayla Crawley, Shelby Parker and Cody White. Here are the bios on each of the new inductees.
Robbie Brown –
Outstanding football player • Senior captain of 1988 NCHSAA State 1A Championship football team • Named 1988 State 1A Championship game Most Outstanding Player • Excelled as a 2 way player, starting as a linebacker and running back • Finished as SCHS all-time leader in rushing TDs with 60 • Finished his career 4th on the all-time rushing list with 3109 yards on 342 carries • Named SMC Back of the Year & All WNC in senior season • Member of 7 SMC Championship teams as well as 3 time Individual SMC Champion • Walked on at WCU, eventually earning a scholarship & being named Special Teams Captain • 3 year letterman at WCU, & 2 year starter at middle linebacker • Played professionally with the Portland Forest Dragons in the Arena Football League
Steve Claxton –
Two sport letterman who excelled in football • Outstanding kicker during his football career at Swain • Kicked career long 42 yard field goal against Andrews, stood as the school record until 2004 • Played football at WCU under Bob Waters from 1974-77 • Instrumental in helping administer the Swain County Athletic Hall of Fame, construction of the Hall of Fame Building, as well as securing funding and memorabilia during the first 12 years of the Hall of Fame’s existence
Cayla Crawley –
Fantastic all-around athlete who excelled in 3 sports • Senior captain of 2008 NCHSAA State Champion Volleyball team • 1st Swain volleyball player to be named Citizen-Times WNC Player of the Year • NCHSAA State Championship MVP recording 17 kills in championship match • SMC Player of the Year in both volleyball & basketball • 6 time All SMC selection in both volleyball & basketball • Finished ’08 volleyball season with school record 419 kills and 84 aces • Had 5 matches with over 20 kills during senior campaign, including a 23 kills 1 error dominating performance against Brevard • In basketball was selected to Blue/White All-Star game • Finished basketball career with over 800 points and 500 rebounds • In softball was a part of 4 SMC Championship teams & 4 trips to the NCHSAA State Championships • All total volleyball & softball her teams won 8 SMC Championships, 1 State Championship, 1 State Runner-up and 2 Western Regional Championships • Received scholarship to play volleyball at Lenoir-Rhyne • 2011 LR Bear Pride Award Winner • Finished her volleyball career as a defensive specialist at WCU
Shelby Parker –
Excelled in softball • 2011 District Pitcher of the Year • 2011 SMC Co-Player of the Year • All WNC • 3 time All District, SMC and All-State selection • Graduated as SCHS All-Time leader in wins with 61 (61-16), ERA 0.940, Strikeouts 820, Innings Pitched 486 • Threw 6 no-hitters, including 4 perfect games • Won 21 games twice, only player to ever win more than 20 games, also won 19 games • Surpassed 200 strikeouts in each season, including school record 285 • Struck out 820 to only 122 walks in career • Teams won 3 SMC Championships, 2010 NCHSAA State Runner-up, 2009 NCHSAA Western Regional Champions • Posted 32 career shutouts, including a 1-0 14 inning win in 2009 Western Regional Finals • Continued her career at Furman, playing 3 years before graduating early • Twice named So-Con pitcher of the week
Cody White –
Fantastic all-around athlete who excelled in 4 sports • In 2004 helped lead his team to 14-0 record & NCHSAA State 1A Championship • Named 2004 State 1A Championship game Most Outstanding Player • 2004 SMC Back of the Year • Named All WNC in 2004 • Named 2003 USA Today’s Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year • Outstanding 2 way player who had 86 tackles, 13 for loss & rushed for 1585 yards in senior season • Had 2, 1000 yard rushing seasons (1406 & 1585) • Rushed for career high 207 yards in 2004 • Finished his career as 2nd on all-time rushing list with 3428 yards on 528 carries 46 TDs • All State & All SMC in baseball during senior season, finishing with a batting average over .400 • Also tallied 30 rbi during senior season in baseball