THOMAS COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - Zykierra Hightower, a senior at Thomas County Central, has built a reputation as a standout two-sport athlete while maintaining a 3.8 GPA.

The Lady Yellow Jackets athlete recently completed her season on the flag football team, where she led the team in sacks and earned defensive MVP honors.

“I manage it good. I put God first in whatever I do. I know what comes first. School comes first, and then I worry about everything else after,” Hightower said.

Hightower transferred from Cairo High School two years ago, where she held the school record in the 400-meter race. While she excels on the football field, track remains her primary focus.

“Been running [the 400m] since I was like 6 years old. That’s really my favorite sport, and I wanna earn a scholarship in that and take that with me to college to finish my career and my passion in that,” she said.

The senior has already received several Division I scholarship offers for track. She said she plans to make her college decision soon.

“It feels amazing. I’m proud of where I am today. I don’t know where I would be without sports. My dad says something in me when I was little when I raced my little cousin. Ever since then, I just fell in love with the sport. I mean sometimes you have a hard day, but at the end of the day its gonna pay off,” Hightower said.

Congratulations to Zykierra Hightower for being recognized as this week’s Valdosta State Scholar Athlete!

If you know an outstanding student-athlete, click here to nominate them.

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