Sterling Thornton ’16 is the son of Andy and Dawn Thornton. As a standout in both football and basketball, Sterling earned a total of seven varsity letters in his career. In addition to football and basketball, Sterling participated in track his freshman year.Sterling finished his football career as one of the most decorated players to ever put on a Golden Warrior uniform. As a quarterback, he shined in his two full seasons as a varsity starter. In his junior season, he led the Golden Warriors to a 7-4 record and their first playoff victory since 2011. As a dangerous, dual-threat player, Sterling amassed over 2,280 yards of total offense and 28 touchdowns, including 1,255 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground. In honor of his stellar performance, Sterling was named NIB-12 First Team All-Conference, Sauk Valley Media First Team All-Area, First Team All Western-Illinois, IHSFCA Special Mention All-State, and was named the team’s Offensive MVP. Sterling built from the success of his junior year to have an even better senior season. The team captain led the Golden Warriors to an 8-3 record and a NIB-12 West Division conference championship, Sterling High School football’s first since 2011. Sterling ended his senior season with over 2,054 yards of total offense, including 1,104 yards passing and 31 total touchdowns (22 rushing). Sterling’s brilliant senior year garnered statewide attention, as Sterling was named First Team All-State by the IHSFCA. In addition, Sterling was also named NIB-12 First Team All-Conference, NIB-12 West Division Offensive MVP, Sauk Valley Media First Team All-Area, Sauk Valley Media’s Football Player of the Year, First Team All-Western Illinois and captain of the All-Western Illinois team. He also was Team Offensive MVP and the team’s Overall MVP. Sterling finished his gridiron career with 4,498 yards of total offense and 61 total touchdowns. Sterling is just the third Golden Warrior to ever rush for over 2,000 yards, and his 46 rushing touchdowns are the most ever in the football program’s over 100-year history.On the hardwood, Sterling was a four-year starter for the Golden Warriors. After earning a starting spot in the middle of his freshman season, Sterling developed into one of the most prolific all-around players in the program’s history. As a sophomore, Sterling established himself as one of the better players in the conference, earning NIB-12 Honorable Mention All-Conference, Sauk Valley Media All-Area Special Mention, and the team voted him for the Mark House 3D Award. As a junior, Sterling averaged 12.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, earning NIB-12 First Team All-Conference, Sauk Valley All-Area First Team, and Team MVP. Sterling saved his best season for last. With his leadership, the Golden Warriors won the NIB-12 West Division for the first time in four years as the team captain averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.4 steals per game, his best performance being a 37-point, 10-rebound performance in a win against Ottawa. The Golden Warriors went 19-8 and Sterling joined the 1,000-point club, ending his career with 1,113 points, good enough for sixth all-time in school history. He received many accolades for his senior season, including NIB-12 First Team All-Conference, Sauk Valley Media First Team All-Area, Team MVP, All-State Special Mention, Team MVP and was the Mark House 3D Award winner. In honor of his senior year athletic achievements, Sterling was a finalist for the “Quad City Times” Male Athlete of the Year. Outside of athletics, Sterling was an active part of the school community. He was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, and the Freshman Mentor Program. As a student of the Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities program offered by WACC, in which he had to create and operate a business, Sterling ran a basketball academy for youth in the community. Sterling is also an active member of the Harvest Time Bible Church Youth Group and at the YMCA, where he coaches youth football and officiates youth basketball games. In his free time, Sterling enjoys playing basketball, working out and spending time with family and friends.