Orange Lutheran's Williams finalist for Watkins

Orange Lutheran linebacker Deion Williams has been selected as a finalist for the Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Award, the National Alliance of African American Athletes has announced. Williams is one of six finalists for the prestigious award that is handed out annually to the nation's top male African American male high school scholar athlete. In addition to being a member of the Honors Choir on campus and being a member of the Lancers' football team, he is also captain of the wrestling team. Williams carries a 3.7 grade point average and has committed to Duke where he'll major in molecular biology. The other finalists are Zach Banner (Tacoma, Washington), Alexander Carter (Ashburn, Virginia), Jonathan Curry (Phenix City, Alabama), and Keith Marshall (Raleigh, North Carolina). "The 2012 Watkins Award features an incredible year of fine student athletes," said Executive Director of The Alliance, Everette Pearsall. "Each of these young men are well equipped for success academically. We have continued to recognize and honor the premier African American Scholar Athletes in the United States." Previous Watkins Award winners include Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle, former Long Beach Poly Jackrabbit Marcedes Lewis of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and former Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington. The Watkins Award has been handed out every year since 1992.