High school stars: The best of the best

JACINDA EVANS, SOUTHERN DURHAM

WHY JACINDA EVANS?

Jacinda Evans is just the second female athlete to win four individual events in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4-A track and field championships. Evans won the 100- and 200-meter dashes, the long jump and the triple jump. Evans also was the Nike Indoor Nationals long jump champion in Landover, Md. Evans set an NCHSAA record with a leap of 19-feet, 1 1/4 inches while winning the state indoor title. Evans also was a starter in volleyball.

MOTTO

'Don't wish for it; work for it.'

PERSONAL

Height: 5 feet, 4 inches

Born: June 18, 1990 in Durham

People think that I'm: Outgoing and funny

But I'm really: Witty and charming

Childhood toy: Dolls that could walk; I was afraid of them

Emotional moment: Going to the prom

Siblings: Johnny Evans, 19; Jeremiah Evans, 15

Parents: Johnny and Sylvia Evans

Hangs out with: Sharelle, Tiera, Crystal and JaMario

Drives: Mom's 2004 Grand Am

FAVORITES

Ice cream: Vanilla

Restaurant: Golden Corral

Car: Champagne Chrysler convertible

Subject: English

Vacation: Bahamas

Movie: "The Nutty Professor," 1 and 2

TV: Cartoons, sitcoms, game shows and movies

Music: Hip hop, R&B, Gospel

Most inspiring teacher: David Hobgood, English

Top athletic achievement: Winning four state titles and a national championship

Best U.S. president: Lyndon B. Johnson

I'd add to Mount Rushmore: A gold medal around all of their necks

YEAR BY YEAR

9: Qualified for the NCHSAA championships in track

10: Captain of the track team; broke 11 seconds in the 100; played volleyball

11: Captain of the track team and placed in the state championships; played volleyball

12: Won four individual state titles and was national indoor champion in the long jump; played volleyball; accepted a full scholarship offer from North Carolina

THOMAS WILSON, LEESVILLE ROAD

WHY THOMAS WILSON?

Wilson led Leesville Road to a 13-2 overall record in football and to the state 4-AA football semifinals. He passed for 3,223 yards and 47 touchdowns, with just 13 interceptions. He also led the Pride in rushing with 447 yards. Wilson was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl Game of the Carolinas. This spring, Wilson was the starting shortstop for a 17-9 Leesville squad that reached the fourth round of the 4-A baseball playoffs.

MOTTO

'Always believe that something good can come from something bad.'

PERSONAL

Height: 6 feet, 3 inches

Born: May 21, 1990 in Raleigh

People think that I'm: An extrovert

But I'm really: Reserved

Childhood toy: Football

Emotional moment: Last high school football game, in the state semifinals at New Bern

Sibling: Bailey, 16

Parents: Matt and Fran Wilson

Hangs out with: Friends and family

Drives: 2003 Z71 Chevy Tahoe

2008 Goal: Compete for the starting quarterback job at Elon

How to handle adversity: "Keep a positive attitude and be a team player in all aspects of life."

Favorite word: Pride

Guest list: Jesus Christ, Brett Favre, Babe Ruth

Person admired: Matt Wilson, father

FAVORITES

Ice cream: Chocolate

Restaurant: Buffaloes

Car: Z71 Tahoe

Subject: English

Vacation: Cruise to Key West and Cozumel

Movie: "Little Giants"

Top athletic achievement: Receiving an athletic scholarship to Elon University

TV: ESPN

Best U.S. president: Woodrow Wilson [great, great, great, great grandfather ... nah, no really]

Add to Mount Rushmore: Leesville football coach David Green

YEAR BY YEAR

9: Junior varsity football, basketball and baseball

10: Passed for 404 yards and five touchdowns as a part-time starter in football; played varsity baseball and junior varsity basketball

11: Passed for 1,953 yards and 21 touchdowns on a 10-3 Leesville club; helped Pride to a 22-7 baseball record as the starting shortstop and led Leesville to the state semifinals

12: Led Leesville to a 13-2 overall football record, passed for 3,223 yards with 47 touchdowns; Shrine Bowl selection; started at shortstop for the Pride in baseball and helped team to state playoffs