Wendy’s High School Heisman Winners: James Clemens

MADISON- Winning the Wendy’s High School Heisman can certainly help build on a student-athlete’s resume and take them to higher accomplishments in education. For the local school winners of the prestigious national award, receiving the accolades of superior athletic, academic achievement and caring community work can be the building block to tomorrow.

Each school chose a male and female athlete for its school winner. Those competed against other schools across Alabama for the state award, which then compete against all 50 states for the National Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. The award winners for each local high school included:

JAMES CLEMENS: Michael Bigelow (baseball) and Christina Tarsitano (swimming)

Having applied for acceptance to the Naval Academy, West Point and Auburn University, Michael Bigelow is also anxiously awaiting his senior year of baseball for the James Clemens Jets making the varsity after being placed on the junior varsity team a season ago. The second baseman said of his new role, “Last year was a serious challenge and made me a better player. Having not made the varsity squad was a shock to my pride, but that motivated me to take a leadership role and make our JV team much better.”

Bigelow has played baseball in Madison since age five and is a huge participant in the school’s fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and SGA has senior class president. He feels the upcoming baseball season will be a good one for the Jets and he’s very thankful for winning the Wendy’s Heisman Award. He said, “I was surprised to win the award and very thankful to my family and those at school that helped make this possible. My family has really supported me and I thank them for making me who I am.”

Christian Tarsitano recently secured an academic scholarship to swim in college at Denison University of Ohio as she has a 4.26 GPA. In the pool, she holds a school record in the 100-meter breaststroke and partakes in several events for the Lady Jets. In 2012, she earned the award as Alabama Sports Foundation Female Athlete of the Year and has overcome two broken arms and a broken foot to become one of the top swimmers in her division.

“I’m very grateful I won this award and shows my hard work in the pool and in the classroom has paid off,” said Tarsitano. “I was very surprised I won the Heisman and I’m very happy I did win. My family took me to Wendy’s for dinner and we celebrated on the evening I won the award.”

Besides being honored as co-captain of the swim team, Tarsitano also excels in the classroom tackling both honors and AP classes in the biomedical program in the school’s Medical Academy. She’s usually busy participating in numerous school organizations and as a mentor for the younger members of the swim team.