Shining at the Next Level: October 21-27, 2019
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.
FOOTBALL
***Full list of area football players in college***
R-Sr. DE Alex Highsmith, Charlotte (2015 Ashley grad): Had a season-high nine tackles, including 2.5 for loss, in Saturday’s 39-38 comeback win over North Texas.
R-Jr. LB Jordan Howard, UNC Pembroke (2016 North Brunswick grad): In Saturday’s 23-20 loss at Tusculum, Howard tied for a team-high with seven tackles, including 1.5 for loss. He also had a pass breakup.
Hoggard graduate Josh Jones now plays football at UNC Pembroke. [UNCP Athletics]
Jr. WR Imeek Watkins, Chowan (2017 Laney grad): Hauled in five catches for 39 yards and two touchdowns to help the Hawks earn a 49-41 home victory over Elizabeth City State.
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
***Full list of area men’s cross country runners in college***
Jr. Ben Schmidt, Montreat (2017 Hoggard grad): Finished third with a time of 15:16.50 on the 5K course at the Dual on the Tweetsie in Elizabethton, Tenn. on Friday.
MEN’S SOCCER
***Full list of area men’s soccer players in college***
Soph. F Conley Burk, Bob Jones (2018 Wilmington Christian Academy grad): Played a season-high 67 minutes and scored his fourth goal of the season in the 48th minute in a 3-1 loss to St. Andrews on Tuesday.
Soph. MF Tyler Keser, Cape Fear CC (2018 Laney grad): Scored the team’s lone goal in Wednesday’s 8-1 loss to Louisburg.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
***Full list of area women’s soccer players in college***
Sr. MF/F Baley Edwards, UNCW (2016 Laney grad): Put home her first goal of the season in the 50th minute to help the Seahawks pick up a 2-0 home victory over James Madison on Thursday.
Soph. GK Delaney Mitchell, Towson (2018 Cape Fear Academy grad): Played all 90 minutes and made four saves in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over College of Charleston.
Fr. MF Parker Ormsby, Campbell (2019 Laney grad): Headed home her fourth goal of the season off a corner kick in the 29th minute to lead the Camels to a 5-1 win over Hampton on Saturday.
Sr. F Anna Rae Porcelli, Greensboro (2016 Laney grad): Played 55 minutes and dished out an assist in Saturday’s 2-0 home victory over N.C. Wesleyan.
Fr. MF Lina Vasquez, Cape Fear CC (2019 Laney grad): In Saturday’s 1-1 draw against USC Salkehatchie, Vasquez scored CFCC’s lone goal in the 49th minute.
Hoggard graduate Hannah Wagner now plays soccer at Salem. [Salem Athletics]
VOLLEYBALL
***Full list of area volleyball players in college***
Fr. S Julianna Askew, North Florida (2019 Ashley grad): In Atlantic Sun Conference matches against Stetson (3-2 loss on Friday) and Kennesaw State (3-1 win on Sunday), Askew finished with 101 assists, 17 digs, six kills and five blocks. She had her second double-double of the season against Stetson, finishing with 57 assists and 12 digs.
R-Fr. S Samantha Luscher, Appalachian State (2018 Ashley grad): Saw action in all five sets and finished with 20 assists and five digs in a home defeat against Texas State on Sunday.
Soph. OH/RS Sarah Shropshire, Averett (2018 Laney grad): Helped the Cougars go 3-1 on the week by putting down 46 kills to go along with 50 digs and six blocks, five aces and four assists in 15 total sets. She had double-doubles against Salem on Tuesday (16 kills and 15 digs) and William Peace on Saturday (12 kills and 21 digs).
Soph. DS/L Samantha Stanko, Presbyterian (2018 Coastal Christian grad): Finished with a career-high eight digs in a sweep against Gardner-Webb on Saturday.
