Best of Hoggard: Girls No. 6, 5 and 4

In an effort to determine the best 10 male and female athletes at each Wilmington school (Ashley, Cape Fear Academy, Coastal Christian, Hoggard, Laney, New Hanover and Wilmington Christian Academy), I selected a panel of qualified individuals to vote. The participants included: former and current coaches, administrators and ADs, media members and even fans. Each individual voted anonymously with their No. 1 athlete receiving 10 points, No. 2 athlete receiving 9 points and so on. 

The next school to have their 10 top athletes revealed is Hoggard. A total of 16 people voted and the results will be released throughout the week.

Monday, June 29: Boys and Girls 10, 9, 8 and 7 as well as honorable mention (anyone else who received votes)

Tuesday: June 30: Girls 6, 5 and 4

Wednesday, July 1: Boys 6, 5 and 4

Thursday, July 2: Girls 3, 2 and 1

Friday, July 3: Boys 3, 2 and 1

Girls Honorable Mention

• Brandi Griffin (25 points)
• Cassidy Stephenson (23 points)
• Kathlyn Varno (22 points)
• Maggie Austin (19 points and 1 first-place vote)
• Kyra Pridgen (18 points)
• Tameka Brown and Erin Gottschalk (17 points)
• Kathleen Gates (16 points and 1 first-place vote)
• Danielle Bongiorno (15 points)
• Kelly Higgins (12 points)
• McKenzi Edwards and Caroline Estep (7 points)
• McKayla Zupan (3 points)
• Shana Franks (2 points)

Girls No. 10

Emma Haywood (33 points)

Class of 2016

Click here to read more about Emma

Girls No. 9

Michelle Jarman (36 points)

Class of 2002

Click here to read more about Michelle

Girls No. 8

Kaitlin Burns (51 points and 2 first-place votes)

Class of 2009

Click here to read more about Kaitlin

Girls No. 7

Jenna Evans (54 points and 1 first-place vote)

Class of 2006

Click here to read more about Jenna

Girls No. 6

Julia Buehler (62 points)

Class of 2015

A three-sport standout, Buehler competed in cross country in the fall, basketball in the winter and lacrosse in the spring. On the basketball court, Buehler finished with 1,377 career points and was named the Mideastern Conference Player of the Year as a senior after averaging 15 points and 4 assists to help the Vikings finish 26-5 and reach the 4A East Regional. As a lacrosse player, Buehler scored 191 goals and dished out 77 assists over her final three seasons. She scored 88 goals to go along with 38 assists as a junior and finished with 65 goals, 22 assists, 38 ground balls and 58 draw controls as a senior to help Hoggard reach the East final. Buehler signed a lacrosse scholarship with Gardner-Webb, but eventually ended up playing basketball at Appalachian State and then UNCW.

“A talented young lady on the basketball court. What natural skills or physical stature she may have lacked, Julia made up for it with a work ethic that was second to none. During her time at Hoggard she was the hub of the wheel that drove the Vikings from a losing record her freshman year to 26-5 record and conference championship her senior year.” – Anonymous voter

Girls No. 5

Megan Tootoo (65 points)

Class of 2003

A soccer and volleyball star, Tootoo helped both programs achieve great success during her outstanding career. During her senior year, Tootoo was instrumental in guiding the volleyball team to a second straight 4A State Championship appearance. The Vikings fell in four sets to Providence, but still finished with a 32-5 record. Her long throw-ins helped the soccer team finish 18-7-1 and reach the 4A East final, where they fell to eventual state champion Broughton. She was named the conference and region player of the year and was selected to the East-West All-Star Game.

“Megan was a terrific athlete. She was shorter than most of her opponents on the volleyball court, but her impressive vertical leap made her an effective hitter. Her leadership on the soccer field as a senior was a big reason the team made such a deep run.” – Anonymous voter

Girls No. 4

Erin St. Ledger (76 points)

Class of 2004

St. Ledger was a standout on the volleyball court and the softball diamond for the Vikings. As a setter and terrific defensive player, she helped the volleyball team reach back-to-back 4A state titles matches in 2002 and 2003. As a softball player, St. Ledger was named the Mideastern Conference Player of the Year as a senior and made the All-Conference team three times. She helped the Vikings reach the 4A State Championship game as a sophomore. St. Ledger continued her career at East Carolina, where she made 212 starts and hit better than .275 each of her final three seasons. 

“Erin made a big impact in multiple sports and always played the game the right way. She wasn’t afraid to chase down a ball and hit the floor in an attempt to get the ball to her hitters.” – Anonymous voter