BY DONNA SWICEGOOD
Members of the Class of 2025 of the Iredell County Sports Hall of Fame were humbled and honored to be recognized during Monday’s induction ceremony at the Statesville Civic Center.
The newest class of inductees includes J.B. Mauney, Kent Daniels, George Conger, Jeff Lewis, Chris Woodfin, Natalie Tribble and the Harold Johnson Community Partner recipient Kenny Miller.
In addition to the local sports legends who were honored, a male and female athlete from each of the six high schools in Iredell County were honored. A male and female athlete of the year from among those dozen students was also recognized.
The Iredell County Sports Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2016.
Class of 2025
♦ J.B. Mauney, a champion bull rider, is a Mooresville native who attended Lake Norman HIgh School. He was induced into the Bull RIding Hall of Fame in 2024. His father, Jim Mauney, and daughter, Bella, accepted the award on his behalf. “I just want to say thank you to the Hall of Fame and I appreciate it,” Jim Mauney said.
♦ George Conger amassed a distinguished career in his 60 years of involvement in Iredell County sports, beginning as an athlete at Scotts High School in 1952. His career included coaching and work as an athletic director. He served in education for 53 years.
♦ Kent Daniels also was a legendary player and coach. He played basketball at Central High School, and had “one of the sweetest jump shots I’ve ever seen,” said Matt Matheny, who did the introduction for Daniels. “He’s had a very storied career both as a player and a coach.”
♦ Jeff Lewis was a standout athlete at both Unity High School and South Iredell High School. Like many of the other inductees, he went on to have a successful coaching career that spanned more than three decades. He was a multi-sport athlete and coach during his tenure but was best known as the boys basketball coach at West Iredell High School.
♦ Natalie Tribble was the championship-winning volleyball coach at North Iredell High School. She coached the Raiders from 2000 to 2017, bringing home the school’s first state volleyball crown with a 26-0 record in 2008. The Raiders won their second state championship in Tribble’s last year of coaching at North Iredell in 2017.
♦ Chris Woodfin, a graduate of South Iredell High School, was described as the epitome of a student-athlete. He was valedictorian of the Class of 1986 and was a standout on the baseball diamond for the Vikings. He was a four-year starter at N.C. State and went on to play for several minor league teams.
Harold Johnson Community Partner Award
The Harold Johnson Community Partner Award is named in honor of the retired sportscaster and TV personality who calls Statesville home.
Miller, the recipient of the 2025 award, was a vital part of the education system in Iredell County for more than 50 years. He was a teacher assistant, coach and administrator. He was selected for the recognition based on his contribution to thousands of athletes in the system through coaching and supportive roles in administration.
Miller’s son, Jon, described his father as someone who has done a little bit of everything. “He was never seeking attention or the spotlight,” Jon Miller said. He said his father was concerned about more than what happened on the field. “If somebody didn’t have a ride, he’d give them a ride,” he said.
Athletes of the Year
The high school athletes recognized were:
♦ Athletes of the Year – Trent C. Steinour of Lake Norman High and Lilly Rumrill of Mooresville High
Nominees:
♦ Lake Norman High – Trent C. Steinour and Alyssa Claborn;
♦ Mooresville High – Eric Neal and Lilly Rumrill;
♦ North Iredell High – Maddox Gant and Kaydan Flowers;
♦ Pine Lake Prep – Asher Allebach and Avery Garrett;
♦ South Iredell High – Dru Kerley and Ella Morrison;
♦ Statesville High – Noah Owens and Nakirah Adams; and
♦ West Iredell – Jermaine Cornelius and Alexis Caudill
Photo Gallery
