Shining at the Next Level: September 16-22, 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 morning.
FOOTBALL
***Full list of area football players in college***
Sr. QB Burke Estes, Randolph-Macon (2016 New Hanover grad): Led the Yellow Jackets to a second straight three-point victory by completing 10 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner from 53 yards out with 7:51 to play. Estes also found the end zone on a 2-yard run early in the fourth quarter.
Jr. OL Alex Halkias, Randolph-Macon (2017 Hoggard grad): Again started at left guard and helped Randolph-Macon accumulate 371 yards of total offense and 16 first downs in a 20-17 win over Emory & Henry.
R-Sr. DE Alex Highsmith, Charlotte (2015 Ashley grad): In a showdown against No. 1 Clemson on Saturday night, Highsmith made three tackles, including an 11-yard sack. It was his fifth sack of the season, which ties him for a school record with eight regular season contests still remaining.
R-Sr. FB Daniel McRainey, Wingate (2015 West Brunswick grad): Starting fullback helped open up holes and lead the No. 19 Bulldogs to 271 rushing yards on 47 carries in Saturday’s 30-28 comeback win over Carson-Newman.
West Brunswick graduate Daniel McRainey now plays football at Wingate. [Wingate Athletics]
Jr. WR Imeek Watkins, Chowan (2017 Laney grad): In Saturday’s 48-47 overtime loss to Shaw, Watkins hauled in five catches for 59 yards. He also had 17 rushing yards on two carries.
MEN’S SOCCER
***Full list of area men’s soccer players in college***
Fr. MF/F Walker Henderson, Mars Hill (2019 Coastal Christian grad): Scored his first collegiate goal less than two minutes into Wednesday’s match against Lenoir-Rhyne.
Coastal Christian graduate Walker Henderson now plays soccer at Mars Hill. [Mars Hill Athletics]
WOMEN’S SOCCER
***Full list of area women’s soccer players in college***
Jr. MF/F Tess Cairney, Appalachian State (2017 Ashley grad): Helped the Mountaineers earn a 3-0 home win over Wofford on Saturday by scoring the final goal in the 81st minute.
Fr. D Sabine Felix, Chowan (2019 Laney grad): Played all 200 minutes in a pair of contests against UNC Pembroke (2-1 loss on Wednesday) and at Southern Wesleyan (2-2 tie on Sunday).
Soph. MF Karen Juarez, Queens (2018 Hoggard grad): Started and played 84 minutes and put a pair of shots on goal in Wednesday’s 1-0 victory at Catawba.
Sr. GK Hannah Wagner, Salem (2016 Hoggard grad): Went 2-0-1 in net by making 16 saves and allowing only one goal. She had a clean sheet with three saves at Brevard on Tuesday (1-0 win) and at made six saves in a 2-0 home victory over Emory & Henry on Thursday.
VOLLEYBALL
***Full list of area volleyball players in college***
Fr. S Julianna Askew, North Florida (2019 Ashley grad): The NCAA Division I leader in total assists (496) finished with 163 in four matches. Askew had her first career triple-double with 42 assists, 10 kills and 10 digs while also adding four blocks in a five-set loss at Mississippi State on Thursday.
Soph. MB/RS Georgia Davis, King (2018 Wilmington Christian Academy grad): In matches at Belmont Abbey on Friday and Mount Olive on Saturday, Davis had 13 digs, 11 kills, four blocks and one ace.
R-Fr. S Samantha Luscher, Appalachian State (2018 Ashley grad): Played three sets and finished with a career-high 29 assists and seven digs in Friday’s four-set loss to Winthrop.
Ashley graduate Samantha Luscher now plays volleyball at Appalachian State. [Appalachian State Athletics]
Soph. OH/RS Sarah Shropshire, Averett (2018 Laney grad): Hit. 357 with a season-high 14 kills on 29 attempts with only four errors in a four-set victory over Lynchburg on Wednesday. Shropshire also finished with four digs and three blocks. In a pair of losses on Saturday, she had nine kills, six digs and two blocks.
Jr. OH/RS Ashlynn Willoughby, Ferrum (2017 Laney grad): In Thursday’s five-set victory over Mary Baldwin, Willoughby put down a season-high 13 kills on 20 swings with only two errors for a hitting percentage of .550 in three sets. In two matches Sunday, she had 18 kills, six blocks, five digs and four assists.
