Editor’s note: The Times-News will be featuring area student-athletes, one male and one female each time, for their work on the playing field, the classroom and their communities.
James Newton
James Newton, 16, is a junior at Western Alamance High School, where he is an All-Conference athlete in football, basketball and track and field and has a 3.9 grade-point average.
On the gridiron, Newton plays running back, wide receiver and cornerback.
“I play all over the field,” Newton said.
On the track, he runs the 100 meters and 200 meters, and the 4x100m and 4x200m relays.
“Basketball was my first sport, but I think that football will help put me in a better spot to go to college and play,” he said.
But Brandon Chrisp, assistant football coach and head track coach at Western, track may be his best sport. Newton has run 10.7 seconds in the 100m and 22.6 in the 200m.
“He’s great on the track. He’s tied for No. 2 in the State for the 100m, and only getting better,” he said. “He means a lot to us. He’s a humble, great kid, with a great family. With him, everything is yes sir, yes ma’am. James is a dependable, great leader, who leads with his actions.”
Newton said the memory of his late grandmother is part of his motivation.
“I do all of this for her,” he said. “My mom, dad and my brother really push me to do better. Plus, I play 7-on-7 football with the Burlington Bulls, and that’s really helped me out. I’ve only been playing football since eighth grade.”
Off the field, Newton is a member of the Black Student Union.
“We help other kids in the community. We talk about what’s going on in society. I really like that. I want to be there and be a mentor for younger kids. As athletes, kids view us like superstars, and we can make a big difference in their lives. That’s really cool,” he said.
In the classroom, Newton said, math is his favorite subject.
“Math just makes sense to me. It comes easily,” he said.
For fun, Newton said that he simply likes to run and hang out with his friends and family.
“Sometimes, I’ll just randomly run sprints around my house,” he said.
As advice for other student-athletes, Newton said, “When it feels like you’re not getting better, put your head down and keep working and pushing. Don’t ever let anyone outwork you, whether it’s in class or in sports.”
Kenna Talhelm
Kenna Talhelm, 18, is a senior volleyball and softball player at Walter Williams High School, where she sports a 4.7 grade-point average.
Talhelm has been the captain of both the volleyball and softball teams for the past two years. She has won the conference’s Mike McCauley Sportsmanship Award, Most Improved Award (last year), the Bulldog Award and the Coach’s Award.
“Volleyball is my favorite sport, and I play year-round. I play travel volleyball with the Alamance Aces, and have become really close with all of my teammates. I also play sand volleyball in the summer,” she said.
While for many student-athletes, winning is everything, Talhelm looks at athletics a little differently.
“I think my athletic experience is different from most. I truly am playing to have fun, no matter the score. Of course, I want to be there for my teammates. You can’t play without a catcher, and we only have eight on my travel volleyball team. I show up to help them have fun too,” she said.
Talhelm credits her volleyball coach, Kelly Cook, with helping her in her athletic career.
“She was the coach at Williams and now coaches my travel team. She has always treated me more like a partner than a player,” Talhelm said.
Cook called Talhelm “a coach’s dream.”
“Kenna’s an exceptional leader on and off the court and always gives 100%. She’s a great teammate to everyone and has fun doing it. It’s been my pleasure coaching her. Kenna’s just amazing. I love her,” Cook said.
Outside of athletics, Talhelm has won the Superintendent’s Award for Excellence, was a Park Scholarship finalist, is a member of both the DREAM team and the National Honor Society, served as the vice president of Mu Alpha Theta and treasurer of the Key Club, and was a participant in the International Baccalaureate Programme. She also works at the fitness center at Alamance Country Club and volunteers at Burlington Animal Services.
“I do it all because I want to help out at school and in the community. I get that from my mom and my sister. I grew up watching my mom volunteer and seeing my older sister’s enjoyment from being in various clubs and activities. That all made me want to be more involved. You get to try new things, meet new people and help others. Otherwise, school’s just school,” she said.
For fun, Talhelm said with a smile, “I really like to nap. Also, I have a big extended family, and I love hanging out with them and with my friends. And I play sports for fun.”
“I also play guitar, but just for fun. I don’t play for anyone. I really enjoy music, and was in the orchestra, but I chose calculus over orchestra.”
Talhelm said that she simply loves math and problem-solving.
After graduation, Talhelm plans to attend N.C. State University to study environmental science.
“I might play club or intramural volleyball, and I’m looking in to being a manager on the softball team at State,” Talhelm said.
While she’s looking forward to her future, Talhelm said, “I’m going to miss being around my friends, and will have to make an extra effort to see them and the teachers that I like. Plus, I know I’m going to miss playing sports on a daily basis.”