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PAGE 5B May 2026
Collinsville Ledger Leaders are both Dual Enrolled Students at NACC
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger A three-sport record setting student athlete and a volleyball player with a GPA of over 100.4 represent Ceder Bluff High School as recipients of the 2026 Ledger Leader awards. Zyrese Wynn is a member of the Tigers’ Track, Cross Country and Basketball programs. Wynn holds school records in Track for the 200m, 400M, and 4x100. He also holds the honor of helping lead the Cedar Bluff Boy’s Cross Country team to the school’s first state appearance. Additionally, he helped the Tigers basketball program reach the Sweet 16. Outside of athletics, Wynn has a 97.9 academic GPA. He is a volunteer at the Cherokee Nursing Home and at the Lions Club Pancake Day. Junior classmate Marley Horton has a 100.4 GPA and she also volunteers for the Lions Club Pancake Day and at the Cherokee Nursing Home. She is a JSU Emerging Leader, JSU Dual Enrollment Ambassador, and she participates in the Cherokee County Youth Leadership program. Horton is also committed to helping the Tigers’ volleyball program, as she has 100% workout attendance. By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Sometimes it can be difficult for students to compete in athletics and take on extra classwork such as dual enrollment courses. However, that is not the case for the 2026 Ledger Leader recipients from Collinsville High School. Mallory Smith and Jeremiah Killian are both Dual Enrollment students at Northeast Alabama Community College, both have an above average GPA, and each is a standout athlete for the Panthers. Mallory has a 4.14 GPA and she is a cheerleader at Collinsville. As a dual enrollment student at NACC, she is on track to dual graduate in May 2027 from both Northeast Alabama Community College and Collinsville High School. She is pursuing an associate’s degree with a focus in Kinesiology. She is an FFA officer, FBLA Vice President, FCCLA officer, BETA Club Vice President, Teens Together leader, and Peer Helper. She is a member
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Mallory Smith
of the Science Club, a JSU Emerging Leader, Youth Leadership DeKalb member, Sigma Kappa Delta Honor Society student. Jeremiah has a 4.17 GPA and plays both football and baseball for the Panthers. His high school athletic accomplishments include DeKalb All-County Baseball Team (2023,
2025), All-Area Baseball Team (2025), Iron Man Award (2022), Defensive Player of the Year (2023, 2024). DeKalb County Baseball Hitter of the Year (2025), Area Baseball Hitter of the Year (2025), DeKalb All County Baseball Tournament Team (2025), Varsity Letterman (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025), All-State Baseball (2025), DeKalb All-County Football Team
(2024, 2025), All-Region Football Team (2024, 2025), and Co-Most Valuable Linebacker (2024, 2025). Outside of athletics Jeremiah is an Earth Fest volunteer, DeKalb Youth Leadership member, and JSU Emerging Leader. He is also volunteer for youth sports, a Color Run volunteer, and he is a Church Youth group member.
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Jeremiah Killian
Cedar Bluff Standouts Named Ledger Leaders
Westbrook Christian Duo Named Ledger Leaders By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Westbrook Christian
standouts Brody Blevins and Lilly Ostendorf have earned the honor of being selected for the 2026 Ledger Leader Awards. Brody has a 4.6 GPA and he is ranked first in the Junior class. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and SGA. He is the school football quarterback and baseball shortstop. He has earned numerous honors in each sport and in 2025 he was named a Class 3A All-State First Team Athlete. Outside of athletics he has helped with Christmas Coalition, Sleep in Heavenly Bed Build, and he served as Leader and Mentor for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Brody Blevins and Lilly Ostendorf Submitted Photo
Lilly has a 4.15 GPA and she is a soccer standout at Westbrook Christian. Lilly was the 2026 soccer Team Captain and she has earned numerous honors, including Class 5A All-State Honorable Mention.
Lilly also participates in Club Soccer and she is a Varsity Cheerleader. She is a member of Alabama ODP Soccer and the Rush Soccer Club. Lilly is a member of Crosscreek Baptist Youth in Hokes Bluff.
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Zyrese Wynn
• REEL 1 - Cornerstone Christian's Kolton Wagner was a nominee for the 2026 Ledger Leader award. • REEL 2 - Northeast Alabama Community College players mob head softball coach Joe Guthrie after their 2026 ACCC Tournament championship victory. • REEL 3 - Former Auburn baseball standout Josh Donaldson has been inducted into the Auburn Wall of Fame. • REEL 4 - Longtime sports journalist Johnny Thornton passed away at age 64. He spent his entire journalism career in Cullman County, where he worked as a sportswriter and sports announcer. HIGHLIGHT PHOTO REEL
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Marley Horton
Reel Photos courtesy of Cornerstone Christian, NACC, Auburn, and AHSAA
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