The Mountaineer's 2022 MVPs

Dec. 31—Deciding on the "top" male and female athletes for 2022 was no easy feat. The plethora of qualified athletes in Haywood County makes it even more difficult task.

Preference was given to upperclassmen who have a tried-and-true history of solid performances, as well as athletes who played in multiple sports throughout the year.

Tuscola Male MVP — Senior Jett Benson

Sports: Basketball, baseball and football

You can't say Tuscola without saying Jett Benson. He's a home-grown kid with great potential on whatever field or court he steps on.

Benson started 2022 by finishing his junior basketball campaign in which he was one of the Mountaineers' top scorers from the shooting guard position. And although the team didn't have the season it wanted, Benson earned an NCHSAA Performance of the Week honor against Smoky Mountain on Feb. 4, during which he posted a career-high 42 points on 16-of-16 free throws and four made threes. Benson earned all-conference accolades at the season's end.

Less than a month later, Benson was on the baseball diamond. Whether at third base or the outfield, Benson could be relied upon to make the play. He even pitched in relief for the Mounties, with a 1-1 record, a 3.32 ERA and 27 kills. But it was at the plate where Benson did his damage. He ended the season with a team-high 0.410 batting average, hit 15 RBIs (second on the team) and scored 25 runs (first on the team). His lone home run was a grand slam, no less. The Mounties also made it to the playoffs but fell short (a 4-3 loss) to Kings Mountain. Benson's reliable defense and stellar batting earned him another all-conference selection.

After an all-conference season at wide receiver in 2021-22, Benson switched to his natural position, quarterback, and led the Mountaineers football team to its best season in a decade. Although the Tuscola offense was a run-first affair, Benson was 28 of 67 for 479 yards and six touchdowns through the air. But on the ground, he was dynamic, running 176 times for 929 yards (a 5.2-yard average) and scoring 13 touchdowns. Benson totaled five games of 100+ yards rushing. To top it off, Benson had two receptions for 48 yards and one touchdown. Tuscola won its first home playoff game in years (35-14 over Forestview) but fell just short against eventual state champion East Lincoln. And, oh yeah, Benson helped Tuscola to a 35-34 double-overtime victory over crosstown rival Pisgah, ending a 9-streak losing streak. He was named an all-conference quarterback at the end of the season.

Tuscola Female MVP — Senior Eva Rinker

Sports: Cross country, track and field and swim

Everything Eva Rinker does she does well. Her grit and ability recently led to her signing with West Virginia University's track and field team next season.

In cross country, Rinker has been the number one player on the team for three consecutive years. In 30 races, she's come in first 11 times, second six times and third once to make the podium 18 of 30 attempts.

Her 2022 campaign capped a three-time all-conference career, two-time all-region runner and three-time state meet qualifier.

Rinker was 65th in the state as a sophomore, 19th last year and 14th this year.

In track and field, she was the number one 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 runner on the team. She was all-conference last year, finishing first in the 800 and the 1600 races.

She won regional honors by finishing first in the 800 and anchoring the 4x400 and 4x800 to fourth place. At state, she finished third in the 800-meter run at the 3A state championship.

And if running wasn't difficult enough, Rinker also swims.

On the Tuscola team, Rinker helped her team to the NCHSAA 3A Western Regional Championships in February, where — alongside teammates Emily Ferguson, Lydia Jackson and her sister Gracie Rinker — she took 20th in the girls 400 free relay race.

Pisgah Male MVP — Sophomore Sawyer Belue

Sports: Basketball, tennis and football

Pisgah sophomore Sawyer Belue burst onto the scene with the Bears this season, factoring into three sports for the Black and Red.

As a freshman on the 2021-22 basketball team, Belue started at point guard for Pisgah and helped the Bears earn a 14-11 overall record and a runner-up placement in the Mountain 7 3A Conference tournament.

Over the course of the season, Belue averaged 12 points and a team-leading three assists per game to earn all-conference honors. And to do it all as a freshman highlights his potential.

Belue joined basketball teammate Caden Robinson on the school's tennis team this spring, as well, on which the two players paired up for a doubles team.

And although it was a learning year for the majority of the tennis team and the record wasn't great, Belue was able to showcase his versatility and athleticism transcends beyond the basketball court and football field.

When fall sports rolled around, Belue immediately stepped onto the football field as a problem for opposing teams. He was mismatch at wide receiver and turnover machine at cornerback.

And a threat he was. It became routine to see Belue pick off an errant pass and follow that up with a touchdown reception on the next drive. He did exactly that against rival Tuscola in front of thousands of fans.

Belue even posted games with multiple interceptions and multiple TDs. His versatility and reliability earned him a nod on the all-conference team.

Pisgah Female MVP — Senior Chloe Burch

Sports: Basketball, softball and volleyball

It can be argued that whatever team Chloe Burch is a part of she's the best player on the team. From basketball to softball and volleyball, Burch's raw athleticism is on showcase in whatever she does. It's no coincidence that every team she played on went to the playoffs this season. And her captaincy on those teams is a reminder of her selflessness and character.

Burch started 2022 by capping a stellar 2021-22 basketball season. Her consistent play helped Pisgah go 19-7 on its way to the second-place finish in the standings, a co-conference championship with Franklin and a state playoff berth. Last season, Burch averaged 8.8 points, 1.8 assists and a team-leading eight rebounds per game. She had the best shooting percentage of players taking at least 60 shots, hitting at a 40% clip. Her consistent rebounding and high-shot percentage earned her all-conference honors.

On the softball field, Burch's runs helped Pisgah softball finish its season fourth in the conference but earned a playoff berth.

Finally, Burch was a presence on the volleyball court this year, as well. Burch had 53 kills, a team-leading 41 serving aces, 21 blocks, 236 digs and a team-leading 377 assists this season on her way to another all-conference nod.