Shining at the Next Level: Aug. 25-Sept. 1, 2019

September 2, 2019, 2:02 pm | by Tim Hower

New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties produce a large number of athletes that continue their careers at the next level. Each week, this list will feature a number of area athletes who are finding success in the college ranks.

Check back for weekly updates each Monday morning.

FOOTBALL

R-Sr. DE Alex Highsmith, Charlotte (2015 Ashley grad): In Thursday’s season-opening 49-28 victory at Gardner-Webb, Highsmith led the team with seven tackles and two sacks.

Sr. TE Hunter Louthan, Davidson (2016 Hoggard grad): Caught three passes for 45 yards in Saturday’s 27-20 win over Georgetown.

Hoggard graduate Hunter Louthan now plays football at Davidson. [Davidson Athletics]

Soph. P Michael Rivers, N.C. A&T (2018 North Brunswick grad): Punted five times for an average of 43.2 yards and had a pair land inside the 20 in a 24-21 victory over Elon.

R-Jr. OL Joe Sculthorpe, N.C. State (2016 Topsail grad): Started at left guard and helped the Wolfpack finish with 505 yards of total offense in a 34-6 win over ECU on Saturday.

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

***Full list of area cross country runners in college***

Sr. Graham Parker, UNC Asheville (2015 Hoggard grad): Finished 15th with a time of 26:22.30 in the 8K race at the Covered Bridge Open in Boone on Friday.

Jr. Ben Schmidt, Montreat (2017 Hoggard grad): At Friday’s season opening race at the Warren Wilson Invitational, Schmidt finished second in 16:29.67.

R-Jr. Robinson Snider, Mississippi (2016 Hoggard grad): Helped the Rebels earn a second-place team finish by placing fifth with a career-best time of 20:01.95 in the four-mile race at the Memphis Twilight at Christian Brothers University on Saturday night.

Jr. Clint Turbeville, Coastal Christian (2017 Coastal Christian grad): Finished 28th with a time of 13:45 at the season-opening Liberty Challenge on Friday.

Coastal Christian graduate Clint Turbeville now runs cross country at Lynchburg. [Lynchburg Athletics]

R-Fr. Jamie Witmer, Mississippi (2018 Hoggard grad): In his first meet with the Rebels, Witmer finished 11th with a four mile time of 20:47.61 at Saturday’s Memphis Twilight.

MEN’S SOCCER

***Full list of area men’s soccer players in college***

Fr. F Cameron Thayer, Winthrop (2019 Hoggard grad): Registered his first collegiate assist in the 38th minute in a 2-0 victory over VMI on Friday.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

***Full list of area women’s soccer players in college***

Jr. MF/F Tess Cairney, Appalachian State (2017 Ashley grad): Scored just 35 seconds into the match to lead the Mountaineers cruise to a 6-0 victory over UNC Asheville on Sunday.

Fr. MF Parker Ormsby, Campbell (2019 Laney grad): In her first career collegiate match on Aug. 25, Ormsby was instrumental in helping the Camels rally to earn a 3-3 draw against UNC Greensboro. She scored from 28-yards out in the 84th minute and then assisted on the tying goal in the 88th minute.

VOLLEYBALL

***Full list of area volleyball players in college***

Fr. S Julianna Askew, North Florida (2019 Ashley grad): In her first collegiate match, Askew dished out 24 assists and added four digs, two kills and two aces in a 3-0 victory over Charleston Southern. She finished the week with 70 assists, 10 kills, 10 digs and five aces and also hit a remarkable .412 in three matches.

Ashley graduate Julianna Askew now plays volleyball at North Florida. [Tim Hower/Coastal Preps]

Soph. OH Sydney Fox, Brevard (2018 South Brunswick grad): Put down 16 kills to go along with 20 digs in three straight set losses.

Soph. OH/RS Sarah Shropshire, Averett (2018 Laney grad): In three matches, Shropshire finished with 22 kills, 16 digs and seven blocks. She had a double-double of 12 kills and 11 digs in a season-opening loss to Bob Jones.