Shining at the Next Level: October 23, 2023

Cover photo of Francis Meehan courtesy of James Madison Athletics

New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Bladen and Columbus counties produce a large number of athletes that continue their careers at the next level. Throughout the 2023-24 school year, I’ll be posting a list of area athletes who are finding success in the college and professional ranks.

FOOTBALL

Professional

Defensive end Alex Highsmith, Pittsburgh Steelers (2015 Ashley grad): After signing a contract extension in the offseason, Highsmith has gotten off to a good start with 21 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception return for a touchdown in six games. 

College

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

Sr. running back Kwesi Clarke, Randolph-Macon (2020 North Brunswick grad): Clarke has 57 carries for 396 yards and 11 TDs for the Yellow Jackets, who are unbeaten through seven games.  

Jr. kicker Owen Daffer, N.C. A&T (2020 New Hanover grad): In his first season with the Aggies, Daffer has made 8 of 9 extra points and 7 of 10 field goals with a long of 43 yards. 

Gr. linebacker Monchovia Gaffney, Campbell (2018 Whiteville grad): Had a huge performance on Sept. 23 in a 28-24 loss to Elon by finishing with 10 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception. On the season, Gaffney has 47 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, in seven games.

Jr. defensive back Chad Hollar, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (2021 Hoggard grad): On the season, Hollar has 32 tackles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery in seven games. 

Fr. wide receiver Desmond Lee, N.C. Wesleyan (2023 Topsail grad): Lee has hauled in 10 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown through his first five collegiate games.

Sr. linebacker William McRainey, Gardner-Webb (2020 West Brunswick grad): Recorded a season-high 14 tackles on Oct. 21 against Eastern Kentucky to reach double digit tackles for the fourth time in seven games. McRainey has 65 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception on the season. 

R-Sr. safety Francis Meehan, James Madison (2018 New Hanover grad): Meehan has been excellent for the 7-0 Dukes, who are ranked No. 25 in the AP poll. He has 25 tackles and a team-best three interceptions.

Fr. wide receiver Connor Powe, Contra Costa (2022 Laney grad): Has caught nine passes for 228 yards and three TDs in five games for the Comets.

Sr. defensive lineman Quincy Robinson, Bluefield (2020 Ashley grad): Team leader in tackles with 49 through seven contests. Robinson also has 8.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

Jr. defensive back Cameron Smith, Memphis (2018 Whiteville grad): Smith currently has 24 tackles and a pair of interceptions through seven games.

R-Fr. linebacker Brandon Tyson, Elon (2022 Whiteville grad): Has gotten off to a great start with the Phoenix by recording 51 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, in eight games. Tyson had a career-high 14 tackles at Villanova on Oct. 14.

Sr. safety Alfahiym Walcott, Arkansas (2018 Laney grad): Through eight games, Walcott has 37 tackles and one interception. The interception came in the first quarter of the team’s 7-3 loss to Mississippi State on Oct. 21.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

College

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

Fr. goalkeeper Maleah Bainer, Cape Fear Community College (2021 Ashley grad): Bainer has been instrumental in getting CFCC off to a 10-0-1 start. She has started eight games and allowed only four goals in 675 minutes while racking up 31 saves.

Jr. midfielder/forward Daysha Chaney, UNC Asheville (2021 North Brunswick grad): Has scored four goals on 16 shots for the Bulldogs, who are currently 7-5-4.

Soph. defender Taylor Chism, N.C. State (2022 Laney grad): In each of the past nine contests, Chism has not come off the field. She has made 14 starts and played a total of 1,282 minutes in 16 matches. 

Soph. goalkeeper Allie Fox, Meredith (2022 Hoggard grad): Through five matches and 199 minutes, Fox has yet to concede a goal. Over that time, she has stopped all 14 shots she has faced.

Fr. forward Sarah Smith, Cape Fear Community College (2022 Laney grad): Has scored one goal and handed out six assists through 11 matches for the Sea Devils.

Fr. midfielder/defender Chloe Wright, Oklahoma State (2022 Laney grad): Wright has started 16 of 18 matches and has played the fifth-most minutes on the team (1,276).

Fr. defender Ellie Zimmerman, Pacific (2023 Ashley grad): In her first season on the West Coast, Zimmerman has started all 17 games and played 1,202 minutes, which is the fourth most on the team.

MEN’S SOCCER

College

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

Gr. goalkeeper Al Cavagnaro, Roanoke (2019 New Hanover grad): Cavagnaro has conceded just four goals in 310 minutes of action. Over that time, he’s also made 10 saves.

Soph. goalkeeper Alejandro Sepulveda, Cape Fear Community College (2022 Ashley grad): In 816 minutes of action, Sepulveda has made 55 saves and allowed only 12 goals for a 1.32 goals against average.

Fr. midfielder Alex Walker, Presbyterian (2023 Laney grad): Has played the fourth-most minutes on the team (946) and has one goal and two assists through 13 matches.

VOLLEYBALL

College

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

Sr. setter Julianna Askew, East Carolina (2019 Ashley grad): Has handed out 370 assists in 71 sets (5.21 per set), while also hitting .515 with 38 kills on 66 attempts with just four errors. Askew has served 24 aces and come up with 126 digs.

Soph. setter Savannah Cook, Florida International (2022 Ashley grad): Received Conference USA Setter of the Week honor on Oct. 23 after combining for 74 assists in a pair of matches. On the season, Cook has 565 assists in 58 sets (9.74 per set) to go along with 32 kills, 92 digs and 23 blocks.

Fr. outside hitter Grace Covington, Wake Tech (2023 Southeastern Homeschool grad): Has put down 132 kills and added 154 digs in 72 sets for the Eagles.

Sr. middle Emily Crescenzi, Florida Southern (2020 Ashley grad): Through 64 sets, Crescenzi has registered 70 blocks and put down 51 kills.

Jr. setter Jasmin Goei, Charleston (2021 Ashley grad): Is averaging a career-best 5.98 assists per set (299 assists in 50 sets). Goei also has 75 digs and 19 kills.

Jr. outside hitter Jordan Juanes, William Peace (2021 Laney grad): Has a hitting percentage of .240 with 77 kills, 221 digs and 35 aces on the season.

Fr. setter Mack Murnane, U.S. Coast Guard Academy (2023 Laney grad): Handed out a career-high 35 assists in a four-set victory over Wheaton on Sept. 26. Murnane has 100 assists in 22 sets (4.55 per set) as well as 41 digs.

Fr. outside hitter Sophia Smallwood, Wake Tech (2023 Topsail grad): Leads Wake Tech in total kills (154) and aces (41) though 21 matches. Smallwood is hitting .256 and also has 85 digs.

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

College

***Full list of area men’s cross country runners in college***

Soph. Luis Hernandez-Perez, Wingate (2020 Trask grad): Finished as the runner-up at the South Atlantic Conference Championships with an 8K time of 23:03.57 to help the Bulldogs earn a third consecutive title.

Jr. Zachary Knott, Belmont Abbey (2021 Hoggard grad): Placed 10th place at the Conference Carolinas Championships on Oct. 21 with an 8K time of 25:40.50 to help the Crusaders finish as the runner-up behind UNC Pembroke.

R-Jr. Jack Phieffer, UNC Pembroke (2020 South Brunswick grad): Helped UNC Pembroke claim its second consecutive Conference Carolinas championship by finishing as the runner-up with a personal-best 8K time of 24:55.10. 

Fr. Luke Ward, UNC Greensboro (2022 Hoggard grad): Finished in ninth place with time of 25:46.80 on the 8K course at McAlpine Park in Charlotte on Sept. 16.

Jr. Andrew Whitehead, Catawba (2021 Hoggard grad): Had an 8K time of 24:18.50 at the South Atlantic Conference Championships to finish 23rd out of 107 runners. 

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

College

***Full list of area women’s cross country runners in college***

Fr. Olivia Bufalini, Pittsburgh (2023 Laney grad): Finished third in her first career race with a 5K time of 17:31.50 at the Panther Invitational on Sept. 1.

Soph. Sophie Lundin, UNC Asheville (2022 New Hanover grad): Was ninth out of 71 runners in the season-opening 4K meet at Young Harris on Sept. 1. Lundin crossed the finish line in a time of 16:09.

Fr. Kaitlyn Obremski, Appalachian State (2023 Topsail grad): In her first collegiate race on Sept. 1, Obremski finished sixth on the 5K course with a time 18:07.52.

Jr. Paige Phillips, U.S. Coastal Guard Academy (2021 Hoggard grad): Has earned top-15 finishes in the past three meets, including a third-place finish at Lehigh on Sept. 30 with a 6K time of 22:18.10. She lowered that time to 21:45.70 to place 13th out of 208 runners at Connecticut College on Oct. 14.