Sam Ivins, the cross country force from Benton, just clinched the Shreveport Times Athlete of the Week 1 poll. This dude didn’t just win; he owned it, showing exactly why he is a standout for the Tigers right out of the gate for the 2024-25 school year.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Ivins Ran Away With It
Talk about a dominant performance! Ivins pulled in a massive 21,129 votes, which is a whopping 47.4% of the 45,743 total votes cast in the online poll. That’s serious fan engagement, you know? He absolutely blew past second-place finisher Jaliyah Brown from North DeSoto cheer, who snagged 17,916 votes (40.2%). When you get that kind of support, it’s not just a win, it’s a statement. This guy is making waves, and the community is clearly behind him, showering him with support for his efforts.
What His Coach Says and What It Means
Benton coach Bryson Matthews isn’t holding back on the praise, and it tells you everything you need to know about Ivins’ dedication. Matthews said, “Sam is a driven young man who is constantly looking for ways to improve his running game. He works hard day in and day out to reach his goals and is a valuable asset to the Benton High cross country team.” That kind of work ethic isn’t something you can teach; it’s just in you. Ivins’ win definitely highlights his commitment, and it means the Tigers have a serious talent on their hands, one who’s already grabbing recognition early in the season. He even gets a sweet backpack, a boxed lunch combo, and some extra swag for the win, which is just a cool bonus for all that hard work.
This is just Week 1 of the seventh annual Athlete of the Week poll, which focuses on high school sports other than football. The online poll runs through midnight Thursday each week with a new slate of student-athletes. For Sam Ivins, this early recognition is a huge boost, and you just know he’s already looking for his next big run.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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