By Steve Williams
“Emma Rainey excelled in three sports at Bearden High School during the 2025-2026 school year,” said Bearden Athletic Director Morgan Shinlever. “Additionally, she was a dual sport athlete in soccer and basketball as a freshman, sophomore, and junior.”
During the 2025-2026 school year, Emma earned All-State honors in soccer to help lead the Lady Soccer Dogs to a state championship.
Rainey also was All-District and All-Region in basketball as a starter on a state tournament team, and she was All-Region and Region 1-2A Offensive MVP in Flag Football, leading the flag football team to the school’s first ever region championship and state tournament appearance.
“She is a special student-athlete who balances school, life, and athletics all the while being an outstanding representative of Bearden High,” added Shinlever.
Emma is committed to play soccer at Carson-Newman University in 2026-2027.
“I echo everything Morgan said,” pointed out Zachary Scott, the head coach of Bearden’s flag football team. “She’s an exceptional person and athlete. I also had her in AP US History, and she is an excellent student.”
Justin Nordin is Bearden’s male Student-Athlete of the Year. He led the Bulldogs to the TSSAA state basketball tournament this year and will be joining the U.S. Naval Academy.
“It is great to see Justin further acknowledged for his achievements,” said Bearden basketball coach Jeremy Parrott. “He is a great young man on and off the court. One of the hardest workers we have ever coached. He deserves the accolades.”
Senior and freshman earn All-State honors for L&N
Connor Arnold, L&N STEM Academy Class of 2026, has been a four-year member of both the Cross Country and Track and Field Teams in his high school career and has been selected L&N’s male Student-Athlete of the Year.
Arnold is a four-time state qualifier for the TSSAA Cross Country State Championships and a three-time All-Region team member. Additionally, he qualified three times for the TSSAA Track and Field State Championships, leading to three All-State recognitions.
Connor also graduated in the Top 10 of his class while receiving an AP Capstone Diploma with a concentration in Physics, Mechanics, and Engineering.
With Arnold moving on, Grace Shin, a L&N freshman, has already shown she could continue the Gryphons’ success in the future. She was a first-year member of the track and field team this past season, and set four school records and three All-State finishes at the 2026 TSSAA State Championship Meet.
Not only did Grace excel in athletics, but she also ranks among the top students in her pursuit of an AP Capstone Diploma with concentration in Physics, Mechanics, and Engineering.
