132

Claire Donahue-- 2007

Claire was an avid swimmer during her years at Lenoir City High School. All four years she was a state qualifier. Her sophomore year she placed 7th in the 100 butterfly; her junior year she placed 2nd in the 100 butterfly; and her senior year she won 1st place in the butterfly and was state champion. She was 2 time All American swimmer. Claire participated in track. Her junior year she was State Qualifier at 22nd place in cross-country and was State Qualifier in Pentathalon & 4 X 400 Relay in track. She ran Year-Round Cross Country and participated in Jr. Olympics; Year-Round Track Pentathalon, Distance & High Jump; and Year-Round Swimming, qualifying for 2 zone teams and Jr. Nationals. Her swimming career continued at Western Kentucky University. She graduated in 2011 with a BA in Social Work. She was 5 time USA National Team Member; Silver Medalist, USA Swimming National Championships, 100 butterfly in 2011; Gold Medalist in 100 butterfly & 400 Medley Relay, breaking both records, in Mexico in 2011; In 2012 Olympic Games, London, GB she won 7th place and finalist & gold medal for participation in 400 Medley Relay; World Cup, Gold Medalist in Russia in 2015; and Silver Medalist, Short Course National Championships, Atlanta, GA in 2016. Claire also represented the USA in Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Qatar, France, Turkey, Spain, Tennessee, Scotland, Australia, Russia, and Bermuda. Claire was inducted in the LCHS Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

106

GARY "FROG" DYE - 1975

Gary Due has been termed "one of the best young talented golfers in the area" during his tenure with the Lenoir City High School golf team. He shot par or better on most of the courses he played. He won the coveted MVP trophy as Lenoir City's top golfer in 1973, 1974 and 1975. He sparked Lenoir City's golf team to a 45-game victory out of 51 matches his senior year. Dye won the amateur golf title for several tournaments during 1974-75. He was number one in the district for all high school players in 1975. He won the Individual Low Medalist Trophy with a 36-hole scores of 155 at the Smoky Mountain Prep Invitational Tournament in 1975. "Dye, a most excellent golfer had 15 pars and 6 birdies for two days of play." He won the District 5 title medalist honors in the District Tournament with a score of 76 on 18 holes. He was awarded many individual low medalist honors at clinton, Quail Creek, and Lafollette to name a few. Dye was awarded a scholarship to Hiawassee Junior College. He was the first Lenoir City or Loudon County golfer to be awarded a golf scholarship. "Frog" has continued to play golf throughout his life and has often been the one to beat in local tournaments. He was inducted into the LCHS HALL OF FAME in 2012.

84

LEE EBLEN (LEDBETTER) - 1983
 

Lee was the first Lady Panther to letter all 4 years in 3 sports (volleyball, basketball and softball). In her first year, she received the Coach's award in volleyball and Best Offensive Player award in softball. Her sophomore year, she received the Best Offensive Player, MVP award and All-District tournament team award in volleyball. Her junior year, she was Best Defensive Player in volleyball and was Best Offensive Player and All-District tournament team in softball. As a senior, she was MVP, All-District and on the All-Region tournament team in volleyball. In basketball, she was MVP, tops in rebounds and on the All-County team. She was voted the Best Offensive Player in softball. She closed her high school career by winning the Cecil Thomas Most Outstanding Female Athlete Award her last year. She was offered scholarships to King College for her volleyball play and to the University of the South for basketball. Instead, she went to The University of Tennessee and received an Accounting degree and later a law degree. She was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2009.

40

Jerry Evans - 1926
 

Evans began his football career in 1922, the year football was revived in Lenoir City after World War I. He started in the line and improved so much that he was moved to fullback the next year where he was an important part of 4 consecutive wins, while holding their opponents scoreless. He continued outstanding play throughout the 1925 and 1926 season. Those who played with him declared him as one of the best when the "chips" were down. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972.

109

Scott Fletcher - 1984
 

Fletcher was a four-year letterman in basketball and also earned a letter in both football and baseball. During his junior basketball campaign, Scott scored 330 points from his guard position and was named to the All County, All District 5 and All District 5 Tournament teams. As a senior captain, he led the county and the district in scoring with 532 points and received honors for All County, Best Offensive Player, Team MVP, All District 5, All District 5 tournaments, All Region, All East Tennessee, and was MVP of the St. Cloud, Florida Invitational Tournament. During his junior and senior seasons, Scott scored double figures in 45 consecutive games. Scott had multiple college offers but chose to attend Maryville College, where he continued to earn many awards. In 2012 he was inducted into the Maryville College Athletic Hall of Fame. He was elected and inducted into the Lenoir City Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.