It's a tradition that has been going on in Savannah for 68 years. The Ashley Dearing, one of the most prestigious prep awards, is named after the former Savannah auto dealer and strong supporter of local high school sports who started the award in 1954. The award's purpose is to recognize a male high school athlete in Savannah who has participated in varsity football, varsity basketball, and a varsity spring sport over the past school year.
The award has not missed being handed out by the Dearing family. Even with the Covid-19 pandemic in full swing last year. The award was given out and won by former Benedictine Military School standout Gavin Stewart. Gavin is now playing football at Georgia Tech.
Here are 27 local athletes who have been nominated this year for the 68th Ashley Dearing Award. The ballots have were sent out, and the winner will be announced next week. Local athletic directors and local news media sources vote on the award to decide the winner. Here are the three-sport athletes nominated by their respective schools and the previous 67 winners.
BEACH -- DeAndre Jones, freshman, football, basketball, track
BENEDICTINE -- Trent Broadnax, senior, football, basketball, track
Ben Hollerbach, junior, football, basketball, baseball
Ack Edwards, freshman, football, basketball, track
Charlie Iannone, sophomore, football, basketball, lacrosse
Jamel Mainer, junior, football, basketball, track
BETHESDA -- Antjuan McKay, senior, football, basketball, track
Ivan Gooding, senior, football, basketball, track
Ke'Shon Leggett, sophomore, football, basketball, track
CALVARY DAY -- Ryan Merklinger, senior, football, basketball, track
Jake Merklinger, freshman, football, basketball, baseball
DeAndre Singleton, junior, football, basketball, track
ISLANDS -- Jadon Adams, senior, football, basketball, track
Tavares Brewton, junior, football, basketball, track
JENKINS -- Ray Allen, senior, football, basketball, baseball
JOHNSON -- Dylan Boone, senior, football, basketball, track
MEMORIAL DAY -- Cam Hall, football, basketball, track
DA Brewer, football, basketball, baseball
Tyler Jackson, football, basketball, baseball
SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN -- Peyton Cromwell, junior, football, basketball, track
Garrett Perry, senior, football, basketball, lacrosse
George Futch, junior, football, basketball, track
SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY -- Paul Mosley, senior, football, basketball, track
Alex Wynn, junior, football, basketball, track
Michael Grandy, sophomore, football, basketball, track
SAVANNAH HIGH -- Martino Buxton, senior, football, basketball, track
ST. ANDREW'S -- Grant Viands, senior, football, basketball, baseball
Ethan Bland, junior, football, basketball, soccer
Will Livingston, senior, football, basketball, baseball
DEARING AWARD WINNERS
(Must play varsity football, basketball and a spring sport to be eligible)
2020 — Gavin Stewart, Benedictine
2019 — Winston Wright, Memorial Day
2018 — Javonte Middleton, Jenkins
2017 — Calvin Turner, New Hampstead
2016 — Demetris Robertson, Savannah Christian
2015 — Brad Stewart, Benedictine
2014 — Brad Stewart, Benedictine
2013 — Paris Baker, Jenkins
2012 — Johnathon Chamblee, Savannah Christian
2011 — Dom DeMasi, Calvary Day
2010 — Dom DeMasi, Calvary Day
2009 — Jesse Morrell, Bethesda
2008 — John Moesch, Savannah Country Day
2007 — Scott Reed, Groves
2006 — Demarcus Dobbs, Calvary Day
2005 — Kellen Stanley, Savannah Christian
2004 — Sage Glasper, Groves
2003 — Joey Boaen, Savannah Country Day
2002 — Ben Patrick, Jenkins
2001 — Lamar Owens Jr., Benedictine
2000 — Danny McNamara, Benedictine
1999 — Rashad Chisholm, Savannah High
1998 — Kris Edge, Savannah Christian
1997 — Tommy McNamara, Benedictine
1996 — Terry Bryant, Johnson
1995 — Ronnie Rockett, Jenkins
1994 — Majiid Lanier, Beach
1993 — Bill Sparks, Savannah Country Day
1992 — Barry Kleinpeter, Calvary
1991 — Marcel Cooper, Groves
1990 — Lloyd Rowland, Savannah Christian
1989 — Pee Wee Kelley, Savannah Christian
1988 — Keith Jones, Savannah High
1987 — Corey Ladson, Tompkins
1986 — Lee Lane, Calvary Day
1985 — Peter Brennan, Benedictine
1984 — Earl Mason, Groves
1983 — Paul Jurgensen, Benedictine
1982 — Robbie White, Savannah Christian
1981 — Greg Amick, Savannah Country Day
1980 — Larry Brobst, Savannah Christian
1979 — Lamar Owens, Tompkins
1978 — Randy Lanier, Benedictine
1977 — Mark Grainger, Savannah Christian
1976 — Rufus Kelly, Savannah High
1975 — Ricky McBride, Groves
1974 — Shan Saunders, Savannah Country Day
1973 — Jo Jo White, Richard Arnold
1972 — Gene Dotson, Benedictine
1971 — Lawrence Maner, Benedictine
1970 — Bobby Reagan, Savannah Country Day
1969 — David Sasser, Groves
1968 — Joby Wright, Johnson
1967 — Julian Smiley, Savannah High
1966 — Peter Schmidt, Savannah Country Day
1965 — Roger Grove, Groves
1964 — Danny Sims, Savannah High
1963 — Dewey Warren, Jenkins
1962 — Tommy Brennan, Benedictine
1961 — Larry Patterson, Benedictine
1960 — Terry Tyler, Savannah High
1959 — Ronnie Braddock, Benedictine
1958 — Jimmy Miller, Savannah High
1957 — Tom Brown, Benedictine
1956 — Carlos Mobley, Savannah High
1955 — Charlie Moore, Benedictine
1954 — Elmer Lott, Savannah High
Optim Orthopedics supports Benedictine Military School, South Effingham High School, Richmond Hill High School, St. Vincent's and Savannah Country Day School athletics. Benedictine Military School's team doctor is Dr. David Sedory. The team doctor for Richmond Hill and South Effingham is Dr. David Palmer and Dr. Thomas Alexander is the team doctor for Savannah Country Day and St. Vincent's. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game!
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