WINDSOR – “It has been a fantastic year.”

Those words from Bertie High School Athletic Director Marvin Rankins summed up the plethora of awards that have come to individual Falcons during the 2006-2007 academic year.

Two more came their way last week when Brent Bowen and Christie Brown were selected to represent the school in the North Carolina Amateur Sports State Games.

Bowen, a sophomore who pitched and played shortstop for the Falcons, will represent Region One in the state games. He will play in June during the state games in Greensboro.

“Brent went and tried out against players from all over eastern North Carolina and was fortunate enough to make it,” Bertie Baseball Coach Randy Whitaker said. “It’s certainly an honor for him and the school.

“First of all, it gets his name out and he has a showcase before the game where he’ll be able to hit, run and throw in front of college scouts,” Whitaker continued. “Secondly, it’s an honor for Bertie High School and the baseball program.”

Bowen becomes the third Falcon chosen for the games. Will Ellis was the first in 1998 and Jonathan McClellan was chosen in 1999.

“I’m excited about being chosen,” Bowen said. “I wasn’t sure I would make it because I figured they would take a lot of players from Greenville.

“I’m happy to be chosen, no matter how much I play,” he added.

On the softball side, Brown becomes the first Bertie High School player chosen. A member of the All-Northeastern Coastal Conference team, Brown played second base and shortstop for the Lady Falcons while hitting over .500 for the season.

“It’s a great honor to be chosen for this team,” Brown said. “I’m looking forward to playing and I’m hoping that I do well.

“I will do my best to represent Bertie High School and my team well,” she said. “I love my Bertie girls and I’m going to represent them well.”

Lady Falcon mentor Jackie Copeland said she was proud of Brown and what she had accomplished.

“It’s an honor not only for Christie, but for our program and for the entire high school,” Copeland said. “I’m proud of her and I know she will do well.”