This school year marks The Focus’ 15th annual recognition of our top Student-Athletes.
Five local high schools – Central, Grace Christian, Knoxville Catholic, South-Doyle and West – lead off the first week.
Twenty-five high schools are in our coverage area.
Again local athletic directors start the process of sending in the top student-athletes’ success in sports and academics. Coaches and teachers also have a big hand in the process.
This first group of honorees includes a young man who moved here from Egypt and a young woman who ranks fourth in all-time scoring in basketball at Knox County’s oldest high school.
We hope you will join us this week in learning about all of the honorees’ accomplishments and applauding each one!
Chesney and Bernstein were a ‘dynamic duo’ too at West
“Kobe & Shaq, Gretzky & Messier, Montana & Rice, Pippen & Jordan, and Stockton & Malone – my personal favorite,” said West High Athletic Director Paul Romero. “Throughout sports history, few teams are lucky enough to have a dynamic duo.”
By Steve Williams
West High’s girls lacrosse team was “equally fortunate” during the 2026 season, said Romero.
“Our female Student-Athletes of the Year formed a tandem every bit as unstoppable, controlling the tempo of games, consistently scoring, and creating opportunities for their teammates. They are such exceptional teammates that it’s only fitting they receive this honor together.”
Millie Chesney tallied 107 goals, 31 assists, 202 ground balls, 63 caused turnovers, and 203 draw controls to earn TSSAA Top Player honors in Knoxville as well as All-Region and All-State recognition in her junior and senior years. She also led the team in goals for two seasons and ground balls as a junior, plus served as a two-time team captain.
Her sidekick, Margaux Bernstein, racked up 84 goals, 48 assists, 151 ground balls, 89 caused turnovers, 327 draw controls, and an 81% draw win rate, which ranked fourth nationally. Also a two-time team captain, she earned three All-Region honors, was the Freshman Offensive Player of the Year and led the team in draw controls and shooting percentage. In addition to all of that, she represented Tennessee on the U.S. National Team.
“These two student-athletes have made a major impact on the growth of women’s lacrosse at West High School, and their contributions are deeply appreciated,” summed up Romero.
Shahin, male honoree, was 36-2 in wrestling – all pins!
Ahmed Shahin came to West High after competing in Greco-Roman wrestling in his home country of Egypt, where he was a top junior wrestler and ranked 2nd nationally. He quickly adapted as a junior for the West wrestling program and finished 5th overall in the state, while learning entirely new folkstyle rules in the sport.
Shahin made a remarkable leap as a senior, going 36-2, with both losses coming only to the eventual state champion, and earned a 2nd place finish at the state tournament while defeating multiple state medalists. They were all defeated by pin.
“Across his career, he compiled a 74-7 record with an extraordinary 100 percent fall rate which was, in a single word, dominant,” added Romero.
Ahmed set school records as the all-time leader in pins (68) and single-season wins, while consistently leading his team in major statistical categories. He made history at West as the first state finalist, first multiple state medalist, and highest individual place finisher in school history, solidifying one of the most accomplished wrestling careers the program has seen.
