In June, Starkville High School Class of 2023 graduate, Sterling Scott, was named the 2022-2023 Gatorade Mississippi Boys Track and Field Player of the Year. Scott is the first SHS student to be selected for the award, which recognizes student athletes who have demonstrated outstanding athletic performance as well as distinguished academic achievement and a commitment to exemplary character on and off the field.
Scott is a three-time MHSAA 6A State Champion and holds Mississippi's all-time record in the Triple Jump. He is also a 2nd place finisher in Triple Jump in the 2023 Nike Indoor National Track Meet, placing him as the No. 2 ranked track and field athlete in that event. In July, he competed in the U-20 USA Track and Field Championships in Triple Jump, earning third place and the opportunity to compete in the U-20 World Track and Field Championships in Puerto Rico in August.
Scott maintained a 4.30 weighted GPA during high school and graduated in 2023 with a Distinguished Academic Endorsement and WorkKeys Gold designations. He was also a member of the National Honor Society and National Beta Club. In addition to excelling in academics and athletics, Scott has also volunteered with the US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer program, serving young players with physical or intellectual challenges.
Scott has signed to attend the University of Missouri in the fall on a Track and Field scholarship.