We welcome new Independence football coach Robert Williams and basketball coaches Scott Taylor (Ambassador Christian) and Kendria Holmes (Queen's Grant) as we break down the NCHSAA playoffs and NCISAA semifinals. By Langston Wertz Jr.| lwertz@charlotteobserver.com
The weather suggests otherwise, but the 2026 spring sports season begins on Wednesday, and The Observer has its annual preview of Charlotte-area teams .
The baseball preview will run on Wednesday.
(all listings of teams and athletes are alphabetical)
BOYS’ GOLF
Teams to watch
Charlotte Catholic: The Cougars will have to reload with Will Hartman (Vanderbilt) and Will Guthrie (Georgia) now playing SEC golf. But seniors Coleman Lankford and Trevor Proicou, and sophomore James Hoefling (who finished 16th at the 4A state championships) all return.
Charlotte Latin golfer Griffin Cheatwood Special to The Observer
Charlotte Latin: The Hawks return everyone from a team that has won three straight NCISAA 4A state championships, including shooting a school-record 15-under par last spring to win by 16 shots. Coach Chris Berger’s team is headlined by the senior trio of Henry Holland (James Madison commit, reigning NCISAA 4A individual champion), Aston Lee (N.C. State commit, all-state) and Griffin Cheatwood (CISAA conference champion, all-state). Junior Graham Wagner, a Division I recruit, rounds out a loaded lineup.
Pine Lake Prep: The Pride has finished as 2A state runner-up in back-to-back seasons, including losing last season by just one shot to Salisbury. Pine Lake Prep will have plenty of talent moving into Class 3A, with senior Aiden Penhall (2A West Regional champion), junior Harrison Aull (tied for sixth at 2A state championships) and sophomore Gary Grear.
Players to watch
Grant Agar, Hough, senior: Agar (76.7 average last year) will team with sophomore, Jackson Bridges (78.3 average) to lead a team that finished fourth at the 4A state championships last season.
Grayson Ard, Providence, senior: Ard, a Rhodes (TN) commit, is a three-time all-conference performer and two-time state qualifier. He is part of Providence team with its entire starting lineup back, including the junior trio of Jonathan Caulder, Jacob Montoya and Zane Williams.
Tripp Burns, Lake Norman Charter, junior: Burns is the leading returning scorer (39.3) on an experienced team with seniors Will Palmer and Tanner Stultz and sophomore, Ty Burroughs.
Xander Crenshaw, South Mecklenburg, senior: The Sabres’ three-time, regional qualifier returns, along with classmate George Phillips.
George Fisher, Myers Park, senior: Fisher (36.7 average last year) looks to build on a season where he finished tied for 16th at the 4A state championships. He leads a veteran team with classmates Reston Shull (37.4 average, Hampden-Sydney commit) and Craig Wardlaw (37.0 average).
Noah Fry, Cuthbertson, senior: The reigning Southern Carolinas’ Conference player of the year, Fry averaged a 36 per round (nine holes) last season. He gives the Cavaliers a strong 1-2 punch with classmate Cathan Yap also returning.
Carson Greenway, East Mecklenburg, senior: The Eagles’ senior is back to lead the way, averaged a 48.3 per nine holes last season.
Landon Helms, Metrolina Christian, junior: Helms, the NCISAA 4A state runner-up, and Metrolina Athletic conference co-champion, is back to lead a veteran team with junior Cal Cooper and seniors Luke Castles and Davis Collins.
Rex Huxley, Carmel Christian, junior: Huxley is a four-time, NCISAA Division I state qualifier, and he gives the Cougars a strong 1-2 punch with sophomore Alec Motherwell (39.5 average, two-time state qualifier).
Warren Stiglitz, East Lincoln, junior: The Mustangs’ N.C. State commit looks to defend his 3A state title. Stiglitz is also a two-time, Western Foothills’ Conference champion and 3A West Regional runner-up.
Asher Suttle, Union Academy, junior: Suttle (83.0 average) has helped the Cardinals to back-to-back conference championships, while finishing fifth at the 1A state championships last season.
Dylan Watson, Ballantyne Ridge, junior: Watson is the lone junior on one of the youngest teams in state, with the rest of the roster being sophomores and freshmen.
BOYS’ LACROSSE
Teams to watch
Ardrey Kell: The Knights lost several senior leaders from an 18-5 team, but juniors Cole Stankavage (43 goals, 27 assists) and Drake Joffs (47 goals) should lead another standout team.
Charlotte Catholic: It was hard to score on the Cougars (16-8) last season, with midfielder Emmett Drensek (team leader in ground balls) and defenders James Hedley, Jack Reilly and Randy Powell in the lineup.
Hough: The Huskies were 20-4 last season and are loaded with returning talent. Junior attacker Grady Cinotti scored 58 goals in 2025, an junior midfielder Cooper Show, a Strong Brook commit, had 41 goals.
Lake Norman: Under coach James Brugger, Lake Norman has become the area’s top program. The Wildcats lost in the state finals a year ago, but Brugger has reloaded, with junior attacker Cole Jackson, senior midfielder Kayden Robies (20 goals in 2025) and senior faceoff specialist Connor Mumford Fogo. , Brugger’s daughter, Madison, takes over as coach of the Pine Lake Prep girls’ program this season.
Lake Norman’s Statton Rehrer (7) , and Cannon Wigginton (3) celebrate with Brandon DeBerardinis (1) after his goal against Cardinal Gibbons in the first half. The Lake Norman Wildcats and the Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders met in the Boys NCHSAA 4A Lacrosse Championship Game in Durham, N.C. on May 31, 2025. Steven Worthy
Lake Norman Charter: The Knights lost to Croatan in the small-school state championship last spring, and they are loaded with returnees. Among them are midfielders Jacob Carlascio, Tristan English and Stevie Park, freshman attacker Brody Langenbrunner, and goaltender Max Riggenbach.
Players to watch
Connor Mumford Fogo, Lake Norman, senior: A New Jersey Tech commit, Fogo had 142 ground balls last season and usually guards the opponent’s top scorers.
James Hedley, Charlotte Catholic, junior: A North Carolina commit, Hedley is ranked among the nation’s top faceoff specialists.
Cole Jackson, Lake Norman, junior: A Hobart (Division 1 in lacrosse) commit, Jackson is poised for “his breakout year,” according to coach James Brugger.
Carter Martin, Providence Day, senior: A defender and long stick specialist, Martin, a Jacksonville commit, is ranked among the state’s best at his position.
Cole Stankavage, Ardrey Kell, junior: Stankavage had 43 goals and 27 assists as a sophomore.
GIRLS’ LACROSSE
Teams to watch
Cannon School: The Cougars appear poised to challenge defending NCISAA state champion Providence Day. Midfielders London Barnhardt and Addison Mayner, attacker Maggie Murphy (110 goals last spring) and defender Lauren Schattner are all-state candidates..
Charlotte Catholic: Seniors Sophie Tan (29 goals) and Kate Linder (46% saves) figure to take the Cougars a long way. Coach Dee Bier’s team was 16-6 last season.
Charlotte Catholic lacrosse player Sophie Tan (left) Special to The Observer
Charlotte Country Day: Junior Katy Blythe (54 goals, 176 draw controls) returns from a team that lost to Providence Day in the NCISAA Division 1 state finals. Watch out for freshman Piper Brawley, who scored 80 goals as an eighth grader.
Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks reached the state semifinals last season and have a pair of standout midfield returnees in senior Ella Braun (184 career goals) and junior Bea Serfontein.
Myers Park: The Mustangs appear ready for a deep playoff run. Midfielder Margo Christian earned all-region honors last season, and highly-regarded midfielder Oliva Mason could be among the state’s top freshmen.
Weddington: The Warriors lost to Cardinal Gibbons in the NCHSAA’s 4A finals last season, and they have a big group of returnees. Senior defender Ragan Giddins earned all-region honors and was assigned to opponents’ top scorers. Attackers Ella Turner, a senior, and junior Grace Webb should provide the scoring leadership.
Players to watch
London Barnhardt, Cannon School, senior: An East Carolina commit, Barnhardt is coming off a season with 83 goals, 23 assists, 124 ground balls and 68 caused turnovers.
Molly Brown and Isaabella Pierce, Davidson Day, juniors: It’s tough to pick an MVP from this duo. Each is a four-time all-state player and a major college prospect. Pierce scored 71 goals last spring; Brown had 65.
Gwen Clarkson, Ardrey Kell, senior: Clarkson had 31 goals and 18 assists last spring and is a key to the Knights’ hopes of a deep playoff run.
Anna Pedroli, Ballantyne Ridge, sophomore: This could be the season that the Wolves break through, and Pedroli is a key to those hopes. She had 95 goals and 110 points as a freshman.
Sophia Tan, Charlotte Catholic, senior: A midfielder, Tan had 29 goals and 62 draw controls last season. She has 62 goals for her career.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Teams to watch
Ardrey Kell: The Knights made an improbable run to their second 4A state championship in three years, after entering the playoffs as the No. 12 seed. This year, no one will be surprised to see Coach Kim Montgomery’s team repeat, with nine starters returning. The Knights offense features junior Makayla Rodriguez (Virginia Tech commit, 29 goals, 15 assists), and sophomore Rhyan Winnek (21 goals, 20 assists). The defense should be equally strong, with all-state senior center back Taylor Kleinschmidt (N.C. State commit).
Ashley High defenders surround Ardrey Kell sophomore Makayla Rodriguez at the NCHSAA 4A girls’ soccer state championship game at Matthews Sportsplex on May 31, 2025 Kelly Hood Special to the Observer
Charlotte Latin: The Hawks, NCISAA 4A runners-up last season, are a regular state championship contender with 10 straight appearances in the final game. This year’s Charlotte Latin team is younger, but senior midfielder (and MIT commit) Claire Zhang (16 goals, 12 assists), and junior forward Graceyn Levesque (17 goals, 10 assists) provide experience.
East Lincoln: The Mustangs’ return 15 players from a team that won a school-record 21 games and reached the third round of the 3A state playoffs. The Mustangs’ defense will be a strength with senior all-state goalkeeper Lily Cleeland back. Cleeland had a school-record 17 shutouts last season and has 40 for her career. The offense will be powered by all-state senior midfielder Sophia Espinosa-Benton.
Hickory Ridge: The Ragin’ Bulls’ return 15 players from a team that went 23-2-1 last year with a trip to 4A state quarterfinals. Now a 7A school, Hickory Ridge will rely on all-state senior midfielder Ava Trzebiatwoski (13 goals), while senior goalkeeper, Aubrey Rose (14 shutouts last year) and junior defender Corin Roth headline the defense.
Hough: The Huskies return nine starters from a team that went 24-1-1 before losing to eventual state champion Ardrey Kell in the third round of the playoffs. Offense figures to be a strength this season, with junior Olivia Miller (Wofford commit, 21 goals, 20 assists) and senior Ava Hauser (19 goals, 18 assists) leading the way. The defense is led by all-state goalkeeper Riley Pickels (N.C. State signee), who had 100 saves and 21 shutouts last season.
Pine Lake Prep: The defending 2A state champions (21-2 overall) move up to 3A in the NCHSAA’s expanded eight-class system this spring. Coach Paul Ebenhoeh has plenty of experience to lean on, with senior center back Braelyn Iosue returning to a defense that earned 14 shutouts in 23 games and permitted one goal in six playoff contests. The offense averaged 6.5 goals a game last year and figures to be potent again with sophomores Victoria Christiansen (10 goals, 18 assists) and midfielder Eva Smith (three goals, 10 assists).
Providence Day: The Chargers have set the standard for girls’ soccer in the state, winning five of the last six NCISAA 4A state championships, including the last two. The Chargers will need to rely on younger players this season, but they’ll have experienced leaders in midfielder Mikaela Arey (Emory commit) and Devin McElroy (Miami-Ohio commit).
Players to watch
Kaysi Araya-Jimenez, Lincolnton, junior: A forward and Shaw commit, Araya-Jimenez (12 goals, eight assists last year) will lead the offense, while senior goalkeeper Jalee Littlejohn (190 saves) is back for the defense.
Molly Brown, Charlotte Country Day, senior: The Buccaneers’ all-state senior (Washington & Lee commit, 20 goals, nine assists) will team with all-state, classmate, Sam Vanderhave (five goals, 10 assists) on the offense.
Nina Calcagno, Davidson Day, junior: The Patriots’ junior forward (13 goals, nine assists) and freshman forward Scarlett Dressler (15 goals, 10 assists) give the defending NCISAA Division 2 champs a dynamic one-two punch.
Lucy Chin, Marvin Ridge, junior: An all-state forward (20 goals, eight assists), Chin returns with midfielder Campbell Homan (14 assists) and forward Kylie Taylor (10 goals, five assists) to lead the attack.
Macy Cline, Mooresville, junior: The Blue Devils’ all-region player will lead the offense (12 goals), while all-region, senior goalkeeper Lexie Albaeck (Ursinus commit) leads the defense.
Addison Deaton, Gaston Christian, eighth-grader: Deaton figures to lead the Gaston Christian offense this season, and will be featured on the Charlotte Eagles’ U20 Academy team after the high school season ends. Meanwhile, junior center back Rowan Hastan and sophomore midfielder Alli Dinlocker return to lead the defense on a team that was a NCISAA 3A state semifinalist last season.
Amaya Falzarano, Myers Park, senior: An all-state senior forward and Indiana commit (33 goals, nine assists last year), Falzarano will lead the Myers Park offense with all-state junior midfielder, University of Houston commit, Lily Daniel (eight goals).
Addie Foster, Metrolina Christian, sophomore: The Warriors’ standout looks to build on a freshman season where she led the Metrolina Christian offense with 18 goals and seven assists.
Lucy Grow, Carmel Christian, junior: Grow, an all-state forward, is back to build on a 17-goal, six-assist season, where she helped Carmel Christian to a NCISAA 4A state quarterfinal run.
Sophie Holcomb, Cox Mill, sophomore: A forward, Holcombolcomb had a breakout season with eight goals and nine assists as a freshman. She leads the offense with junior midfielder Anna Kirkwood (six goals, four assists).
Paige Santos, Weddington, senior: An all-state forward and New Hampshire commit, Santos (seven goals, 15 assists) and all-state midfielder Abbi Hoover (10 goals) lead a younger team that lost nine seniors to graduation.
Maya Stout, Cuthbertson, senior: Stout, a Queens commit (three goals, two assists), is back to lead the Cavaliers with classmate and Eckerd commit Avery Andrews.
Alice Tyson, East Mecklenburg, senior: Tyson is a versatile player, as she had 158 saves in 17 games as a goalkeeper, while also scoring six goals and dishing out five assists as a center midfielder and forward.
SOFTBALL
Teams to Watch
Cannon School: Outfielder Addie Hartz and infielder Carly Bates were among the area’s top players last spring as freshmen, and senior outfielder Jolie Matthews (.425 batting average, 32 runs) will lead the offense.
Charlotte Christian: The area’s dominant team in recent seasons will have a new look this spring, with former Hickory Ridge assistant Hank Suhr replacing Kevin Hinde, who retired. Hinde’s daughter, Anna, is now playing at Florida State, so there is some rebuilding to do. But senior pitcher Morgan Banks, the school’s all-time win leader, is a good place to start.
Hickory Ridge: Coach Justin Davies will have a strong defensive team, led by junior left-fielder Emersyn Wiley. A trio of freshmen – second baseman Kameron Blake, shortstop Brylee Hummer and outfielder Camden Kingsley – also are standout defenders. Senior outfielder Aubree Palmer hit .447 last season.
Marvin Ridge: Gone from an 18-4 squad are sluggers Lexi Kirby and Ella Tracy and pitcher Anna Phifer. But look for the Mavericks to reload, as they played several talented sophomores last season.
Piedmont: You’ll see a lot of Union County teams on this list, and the Panthers (21-6 last season) can compete with any of them. Pitcher Jalyn Thomas and catcher Tara Deese lead a team that returns most of its key performers from a 21-6 squad in 2025.
Providence: The Panthers will be among Charlotte’s top teams this spring, according to several coaches. They’re young, though, with sophomores Phoenix Scott (outfield), Sophie Strugar (pitcher/third base), Cam O’Connor (shortstop/catcher) and juniors Casey Tomljanovic (infield) and Mia Zeng (utility).
Union Academy: The Cardinals have won 1A state titles two of the last three years, and head coach Darbi Chestnut returns senior pitcher Avery Wilson, who was 26-1 last season with 279 strikeouts in 155.2 innings.
Weddington: Several leaders off last year’s 23-5 state semifinalist team have graduated, but how can you pick against a program that has been a power for several years. The Warriors’ key returnee is senior pitcher Joella Thomas, and the Warriors annually get talented reinforcements from the Wesley Chapel-Weddington Athletic Association.
Players to watch
Cherie Carter, Butler, senior: An Iona commit, Carter earned all-state honors in 2025 and heads a Bulldog team that should contend for a conference championship.
Regan Godman, Myers Park, junior: A two-time all-conference shortstop, Godman batted .556 last season with 13 doubles.
Avery Houseton, Covenant Day, senior: Houseton is among the area’s best sluggers . She hit eight home runs and drove in 42 runs last season, when she was named CISAA Player of the Year.
Covenant Day softball player Avery Houseton Special to The Observer
Rachel Lyons, Providence Day, senior: Lyons is a two-time all-state selection who has 575 career strikeouts. She also batted .346 last spring.
Reagan Martin, Ardrey Kell, sophomore: Martin earned all-state honors as a freshman and is considered to be among the best infielders in the state in the Class of 2028.
Aubree Painter, Hickory Ridge, senior: An outfielder/third baseman, Painter hit .447 last season in a strong comeback after missing the 2024 campaign with a knee injury.
Jailyn Thomas, Piedmont, senior: The Panthers’ starting pitcher was 16-6 last season, with 192 strikeouts in 118 innings.
Avery Wilson, Union Academy, senior: Wilson compiled a 26-1 record on the mound in 2025 and also batted .507.
BOYS’ TENNIS
Teams to watch
Charlotte Catholic: Will Kaufman, Tyson Lucier and Keaton McKinstry all reached the state championships last season. They anchor a strong Cougar team under coach Jo Cabana.
Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers have enough talent to challenge for the NCISAA’s Division 1 title. Sophomore Quinn Brock could play No. 1 singles this season, after an 11-1 campaign at No. 5 singles. David Hands, who played mostly at No. 6 singles last year, also figures to be a leader.
Community School of Davidson: With the five top singles players returning, the Spartans should be tough . Wilson Anderson, Camer Knost and Dillon Worsley are battling for the No. 1 singles spot.
Davidson Day: Any team with Colin Cerminara at No. 1 singles is a state title contender. The Patriots have won three straight championshps at the NCISAA Division 2 level.
East Lincoln: The building block for the Mustangs will be Carson Brown, who was 10-4 in singles last season and played on a state runner-up doubles tandem.
Pine Lake Prep: The Pride finished second in the state last year and has most of its starting lineup back. That sounds like a recipe for success.
Providence: Coach Josh Oxendine has most of its lineup returning from last season, led by state qualifiers Hudson Quick and Ben Hinojosa.
Players to watch
Wilson Anderson, Community School of Davidson, senior: Anderson was unbeaten at No. 1 singles last season and leads what figures to be a very strong Spartan squad.
Colin Cerminara, Davidson Day, junior: Cerminara is a two-time all-state player who was 15-1 in singles and doubles last season.
Rex Dover, South Point, junior: Dover and his older brother, James (a 2025 graduate), teamed to win a state doubles championship last season.
Jackson Grathwohl, Pine Lake Prep, senior: Grathwohl finished second in singles at the state tournament last season and was a quarterfinalist the previous two seasons. He was 16-0 in 2025
Hudson Quick, Providence, junior: Quick was 7-4 a year ago as a sophomore, playing No. 1 singles. He and the rest of the young Providence team figure to take a big step forward this spring.
BOYS’ TRACK
Teams to watch
Charlotte Christian: The defending NCISAA Division I state champions will look to repeat with sprinters junior Clete Saylor and sophomore Joey Wynn. Saylor anchored the 4X100-meter relay to a state title, while finishing fourth in the 100-meter dash and seventh in the 200 meters at last year’s state meet. Wynn impressed as a freshman, finishing fourth in the 400 meters at the state meet and helping the 4X400-meter relay to a state championship in meet-record time.
Cuthbertson: The Cavaliers finished as 4A state runner-up to Mallard Creek last season and look to contend in 7A this spring. The Cavaliers have a wealth of experience and talent. Junior Tommy Pringle, the defending 4A state high jump champion, had the nation’s second-best (high jump) at 7-0.5 at the Union County Championships last spring. Senior Bryce Gatlin is a key piece to both the 4X200 and 4X400 relays, while sophomore Josh Palmer earned seventh place in the 1600-meter run at the 4A state championships as a freshman.
Hickory Grove Christian: The defending, NCISAA Division II state champions are led by senior sprinters Miles Allen and Josue Figueroa. Allen looks to improve on a third-place finish in the 400 meters and a fourth in the 200 meters, while repeating in both the 4X400 and 4X800 relays. Figueroa finished third in the 200 meters and fourth in the third-place in the 400 meters, while anchoring both the 4X200 and 4X400 relays to state titles.
Mallard Creek: The two-time defending 4A state champions will look to three-peat as they move into Class 8A this season. The Mavericks will look to seniors Nyan Brown and Mason Kelley to lead the way. Brown, an N.C. State commit, is state champion in the 300-meter hurdles and runner-up in the 110 hurdles. Kelley helped three different relays to state titles last spring.
Metrolina Christian: The Warriors return a solid core from a team that finished fifth in the NCISAA Division I state championships last year. Coach Brett Honeycutt will look to the senior trio of Matthew Burch, Price Fee and Nathan Savoy to lead the way. Burch looks to defend his state title in the shot put, and improve on a fourth-place state-meet finish in the discus. Fee, a Western Carolina University commit, finished third in the state in 800 meters. Savoy was third in the pole vault last spring.
Athletes to watch
Colin Busche, Gaston Day, sophomore: Busche looks to build on a freshman season where he finished eighth in the 1600-meter run at the NCISAA Division III state championships.
Cade Creswell, Porter Ridge, senior.: The Pirates’ Furman commit finished ninth in the 800-meter run at the 4A state championships as a junior.
Drew Johnson, Hough, senior: Johnson, a Howard commit, looks to build on last outdoor season, where he finished third in the 800-meter run at the 4A state championships.
Liam Kinken, South Mecklenburg, senior: Kinken looks to contend in the 400-meter dash after a breakout sophomore where he finished third at the 4A state championships. He also is a key runner on the Sabres’ 4X400 relay team (11th in the state meet last spring).
Chase McCullough, Hickory Ridge, senior.: McCullough, an Appalachian State commit, figures to be a 7A state contender in the discus and shot put. Last season, he was runner-up in the discus (165-4) and sixth in the shot put at the 4A state meet. Senior teammate Grady Anderson also should also contend in the 1,600-meter outdoors, after winning the same event indoors earlier this month.
Jake Miranda, Cannon School, senior: The Cougars’ distance specialist was third at the CISAA championship and 22nd at the NCISAA Division I state meet in the 1600-meter run last spring. Miranda also set the school record, running a 4:24.58 at the Carolina Distance Festival.
Chaven Rucker Jr., Statesville, sophomore: Rucker had a breakout freshman season, helping the Greyhounjds to three relay state titles. Statesville finished second in the 3A state meet last spring and is now a 6A school.
Cameron Tucker, Jay M. Robinson, senior: He is among the elite sprinters in the state and country and proved it by winning 3A state championships in both the 200 and 400 meters last spring.
Ethan Welsh, Covenant Day, senior: An East Carolina University commit, Welsh looks to build on a junior season where he was CISAA conference runner-up and sixth at the NCISAA Division I state championships in the 1600-meter run.
GIRLS’ TRACK
Teams to watch
Cuthberston: The Cavaliers have been among the state’s best teams for most of the last decade. Cuthbertson has the firepower to contend, led by sophomore Colby McCollum, the defending 1,600-meter 4A state champion and ninth-place finisher at 3,200 meters. The Cavaliers also feature junior triple jumper Ava Jones (eighth in last year’s state meet) and freshman pole vaulter Isabella Kartsonis.
Mallard Creek: The Mavericks look to build on their 4A state runner-up finish last year as they move into 8A competition. Mallard Creek sophomore Bella-Marie Black has established herself as one of the state’s top sprinters and looks to improve a third-place state-meet finish last year in the 100 meters. She also was eighth in the 200 meters. Seniors Laila Ramadan (hurdles/sprint relays, Virginia Commonwealth commit), Sana’ia Lazenby and Aniya Poole (both sprint relays) and junior A’riyana Battle (triple jump) will also be keys on a team that has won 12 straight conference and three consecutive regional titles.
Providence Day: The Chargers have plenty of motivation after finishing as NCISAA Division I state runner-up by a half-point to rival Charlotte Country Day last spring. The Chargers will look to senior Evelyn Hee, who will try to repeat as state champion in the 100-meter hurdles. She also is a long-jumper (state runner-up) and triple-jumper (fourth). Meanwhile, junior Paige Feemster also could contend in three events after finishing third in the 2025 state meet in the long jump, and fourth in both the 100 and 200 meter dashes. Freshman Emma Adams also looks to improve on a sixth-place finish at state as an eighth-grader.
Athletes to watch
Brihanna Ashcraft, Union Academy, sophomore: She looks to build on a breakout freshman season, where she finished third at the 1A state championships in both the 200- and 400-meter dash.
Emma Balaban, Weddington, sophomore: Balaba proved she was among the state’s top distance runners last fall and finished as 7A state runner-up in cross-country.
Kiri Campbell, Metrolina Christian, junior: An eight-time, all-state performer, Campbell won NCISAA Division I state titles in the 300-meter hurdles and 4X400 relay last outdoor season. She and senior teammate Hadley Martin (Charleston Southern commit) also could contend in the 800 meters and then team on the 4X400 and 4X800 relay teams.
Dottie Collins, Charlotte Christian, freshman: Collins was the No. 1-ranked middle school runner in the Greater Charlotte Middle School Athletic Association last year in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs.
McKencee Cook, Hickory Ridge, senior: Cook looks to contend in the 400-meter dash in (11th in the state meet last year), and she also set school records in the 300 meters and long jump during the indoor season.
Kasey Dingman, Lake Norman, senior.: Dingman, a Virginia Tech commit, finished as 4A state runner-up in the 1,600-meter run last spring.
Caitlin Kasten, Marvin Ridge, junior: A Covenant Day transfer, Kasten won the NCISAA Division I state championship in the 1,600 meters and was runner-up in both the 3,200 meters and 300-meter hurdles last spring.
Olivia Ferraro, North Lincoln, senior: A distance specialist and Furman commit, Ferraro won the 3A state title in the 1,600-meter run last spring.
Promise Lovelace, Statesville, senior: Lovelace, a Charlotte 49ers commit, teams with classmate Iyona Reid (Howard commit) to give the Greyhounds two of the state’s top throwers in Class 6A. Lovelace finished 11th in the state in the discus (3A) and eighth in the shot put. Meanwhile, Reid finished a state runner-up in the discus.
Coryn Tucker, Jay M. Robinson, senior: Tucker, a North Carolina commit, was 3A state runner-up in the 400 meters, finished third in the 200 meters, and fourth in the 100 meters at the state meet last season.
Julia Weatherby, Gaston Day, senior: Weatherby looks to repeat as NCISAA Division 3 state champion in the discus, while also contending in the shot put, where she finished fourth last spring.
Lizzy Weltz, South Mecklenburg, senior.:Weltz, a Charlotte 49ers’ commit, could be a regional and state contender in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter events.
Elise Wrenholt, Cannon School, senior: Wrenholt finished third at the NCISAA 4A state championships in both the 800 and 1,600 meter runs. She holds every school record from 800 meters and up.