Reader’s Choice: Vote for The 2022-23 Observer boys high school sports award winners
For the second straight year, The Charlotte Observer is allowing readers to vote for the boys high school student-athletes and coaches of the year.
Schools in the newspaper’s coverage area were asked to submit nominees. Readers can vote as often as they like until the polls close on Sunday, May 28.
Each category will be divided into two sections: Mecklenburg County and regional. The regional polls will include nominations from schools in Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union Counties.
Here are the categories:
▪ Athlete of the year
▪ Scholar-athlete of the year
▪ Boys/Girls comeback player of the year
▪ Coach of the year
▪ Athletic director of the year
▪ Game of the year
▪ Team of the year
NOTE: Poll results may not be shown the entire time. Also, The Observer will honor its choices for the annual winners in June. Those winners may, or may not, come from these nominations.
Mecklenburg County boys athlete of the year
NORVY CLONTZ, CHARLOTTE LATIN SWIMMING: sophomore won every event he swam in the CISAA Conference and NCISAA State Championships, including individual victories in the 200 and 500 freestyle events and contributed to the winning 200 medley (breaststroke leg) and 400 freestyle relays. Norvy broke his own school records in both the 200 and 500 freestyle, earned All-American standards in the 500 (automatic) and 200 (consideration) freestyle events. His contributions on the relays helped the Hawks break school and NCISAA records in both, while achieving All-American (automatic) in both.
JJ COLEMAN, BUTLER, FOOTBALL, TRACK: senior was the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ football player of the year and was the Bronco Nagurski player of the year. Coleman is a 3-timeall-conference pick and led the Southwestern 4A in tackles. He was an all-conference pick.
JACK DALTON, LAKE NORMAN CHARTER LACROSSE: Junior was offensive player of the year in his conference. Had 52 goals and 76 assists through the week of May 9. Was an All-American last season and on pace to repeat in 2023.
JADYN DAVIS, PROVIDENCE DAY FOOTBALL: led Providence Day to a 12-1 record and a 55-13 win against Charlotte Christian in the N.C. Independent Schools state championship game. He finished the year completing 221-of-305 passes for 3,425 yards and 43 touchdowns, while throwing just six interceptions. Earned the state’s biggest high school football award: NC Mr. Football
BEN DELMAR, PROVIDENCE BOYS SWIMMER: Delmar is the most decorated and accomplished swimmer Providence has had in the past 19 years. He was conference, regional, and state team member all four years, Undefeated in the 100 breast and 200 IM in conference two years straight; 2023 Conference Swimmer of the Year; 2023 regional champ in the 200 IM, 100 breast; second in 200 medley relay, 400 free relay. States 2023: champion 200 IM, 2nd place 100 breast, 2nd place 200 medley relay, 3rd place 400 free relay, Member of 2022-2023 USA Swimming Jr. Pan Pacific team. Member of 2022-2023 USA Swimming Jr. National Team, US Open National Champion (East) 200 breast under 18; Committed to UNC-CH
MATTHEW DOTY, DAVIDSON DAY CROSS-COUNTRY, SWIMMING: Sophomore NCISAA D3 State Champion (1st place 100Y Back, 2nd place 200Y IM), 2022 NCISAA D3 State Champion (2nd place 100Y Back), 2X Foothills Conference Champion. Member of Davidson Day’s Boys Cross Country Team in 2022 when the Patriots won the 2A Championship. Academically Matthew earns Headmaster’s List each quarter, enrolled in 3 AP courses as a sophomore with 3 Honors classes. Current cumulative weighted is 4.31. He will also be earning MVP for both of his teams at Davidson Day this year (Swim & Cross Country) as well as the school’s Male Athlete of the Year.
ISAIAH EVANS, NORTH MECKLENBURG BOYS BASKETBALL: won the state’s biggest individual basketball honor, Mr. NC Basketball as well as MaxPreps NC player of the year. A Duke commit, Evans averaged more than 25 points per game and had 62 points in a regional semifinal game against Chambers.
ANTHONY HAWKINS, HICKORY GROVE FOOTBALL/BASKETBALL/TRACK: Sophomore set school record for rushing yards, rushing TD’s, points scored. Named all-state, all-conference
KYRON JONES, CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN FOOTBALL, TRACK: Senior had 127 carries for 1,346 yards (10.6 yards/carry), 16 rushing TDs, 20 catches for 196 yards (9.8 yards/catch), thre receiving TDs. He also started at corner back and totaled 43 tackles on the season. In the spring of 2022, he won both the 100m and the 200m at the state championship meet, won the 100m with a time of 10.60 which was a new state record, won the 200m with a time of 21.60 which was a new school record
GRANT PARTRIDGE, PROVIDENCE BOYS TENNIS: posted an incredible 24-0 regular season, 28 - 1 so far including post-season, conference doubles champion, second place in regional doubles
CAMERON STINSON, MALLARD CREEK WRESTLING: three-time state and national champion. High school junior has never lost a match at Mallard Creek.
BROOKS STANKAVAGE, ARDREY KELL LACROSSE/FOOTBALL: 74 goals, 19 assists, 93 points, 56 GB’s. 1st Team All-State in 2022, he added to his production in 2023 despite being the focus of every defense the team faced. Stankavage play lacrosse at Army next season.
ELIJAH STRONG, MYERS PARK BASKETBALL: Had an incredible 4 years and was player of the year last year in SoMeck conference, All conference and all Regional pick. Co-MVP of the state championship game, when Myers Park won its first ever. Strong will play in the ACC at Boston College.
HOW TO VOTE
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Regional boys athlete of the year
SAM COWHER, COX MILL FOOTBALL/WRESTLING: senior all conference linebacker has signed full ride to Wingate University.. Two-time Regional Champion in Wrestling and placed at the state tournament.
JAIDEN THOMPSON, CENTRAL CABARRUS BASKETBALL: All-Observer first team, back-to-back South Piedmont conference player of the year. Was selected to the East-West All-Star game. Second team all-state after leading his team to the N.C. 3A state title and an unbeaten season.
BRAYSON WILSON, CANNON SCHOOL FOOTBALL/LACROSSE: Class of 2023 Academic Overview Grade Point Average: 3.91 Weighted GPA / 3.72. Attended Cannon since seventh grade and committed to UNC last fall. Current captain of the lacrosse team was awarded the Charlotte Lacrosse Awards Rising Star Award. Wilson was a 2022 US Lacrosse all-American and first team all-state. In 2022, was ranked No.3 goalie and No. 35 player in class of 2023 by Inside Lacrosse.
KEANDRE WALKER, EAST LINCOLN FOOTBALL/BASKETBALL: Offensive MVP in the state championship game. Virginia signee for football was a two-year basketball starter for a team that won more than 20 games last season.
ANDRE BOST, LINCOLNTON FOOTBALL/BASEBALL/TRACK: Junior QB led the team in rushing and touchdowns. Played left field in baseball. Ran 100, 4x100
MASON AVERY, WEST LINCOLN FOOTBALL/WRESTLING: Senior was a Shrine Bowl and East-West football selection, and made first team all-state. He was the Catawba Valley 2A conference offensive and defensive player of the year and was a top 5 finalist for NC Mr. Football. Led NC in rushing yards for all classes in the regular-season with 2,655 yards. He was NO. 2 in total points and total TDs. He broke the single game Lincoln County rushing record (397 yards), county single season rushing record (2,622) and career rushing record (4,726). Avery averaged 238 yards per game and 9.34 yards per carry. In wrestling, he won the 182 pound state title, was 182 pound regional champ and was all state and all conference. In baseball, is hitting .571 with 12 stolen bases. He was also Catawba Valley 2A conference 400-meter champ. 4.65 GPA Rank 5 of 181
KILLIAN FAHY, CUTHBERTSON TRACK: senior UNC commit- 4th place in 500 indoors. Conference champion in 500 indoor and 400 outdoor. State champion in the 4x400 and national runner up on 4x400.
CHARLIE SMITH, WEDDINGTON LACROSSE: Providence commit had 77 groundballs, 35 caused turnovers, six goals and one assist.
HOW TO VOTE
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Mecklenburg County scholar-athlete of the year
LUKAS BOUCHER, MALLARD CREEK: Multi-sport athlete. Four-year cross-country runner and wrestler. 2x Captain 3X All-Conference State Qualifier Century Club ( more than 100 wins)
AVEY PULLUM, NORTH MECKLENBURG TRACK: senior ranked first in his senior class. Pullum has better than a 4.6 GPA. Will attend North Carolina
JAKOB VANDERHAVE, CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY BASEBALL; Senior has 4.08 PGA; 3-sport athlete for 4 years in high. Will attend West Point in the fall and play baseball.
CAMRYN WILLIAMS-DALTON, WEST CHARLOTTE FOOTBALL: 6-0, 181 lockdown corner is headed to Brown on a full academic scholarship and turned down football offers to pursue Ivy League. Williams-Dalton has a 3.51 GPA with all As this semester. Football stats: Queen City all conference first team. 34 tackles, 27 solo, 3 Tfl’s, 2 INT’s, 1 TD, 2 Fumble recoveries; Only one catch caught against him over 15 yards the entire season. Allowed 11 percent catch ratio thrown in his area of coverage. Track stats: Regional Qualifier (100m, 200m, 400m, 4×400m); Queen City Relays (5th in 100m); 2023 Dick Williams 200m. Champion; Friday Night Lights (3rd in 100m) 8th in 400m
HOW TO VOTE
To vote in the poll, you must type “yes” into the box below BEFORE the poll will show. After you type yes and hit return, the poll will appear. To vote again, simply refresh the page. You may vote as often as you like.
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Regional boys scholar-athlete of the year
QUENTIN CLARKE, CANNON SCHOOL: Senior on the track team was also a Cannon Crazie (student fan section member). Was all state indoor track for past two seasons and was 2022 outdoor all-state. Defending NCISAA 400m State Champion. T&F Athletic Scholarship to NCSU
SEAN DUNN, COX MILL: sophomore is a two-time All Conference Guard on the basketball team who has never made a B.. Made all A’s whole career with 4.0+ GPA
PHILLIP RIDDLE, NORTH IREDELL: cross-country and track star is a senior. He was a state qualifier in cross-country, carries a 4.51 GPA and is student body president
MASON AVERY, WEST LINCOLN: Senior was a Shrine Bowl and East-West football selection, and made first team all-state. He was the Catawba Valley 2A conference offensive and defensive player of the year and was a top 5 finalist for NC Mr. Football. Led NC in rushing yards for all classes in the regular-season with 2,655 yards. He was NO. 2 in total points and total TDs. He broke the single game Lincoln County rushing record (397 yards), county single season rushing record (2,622) and career rushing record (4,726). Avery averaged 238 yards per game and 9.34 yards per carry. In wrestling, he won the 182 pound state title, was 182 pound regional champ and was all state and all conference. In baseball, is hitting .571 with 12 stolen bases. He was also Catawba Valley 2A conference 400-meter champ. 4.65 GPA Rank 5 of 181
NATE WELLS, LINCOLNTON: Senior football and wrestler excels in classroom
HOW TO VOTE
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Mecklenburg County boys coach of the year
RYAN BENSON, BUTLER BASEBALL: led team to Southwestern 4A championship, stopping reigning 4A state champ Providence along the way
MICHAEL CHADWICK, CHARLOTTE LATIN SWIMMING: In his first year as a coach (ever), he led the Hawks to CISAA Conference and NCISAA State Championships. Coach Chadwick helped 22 out of 27 boys on the team achieve NCISAA qualification standards, in spite of many of those swimmers having very little experience. Coach Chadwick helped the Hawks win the 2013 NCISAA title as a senior on the team, and returned to his alma mater in ‘22-23 to take the reins from his former coach, Patty Waldron.
CHAD GRIER, PROVIDENCE DAY: Led the Chargers to a 12-1 record, back-to-back state championships. Providence Day won The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll and Grier was The All-Observer coach of the year.
DUANE LEWIS, NORTH MECK BOYS BASKETBALL: Led his team to a regional semifinal and an 8th straight year of winning conference or conference tournament title (North won both this year). Lewis also won his 500th game this season.
SCOTT TAYLOR, MYERS PARK BASKETBALL: led Myers Park to its first state championship appearance in more than 50 years and led the Mustangs to the school’s first-ever football or basketball state championship. The Mustangs were nationally ranked, won the Arby’s Christmas tournament in Tennessee and were conference and regional champions.
KENNEDY TINSLEY, MALLARD CREEK FOOTBALL: 170+ players in football program, Carolina Panthers Coach of the week , 2nd Round of the playoffs
HOW TO VOTE
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Regional boys coach of the year
PAUL EBENHOEH, PINE LAKE PREP BOYS/GIRLS SOCCER: First year as girls soccer coach and led team to conference title with a 17-1-2 mark. Pine Lake Prep beat multiple 4A schools (Lake Norman, Mooresville, South Iredell) and earned a No. 1 seed for playoffs. The boys team finished 18-4, finished second in league play and reached the playoffs.
JIM BAKER, CENTRAL CABARRUS BASKETBALL: 32-0 3A State Champion; SPC COY; District #11 COY, All-Observer Basketball COY and NCBCA COY.
FRANKIE CANTADORE, CONCORD ACADEMY BOYS BASKETBALL: led team to 31 wins, the most in school history. Concord Academy won the MAC conference and tournament championships and was NCISAA state runner-up after winning the state title in 2022.
MATT KRIEGER, HICKORY RIDGE BOYS SWIMMING: Greater Metro 4A Men’s Swim & Dive Coach of The Year for the second year in a row. Krieger led his team to its first boys conference title since 2009 and its first boys Cabarrus County team championship. Worked to re-start the Cabarrus County Championship meet with Concord HS coach for first time since 2014.
BARRETT KRUEGER, CONCORD BOYS BASKETBALL: Took a team that lost its three top scorers and finished second in the South Piedmont Conference for the seconnd year in a row. Advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
GREG LEKAVICH, GASTON DAY BOYS SOCCER: Led his team to its second straight NCISAA 2A boys soccer title and its third in four years in October. In January, Lekavich was named as the United Soccer Coaches national coach of the year for boys private and parochial schools.
DAVE LUBOWICZ, EAST LINCOLN FOOTBALL: WFAC coach of the year, regional coach of the year, state coach of the year, 3A State champions. Led team to an unbeaten season and was Charlotte Observer football coach of the year.
JALEN LITTLEJOHN, LINCOLNTON BOYS BASKETBALL: First year coach led his team to the NC playoffs.
DUSTIN ALLEN, CUTHBERTSON, BOYS AND GIRLS TRACK/CROSS-COUNTRY: boys and girls indoor state championship coach. Boys and girls indoor and outdoor SCC coach of the year. Charlotte Observer indoor coach of the year. Currently 12 state titles in past seven years.
KEVIN MACK, MARVIN RIDGE LACROSSE: SCC Conference Coach of the Year........undefeated SCC Conference Championship season. 17-5 overall record......advanced to the Elite 8 (lost in Regional Semi-Finals)
HOW TO VOTE
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Mecklenburg County Boys Team of the Year
BUTLER HIGH BASEBALL: Won Southwestern 4A conference with 11-1 record
CHARLOTTE LATIN SWIMMING: The Hawks won a 12th consecutive CISAA Conference Championship and a fouth consecutive NCISAA State Championship, breaking eight school records, two state records and achieving four automatic All-American times and three All-American consideration times.
HICKORY GROVE CHRISTIAN FOOTBALL: 9-1 in regular season. Most wins in program history. Longest win streak in program history.
LAKE NORMAN CHARTER BOYS LACROSSE: 8-0 in league play the week of May 9, making a run at second State championship
MALLARD CREEK 400 RELAY TEAM: 41.91 at Penn Relays number 7 team out of 570 (Jaidan Lee, Christian Dixon, Samaritan Page, Ben Black)
NORTH MECKLENBURG BOYS BASKETBALL: NC Western Regional finalist finished 29-3, won the Queen City regular-season and tournament championships. Finished No. 57 in MaxPreps national rankings and has an eight-year streak winning either the regular-season or tournament title. Coach Duane Lewis won his 500th career game this season and star Isaiah Evans had a 62-point performance in a regional semifinal.
PROVIDENCE BOYS TENNIS: 12 - 0 (regular season) 13 - 0 (post season so far), regular - Regular Season Conference Champions, Conference Tournament Champions, Singles Conference Champion, Doubles Conference Champion, Doubles Team Advancing to State Competition, Singles Player Advancing to State Competition
PROVIDENCE DAY FOOTBALL: 12-1 NCISAA Division I state champions won The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll and banner.
HOW TO VOTE
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Regional Boys Team of the year
CANNON SCHOOL LACROSSE: Currently sits at 19-3 and is the No. 1 seed in the NCISAA playoffs. The Cougars will host Providence Day Saturday, May 20, trying to win their second straight state title.
CENTRAL CABARRUS BOYS BASKETBALL: 3A State Champion was 32-0 this season. Team is 62-1 in last two years and 74-3 in last three..
CONCORD BOYS SOCCER: undefeated for in SPC for 2nd year in row, Sweet 16 in the playoffs for 2nd year in a row.
EAST LINCOLN FOOTBALL TEAM: 16-0, WFAC Champions, 3A Western Region Champions, 3A State Champions
LINCOLNTON WRESTLING: Finished fourth as a team in the 2A West Region. Finished seventh as a team in the 2A state tournament. Went to the third round of the state dual playoffs for the first time in school history. Went 20-7 overall. Took five wrestlers to the individual state tournament. Had three wrestlers finish third, and one fourth place finish. Their placement in the regional tournament and state tournament are both school records.
CUTHBERTSON BOYS TRACK: indoor state champions. Indoor conference champions. Outdoor conference champions. Favorites to win outdoor state title.
MARVIN RIDGE SWIMMING: undefeated SCC Conference Champions and NCHSAA 4A West Regional Champions.......NCHSAA 4A State Runner-Up.........200yd Medley Relay team State Champions and set an NCHSAA All-Classifications State Record (automatic All-American time)
METROLINA CHRISTIAN BASEBALL: 20-3 overall record and 8-1 in league play. In 2022, the team was 19-8 and lost in the NCISAA 4A state finals to Charlotte Christian.
HOW TO VOTE
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Boys/Girls Comeback Player of the year
POPPY FARRELL, CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY GIRLS LACROSSE: Senior received a serious concussion in the fall of 2022 which took her out of numerous activities, academics and her junior year lacrosse season. Farrell remained a devoted teammate her entire junior year, despite fighting migraines, vision and balance issues. She became a member of the Cum Laude society, was accepted to Duke University and overcame her fear of a repeat injury to become a Day One starter this season. She has started in every game, helping her team to a No. 2 seed in the NCISAA playoffs.
KIRA KLEINSCHMIDT, ARDREY KELL: junior lacrosse and field hockey player that tried lacrosse for the first time as a sophomore. She improved so much after her first year that she became a player the team looked to and was a dominant defender who eventually worked her way up to midfield.
ISHAUN ALI, MALLARD CREEK: 2023 football player returned from an ACL injury and earned a scholarship to Howard.
SAM MERLI, INDEPENDENCE BASEBALL: returned from a torn ACL after just eight months to become an all-conference player this spring
DESMOND KENT, CENTRAL CABARRUS: Junior missed 10 games with broken wrist and returned to become a dangerous sixth man. Was named 3A State Championship MVP. All- Observer Sixth Man of the Year
SAM MARTIN, LAKE NORMAN: football player and wrestler is a senior who lost his junior season in Week 2 when he suffered a back injury. Doctors thought he might not ever play gain. He had to wear a turtle shell brace for weeks. This year, he was cleared to play and became an all conference defensive lineman in the Greater Metro conference and signed a college scholarship to D1 Presbyterian.
FINLEY MCLEOD, ARDREY KELL: girls lacrosse/field hockey player had 9th grade year cut short due to COVID and her 10th grade year was a shortened season. She still reached 100 career goals in her senior year.
COLIN MUMFORD, MARVIN RIDGE: soccer/swimmer tore ACL in 2021. Came back for boys soccer in the fall. Was named team captain and all-conference. On the swim team, Mumford was a first-time diver who was named All-County Diver of the Year. Swimming. All-conference star was a 4A Western Regional qualifier in the 50 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle Relay, Diving.
HOW TO VOTE
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Mecklenburg Athletic Director of the year
Jason Fowler (East Meck)
Chris Satterfield (Butler)
Stephanie Wilkerson (Olympic)
Lori DeMarcus (Hough)
Elijah Ashley (Independence)
HOW TO VOTE
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Regional Athletic Director of the year
GASTON COUNTY
Elliott Bridges (Hunter Huss)
Kent Hyde (South Point)
Brian Horne (Forestview)
IREDELL COUNTY
John Sherrill (North Iredell)
Tabitha Elledge (South Iredell)
Jay Keener (Lake Norman)
LINCOLN COUNTY
David Avery (West Lincoln)
Tom Harris (East Lincoln)
Mike Warlick (North Lincoln)
UNION COUNTY
Jacob Thomas (Forest Hills)
Mike Hart (Weddington)
Brian Knab (Marvin Ridge)
HOW TO VOTE
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Boys/Girls Game of the year
Providence Day vs. Charlotte Christian regular-season football
Myers Park vs. Carmel Christian, regular-season basketball
North Meck girls at Lake Norman regular-season basketball
North Meck boys vs. Chambers postseason basketball
East Lincoln-South Point football semifinal
Charlotte Catholic vs. Independence regular-season football
Weddington over Charlotte Christian regular-season football
HOW TO VOTE
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