Chuckey-Doak High School soccer coach Anna Ricker has been honored by the TSSAA as the Female Coach of the Year in Athletic District 1 and will receive the A.F. Bridges Award.

The TSSAA A.F. Bridges Award was expanded 10 years ago to include awards for School System Administrator of the Year, Principal of the Year, Athletic Director of the Year, Female Coach of the Year, Male Coach of the Year, Official of the Year, and Contributor of the Year in each athletic district.

"The awards recognize again this year 63 individuals from across our state that represent what's best in high school athletics," a TSSAA spokesman said. "Recognition was made in the above mentioned categories in each of the nine athletic districts in our state."

Nominations were made by a Citizenship/Sportsmanship Committee in each athletic district and the final selection was made by a State Selection Committee.

Bernard Childress, Executive Director of the TSSAA stated, "Being recognized for one of these awards as a school or individual should be seen as one of the highest honors in high school athletics in our state. Those who receive the awards truly reflect what high school athletics should be about, and that's good sportsmanship and good citizenship."

All of these awards will be presented at the eight athletic district meetings held the week of Nov. 9.

Coach Ricker heads up both the girls and boys soccer programs at Chuckey-Doak High School.

Other East Tennessee selections for the awards are: Steve Dixon of Bristol City Schools, Administrator of the Year; Jim Dykes, Volunteer High School, Principal of the Year; Paul Pendleton, Tennessee High School, Athletic Director of the Year; Jerry White, Hampton High School, Male Coach of the Year; Don Lady of Bluff City, Official of the Year; and Larry Harris of Kingsport, Contributor of the Year.