The Center of Excellence Award, a prestigious recognition for high school football centers in Class A who embody excellence both on the field and in life, has been awarded to standout offensive center for Papio South, Aiden Whitted.
The award recognizes student-athletes for their athletic achievements, leadership, character, and academic success. It was established in honor of Mark Pelini, nephew of former Nebraska coach, Bo Pelini (2008-2014) and Cole Pensick—two former University of Nebraska-Lincoln football players who tragically passed away in car accidents.
Whitted’s selection as this year’s recipient comes as no surprise to those who have closely followed his journey. According to his coach Tim Clemenger, the award’s criteria—strong leadership, high character, exceptional grades, and outstanding athletic ability—perfectly align with Whitted’s qualities.
“It’s awesome. He’s very deserving of the award and when the email came across and I started to read the criteria of what they’re looking for, Aiden checked all of the boxes. … I knew that Aiden would be really high on the list and I felt that he would have a good shot to win it,” Clemenger said.
The Center of Excellence Award honors more than just athletic prowess. It emphasizes the importance of being a well-rounded individual, someone who excels in academics, demonstrates leadership, and contributes to their community.
For Whitted, being selected for such an honor is not only a reflection of his athleticism but also his character. “
I was honored. I think being in the same sentence as [Mark] Pellini and [Cole] Pensick was something that was honorable and I really enjoyed it,” Whitted said.
One of Whitted’s most notable traits is his leadership both on and off the field. While Whitted may not be the loudest voice in the locker room, he leads by example—a characteristic that has earned him the trust and respect of his teammates.
“He is an extremely trustworthy guy. Teammates can trust and count on him, and coaches can trust him as far as leadership.” said Clemenger. His leadership extends beyond the football field, as he serves as a team captain, a member of the Unity Council, and is involved in organizations like Hope Squad and National Honor Society.
Whitted’s journey to this point has also been marked by growth, particularly in his physical strength. Early in his high school career, Aiden struggled to make the same gains in the weight room as some of his peers. Through sheer determination and a relentless work ethic, Whitted made a remarkable leap between his junior and senior years.
“Something that is awesome about Aiden is how he constantly improves, and that is something deep inside of him. The biggest thing that jumped out was his strength. He would tell you that as a freshman or a sophomore, that was something he wanted to work on. He was working his butt off just as hard as everybody else, but for whatever reason it wasn’t translating in the weight room. Then he made a big jump between his junior and senior year strength wise. That got him on par with everybody else, then his senior year he surpassed a lot of those people,” Clemenger said.
Beyond his individual accomplishments, Whitted has had a lasting impact on his team. His work ethic in the weight room has inspired his teammates to push themselves harder, demonstrating that success is built through effort and dedication.
“It starts in the weight room. He has shown that he is a success story and it’s through hard work,” said Clemenger. “Leading by example, other kids see him doing that, and they see that it translates to on field success. They are willing to work just as hard in the weight room right alongside him so when he graduates, hopefully other guys can fill that void, and use that inspiration to make themselves better.”
For Whitted, receiving the Center of Excellence Award is not the end of his journey; it’s a stepping stone. “I plan to go do the same at Kearney.”
As Whitted moves on to the next chapter of his athletic career, his legacy of leadership, dedication, and excellence will undoubtedly continue to inspire those around him. Through his example,Whitted has proven that true success comes not just from talent, but from the way we choose to lead, serve, and inspire others.
