MHS to induct 6

The second class of inductees into McDowell High's Athletic Hall of Fame includes athletes who have been honored on the state, national and international level.
The six inductees, five athletes and one supporter, will be honored between McDowell's varsity girls and boys basketball games against Erwin next Friday, Jan. 29.
Members of this year's class are:
Anthony Allen (athlete, football) — Allen, who graduated in 1986, was a standout on both sides of the football as a three-year starter for the Titans. In 1985 he became the school's third Shrine Bowl selection. Allen went on to an outstanding football career at Duke University.
Kelly Landreth (athlete, track, cross country, swimming, soccer) — Landreth was a three-year letter winner in four varsity sports, making all-conference in swimming, cross country and track. In 1998 she was chosen from among more than 11,000 nominees as the national winner of the prestigious Wendy's High School Heisman Award, given annually to one male and one female high school athlete who display superior achievement in athletics, academics and community service.
Dwayne Ledford (athlete, football) — An all-conference choice in both basketball and football, Ledford (MHS Class of '95) excelled on the gridiron on both the offensive and defensive lines, and had a superb four-year career at East Carolina University. After graduation, he played for several teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars during his seven-year NFL career.
Van McKinney (supporter, radio announcer) — McKinney, "The Voice of The Titans," started broadcasting McDowell High athletic events in 1987 and has covered football, basketball and baseball games at the school every year since for WBRM. He has broadcast four State 4A basketball championship games for the Lady Titans, including their 1990-91 state title win in Chapel Hill.
Sara McMann (athlete, wrestler) — A four-year wrestler at McDowell (1994-97), McMann went on to a spectacular career on the mat, becoming the first American woman to win a silver medal in women's wrestling at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, finishing as the runner-up in the 63 kg class (138.75 lbs.). McMann is also a silver medallist and two-time bronze medallist at the Fila Wrestling World Championships, a two-time Pan-American Games champion, and a six-time U.S. Nationals champion.
Greg Sproles (athlete, swimmer) — Sproles became the only male State 4A champion swimmer in McDowell High history when he captured the state title in the 100-meter backstroke in 1987 as a senior, swimming the race in 55.16 seconds.
Candidates can be nominated for the hall of fame as athletes, coaches or supporters of MHS athletic programs. A committee meets each year to select the members, who are inducted in late January or early February and honored with a banquet in the spring.
The first class of inductees included Johnny Anderson (former head football coach, who passed away in August), the late Tom Blackburn (former booster club president), the late Ken Griffin (former boys basketball coach), Lynn Helms (the school's only wrestling state champion), Lauriece Jenkins (high-scoring basketball star for the Lady Titans), Richard Laney (former longtime athletic director and coach), Charlotte McCall (the school's only state champion in track and cross country), Rob Noyes (basketball star who helped lead the Titans to the state championship game in 1976), Greg Parker (high school and collegiate golf standout and former professional tour player), Judy Stroud (basketball star and WNBA official), Chris Twitty (high-flying basketball and football star) and Scott Wade (former high school and college football star who signed with the NFL).