Football

For this category, I’ll do a different “greatest of the 2000s” player for each position group.

In the last 25 years, the state has ascended into another level when it comes to producing college and NFL talent.

Quarterback is easy:

Independence’s Chris Leak set almost every passing record, never lost a high school game and became one of the most highly-regarded recruits in state history. That seemed to have opened the floodgates for elite talent in the state, at quarterback and otherwise.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Sam Howell, Sun Valley

Drake Maye, Myers Park

Hendon Hooker, Dudley

Will Grier, Davidson Day

Daniel Jones, Charlotte Latin

Faizon Brandon, Grimsley

Christian LeMay, Butler

Joe Cox, Independence

Chazz Surratt, East Lincoln

(before an arm injury turned him into an NFL linebacker)

Josh Ladowski, Lake Norman

James Summers, Page

Holton Ahlers, D.H. Conley

Marquise Williams, Mallard Creek

Rodney Cox, Harnett Central

All running backs are compared to Tarboro’s Todd Gurley, and there were a lot of exceptional ones. Gurley’s the only one who went on to be second in NFL MVP voting. There might not be a deeper position over the last 25 years.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

T.A. McLendon, Albemarle

T.J. Logan, Northern Guilford

Will Shipley, Weddington

Elijah Hood, Charlotte Catholic

Zamir White, Scotland

Kevin Parks, West Rowan

Nyheim Hines, Garner

Andre Brown, J.H. Rose

Omarion Hampton, Cleveland

B.J. Emmons, Freedom

Bryce Love, Wake Forest

Toney Baker, Ragsdale

Reggie Gallaspy, Southern Guilford

Javonte Williams, Wallace-Rose Hill

Hollywood Smothers, Chambers

Montario Hardesty, New Bern

Rico Dowdle, A.C. Reynolds

(wildcat QB in high school)

Quavaris Crouch, Harding

(played defense in college)

Among wide receivers, Northern Guilford’s Keenan Allen gets the nod after his monster senior season that saw him score 53 touchdowns in total (14 receiving) and he was considered one of the best defensive backs in the nation also. He’s had a long career in the NFL.

It’s hard to argue the best tight end over Reidsville’s Kendre Harrison, who ended his career as the only tight end to win N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year and the all-time leader in receiving touchdowns at his position.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Hakeem Nicks, Independence

Mohamed Massaquoi, Independence

Pharoh Cooper, Havelock

Sage Surratt, East Lincoln/Lincolnton

Jordyn Adams, Green Hope

(played in MLB)

Cornell Powell, J.H. Rose

C.J. Johnson, D.H. Conley

Weslye Saunders, Riverside (tight end)

Eric Ebron, Ben L. Smith (tight end)

Jaylen Samuels, Mallard Creek (H-back)

Jerome Simpson, Reidsville

Jamison Crowder, Monroe

Braxton Berrios, Leesville Road

Dyami Brown, West Mecklenburg

Koren Robinson, South Point

JeJuan Rankins, Bertie

Dwayne Allen, Terry Sanford (tight end)

On offensive line, the most proven of any prospect has been South Caldwell’s Landon Dickerson, an Under Armour All-American in high school who has made three NFL Pro Bowls.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

David Sanders, Providence Day

D.J. Humphries, Mallard Creek

Xavier Nixon, Jack Britt

Ikey Ekwonu, Providence Day

Garrett Bradbury, Charlotte Christian

Daniel Inman, South View

Jonathan Cooper, Hoggard

Will Richardson, Cummings

Carl Johnson, Southern Durham

Derek Morris, North Mecklenburg

Jared Wilson, West Forsyth

Jason Brown, Northern Vance

Leroy Harris, Southeast Raleigh

Rob Crisp, Chapel Hill / Athens Drive

The defensive line prospects are numerous, with many getting their NFL shot. The one that stands above the rest is Wake Forest’s Dexter Lawrence, a one-man wrecking crew even in the NFL.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Mario Williams, Richlands

James Pearce, Chambers

Jordan Davis, Mallard Creek

Manny Lawson, Eastern Wayne

Tyquan Lewis, Tarboro

Travis Shaw, Grimsley

Matthew Butler, Garner

DeMario Pressley, Dudley

D.J. Reader, Grimsley

Shy Tuttle, North Davidson

Jonathan Bullard, Crest

Quinton Coples, Kinston

Harold Landry, Pine Forest

Everette Brown, Beddingfield

At linebacker, Salisbury’s Jalon Walker has won the N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year in high school and the Butkus Award in college and became a first-round pick.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Melvin Ingram, Richmond

(played DL in college/NFL)

Brandon Spikes, Crest

Trenton Simpson, Mallard Creek

A.J. Nicholson, Mount Tabor

Power Echols, Chambers

E.J. Abrams-Ward, Thomasville

Drake Thomas, Heritage

Payton Wilson, Orange

Peter Kalambayi, Butler

Prince Shembo, Ardrey Kell

Jack Hollifield, Shelby

Darius Hodge, Wake Forest

(played DL in college)

Stephone Anthony, Anson

Omar Gaither, Myers Park

Nate Irving, Wallace-Rose Hill

Terrell Manning, Scotland

J.R. Sweezy, Mooresville

(played DL in college, OL in NFL)

Ty Shatley, East Burke

(played OL in college/NFL)

Alim McNeil, Sanderson

(played DL in college/NFL)

At defensive back, Rocky River’s Jaire Alexander was particularly dominant, leading to the best NFL career of the bunch.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Samari Matthews, Hough

Mike Hughes, New Bern

Caleb Farley, Maiden

David Amerson, Dudley

Germaine Pratt, High Point Central

(played linebacker in college/NFL)

Calvin Lowry, Douglas Byrd

Kendrick Burney, Southwest Onslow

Caleb Curtain, Grimsley

Robert Boulware, Chambers

Tanner Muse, South Point

Bruce Carter, Havelock

(played linebacker in college/NFL)

Madison Cone, East Forsyth

Crezdon Butler, Asheville

Chris Culliver, Garner

Every team needs specialists, and there was a lot of competition for kicker. for here I’m going with Western Alamance’s Josh Karty and Northwest Cabarrus’ Bradley Pinion as punter. We won’t do return specialists, but as long snappers go, Southern Wayne’s Greg Warren carved out a long NFL career.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Nolan Hauser, Hough (kicker)

Keith Duncan, Weddington (kicker)

Ryan Succup, Hickory (punter)

Connor Barth, Hoggard (kicker)

Tyler Lewis, Albemarle (punter)

Matt Wogan, Porter Ridge (punter)

Boys Basketball

No other sport in N.C. pumped out a higher percentage of pro players in the last 25 years, living up to the nickname “Hoop State.”

Figuring out which one leads the way is difficult.

Chris Paul is a sure-fire Hall of Famer. Bam Adebayo is arguably the best rebounder in state history. Stephen Curry, who wasn’t even his own area’s player of the year his senior year, broke the mold of how players are evaluated. Brandon Ingram won four titles in four years. Harry Giles was on his way to being the best before injuries robbed us of his senior year.

With all that being said, I’ll go with Word of God’s John Wall, a player who was a phenomenon unlike anything that’s been seen since. He’s also the only No. 1 overall pick in this group that features several first-rounders.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Harry Giles, Wesleyan Christian

Chris Paul, West Forsyth

Stephen Curry, Charlotte Christian

Coby White, Greenfield School

Bam Adebayo, Northside / High Point Christian

Brandon Ingram, Kinston

Dennis Smith Jr., Trinity Christian

JamesOn Curry, Eastern Alamance

Isaiah Evans, North Mecklenburg

Shavlik Randolph, Broughton

Wendell Moore, Cox Mill

Isaiah Hicks, J.F. Webb

Ryan Kelly, Ravenscroft

Theo Pinson, Dudley / Wesleyan Christian

Day’Ron Sharpe, South Central

Mason Plumlee, Christ School

Paul McNeil Jr., Richmond

Terquavion Smith, Farmville Central

Reggie Bullock, Kinston

Eric Williams, Wake Forest

Scooter Sherrill, West Rowan

Dionte Neal, Reidsville

Kendre Harrison, Reidsville

Montrezl Harrell, North Edgecombe

Ty Walker, New Hanover

Anthony Morrow, Charlotte Latin

P.J. Tucker, Enloe

Drake Powell, Northwood

Anthony Richardson, Leesville Road

Chris Wilcox, Whiteville / Enloe

Rodney Purvis, Upper Room Christian

Reyshawn Terry, R.J. Reynolds

Patrick Williams, West Charlotte

Darius Johnson-Odom, Wakefield

Eric Maynor, Westover

Grant Williams, Providence Day

Kennedy Meeks, West Charlotte

Devon Dotson, Providence Day

Curtis Withers, West Charlotte

Girls Basketball

As the No. 1 player in the country, Grace Christian of Sanford’s Sarah Strong was making a statement in high school and it continues today as one of the best players in the NCAA while at UConn.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Mikayla Boykin, Clinton

Jamie Cherry, West Craven

Saniya Rivers, Ashley

Cierra Burdick, Butler

Azura Stevens, Cary

Stephanie Watts, Weddington

Zamareya Jones, North Pitt

Tiffany Mitchell, Providence Day

Joy Cheek, South Mecklenburg

Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic

Jatarie White, Providence Day

Jessica Breland, Bertie

Megan Buckland, Bishop McGuinness

Liz Kitley, Northwest Guilford

Kiara Leslie, Holly Springs

Elissa Cunane, Northern Guilford

Chante Black, East Forsyth

Danielle Butts, South Central

Rashanda McCants, Asheville

Kristen Gaffney, Green Hope

Kate Sears, Watauga

Camille Little, Carver

Cetera DeGraffenreid, Smoky Mountain

Jordan Speller, North Pitt / Grace Christian of Sanford

Grace Hunter, Athens Drive

Indya Nivar, Apex Friendship

Kai Crutchfield, Millbrook

Paris Kea, Page

Asia Williams, Hillside

Erin Whalen, Providence Day

Boys Soccer

The early part of the 2000s produced a decent amount of pro talent, but academy soccer limited that in the later years.

I’m going with Charlotte Christian’s Clint Irwin, a N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year who went on to star at Elon and made more than 140 starts as a goalkeeper in MLS.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Ike Opara, Jordan

Rob Lovejoy, Page

Michael Richardson, Surry Central

Stephen Bickford, Green Hope

Jonathan Campbell, Greensboro Day

Wells Thompson, Forsyth Country Day

Ade Taiwo, Cardinal Gibbons

Teddy Mullin, Jordan

Scott Goodwin, Broughton

Maynor Espinoza, Wallace-Rose Hill

Zack Schilawski, Cary

Clyde Simms, Southwest Guilford

Hugh Cronin, Mount Tabor

Aiden Payne, New Hanover

Fernando Hernandez, Southwestern Randolph

Ben Newnam, East Forsyth

Cody Arnoux, New Hanover

Darrius Barnes, Southeast Raleigh

Drew Waller, West Cabarrus

Brandt Bronico, Wesleyan Christian

Tommy Drake, Chapel Hill

CJay Sparks, Jacksonville

Watt Williams, Broughton

Drew Lovelace, Holly Springs

Tresor Mbuyu, Garinger

Girls Soccer

I’m going with Charlotte Latin’s Claudia Dickey, a goalkeeper who has gone on to play for the U.S. National Team and was such a talented athlete she played one season for UNC’s women’s basketball team and she played one season in high school as a midfielder.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Casey Nogueria, Broughton

Mollie Pathman, Durham Academy

Jennifer Partenheimer, Apex

Alexis Shaffer, Green Hope

Brianna Pinto, Jordan

Asha Means, Lake Norman Charter

Morgan Reid, Cardinal Gibbons

Ellie Garrison, Wheatmore

Ashlynn Serepca, Hough

Sadie Peterson, Pine Lake Prep

Taylor Suarez, Ardrey Kell

Alyssa Ramsey, North Mecklenburg

Kendall Fletcher, Apex

Sarah Winslow, Fike

Stephanie Rose, White Oak

Jane Cline, Charlotte Catholic

Ayden Yates, Lake Norman Charter

Caroline Lindquist, Ravenscroft

Isabel Pearce, Woods Charter

Baseball

Arguably no N.C. sport produces more talent across the board than baseball, and there are three positions that I’ll place here.

For pitching, look no further than Whiteville’s Mackenzie Gore, a national male athlete of the year who won three state championships. He now pitches for the Washington Nationals.

For hitting, I’ll go with Northwest Cabarrus’ Corey Seager, a N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year, and a five-time MLB all-star who was once the rookie of the year with the LA Dodgers. He’s won two World Series, the first with the Dodgers and the second with the Texas Rangers.

For good ol’ two-way player, there was none better than South Caldwell’s Madison Bumgarner, who struck out 143 batters and hit 11 home runs en route to the 2007 state championship and starred for the Giants.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Walker Jenkins, South Brunswick (batter)

Carlos Rodon, Holly Springs (pitcher)

Daniel Bard, Charlotte Christian (pitcher)

Chad Flack, East Rutherford (batter)

Austin Beck, North Davidson (batter)

Kyle Seager, Northwest Cabarrus (batter)

Wil Myers, Wesleyan Christian (batter)

Cameron Maybin, T.C. Roberson (batter)

Rookie Davis, Dixon (two-way)

Rhett Lowder, North Stanly (pitcher)

Jordyn Adams, Green Hope (batter)

Brooks Brannon, Randleman (batter)

Josh Hammond, Wesleyan Christian (two-way)

Brian Goodwin, Rocky Mount (batter)

Lonnie Chisenhall, West Carteret (batter)

Adam McSwain, Burns (batter)

D.J. Herz, Terry Sanford (pitcher)

Cobb Hightower, East Rowan (batter)

Justin Bullock, South Granville (two-way)

Blake Walston, New Hanover (pitcher)

Briggs McKenzie, Corinth Holders (pitcher)

Owen White, Jesse Carson (pitcher)

Max Wotell, Marvin Ridge (pitcher)

Logan Davidson, Providence (batter)

Hunter Harvey, Bandys (two-way)

Dillon Maples, Pinecrest (pitcher)

Bryse Wilson, Orange (pitcher)

Softball

Softball talent in N.C. has spiked in recent years, with more and more top players becoming national top-50 prospects.

The hitter of the 2000s is, Orange’s Mia Davidson, the only player to hit double-digit home runs all four years, ending with the most in state history (53). Her career batting average was .624 and she was ranked by every recruiting service as a top five overall player in the country before starring at Mississippi State.

The pitcher is Central Cabarrus’ Crystal Cox, whose state records of career strikeouts (1,455), perfect games (17), no-hitters (37), still stand. She’s also second in wins (106) and shutouts (79) and third in career ERA (0.28). She later played at UNC.

The best two-way player is North Buncombe’s Karlyn Pickens, who struck out a whopping 402 batters in her final season with a 0.20 ERA to lift her team to a state runner-up finish. She ended her career with 23 home runs in her career despite losing a year and a half to the pandemic, while batting .495 with 90 hits. She now stars at Tennessee.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Karli Godwin, East Columbus (batter)

Shaina Ervin, Hopewell (batter)

Chelsea Wilkinson, Alexander Central (pitcher)

Anna Hinde, Charlotte Christian (batter)

Kierston Deal, East Forsyth (pitcher)

Brooke Isley, Southern Alamance (pitcher)

Kayla Richardson, Ashe County (pitcher)

Haley Cashwell, Cape Fear (batter)

Chelsea Leonard, Central Davidson (pitcher)

Emma Clarke, West Rowan (batter)

Sarah Mooney, North Mecklenburg (batter)

Gina Allen, Central Cabarrus (pitcher

Lexi Davis, Porter Ridge (two-way)

Mendy McKenzie, West Forsyth (pitcher)

Erica Nunn, Holly Springs (pitcher)

Mallory Reed, Eastern Wayne (pitcher)

Danielle Glosson, North Davidson

Meredith Burroughs, C.B. Aycock (batter)

Morgan Childers, Kings Mountain

Hannah Angel, Forbush

Mary Williams, Cape Fear (pitcher)

Erica Ennis, New Hanover

Tisha Mahon, North Davidson

Vada Sherrill, Alexander Central

Taylor Wike, Alexander Central

Boys Lacrosse

Lacrosse was not a sanctioned sport until 2010, and the talent pool in the state continues to grow (though some of the names below are from before 2010).

Middle Creek’s Owen Caputo is still among the state’s all-time leaders in goals (298), assists (206), and points (504). He scored 93 goals and tallied 56 assists in his senior season and was an Under Armour All-American before playing at Duke.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Anthony Mendes, East Chapel Hill

Jake Caputo, Middle Creek

Tyler Carpenter, Durham Academy

Carson Song, Charlotte Latin

Gannon Morrison, Cardinal Gibbons

Tucker Hull, Providence

Jay Goldsmith, Northwest Guilford

Sean Goldsmith, Northwest Guilford

Josh Smith, Green Level

Brevin Wilson, Canon School

Drew Elder, Lake Norman

George Kalos, Hough

Oliver Bacon, Charlotte Country Day

Graham Schwartz, Middle Creek

Caden Paradine, Christ School

Reilly McDermott, Marvin Ridge

Peyton Smith, Athens Drive

Girls Lacrosse

For a sport that was only first sanctioned in 2010, it’s still easily East Chapel Hill’s Sydney Holman, who was an Under Armour All-American who finished her career with 416 goals and 550 points and made an immediate impact at UNC.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Sophia Apple, Northwest Guilford

Carly Vaccaro, Lake Norman

Jordan Lappin, Cardinal Gibbons

Rose Redfoot, Apex

Natalie Wallon, Charlotte Catholic

Shelby Scanlin, Cardinal Gibbons

Megan Shortt, Bishop McGuinness / East Forsyth

Cawley Bromley, Apex

Maggie Auslander, Green Hope

Amy Collins, Marvin Ridge

Madison Dunk, Durham Academy

Mia Castagnero, Apex

Hanna John, Wake Forest

Boys Cross Country

In cross country (and distance track events), Christ School’s Rocky Hansen was the ultimate game-changer, becoming the first high schooler from the state to break four minutes in the mile (3:56.85). His fastest time in cross country is still 20 seconds faster than anyone else in state history. Today, he’s in the middle of an All-American career at Wake Forest University.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Ryan Hill, Hickory

Taylor Gilland, Chapel Hill

Jack Anstrom, Seaforth

Noah Valyo, Athens Drive

Ben Huffman, Providence Day

Ian Milder, Mount Tabor

Matt Debole, Mount Tabor

Thomas Graham, Cary Academy

Ryan Tatter, R.J. Reynolds

Sandy Roberts, Broughton

Boys Track & Field

In sprints, Cherryville’s Trentavis Friday set a national high school record that still stands, running 10.00 in the 100 meter dash. He still owns the fastest 100 and 200 in state history, both set in 2014 at the U.S. Junior Championships.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

J-Mee Samuels, Mount Tabor

Sean McLean, Word of God

Ja’Neil Harris, T.W. Andrews

T.J. Graham, Wakefield

(future NFL kick returner)

In hurdles, national record-setter Southeast Raleigh’s Wayne Davis led the way in what’s arguably the deepest collection of talent across the sport.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Johnny Dutch, Clayton

Isaiah Moore, Cummings

Marcus Krah, Hillside

Spencer Adams, Butler

L’Ezra Brown, Dudley

In field events, Broughton’s Jesse Williams was state record-setter and later an Olympian in the high jump.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Spencer Williams, Davie County (throws)

Terrell Adams, Middle Creek (throws)

Nse Uffort, Swain County (throws)

Gates Hinton, Fuquay-Varina (throws)

A.J. Davis, Northern Durham (long/triple jump)

Josh McClam, Holly Springs (long/triple jump)

Spencer Evans, Lake Norman (pole vault)

Scott Houston, Northwest Guilford (pole vault)

Kenneth Byrd, East Burke (pole vault)

Girls Cross Country

There’s no shortage of cross country and distance track talent on the girls’ side.

Leesville Road’s Nevada Mareno was not only a two-time state champion and finished top-three in Footlocker Nationals twice. She started her college career at Stanford before transferring to N.C. State and becoming an all-American.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Ryen Frazier, Ravenscroft

Wesley Frazier, Ravenscroft

Mary Bonner Dalton, Myers Park

Carmen Alder, Pinecrest

Sammy George, Millbrook

Elly Henes, Green Hope

Kayla Montgomery, Mount Tabor

Eliza Dekker, Durham Academy

Grace Morken, Carrboro

Sarah Rapp, Cardinal Gibbons

Blake Dodge, West Carteret

Madeline Dorsch, Pinecrest

Stella Kermes, Cuthbertson

Charlotte Bell, Cuthbertson

Darby Middlebrook, Watauga

Arizona Blankenship, Swain County

Katherine Merrill, Jordan

Kimberly Spano, North Mecklenburg

Girls Track & Field

In sprints, South Granville’s Shawnti Jackson has the fastest 100 (10.89), second-fastest 200 (22.35) and third-fastest 400 (52.13), all achieved during her senior year.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Dana Wilson, Greensboro Day

Gabby Mayo, Southeast Raleigh

Tamara Clark, High Point Central

JaMeesia Ford, Jack Britt

Maya Love, Independence

Kaylyn Brown, Mallard Creek

In hurdles, Providence Day’s Anna Cockrell is an silver medal-winning Olympian who won 13 state titles in her career and three NCAA titles.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Akala Garrett, Albemarle

Joslyn Hamilton, Rolesville

Keni Harrison, Clayton

D’Anna Cotton, Cummings

LaToya James, Cummings

In field events, Panther Creek’s Morgan Smalls still has the state’s top high jump (6-3.25), and is top 10 in triple jump and top 15 in long jump. She has been a four-time NCAA championship qualifier at stops at USC, LSU, and now Illinois.

Veronica Fraley, Wakefield (throws)

Sydnei Murphy, Apex (long/triple jump)

Jacinda Evans, Southern Durham (long/triple jump)

Hannah Grace, Coastal Christian (pole vault)

Camryn Massey, Ashbrook (throws)

Aslynn Halvorson, Butler (throws)

Kamorean Hayes, Harding (throws)

Boys Wrestling

It’s hard to win more than 200 matches. It’s hard to win four titles. It’s hard to not lose a single match.

Mallard Creek’s Cam Stinson did all of those things, however, going 205-0 for his career. He now competes at UNC.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Eloheim Palma, Cary

Garrison White, Jay M. Robinson

Colin Campbell, Person

Nick Coe, Asheboro

Vincent Ramirez, Eastern Wayne / Riverside

Colton Palmer, Riverside

Brandon Palmer, Riverside

Andrew Macchiavello, Sun Valley

Justin Sparrow, East Gaston

Dusty McKinney, East Gaston

Corey Mock, Chapel Hill

Jacob Creed, Ragsdale

Timothy Decatur, Rosewood

Jesse Doyle, Wheatmore

Harrison Honeycutt, Lake Norman

Nick Kee, Scotland

Marciano Ali, Parkland

Chris Bullins, McMichael

Kyle Montaperto, Central Academy

Byron Sigmon, Bandys

Drew Turner, Parkland

Mitchel Langford, North Henderson

Drew Forshey, St. Stephens

Girls Wrestling

Before girls wrestling became a sanctioned sport in the 2024-25 season, there was one legendary girls wrestler who stood above the rest.

Uwharrie Charter’s Heaven Fitch was one of just a handful of girls to place at the boys’ state championship and the only one to win a state title, taking the 1A championship in 2020.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Addison Gore, Garner

Brianna DeLeon, Weddington

Leah Edwards, East Rowan

Faith Bane, New Bern

Boys Swimming

South Mecklenburg’s Ricky Berens was a two-time MVP of the state championships and, later, won two Olympic gold medals and one silver as part of various relay teams. He competed at Texas in college.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Noah Henderson, Western Alamance

Nick McCrory, East Chapel Hill (diving)

Justin Ress, Cary

Ross Dant, Newton-Conover

Dom Glavich, Green Hope

Ryan Hawkins, East Gaston

Andrew Capobianco, Holly Springs (diving)

Lucca Battaglini, Durham School of the Arts

Baylor Nelson, C.S. of Davidson

Will Macmillan, Carrboro

Doug Van Wie, Myers Park

Charlie Houchin, Enloe

Kip Darmody, Providence

Girls Swimming

No one, to the best of our abilities, on this list in any sport was an Olympian while still in high school except Cardinal Gibbons’ Claire Curzan. A three-time championship MVP in high school, she won a silver medal as part of a relay team in the Toyko Olympics before her senior season. At that final state meet, she set the then-national record (all age groups) in the 100 butterfly.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Nora McCullagh, Charlotte Catholic

Grace Countie, Leesville Road

Kirsten Smith, Athens Drive

Emily Allen, Hough

Hannah Moore, Green Hope

Sarah Henry, West Johnston

Caroline Hauder, Marvin Ridge

Julia Poole, Middle Creek

Boys Tennis

Page’s John Isner won a state singles title, had a standout career in Georgia, then the 6-foot-10 player went on to be ranked as high as eighth in the world. He had more than 16 titles in his 489 victories and made it to the semifinals of Wimbledon and the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open. He also has the distinction of having played in the longest professional tennis match in history, an 11-hour, 5 minute win over Nicolas Mahut that took three days at the 2010 Wimbledon (6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (9-7), 7-6 (7-3), 70-68).

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Kyle Johnson, Charlotte Catholic

Robert Kelly, Cardinal Gibbons

Nick Stachowiak, Middle Creek

Chris Cloer, Brevard

Drew Hedgecoe, Terry Sanford

Shaurya Bharadwaj, Providence Day

Robbie Mudge, R.J. Reynolds

Brann Reid, Newton-Conover

Andy Orban, Terry Sanford

Bo Boyden, Wakefield

Andrew Crone, Hickory

Will Plyler, Broughton

Mike Greenberg, East Chapel Hill

Korey Lovett, Brevard

Ryan Noble, Terry Sanford

Trice Pickens, Panther Creek

Girls Tennis

South Mecklenburg’s Jenna Thompson graduated as a four-time singles champion and was ranked in the top 40 nationally while in high school. She went on to play at Clemson.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Catherine Newman, Page

Rose Kenny, Charlotte Catholic

Sammi Smith, Panther Creek

Suzanne Boyden, Wakefield

Maggie Kane, Broughton

Britney Cloer, Brevard / West Hendreson

Alexis Wolgemuth, Fred T. Foard

Zoe Huffman, Maiden

Lauren Isenhour, Fred. T. Foard

Melissa Kandinata, Green Hope

Rankin Williams, Broughton

Kaitlin Burns, Hoggard

Volleyball

Riverside’s Megan Hodge was a rare four-time, first-team All-American at Penn State and even won awards national player of the year and top female collegiate athlete. She won Olympic silver in the 2012 games in London and has competed professionally since 2010. In high school she won two N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year awards and one national player of the year award, posting 1,596 kills.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Julia Scoles, South Iredell

Madi Bugg, Cardinal Gibbons

Taylor Rowland, Cox Mill

Emani Foster, Vance County

Katie Kabbes, Cardinal Gibbons

Molly Plyles, Hendersonville

Katie Slay, Wakefield

Eve Davis, Charlotte Latin

Laney Choboy, Leesville Road

Kiarrah Horne, Millbrook

Mac Russ, Marvin Ridge

Haleigh Nelson, Cardinal Gibbons

Darian Mack, Wakefield

Genevieve Harris, Cardinal Gibbons

Asia Thigpen, Green Level

Jade Demps, Broughton

Sydney Dowler, Green Hope

Kristen Harris, Apex

Shondra Cole, Kings Mountain

Riley Buckley, North Raleigh Christian

Andrea Beck, Mount Tabor

Boys Golf

Hickory’s J.T. Poston won two state titles and his two-day score of 131 (13-under-par in 2012) still stands. He went on to play at Western Carolina and is now on the PGA Tour. He won the 2019 Wyndham Championship with a 22-under-par finish, becoming the first PGA player since 1974 to win a tour event without a single bogey.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Webb Simpson, Broughton

Grayson Murray, Leesville Road

Ben Griffin, East Chapel Hill

Stephen Saleeby, Broughton

Brendon Todd, Green Hope

Caleb Surratt, Union Academy

Chesson Hadley, North Raleigh Christian

Ryan Gerard, Ravenscroft

Doc Redman, Leesville Road

Girls Golf

Athens Drive’s Jennifer Chang is one of just two four-time state champions in NCHSAA history. She went on to play at USC before turning pro on the LPGA Tour.

Best of the rest (in randomized order):

Jenna Kim, Durham Academy

Gina Kim, Chapel Hill

Macy Pate, Reagan

Morgan Ketchum, Reagan

Leah Edwards, Northwest Guilford

Emilia Migliaccio, Athens Drive

Rachel Keuhn, Asheville School

Emily Mathews, Eastern Alamance

Blair Lamb, East Henderson

Katherine Schuster, First Flight

Elizabeth Rudisill, Myers Park

Tara Simmons, C.B. Aycock

Courtney Gunter, Porter Ridge

Siranon Shoomee, Lee County

Katherine Perry, Athens Drive