Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association annually recognizes a group of student-athletes with its Heart of a Champion Award.

Albemarle’s Miles Gregory was named among the 24 recipients of the awards for this past academic year.

According to the NCHSAA website, the award “recognizes student-athletes who have participated in at least one varsity sport and remained ejection-free during the school year. These students also exemplify outstanding citizenship and sportsmanship.”

Gregory was a standout in wrestling, football and track for the Bulldogs. He was All-Yadkin Valley Conference in football and reached the 1A wrestling state finals tournament posting a 26-5 overall record. He also placed sixth at the 1A state track meet in the shot put.

The rising senior said when he heard he had won the award, he “was thrilled but also surprised because I didn’t think my name would be mentioned.”

“I’m not a kid that likes to express himself. I like to be low-key about things,” Gregory said. “I try to do my best in the classroom and in sports. If I said it was easy, I would be lying to you…staying up at night focusing and also studying film, it’s hard.”

His father, Preston, said his son “is such a great kid. He exceeds any expectations I have of him. My wife and I have high standards, and it’s a very challenging balancing act.”

Gregory said his solid work ethic started back in third grade, adding, “if a coach tells me to do something, I’m just going to do it, and like the teachers gives the assignment, I’m going to do it.”

This upcoming season, he said he hopes to earn state titles in all three sports.

Dustin Foley, his wrestling coach, said Gregory “does the right things all the time. He’s there when you need him there; he leads by example.”

“Whenever things are tough, whenever it’s hard, when it’s a grind is when he really locks it in,” Foley said.

Albemarle head football coach Richard Davis said Gregory “is the epitome of what it means to be a student-athlete. He works his tail off in the classroom, and on the field, and he deserves every accolade he has received and will receive.”