Mississippi’s premier athletes were honored on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, by the state Senate with presentation of senate resolutions commending their prowess and excellence in sports.
Honored were Megan Heggie, of Meridian, (2nd from left), the 12-year-old, 2016 State Games of Mississippi AT&T Youth Athlete of the Year, who has participated in the State Games of Mississippi since 2012, and has won 17 Gold Medals in individual events and five in relay events. During the 2016 State Games, Heggie competed in the largest age group at the meet and still placed in the top eight in all of her events. She also broke eight team records during the Games.
Runner and trainer Evelyn Watkins, also of Meridian, (4th from left), overcame surgeries on her feet to run marathons, triathlons and more. The 36-year-old was first in her age group at the 2016 State Games of Mississippi in the 5K Run, second overall in the female division, and seventh overall in the event.
Brain Fleming of Shubuta, who is not pictured, was 2016 State Games of Mississippi, AT&T Male Athlete of the Year, hit 93 of 100 targets in his most recent outing at the 2016 State Games and taking home the Gold Medal. Sporting clays is a form of clay pigeon shooting, often described as "golf with a shotgun" because a typical course includes from 10 to 15 different shooting stations laid out over natural terrain. Fleming has been the Mississippi Sporting Clays State Champion four times and a Zone 6 Champion, which encompasses Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Louisiana. He won Silver Medals in the 2014 and 2015 State Games.
Standing with them are, (from left): C.D. Smith of AT&T, Senate President Pro Tempore Terry C. Burton and Krilecia Gianakos, marketing director for State Games of Mississippi.
"Athletes of the Year" will visit the State Capitol in Jackson, where the Governor will recognize their achievement and they will have the honor of lighting the torch at the 2017 State Games of Mississippi opening ceremonies.
