Shining at the Next Level: September 30-October 6, 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***

Jr. OL Alex Halkias, Randolph-Macon (2017 Hoggard grad): Starting left guard was instrumental in helping the Yellow Jackets pick up 17 first downs and accumulate 299 yards of total offense in a win over Guilford.

R-Jr. LB Jordan Howard, UNC Pembroke (2016 North Brunswick grad): Tied for a team-high in tackles with seven and also had a fumble recovery in a 69-18 loss at Carson-Newman.

Fr. S Cade Jones, Randolph-Macon (2019 Ashley grad): Made his first career start and came up with his first five collegiate tackles in Saturday’s 34-21 win at Guilford.

Jr. TE Garrett Walston, North Carolina (2016 New Hanover grad): Hauled in her first career touchdown catch, a 16-yarder with 9:53 left in the fourth quarter, to help the Tar Heels earn a 38-22 victory over Georgia Tech. Walston finished with two catches for 29 yards.

Jr. WR Imeek Watkins, Chowan (2017 Laney grad): In Saturday’s lopsided 66-20 loss at Fayetteville State, Watkins scored on a 10-yard run in the first quarter. He finished with 32 rushing yards, 26 receiving yards and 68 kickoff return yards.

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

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

Sr. Graham Parker, UNC Asheville (2015 Hoggard grad): Crossed the finish line in 25:30.10 to earn a 169th-place finish in the Gold 8k race at Saturday’s Louisville Classic that featured 373 participants.  

Jr. Ben Schmidt, Montreat (2017 Hoggard grad): Finished 122nd in the field of 373 in the Gold 8k race at the Louisville Classic with a time of 25:11.40.

R-Fr. Jamie Witmer, Mississippi (2018 Hoggard grad): Placed 57th out of 114 in the open 5-mile race at the Joe Piane Invitational at Notre Dame on Thursday.

MEN’S SOCCER

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

Soph. F Conley Burk, Bob Jones (2018 Wilmington Christian Academy grad): Scored in the 66th minute to help the Bruins secure a 6-0 road win over Johnson (Tenn.) on Wednesday.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

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

Soph. GK Delaney Mitchell, Towson (2018 Cape Fear Academy grad): In Sunday’s 1-0 loss to UNCW, Mitchell made four saves while playing all 90 minutes.

Fr. MF Parker Ormsby, Campbell (2019 Laney grad): Had her first two-goal game by finding the back of the net in the 24th and 61st minutes in Saturday’s dominant 5-0 victory at USC Upstate.

Sr. F Anna Rae Porcelli, Greensboro (2016 Laney grad): Assisted on the first goal in the 16th minute in a 4-1 victory at Averett on Tuesday.

Soph. D/F Haley Shand, Charlotte (2018 Laney grad): Tied the game at 1-1 with an unassisted goal in the 59th minute in Thursday’s match at Western Kentucky that ultimately ended up being a 3-2 overtime win.

Sr. GK Hannah Wagner, Salem (2016 Hoggard grad): Played 70 minutes in goal and stopped the only shot she faced to share the clean sheet during Tuesday’s 3-0 road win over Meredith.

VOLLEYBALL

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

Fr. S Julianna Askew, North Florida (2019 Ashley grad): In a pair of three-set contests, Askew had 54 assists, nine digs, five kills, two blocks and two aces. 

Sr. MB Madi Ford, Limestone (2016 Topsail grad): Finished with five kills, four digs, four blocks and two assists in a four-set victory over Mount Olive on Tuesday.

Soph. MB Bethany Henry, Virginia State (2018 Hoggard grad): Hit an impressive .545 with six kills on 11 swings without an error to help the Trojans sweep Johnson C. Smith on Saturday. 

Soph. RS/MB Taylor Long, Cape Fear CC (2018 Ashley grad): In Thursday’s home win over Bryant & Stratton, Long finished with five kills on eight swings with only one error for a hitting percentage of .500.

Soph. OH/RS Sarah Shropshire, Averett (2018 Laney grad): Helped the Cougars go 3-1 by finishing with 44 kills in 13 sets and hitting .348. Shropshire also had 12 blocks and seven digs. Her best match came in a four-set victory over Salem on Tuesday when she it .448 with 16 kills, six blocks and four digs.

Fr. RS/MB Emily Steyskal, Cape Fear CC (2019 Hoggard grad): Put down five kills in Thursday’s sweep over Bryant & Stratton. 

Soph. DS/L Callie Weaver (2018 Coastal Christian grad): Led the Sea Devils with eight digs and also served an ace in a three-set victory over Bryant & Stratton on Thursday.