The 2026 Sam Narron Baseball Award was presented to recent South Johnston High graduate Kellen Smith. For the past 30 years, the prestigious award has been presented to a Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) high school senior baseball player who has shown the greatest love for the game through determination, dedication, and sacrifice.
Hometown Success
Smith is a proud native of Johnston County and is equally proud to be a South Johnston High Trojan, where his mother is an Exceptional Children (EC) teacher. “I love it here. I’ve grown up going to school with my friends, and my mom teaches here, so I get to see her every morning. I wouldn’t trade that for the world,” he said.
Smith’s love of baseball began at an early age and has only grown. He played travel baseball throughout the United States, hoping to play at the collegiate level. Over the years, Smith worked hard and honed his skills on the mound and on the field to become a great baseball player.
As he continued to grow as an athlete, his father gave him some words of wisdom. “He told me that baseball is 90% mental and 10% physical, and if you’re winning the mental game, you’re going to win on the field,” Smith remarked. His grandfather also gave him some sound advice: no matter what, have fun.
But the Sam Narron Baseball Award isn’t just about scoring home runs and pitching shutout games while on the field. The award recipients are also nominated for knocking it out of the park with academics and with their overall impact on the school community.
"Johnston County is my home, and it has made me who I am today."
Smith exemplifies those traits, distinguishing himself as an exceptional athlete and an outstanding scholar. He maintains a 4.0 grade point average while actively participating in the National Honor Society, the National Society of High School Scholars, and serving as a Trojan Ambassador.
“These student-athletes are recognized for their dedication to putting their best foot forward in everything they do, from the time they arrive at school to the bus ride home with their team,” said Josh Plisko, JCPS Director of Athletics & Driver Education.
Kellen Smith, the 2026 Sam Narron Baseball Award recipient, holds one of the many home run balls he has accumulated during his time as a South Johnston High Trojan.
Right from the start of his educational journey, Smith’s parents instilled in both him and his older sister the importance of prioritizing education. “Every teacher has impacted my life in some way, and I want to thank them for everything. Johnston County is my home, and it has made me who I am today,” he commented.
Joining an elite club
Kellen Smith’s parents (left), South Johnston High baseball coach Aaron Parnell, and Kellen Smith look at the plaque where his name is added to a long list of Sam Narron Baseball Award recipients.
Smith and his family first learned of the honor through calls from his coach, Aaron Parnell, before celebrating the achievement at the annual ceremony held at the JCPS Board of Education building. The momentous occasion was shared with a strong showing of support from Smith’s family and coach, along with school and district leaders, including South Johnston High Principal Brody Massengill, South Johnston High Athletic Director Ashley Ennis, and JCPS Superintendent Dr. David Pearce.
Sam Narron’s son, Richard “Rooster” Narron, presented Smith with the award. “Meeting Mr. Narron was a great experience. Listening to all of the stories he told and holding the World Series championship rings was awesome,” Smith said. “Everyone’s dream is to play professional baseball, and win the World Series, and actually holding those rings was awesome.”
“Seeing the whole plaque with names of those before me is an honor. I’m truly blessed to add my name to that list."
Sam Narron was raised in the Emit community near Corinth Holders. In 1934, using most of the money he had, he purchased a ticket to Hot Springs, Arkansas, to attend the first-ever baseball school. The award’s namesake played and coached professional baseball for the Saint Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was part of two World Series Championship teams in a career spanning from 1936 to 1964. Narron is also a member of the Johnston County Athletic Hall of Fame.
In addition to the individual award, Smith’s name has been added to the plaque with former Sam Narron Baseball Award recipients that hangs in the Evander S. Simpson Building. “Seeing the whole plaque with names of those before me is an honor. I’m truly blessed to add my name to that list,” he said.
Kellen Smith’s name is listed alongside past recipients' names on the Sam Narron Baseball Award plaque, which is displayed in the Johnston County Board of Education building.
Facing Adversity
As with any athlete, his success in baseball has not been without adversity, as he has worked through injuries and batting slumps. When asked what kept him grounded, Smith did not hesitate to make it clear that it was his faith. In fact, he was careful to note that his faith was the catalyst for his success on the ball field and in life. The support from his family, his coaches, and the entire South Johnston High community was instrumental in his recovery and in his ability to stay positive.
With that strong support behind him, Smith posted an outstanding senior campaign, highlighted by impressive batting statistics. His senior stats included a batting average of .656, a slugging percentage of 1.438, and an on-base percentage of .756. In addition, he accumulated 6 homeruns, 23 runs batted in (RBI), 18 runs scored, and was 100% on his six stolen bases.
From left: South Johnston High principal Brody Massengill, South Johnston High baseball coach Aaron Parnell, 2026 Sam Narron Baseball Award recipient Kellen Smith, and South Johnston High Athletic Director Ashley Ennis proudly stand with the Sam Narron Baseball Award plaque and Kellen’s individual 2026 Sam Narron Baseball Award.
Equally impressive was that he was walked 10 times and only struck out once. A left-handed batter, Smith is admittedly biased when he says, “Left-handed batters have the sweetest swing.” He also helped Trojans on the mound with five innings pitched and a 0.00 earned run average (ERA), while accumulating eight strikeouts.
“I’m super excited about the next four years of my life.”
Smith is the 30th recipient of the Sam Narron Baseball Award, receiving a $500 scholarship and a recognition plaque. Smith is the 30th recipient of the Sam Narron Baseball Award, receiving a $500 scholarship and an individual recognition plaque. Additionally, his name has been added to the plaque representing past recipients of the award, which is displayed in the Johnston County Board of Education building.
He has committed to play baseball for East Carolina University (ECU), which is Rooster Narron’s alma mater. Smith will undoubtedly continue to thrive academically and athletically, a feat he accomplished throughout his time at South Johnston High. “I’m super excited about the next four years of my life,” Smith remarked.
Everlasting memories
A few of Kellen Smith’s home run baseballs sit inside his glove alongside his well-worn South Johnston High ball cap and brand new East Carolina University hat, merging the past with the future.
One South Johnston High baseball tradition that he will always remember is going to Waffle House after every home game with his team and coaches, win or lose. Having had the opportunity to play baseball around the country, Smith said nothing beats playing at South Johnston High under the lights. The support from his coaches and teammates will have an everlasting impact as Smith moves forward.