Conference honors Valliant

By Hal Nunn

Sports writer

Hoke High School debuted a new award to honor a soccer player who was killed in a wreck last year.
The Valliant Award is named for Kaleb Valliant, a senior soccer player who was a leader on the team.
“The coaches of the Southeastern Conference got together and decided that we could come up with an award which recognizes the same values that Kaleb showed on the field and in the classroom,” Athletic Director Gary Brigman said.

Though soccer players from the conference are eligible to win the award, the first one was reserved for a Hoke High player and went to senior George Rios.
Jennifer Valliant, Kaleb’s younger sister was on hand to make the presentation at the school’s annual fall athletic banquet held Monday night.
The award honors a hard work ethic, team leadership, dedication in the classroom and being coach-able, characteristics coaches said Valliant displayed.