By Steve Williams
Seventeen area high school seniors, who excelled in academics and varsity sports in 2025-26, received the annual Johnny Mauer Award Friday at the Bearden Banquet Hall.
The longtime award is named in honor of the late Mauer (Sept. 4, 1901– Dec. 20, 1978), who was a UT coach in basketball, baseball and football and an Optimist Club member during his career.
Tony Cosey, a former Central High and UT standout and an Olympian in the steeplechase, was this year’s featured speaker.
Here is a thumbnail on each of this year’s honorees:
Justin Pruitt
Austin-East High School
Justin Pruitt is a senior at Austin-East High School with a 3.9 GPA and a top 10% class rank. A Project GRAD Scholar and four-year A/B Honor Roll student, he has shown strong academic commitment throughout high school.
A leader on the football field, Justin earned All-District honors, was selected to the East Tennessee All-Star Team, and served as team captain for two years.
He is also active in community service and plans to attend Tennessee State University.
Yejoon Ham
Bearden High School
Yejoon Ham is a senior at Bearden High School with a 4.66 GPA and a top 1% class rank. A National Merit Finalist and Morehead-Cain Scholarship Finalist, he has earned numerous academic honors, including perfect ACT scores and national recognition in math and science.
He is the founder and coach of a MATHCOUNTS program and a leader in Robotics Club and Science Olympiad. A varsity tennis co-captain and accomplished musician, Yejoon also dedicates significant time to mentoring and community service.
Ham will attend Princeton University.
Timothy Oyer
Career Magnet Academy
Timothy Oyer is a senior at Career Magnet Academy who has earned a 30 ACT score and is graduating with an associate degree in Finance while also achieving Dean’s List honors.
A three-year varsity tennis player, Timothy demonstrates dedication both on and off the court. He also serves his community through his church’s media team and by helping provide meals for those in need during the holidays.
Zane Dukes
Carter High School
Zane Dukes is a senior at Carter High School with a 3.8 GPA, balancing honors, AP, and dual enrollment coursework. He has earned A/B Honor Roll recognition, a 22 ACT score, and maintained perfect attendance.
A participant in both baseball and bowling, Zane also serves his community through Lyons Creek Church.
He plans to attend Carson-Newman University.
Marley Lett
Central High School
Marley Lett is a senior at Central High School with a 4.54 GPA and a top five class rank. A leader on campus, she serves as HOSA President and Vice President of Student Ambassadors.
A four-year letterman and team captain in soccer, Marley has earned recognition for both her performance and leadership.
She has completed over 125 hours of community service and played a key role in organizing school events. Marley will attend the University of Tennessee.
Gabriel “Gabe” Linkous
CAK
Gabe Linkous is a senior at the Christian Academy of Knoxville with a 4.1 GPA and a strong academic foundation, including multiple dual enrollment courses.
A team captain and standout football player, Gabe earned First Team All-State and All-Region honors and was named to the All 5 Star Preps Team. He also competed in the Rivalry Thursday All-Star Game and was the only player in the region ranked in the top 10 across eight statistical categories.
Gabe is active in leadership and service through Youth Leadership Knoxville, youth football camps, and church involvement. He will attend Morehead State University.
Jake Harris
Farragut High School
Jake Harris is a senior at Farragut High School with a 4.0 GPA and an outstanding record of achievement. A three-time state champion in baseball and a Division I commit to Eastern Michigan University, he has earned numerous honors including team MVP, All-District, and Perfect Game All-American recognition.
A leader in his school community, Jake has been actively involved in student leadership and service, including raising over $12,000 for breast cancer research.
Noah Lyons
Fulton High School
Noah Lyons is a senior at Fulton High School with a 3.5 GPA and a strong record of athletic achievement. A standout in both football and baseball, he has earned All-Region honors in football and multiple distinctions in baseball, including All-State and Tennessee Baseball Report Junior of the Year.
He will continue his baseball career at Milligan University. Noah is also active in community service through youth programs, reflecting his commitment to giving back.
Mikel Van Pelt
Gibbs High School
Mikel Van Pelt is a senior at Gibbs High School with a 4.46 GPA and a strong record of academic achievement. A two-sport athlete in soccer and football, he has earned multiple honors including All-State, All-Region Specialist MVP, and All-Knox County recognition.
Mikel serves as senior class president and is an active member of the student council, contributing over 45 hours of service. He is also deeply involved in community outreach through mentoring and volunteer work.
He plans to attend Carson-Newman University.
Brody Foster
Halls High School
Brody Foster is a senior at Halls High School and one of the nation’s top track and field athletes. A 3.7 GPA student and NFHS Award of Excellence recipient, he is the 2025 State Champion in the decathlon and the #1 ranked decathlete in the United States.
A two-time All-American, seven-time All-State honoree, and 2025 All PrepXtra Track Athlete of the Year, Brody has earned a full scholarship to the University of Virginia.
He also serves his community through disaster relief efforts, international service work, and as a CPR-certified lifeguard.
Samuel Mann
Hardin Valley Academy
Samuel Mann is a senior at Hardin Valley Academy with a 3.73 GPA and a strong record of academic and athletic achievement. A First Team All-Region linebacker, he has earned honors including Mr. HVA Football and the team Effort Award.
He has completed over 40 hours of community service through his football program, reflecting his commitment to leadership and service.
Samuel plans to attend Mississippi State before transferring to Tennessee.
Hunter Jenkins
Karns High School
Hunter Jenkins is the valedictorian of Karns High School with a 4.28 GPA and a 30 ACT score. A Student Council President and National Honor Society member, he has been recognized for his leadership and academic excellence.
A multi-sport athlete and team captain, Hunter has also demonstrated outstanding commitment to service, volunteering through school, church, and community programs while mentoring younger students.
He will attend UT-Knoxville.
Gavin Jones
Catholic High School
Gavin Jones is a senior at Knoxville Catholic High School with a 4.35 GPA and a strong record of academic achievement, including membership in multiple honor societies.
A standout football player, Gavin earned First Team All-Region honors and served as team captain. He has also received multiple Football Academic Awards for his performance on and off the field.
Gavin is active in his community through volunteer work and will attend Brown University.
Caleb Lanius
Powell High School
Caleb Lanius is the Valedictorian of Powell High School’s Class of 2026, graduating with an outstanding 4.67 GPA.
A member of the football team and leader across multiple organizations, Caleb serves as President of the Special Olympics Unified Club and is active in National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Youth Leadership Knoxville. His dedication to service includes volunteering with Special Olympics, tutoring peers, and supporting local charities.
Recognized as a Rising Scholar, Scholar Athlete, AP Scholar with Distinction, and Boys State Representative, Caleb is known for his reliability, leadership, and character. He will attend UT-Knoxville.
Isaiah Mitchell
South-Doyle High
Isaiah Mitchell is a senior at South Doyle High School, graduating as Salutatorian with a 4.0 GPA and a top 10% class rank.
A four-year athlete in football and soccer, he earned All-Region honors in football and served as captain of the soccer team his senior year. He also gives back by volunteering as a Sunday school teacher at his church.
Isaiah is a driven student-athlete and leader, prepared to make an impact wherever he goes.
Wilson Luton
Webb School
Wilson Luton is a senior at Webb School of Knoxville with a 4.42 GPA and a strong record of academic and athletic achievement. A four-year varsity athlete in basketball and baseball, he has earned All-Region honors in both sports.
A member of the National Honor Society and a TMTA statistics competition winner, Wilson also dedicated four years to volunteering at Camp Webb.
He plans to attend Tennessee.
Maisey LeCleir
West High School
Maisey LeCleir is a senior at West High with a 4.62 GPA and a top 10 class rank. An IB Diploma candidate and Johnson Scholar at Washington and Lee University, she has also earned the Tennessee Seal of Biliteracy.
A varsity volleyball co-captain and multi-sport athlete, Maisey has demonstrated leadership both on and off the field. She is also active in service through National Honor Society and community involvement.
Maisey will attend Washington and Lee University.
