ALUMNI AWARDS

Martha Johnson Heston started at FRA in kindergarten and while at FRA she played basketball, softball, ran track and played tennis. She was a member of FCA and received senior superlative of most school spirit for attending all sporting events.

Martha attended Belmont University earning a degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. After college she joined the Brentwood Police Department out of college. From there she joined the Tennessee Bureau of Fingerprints.

Her lifelong dream was to be an FBI Agent.  Martha J. Heston became an FBI Special Agent in the Chicago Division in 1998.  She had a full career with the FBI and was recognized by the FBI Director as one of the top 1% of supervisors in the entire FBI.

She is a Retired Supervisory Special Agent. She currently works to help advocate for first responders.

At the beginning of her career Martha worked violent crimes, gangs, and counterterrorism matters. In 2006, Martha was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent and transferred to the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) unit FBI Headquarters. While at FBI HQ, Martha was deployed to Afghanistan for a short period of time.

In 2012, Martha was promoted again to run the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) in the FBI Chicago Division. In this role, Martha supervised the entire Chicago JTTF, FBI Bomb Technician Program, Special Events Program, WMD Program, and HAZMAT Program.

During her career, Martha also served on the FBI’s Evidence Response Team (ERT). Weeks after 9/11, Martha volunteered as a member of ERT for 2 three-week tours to sift through millions of tons of debris from Ground Zero on Staten Island. Because of her selfless act, Martha developed numerous medical conditions due to being at the toxic debris site for 6 weeks. Due to these medical conditions, Martha medically retired after 20 years of FBI service in 2018.

Despite the medical hardship she faces, Martha still says she'd volunteer again to serve her country.

• Dan Crockett '86
• William Akin 
• Brenda Gideon 
• Nancy Johnson 
• Sterling Ambrose 
• Beth Ambrose '84
• June Austin 
• Norma Dodson 
• Ed Zaborowski 
• June Barnes 
• David Tucker 
• George Weicker 
• Hal Cato '83
• Helen Dale 
• Carole Pieratt 
• Captain Greg Johnson '93
• Tom Woodard '79
• Jack Nunnally 
• Will Wade '01
• Jerry Williams 
• Mark Campbell '89
• Tommy Hodges '96
• Chris Hamby '04
• Hunter Rogers '07
• Paulie Allen '90
• Chip Campbell '87
  
  *The nomination criteria for the Distinguished Alumni Award were updated in 2022.

Coach "Mac" Ken McDonald started as the head varsity soccer coach for both the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams in 2000. Under his leadership, the boys’ team won the regional championship in 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2004 and reached the state semi-finals in 2000, 2002, and 2004. Coach Mac’s overall FRA Boys Soccer record was 161 wins, 93 losses, and 30 draws. Coach Mac found even greater success coaching the girls’ soccer program from 2000 – 2018. In that span, the girls’ team won the region championship 11 times, reached the state quarterfinals seven times, and played in the state semi-finals for the first time in 2001. His program won four state championships in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2007, making Coach Mac one of the most decorated head coaches in FRA history. Coach Mac’s overall FRA Girls Soccer record is 287 wins, 92 losses, and 30 draws. “No coach ever developed me as a soccer player and as a person like Coach McDonald,” said Kristin Garman Salato, player and 2022 Hall of Fame inductee. “I will be forever grateful for his impact on me and my teammates. I was always impressed with how he could take all levels of talent and personalities and make a cohesive unit. He could get my best and everyone’s best without raising his voice; instead, he raised his expectations. We all wanted to meet and exceed them because of our respect for him as a coach and mentor.”

Coach Mac played college soccer at Penn State University, eventually leading him to play professionally for the San Jose Earthquakes. He played professional soccer for seven seasons before ending his career with the St. Louis Steamers in 1985. He moved to Nashville in 1989 to become the Vanderbilt University Women’s Head Soccer Coach. While at Vanderbilt, Coach Mac’s team won the SEC championship in 1993 and 1994 and went to the NCAA tournament each year from 1994 – 1998. He was named SEC Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1997. After an overall coaching record at Vanderbilt of 126 wins, 67 losses, and 2 draws, Coach Mac left college coaching in 1998. He and his wife Anne Louise have three children who attended FRA. His soccer legacy at FRA continues with his son Ryan, now serving as the FRA head boys’ soccer coach and assistant coach for the girls’ program.

Kevin Patterson is a member of the 12-year club, having attended FRA from PreK 3 to 12th grade. As an athlete, he set numerous track records while also playing basketball. Highlighted during his junior year in 2002, Kevin won the state championship in the decathlon and was a member of the state champion 4x400m relay team. He also was the sectional long jump champion in 2002 and 2003 and the 2003 sectional triple jump champion. As team captain in 2003, he led his team to the 4x400-meter relay championship. Kevin led FRA’s track and field teams to three consecutive state championships from 2001-2003 and four successive sectional titles from 2000-2003. He was voted twice to the prestigious Tennessean’s All Mid-State Track and Field Team.

Kevin graduated as a member of the National Honor Society and attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at UNC-Chapel Hill, he competed as a sprinter and jumper in the heptathlon and decathlon, placing 5th in the decathlon at the 2004 ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championships. After graduation, his love for FRA and coaching kept him involved as the assistant track coach from 2009-2012, working alongside his long-time head coach and mentor, Coach David Tucker. Kevin is co-founder of TopCola Cultivators, and is a part-time personal trainer and jiu-jitsu instructor. Kevin lives in Nashville with his wife, Tavianna, and son, Cullen.

Austin Weaver enrolled at Franklin Road Academy as a Kindergartener. He embodied the characteristics of an ideal student-athlete. Austin held numerous school records in cross country and track and field. He won four District championships and three Metro, Region, and State Championships in cross country. In 2000, 2001, and 2002, Austin won the state championship in the 3200 meters in track and field, and he is tied for the record for the most state titles in this event. Austin also won the state championships twice in the 1600 meters in 2001 and 2002. He inspired his teammates by winning All-District, All-Region, and All-State honors from freshman to senior year. He led his team to win the 1998, 2001, and 2002 state championships. FRA remains tied for the most state championships in track and field. Austin once said, “After thousands of miles of fun, we accomplished things that rarely happen outside of dreams, and everyone had a great time doing so.” Off the field, Austin earned many academic awards, including the Founder’s Award, the highest honor given to a student at Awards Day, and graduated as the salutatorian of his class.

After graduation, he followed his dream to run cross country and track for the University of Notre Dame. He was a three-time Monogram winner and All-Big East selection for the cross-country and track teams. His team won seven Big East team titles in cross country and track and finished 3rd at the NCAA cross country championships in 2005. Austin graduated cum laude from Notre Dame and earned his MBA from Vanderbilt University. He married his wife Lauren, another native Nashvillian whom he met while running at FRA, and they have been married for 16 years. They have two children, Cullen and Liam.

Keely Weaver Corlew enrolled at Franklin Road Academy as a 4th grader and fell in love with running during the mile run in PE class. As an athlete, Keely participated in cross country, track, and basketball at FRA and lettered in all three sports. Keely trained under Coach David Muckle and Coach David Tucker, who said, “Keely was an outstanding athlete beloved by her teammates and even her fiercest competitors. She always remained humble and had a work ethic second to none.” Keely was a three-time individual cross-country state champion in 1996, 1997, and 1998. She won individual track state titles in both the 1600-meter run and 3200-meter run in 1998 and 1999. Keely holds seven state championships, the most in FRA girls’ athletic history for any sport. Keely was known for her kind, friendly nature and was friends with most runners in Tennessee. Before a race, Keely was known to give her competitors a flower. Keely was loved by her teammates at FRA and had the best running partner, her younger brother, Austin. When she wasn’t running, she served as secretary of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was a member of the Honor Council and the National Honor Society, and was salutatorian of her class.

After graduation, she continued her cross country and track career through a scholarship to Belmont University, where she became the first NCAA All-American for any male or female athlete across any sport at Belmont University. Upon graduating, Keely returned to FRA as a kindergarten teacher, a PreK aid, and a cross country and track coach with Coach Tucker. After two years, Keely and her husband Kevin moved across the country with Kevin’s job with the FBI. Keely is a mother of two, Grace and Graham, and her family currently lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Keely is a teacher at Vandergriff Elementary, coaches her daughter’s cross-country and track teams, and enjoys helping at her church.

The 1988 baseball team had a remarkable season with 27 wins against only 2 losses, culminating with the Class A State Championship. The team batted over .400 for the season, winning the District and Regional Championships en route to their historic season. The team benefitted from the tremendous leadership of its seniors Jay Dalton, Todd Glisson, Danny North, Kyle Rigsby, Charlie Williamson, Matt Woodard, David Harr, Todd Dragon, and Paul Nelson. Coach George Weicker cultivated the players’ talents and love for each other into a team that would not settle for anything less than a State Championship. Under the leadership of Pitching Coach Jerry Williams, FRA had one of the best starting rotations in the state, which included Danny North, Matt Woodard, Paul Nelson, Todd Dragon, Jeremy Ogborn, Jon Ognibene, Grady Cannon, and Matthew Gaunt. All these factors combined to make FRA one of the best baseball teams in the state of Tennessee. The entire community rallied behind the team all the way to the Championship. One fan remarked, “I’ve never seen a high school team play with such skill, compatibility, and dedication.”

The 1988 Baseball Team members were Dane Carder, Todd Messick, Todd Glisson, Chad Pieratt, Paulie Allen, Kyle Rigsby, Shelly Carder, David Harr, Paul Nelson, Todd Dragon, Grady Cannon, Jay Dalton, Jon Ognibene, Danny North, Jeremy Ogborn, Robert Butler, Matthew Gaunt, Charley Williamson, Matt Woodard, Statistician David Beckham, and Managers Scott Edwards, Cathie Cato, Julie McGuigan, Coach George Weicker, and Coach Jerry Williams.

The 2010 girls’ golf team won the State Championship with a spectacular comeback from two strokes back to overtake region rival USN by a single stroke at Willowbrook Golf Course on September 29, 2010. The state championship was the 21st team state championship for FRA, and the first state championship as a Division II-A member.

The Lady Panthers golfers Mary Landon Funk, Andrea Cropper, and Rachel Johnson, beat the University School of Nashville 317-318. The title wasn’t decided until Andrea, the last of FRA’s three golfers to finish, dropped a par putt to avoid a playoff. Johnson’s two-day score of 169 (80 – 89) placed her 9th, Cropper’s score of 162 (82 – 80) placed her 6th, and Funk’s score of 157 (79 – 78) placed her 4th in state, earning her All-State honors. “I’m really proud,” said Mary Landon of the team. “We had to work hard over the summer to get where we are.”

“That’s the way a state championship should be, down to the wire,” FRA Coach Glenn Tackett said after the victory. “The girls’ goal from last year, after finishing 3rd at state, was to win the state tournament. Their dedication and hard work throughout the summer and fall season was unbelievable. It was the most exciting state tournament that I’ve ever been involved with. It was so close throughout the tournament and came down to the last shot. Being reclassified to DII in golf was a step up in competition for the team and they rose to the occasion. Competing at this higher level and getting to the state tournament was an achievement in itself. Winning was a remarkable accomplishment. The girls stayed focused, and it was such a joy to see them win. It was a team effort. All three girls’ scores were used both days and that makes it even more meaningful.”

Mary Landon Funk went on to play golf at Princeton University, Andrea Cropper played at the University of Memphis and Rachel Johnson played at Xavier University.

The 2010 FRA girls’ golf team members are Katie Browning Stewart, Andrea Cropper, Laura Duncan Sanderfer, Mary Landon Funk, Rachel Johnson, Maggie Weeks, and Coach Glenn Tackett.

John L. Ambrose III attended Franklin Road Academy for twelve years. John was a standout three-sport athlete competing in football, wrestling, and track. He served as captain of both the football and wrestling teams. John was a member of the football team all four years where he played offensive guard and was awarded numerous accolades during his time, including being named All-Class A-AA offense second team and earning the Lineman of the Year Award each year. John was also a valuable member of the wrestling team, lettering five years. His teammates elected him captain his senior year and admired him for his courage and consistency on and off the mat. John was an inspiration to his teammates. As a member of the track team, John lettered three years and was part of a school record setting relay team his senior year.  John was known on campus for his superb sportsmanship and high-caliber competitiveness. John went on to study business at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  After graduation from UT, John joined the family business, Ambrose Printing Company, where he was named CEO in 1997.

Dan Crockett has a long history of making a transformative impact at Franklin Road Academy. During his time as a student-athlete at FRA, he was a member of the football team, baseball team, Civitan Club, outdoor club, and served as treasurer of the senior class. During his senior year football season, he had seven interceptions, caught 30 passes for 458 yards, scored five touchdowns, and earned All-District honors for leading his team to the District 7A Championship with an undefeated record in the district. As a member of the baseball team, Dan received honorable mention in the All-Nashville Baseball Team as an outfielder. After graduation, Dan attended Lambuth University where he was named to the All-America team in both football and baseball. Dan continues to play an important role in the FRA community. His support and encouragement  has been instrumental in growing the FRA campus and improving the student experience at Franklin Road Academy. Dan founded Franklin American Mortgage in 1994 and was selected as Entrepreneur of the Year at the Nashville Business Awards in 2003 and 2005.

Laura Matthews embodied the characteristics of the ideal student athlete at Franklin Road Academy. As an accomplished three-sport athlete, she helped lead her teams to the State Championships in soccer, basketball, and softball. Laura was an inspiring team leader and an excellent teammate. In soccer, Laura was named to the TSSAA All-District team and the TSSAA All-Region team all four years. During the 2001 season, FRA won the girls soccer State Championship and returned to the State Championship again her senior year. After her senior season, Laura was named by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America to the Adidas Scholar All-America team. In softball, she received numerous awards including Tennessee Softball Writers Association (TSWA) All-State, Middle Tennessee Softball Coaches Association (MTSCA) All-Midstate, All-Academic Team, All-Star Team, TSSAA All-Midstate Third Team, TSSAA District Defensive MCP, and TSSAA All-District. After graduation, she continued her softball career at the University of Dayton where she was named team captain and MVP for both her junior and senior years, named to the Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference, and still holds numerous University of Dayton team defensive records. Laura is currently the head softball coach at Belmont University.

The 1991 Franklin Road Academy football team was the first district team to have two undefeated seasons in a row with a State Championship in football. The championship game was played at Vanderbilt University on December 14, 1991 before a crowd of 9,500 where FRA defeated Trenton-Peabody with a score of 27-8. Several players received honors for their outstanding season. Todd Jenkins was named the Player of the Year and The Tennessean Metro Defensive Player of the Year. Greg Johnson was the Clinic Bowl MVP after running 152 yards on 14 carries and scoring the first touchdown of the game with a 71-yard scoring run. Brink Fidler, Chris Harwell, and Todd Jenkins were named to the AP All-State Team. Ryan Bachman, Matt Gardner, Jason Tomichek, and Brink Fidler were named first team offense while Ben Baldwin, Jay Beasley, and Chris Harwell were named to first team defense. Ryan Bachman was awarded the Offensive Player of the Year, named to the All-Metro Football Team, and presented the William P. Lawrence Scholar-Athlete Award by the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame Awards. The coaches of this team were George Weicker, Gary Clarke, Dennis Harrison, David Tucker, Jerry Williams, Sterling Ambrose, and John Ambrose. Coach Weicker was named the Nashville Banner’s Metro Coach of the Year.

In 2001, the Franklin Road Academy cross country team won both the Region and State Championships. This dominant squad of runners was part of the Franklin Road Academy Cross Country dynasty that would go on to win four consecutive State Championships.  Participating varsity team members during the championship race included Austin Weaver (1st), Chris Estopinal (5th), Nelson Brunsting (7th), Joel Kline (12th), Owen Keenan (13th), Steven Wells (16th), and Chris Michael (17th). Under coaches Jamie Cropper and Kevin Floyd the 2001 season continued the reign of Franklin Road Academy’s cross country team with State Championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003, which remains a state record. The team also won regions those four years and Austin Weaver was the A-AA individual State Champion in 1999, 2000, and 2001 with an average mile time of 5:06:60, and a 2001 individual State Championship with a winning time of 15:19:79.  Coach Kevin Floyd reflected on the team, “I can honestly say in 20 years of coaching, I have never witnessed a more complete performance by seven individuals coming together with one heartbeat as I did that November day. I am proud to have been a very small part of this incredible group of guys and will cherish those memories for the rest of my life. Mental:physical as 4:1!”

The 2011 girls basketball team had an unbelievable record of 27-3. Following a State Runner-Up finish in 2010, the 2011 team won the Region Championship and capped the season by winning the Division II-A State Championship, a first for a Franklin Road Academy basketball team.  After defeating Harding Academy 51-33 in the state semifinals, the Panthers took down Webb School of Knoxville,  55-52 in a game that went down to the final shot. Seniors Erin Ford and Abby Wharton, as well as junior Mariah Canady, and sophomore Derica Wyatt were all selected as members of the All-State Tournament Team. Derica was chosen as MVP of the State Tournament. While a handful of girls were recognized with awards, the team depended on the leadership of seniors, Ford and Wharton as well as Katie Coben and Taylor White in their quest for their first ever State Championship.   

Sterling Ambrose attended the opening day of Franklin Road Academy as a first grader in 1971 and spent the next 40 years on campus in some capacity. As an athlete, he set numerous school records in football and track. Highlighted during the fall of his junior year in 1981, Sterling set all of FRA's school football records for rushing yards and touchdown records. In the Spring of 1982, he set the school record in the high jump at 6' 4" and won the Class A TSSAA State Championship title. As team captain in the fall of 1982, he finished his football career with 3,445 yards rushing and 44 touchdowns with a career per rush average of 9.9 yards. FRA only lost two football games in the last 24 games of Sterling's career. Sterling's postseason football accolades included two-time team MVP, TSSAA Class A MVP, All-Nashville Team, and being the only FRA football player named to the prestigious Sports Writer's All Classifications All-State team.

Eric Brandon attended FRA from 1994 to 2000 and was a standout multi-sport athlete competing in football and baseball. During his upper school football career, Eric was named Regional Player of the Year as a sophomore, All-Region his sophomore, junior and senior years, and All-State his senior year. As a member of the varsity baseball team, he was named All-Region, All-State, and District MVP all four years of high school. Eric was named Player of the Year in his junior and senior years. The baseball team captured the State Championship title his senior year, and Eric was named State Tournament MVP and second-team All-American. 

Emily Canady Smeykal attended FRA from 5th through 12th grade. A natural, passionate athlete, she played sports every season they were offered. She was a soccer goalie, basketball post player, and softball catcher. She served as captain of all three teams and competed in the state tournament for every sport. In soccer, she was an All-State goalie with three State Championships. In basketball, she joined the 1,000 Point Club her senior year. During her softball career, she was voted offensive MVP and a member of the All-State team, and she broke hitting records for the team, even hitting a home run over the fence onto I-65.

Tate Rogers and his family have been a part of the FRA community and athletic programs from the start. Tate's parents, Sissy and "Big" Tate, were actively involved and supportive of the school from its founding. Their passion and athletic backgrounds undoubtedly helped reinforce the school's focus on supporting and encouraging student participation in athletics and extracurricular activities. For many years, his family lived in the Peach Blossom House, currently known as the Peach Orchard Hill House, located in the heart of campus.

Tate began playing sports at a very early age, and he quickly developed into an accomplished multi-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, and track. During his junior year football season, he was named All-Metro by the Tennessean, All-State by the Associated Press, and All-Nashville by the Nashville Banner. He was again named All-Metro in his senior year and was awarded Metro Offensive Player of the Year. In track and field, Tate competed at the State Championships three years in a row in the 800 meters. He finished in sixth place his sophomore year, second place his junior year, and was the State Champion his senior year. In addition, Tate was named All-Metro his senior year basketball season. Tate was also Vice President of the Student Body and a member of the 12-Year Club.

Kristin Garman Salato was born and raised in Nashville and enrolled at Franklin Road Academy in the 9th grade. Kristin embodied the characteristics of an ideal student-athlete. 

Starting her freshman year as a forward, Kristin set single-season goal records during her freshman and sophomore seasons. After a teammate tore her ACL before Garman's junior season, she was moved to defense and still managed 76 goals and 56 assists in her high school career, setting new FRA records. Garman was a four-year All-District, All-Region, and All-State performer named the 2004 Regional Player of the year. In 2003 and 2004, she was distinguished as the District MVP and the Tennessean Player of the Year. Garman led her team to A/AA State Championship titles in 2002 and 2004 and a State Runner-Up performance in 2003. She earned team MVP honors for three straight years (2002-2004). Garman competed for the Brentwood Impact in club team play, winning the Tennessee State Title three times. After her high school career, she was named an NSCAA All-American and Gatorade and NSCAA State Player of the Year in 2005. Garman was tabbed as an All-American in both Club and high school play.

The 1984 FRA baseball team achieved what no other team at FRA in any sport can ever duplicate by winning the first TSSAA State Championship in school history. FRA was still a young school in 1984. The first true home baseball game was played on Mark Salmon Field in the spring of 1983. Before that year, the team used several off-campus fields for practice and designated home games. This team of talented young men had a stated goal to win it all. And win it they did!