MANCHESTER, Tenn. -- Athletes have come and gone through Manchester over the years. But none quite like Jenna Philpott.

Philpott exploded onto Manchester sports scene in 2006 and has managed to stay front and center ever since - stacking up piles of awards, ribbons, trophies, medals and her newest acco-lade - Manchester Times Female Athlete of the Year Award.

The Athlete of the Year honor is Philpott's third straight - the most by one athlete since the awards inception.

Philpott graduated from Coffee County Central High School in May and is currently attending Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville on a track scholarship.

"Being voted best female athlete three years in a row is very humbling," said Philpott, "knowing there are other girls, including teammates, who push themselves hard at whatever they do. And it's very rewarding personally, knowing I tried to perform my best at everything - especially sports in high school.

"I'm driven by competitiveness and if being given this award means I have given 110-percent then I feel I have done everything I could to help my teams be the best they could have been."

Despite only having five months to play sports for Coffee County Central High School in 2008, Philpott made quite an impact. She started off the calendar year with a solid second half of the 2007-2008 basketball season, where her 21 point effort led to a win over district rival Lincoln County. She averaged over 10 points per game from Jan. 1 through the season's final game in February, but was known better for her defensive play.

But Philpott really shines on the track. She returned to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association's Bluecross Spring Fling in Murfreesboro for the third straight year where she placed 10th in the pentathlon and her 4x800 meter relay team finished eighth and earned a medal. She competed in the spring fling with a stress fracture in one leg and an inflamed nerve in the other.

She signed a track scholarship with Tennessee Tech late in the track season and will be competing for the Golden Eagles in the spring of 2009.

"I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for my family, coaches and teammates," added Philpott. "They all encouraged me to be the best I could in their own ways. My family is my support system, my coaches were always there for guidance no matter the situation, and my teammates made me better. For these people I couldn't be more thankful."