Shining at the Next Level: September 9-15, 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. OL Kerin Castillo, Catawba (2015 New Hanover grad): Started at left tackle and helped the Indians accumulate 314 yards of total offense in a dramatic 21-14 victory over Winston-Salem State on Saturday. Catawba scored with 33 seconds left and converted the two-point conversion.

Sr. QB Burke Estes, Randolph-Macon (2016 New Hanover grad): Completed 13 of 20 pass for 250 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for 36 yards in Saturday’s 30-27 comeback victory over Averett. The Yellow Jackets trailed 27-9 after three quarters.

Soph. DL McKenzie Frazier, Louisburg (2018 Hoggard grad): Finished with four tackles, including one for a loss, in Saturday’s 21-20 overtime loss to Nassau CC.

Jr. OL Alex Halkias, Randolph-Macon (2017 Hoggard grad): Starter at left guard helped the Yellow Jackets finish with 510 yards of total offense in Saturday’s 30-27 victory over Averett. Randolph-Macon scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:14 remaining.

R-Sr. DE Alex Highsmith, Charlotte (2015 Ashley grad): Made five tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and had a quarterback hurry in Saturday’s 52-17 home victory over Massachusetts.

Soph. QB Josh Jones, UNC Pembroke (2018 Hoggard grad): Connected on 16 of 32 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 25 yards in a 35-16 loss at Virginia State.

R-Sr. FB Daniel McRainey, Wingate (2015 West Brunswick grad): Started at fullback and helped the Bulldogs finish with 249 rushing yards on 52 attempts in a 34-24 win at Fayetteville State.

Soph. P Michael Rivers, N.C. A&T (2018 North Brunswick grad): Punted eight times for an average of 40.5 yards and put one inside the 20 to help the Aggies earn a 27-21 road victory at Charleston Southern.

Fr. LB DeVaughn Shepard, Methodist (2019 Laney grad): Collected his first three collegiate tackles in Saturday’s season-opening 19-14 loss against Guilford.

Jr. DL Taye Vereen, UNC Pembroke (2017 West Brunswick grad): In Saturday’s loss at Virginia State, Vereen made four solo tackles.

Jr. TE Garrett Walston, UNC (2016 New Hanover grad): Caught a two-point conversion midway through the fourth quarter in Friday night’s 24-18 loss at Wake Forest.

Jr. WR Imeek Watkins, Chowan (2017 Laney grad): Broke a single-game school record by hauling in five touchdown catches in a lopsided 70-16 victory over Alderson Broaddus on Saturday. Watkins finished with seven catches for 185 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 second at Saturday’s dual against Montreat with a time of 15:13 on the 5K course.

R-Jr. Robinson Snider, Mississippi (2016 Hoggard grad): Set a new personal record time of 25:20.8 to finish 32nd at Saturday’s 8K Commodore Classic in Nashville, Tenn. The Rebels placed fourth as a team.

Jr. Clint Turbeville, Lynchburg (2017 Coastal Christian grad): Finished 30th with a time of 26:59.2 on the 8K course at the Roanoke Invitational. The Hornets were second as a team.

R-Fr. Jamie Witmer, Mississippi (2018 Hoggard grad): Finished the 8K course at the Commodore Classic in a personal best time of 26:06.4 to finish 72nd and help the Rebels place fourth as a team.

MEN’S SOCCER

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

Soph. MF Travis Cotton, Cape Fear CC (2018 Ashley grad): Scored an unassisted goal in the 68th minute during Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to Richard Bland.

Fr. D Justin Lashin, Cape Fear CC (2019 Topsail grad): Dished out an assist in the 70th minute to even the score at 2-2 in Wednesday’s match against Richard Bland that the Sea Devils ultimately lost 4-3 in overtime.

Fr. MF Moss Lewis, USC Upstate (2019 New Hanover grad): Headed home his first career goal in the 21st minute to lead USC Upstate to a 2-0 victory over Stetson on Sunday.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

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

Soph. MF/D Kiley Barr, Francis Marion (2018 Hoggard grad): Assisted on the team’s lone goal in the 83rd minute of Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Catawba.

Jr. MF/F Tess Cairney, Appalachian State (2017 Ashley grad): Played all 90 minutes and had a shot in Friday’s 2-1 home victory over Florida International.

Soph. MF Karen Juarez, Queens (2018 Hoggard grad): Played 80 minutes and registered three shots on goal in a 2-0 victory at Clayton State on Sunday.

Sr. F Anna Rae Porcelli, Greensboro College (2016 Laney grad): Had an assist in the 47th minute to help the Pride pick up a 5-0 home win over Marymount, Va. on Saturday.

Jr. F Siara Southerland, Campbell (2017 Hoggard grad): Scored her first goal of the season in the 74th minute to help the Camels earn a 4-0 win over Wofford on Sunday.

Fr. MF Lina Vasquez, Cape Fear CC (2019 Laney grad): Dished out an assist in the 24th minute during Wednesday’s 7-0 victory over Richard Bland.

VOLLEYBALL

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

Fr. S Julianna Askew, North Florida (2019 Ashley grad): Tied a school record with 70 assists in a five-set loss against Florida International on Saturday. She also had season highs in digs (10) and blocks (6). In four matches, Askew had 188 assists, 22 digs, 11 blocks, 11 kills, three aces.

Fr. MB/RS Carson Fuller, Coker (2019 Coastal Christian grad): In a four-set loss to Anderson, S.C. on Saturday, Fuller hit .500 with six kills and four blocks.

Soph. RS/MB Taylor Long, Cape Fear CC (2018 Ashley grad): Guided the Sea Devils to a home victory over Lenoir CC on Thursday by registering six kills, three blocks, three digs and one ace.

Jr. DS Madie Schider, Hillsdale (2017 Hoggard grad): In four victories, Schider had 47 digs.

Soph. OH/RS Sarah Shropshire, Averett (2018 Laney grad): Helped Averett earn a pair of victories by finishing with 23 kills and 10 digs in nine sets.

Fr. OH Cassie Taylor, Cape Fear CC (2019 Wilmington Christian Academy grad): In Thursday’s sweep over Lenoir CC, Taylor had nine kills, two aces and two blocks.

Soph. DS/L Callie Weaver, Cape Fear CC (2018 Coastal Christian grad): Served four aces and finished with eight digs in a three-set victory over Lenoir CC on Thursday.