The Norse News Athlete of The Year Award is a highly prestigious athletic award given every year at Spartanburg High School for student-athletes who excel in not only wherever they may perform for their sport but also in the classroom. This year, Christian Roberts (12) earned every bit of the award for the 2023-24 school year at Spartanburg High. He is well-known around campus or on the turf under the Friday night lights or hurdling down the track. Roberts has had an amazing athletic and academic career as a Viking. His perseverance, charismatic attitude and grit are what makes him who he is as a person.

Viking track and field head coach Kevin Coleman has been coaching Roberts for years now and has enjoyed the bond they developed early on in Roberts’ track career.

“Christian means everything to our team. He is a fierce leader, a great student, a high-character guy and always works hard. He is always the first person on the track, waiting for his teammates to get there to start warmups. Christian’s GPA speaks volumes, and he is the school record holder in the 400-meter hurdles. To me, that embodies what we preach to our student-athletes. He puts academics first, and still performs well on the track. Christian is the epitome of what you want as a student-athlete,” Coleman said.

Roberts has always been a standout athlete no matter which sport it is. This past football season in the rivalry game against Dorman, Roberts had an impressive game with three solo sacks in just one game. Linebacker coach at Spartanburg Highschool, Chip Bailey, has coached Roberts for a few years and has enjoyed his time being able to coach him.

“In our program, we have clearly defined what it is to be a man. A man is where he is supposed to be when he is supposed to be there, doing what he is supposed to do, the best he can. Christian Roberts is a man. This has allowed Christian to set an example for other players to follow in all facets of life, not just athletics,” Bailey said. “He is an excellent young man and a delight to be around. He constantly has a smile on his face. He is everything a student athlete should be, navigating the rigors of athletics while excelling in the classroom. As a player, Christian is trustworthy, has shown great perseverance, and has a tremendous work ethic, which allowed him to have an outstanding senior season.”

Roberts has built amazing bonds with his coaches and teammates over the years and has excelled in the classroom at school and continues to with his ability to stay determined no matter what and persevere through life.

Andy Metz (10) is a track teammate, who competes alongside Roberts in the 400-meter hurdle event.  The two athletes have built a strong bond while at practice and during competition.

“Christian puts in the work every day when we show up to practice. His hard work pays off during races and meets and all of us are really happy to have him part of the team and be able to call him our teammate,” Metz said.