Editors' note: To see other top high school athletes this year, follow the link on the right side of this page.

TOP MALE ATHLETE: TEVIN HESTER, SENIOR AT GRANVILLE CENTRAL HIGH

Notable: Hester is the N.C. High School Athletic Association male athlete of the year for 2011-12. The Clemson University recruit was a three-sport standout. He rushed for 1,247 yards and scored 19 touchdowns in football and averaged 18.5 points per game in basketball while becoming the school’s career scoring and steals leader. But he was most outstanding in track. Hester won the New Balance Indoor national high school championship by racing 60 meters in 6.72 seconds. He was fifth in the 200 meters in the same meet. He was the NCHSAA 1A/2A state indoor champion in 55 meters and in the outdoor 100 meters.

GPA: 3.10

Add to Mount Rushmore: Myself

Favorite literary work: “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare

Hardest subject: Science

Fun is: Hanging with friends playing video games

Favorite subject: Math

Inspiration: Family

Childhood toy: Bicycle

College choice: Clemson

Biggest sports thrill: Running the 100 meter dash

Best moment is sports: Winning nationals

Biggest thrill: Roller coasters

Success is: Being one of the best at what you do

Slogan: Live every day as if it is your last

Proud of: Everyone who is trying to do something positive in their life

Best place to play: Oxford Webb High

The word: Ambition.

Quotable: “Winning honors reinforces you. If you put in the work, you will improve. Winning a national championship was unbelievable. I’ve been thinking about all of the hard work and my coaches. You can be ranked No. 1 and somebody can go faster, but once you’ve won a national championship, nobody can take that away from you.

“Winning the state high school athlete of the year is the same thing. Once you’re received that award, you can always say that you won it.

“Being recognized for awards makes me want to work that much harder. I want to get better and I know that the only way that happens is if I work harder. I’m excited about going to Clemson.”

TOP FEMALE ATHLETE: ALEXIS PERRY, SENIOR AT DURHAM JORDAN HIGH

Notable: Perry was the most valuable female performer in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A indoor and outdoor state championships after missing the state finals as a sophomore and junior because of injuries. Perry won the 55-meter hurdles and the high jump indoors and claimed the high jump and long jump titles outdoors. She also was third in the 100 hurdles outdoors. In addition, Perry was a varsity cheerleader.

GPA: 4.16

Add to Mount Rushmore: Martin Luther King Jr.

Favorite book: “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Hardest subject: Spanish III

Fun is: Being surrounded by the people you care about the most.

Favorite subject in school: Dance

Inspiration: My little sister, Kelsey, inspires me to be a better person. I know she is looking up to me and I want to be a great example and person because of it.

Childhood toy: Strawberry, one of my favorite baby dolls.

College choice: N.C. State

Biggest thrill: Jumping a new personal record in high jump or long jump.

Best moment in your sports career: Winning NCHSAA 4A girls’ Most Valuable Athlete at the 2012 indoor and outdoor state meets.

Success is: Being proud of what you have done.

Slogan: Hard work does pay off.

Proud of: Recovering from my ACL replacement surgery and a concussion and becoming a state champion.

Best place to play: Competing in the Russell Blunt ECI Track & Field Meet at Duke’s Wallace Wade Stadium

The word: Versatile

Quotable: “I think that I am most proud of being able to overcome two major injuries. I tore my left ACL during my sophomore year and missed track that season and I fell in the hurdles last year and had a concussion that kept me out last year. I am proud that I kept working.

“Being named the MVP indoors and outdoors was definitely the highlight, but I learned a lot in high school competition. If you want to be successful, you have to be dedicated and work hard. Obtaining success is not easy and you have to work at it all of the time.”