Cleveland High class of 2022 graduate Skyler Locklear was recently awarded the prestigious Sam Narron Baseball Award. The award celebrates a Johnston County high school senior baseball player who demonstrated a love for the game through determination, dedication, and sacrifice.
Locklear is the 26th recipient of the award. He received a $500 scholarship and a recognition plaque. Additionally, his name will be placed on a plaque with past recipients which hangs in the Evander S. Simpson Building in Smithfield.
Locklear is a multi-sport athlete and is attending Austin Peay State University, where he will play football in the fall.
The award is named in honor of Sam Narron who was raised in the Emit community near Corinth Holders. In 1934, Narron, using most of the money he had, purchased a ticket to Hot Springs Arkansas to attend the first ever baseball school.
The award’s namesake played and coached professional baseball for the Saint Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was part of two World Series Championship teams in a career that spanned from 1936 to 1964.
Narron is a member of the Johnston County Athletic Hall of Fame.
