Chelsea Sunshine Courtney Smith, April Seymour, Carmen Rivera
Athlete of the Year is a publication of Dawson County News, A Metro Market Media property.
Welcome to Dawson County News Athlete of the Year 2025
To the Dawson County community
The Dawson County News welcomes you to our fifth annual Athlete of the Year Awards, where we recognize the outstanding achievements made by Dawson County High School student-athletes.
For the past five years, we have had the privilege of recognizing dozens of accomplished individuals, and we hope this event provides special memories for the athletes and their families.
We believe that all these athletes have brought value to their programs that far exceed statistics and accolades.
From the daily grind of practice, to setting examples for others to follow, to being good teammates, their efforts will have an impact on Tiger Nation for years to come.
This year, we have also chosen to add a new special recognition — the Scholar-Athlete Awards. We commend these two studentathletes for their commitment to academic excellence.
As always, we hope you enjoy tonight’s program.
Thank you Rio White Sports Editor Dawson County News
2025 NOMINEES
COLTON LAND track
and Field and Football
• Track and Field: Region 6-3A Discus Champion – 2024 and 2025
Region 6-3A Shot Put Champion - 2025
DCHS School Record Holder in Discus (170’4”)
DCHS School Record Holder in Shot Put (50’4”)
• Football: All-Region Honorable Mention (OL)
PRESTON BANNISTER
Football and baseball
• Football: All-Region First Team (DB)
The former starting quarterback took on a couple of different roles for the Tigers this season but shined the brightest as a defensive back. He was a key factor in the team’s surprise shutout of White County and also contributed to the defense’s success in several other games.
An outfielder with a cannon arm, Bannister’s hitting prowess was a primary factor in the team’s success this season. He could spray the ball to all areas of the field, and once on base, he was always a threat to steal.
This gritty player may be conventionally smaller than most linemen, but Odom showed no shortage of tenacity in the trenches. He also had a knack for putting pressure on quarterbacks, such as his sack against Chestatee that resulted in a safety.
A quick-thinking player whose bat and baserunning were invaluable to the Tigers baseball team, Rickett made an impact in all phases of the game — including his ability make impressive catches in the outfield. Rickett was utilized as a hybrid defensive player in the STAR position, providing pass coverage while also showing the strength to disrupt run plays.
2025 NOMINEES
Wrestling
Class 3A State Champion, 113-lb class. 36-5 overall record
Began his state title run in Macon with a 15-0 technical fall win over Jeremy Guibe-Camacho of Luella before defeating Asher Kay of Heritage-Catoosa in the quarterfinal round on a 13-1 major decision.
Voss had a tough semifinal matchup with Abraham Hurd of Northwest Whitfield, winning a 9-3 decision to send him to the finals, where he met fellow freshman Daniel Escobar of Gilmer County. Voss won a tough overtime match to secure the championship.
PARKER VOSS
LANDON LEE
basketball
• All-Region Selection, Averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game
A quick-draw shooter who could quickly turn a game around, Lee was the primary scoring threat for the DCHS boys team this season. While his consistency beyond the arc was important, Lee also showed relentless energy driving toward the paint and was just as willing to track back and be effective on defense.
Dr. Nabil Keith, Family Physician
Joane Buteau, Physician Assistant
Dr. Megan Appleby, Family Physician
2025 NOMINEES
JADEN HORNER
track and Field, cross country
• Region 6-3A Champion, 200-meter (20.64)
• School Record Holder, 200-meter (20.58)
• Member of Region Champion 4x200 and 4x400 relay teams
AARIC MUILENBURG
track and Field, cross country
• Region 6-3A Champion, 400-meter (49.68)
• School Record Holder, 400-meter (49.68)
• Member of Region Champion 4x200 and 4x400 relay teams
2025 NOMINEES
HARPER DUSSOUY
EVA BISHOP soccer
• All-Region First Team, 19 goals and 17 assists this season (as of 4/22),
• A catalyst on offense who has now contributed over 100 combined goals and assists in her high school career.
basketball, track and Field
• Basketball: A three-time All-Region pick who finished her Lady Tigers career with 1,067 points, 760 rebounds, and over 200 blocks. Her senior season was capped with an All-State selection and finishing top 5 in rebounds in program history.
• Track and Field: Lead Discus and Shot Put thrower for the Lady Tigers, qualifying for State Sectionals in Shot Put this year (Region Runner-Up). Member of 4x100 relay team.
2025 NOMINEES
soFtball
• All-Region First team and All-State Second Team outfielder whose big bat gave the Lady Tigers energy early on in games this season.
• Led the Lady Tigers in several categories, accruing a team-best .484 batting average, 38 runs, 16 walks, 13 doubles, four home runs, and a 1.357 OPS (on-base plus slugging). The lefty lead-off hitter used her powerful swing to earn 45 hits and 18 runs batted in.
EMA BLISS SADIE DOTSON
track and Field
• Region 6-3A Champion, 100-meter hurdles (17.28)
• School record holder, High Jump (5’1”). Qualified for State Sectionals in high jump• Qualified for State Sectionals in 300-meter Hurdles (3rd place)
2025 SCHOLAR ATHLETES
tennis
• Helped the Lady Tigers earn a fifth straight state playoff berth, taking on the top singles line this season. She previously was a solid doubles player.
• Ranked first in her class with a GPA 4.65
• Georgia Scholar Award, Neuroscience of Music with Bethel College, Hollingworth Scholar, AP scholar with Distinction, Class of 2025 Georgia Certificate of Merit State Award
• She will also graduate with her Associate of Science Degree from UNG in May.
• Volunteered well over 300 hours in her community.
MARIE JOLIE MAYR
tennis and cross country
• Lead runner for DCHS boys cross country team, earning a PR of 16:16 during his senior campaign. Helped the team earn three straight sixth-place results at the State Championship race.
• Key player for Tigers tennis for the past four seasons, including three seasons at singles. An integral part of four straight state playoff appearances by the boys team.
• The Georgia Certificate of Merit Program, FCCLA Region WinnerChapter Service Project Display, Engineering Pathway Award, GPA of 4.32
