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Very rarely does a graduating class have two top notch stellar athletes who have accumulated some of the accolades that Jared Jordan and Chris Moroz achieved in 2011-2012.

Both athletes were multiple sport athletes, with Jordan playing football and running track, and Moroz running cross country and track, while also breaking nearly every record in UL swimming history.

Moroz was recently accepted to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Being accepted in the Air Force Academy is a feat in itself. Out of over 20,000 people who applied to the academy, only 1,040 were accepted.

Moroz holds nearly every record for Knights swimming. This season, Moroz finished seventh in the state in the 100-yard breaststroke. Also in the pool, Moroz was a part of the Southern Crescent Water Polo Team, which finished fourth in the state as a club team.

Out of the pool, the ULHS NJROTC Battalion Commander ran for the Knights cross country team, and was the Knights’ best runner in the 1600 meters and the 3200 meters on the track team. This season, Moroz was the recipient of the Vince Dooly Award, a state finalist for the Wendy’s Heisman Award, and was one of 25 national recipients for the SAMMY Award.

The Milk Processor Education Program and USA TODAY announced that Moroz is one of the 25 national winners of the 15th annual “Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year” (SAMMY 2012) Award Program. Chris was selected from a pool of more than 30,000 applicants.

SAMMY 2012 winners were chosen based on five criteria: academic performance, athletic excellence, leadership, community service, and the milk experience essay. Preliminary judging was conducted by a qualified group of educators and coaches who selected the 75 semi-finalists, three from each of the 25 Milk Prize Regions. Finally, a panel of celebrity judges including Chauncey Billups, Jennie Finch, Tony Hawk, Andy Roddick, and Dara Torres selected the twenty-five national winners.

As a winner, Chris received a $7,500 college scholarship, an invitation to attend the SAMMY 2012 weekend at the Disney World Complex in Orlando, FL, scheduled for June 29 - July 1, 2012, and the opportunity to be pictured in a special congratulatory Milk Mustache ad in a June 2012 edition of USA TODAY.

This is the first time Upson-Lee High School has had a national winner in the SAMMY Awards. Chris graduated with honors back in May. He is the son of Michael and Sharon Moroz.

Jared Jordan had a season to remember as a member of the Knights track team., but before track season, Jordan was the Knights running back on the football team. Jordan finished the season with over 400 yards rushing, highlighted with a 21-yard TD run against arch rival Griffin.

When the temperatures stared to rise in the spring, so did Jordan. Jared went undefeated on the season in the 200 meters, with exception of the AAAA West Sectionals, a race in which he was injured. Jordan set the school record for the 200 meters with a blazing time of 21.67 seconds.

Jordan was a member of the Knights’ record setting 4x100 meter relay team, which also broke the school record and finished second in the state with a time of 41.73 seconds. However, it was Jordan’s determination and fast healing ability which enabled the Knights to have a chance at setting the school record.

While participating in the AAAA West Sectionals, Jared won the 100 meter race, but as he crossed the finish line suffered a slight tear in his hamstring. The Region Champ in the 100 meters and 200 meters, it looked as if he and his 4x100 meter relay teammates’ season may be done. With the State Championships only two weeks away, Jordan was able to get back into running shape from an injury which usually takes 4-6 weeks to heal.

Jordan graduated as the UL record holder in the 200 meters, a member of the record holding 4x100 meter relay team, and the Region Champion in the 100 meters, the Region Champion in the 200 meters, and the AAAA West Sectionals Champion in the 100 meters. Jared signed an athletic scholarship to run at Albany State University in May.

Jared is the son of Melodie and Samuel Jordan.