By John Clark
BLADENBORO – A year ago West Bladen’s Gary Parker appeared to be headed for a banner senior year in football, basketball and track, but a knee injury and subsequent surgery caused him to miss football and part of the basketball season.
Parker returned in January to provide senior leadership for the Knights Southeastern Athletic Conference basketball co-championship team. In the spring he won the discus at the SAC-7 Championship meet with a throw of 137 feet, 7 inches.
Thursday Parker with his parents, teammates, coaches and administrators looking on, signed with the UNC-Pembroke track and field team where he will compete in the discus.
“Gary was Mr. Everything on the field and in the building,” said West Bladen track & football Coach Stanley Williams. “He has always been a leader among his peers. Even after ACL surgery he went from running to throwing in track and excelled in that. Gary demonstrated the true meaning of being a Knight.”
Pictured seated: Gary Parker between his parents Gary and Tonya Parker
Standing: Coach Stanley Williams, Principal Dr. Peggy Hester
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