High School Sports

Northern Athletic all-conference teams, 2017-18

By J. Mike Blake
Wake Forest Cougars running back Devon Lawrence, left, breaks to the outside on a run against the Mallard Creek Mavericks during fourth quarter action of the 4AA Football State Championship game at BB&T Field on the campus of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on Saturday, December 9, 2017. Wake Forest defeated Mallard Creek 21-0.
Wake Forest Cougars running back Devon Lawrence, left, breaks to the outside on a run against the Mallard Creek Mavericks during fourth quarter action of the 4AA Football State Championship game at BB&T Field on the campus of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on Saturday, December 9, 2017. Wake Forest defeated Mallard Creek 21-0. Jeff Siner jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

The Northern Athletic Conference has announced its all-conference lists and player and coach of the year awards in all sports.

Conference champions were:

▪ Football - Wake Forest

▪ Boys Soccer - Heritage (regular season and tournament)

▪ Volleyball - Wakefield (regular season and tournament)

▪ Boys Cross Country - Wake Forest

▪ Girls Cross Country - Wake Forest

▪ Girls Tennis - Rolesville

▪ Girls Golf - Wakefield

▪ Boys Basketball - Heritage (regular season and tournament)

▪ Girls Basketball - Heritage (regular season and tournament)

▪ Wrestling - Wake Forest

▪ Boys Swimming - Corinth Holders

▪ Girls Swimming - Corinth Holders

▪ Baseball - Wake Forest (regular season and tournament)

▪ Softball - Heritage (regular season and tournament)

▪ Girls Soccer - Heritage (tournament: Wakefield)

▪ Boys Lacrosse - Wakefield

▪ Girls Lacrosse - East Chapel Hill*

▪ Boys Track and Field - Rolesville

▪ Girls Track and Field - Rolesville

▪ Boys Tennis - Wakefield and Wake Forest (Wake Forest won playoff seeding tiebreaker)

▪ Boys Golf - Corinth Holders

*The NAC-6 combines with the Big 8 3A and Mid-State 2A to form a girls lacrosse conference.

BASEBALL

Player of the Year: Caleb McRoy, Wakefield

Pitcher of the Year: Cuyler O’Neill, Wake Forest

Co-Rookie of the Year: Isaac Williams, Wake Forest & Chris Katz, Heritage

Coach of the Year: Mike Joyner, Wake Forest

All-Conference:

Wake Forest: Travis Voelker, Gage French, Grayson Joyner, Davis Powell, Connor Loeffler, Khalil Watson, Isaac Williams, Cuyler O’Neill. Heritage: Chris Katz, Vito Patierno, Cole Cunningham, Jalen Hollins, Ryan Walters. Wakefield: Caleb McRoy, Zach Lyon, Caleb Keith, Jake Dacunto, Isaiah Willett. Corinth Holders: Cody Cyr, Tanner Smith. Rolesville: Spencer Hicks, Spencer Faulkner. Knightdale: Quaseen Davis

Honorable Mention:

Wake Forest: Josh Copeland, Aidan Brown, Kyle Wilson, Hogan Stallings. Heritage: Cameron O'Brian. Wakefield: Nick Martin, Trexler Ivey, Nolan Murray. Corinth Holders: Conner Bass, Carson Sakowski, Ty Cummings. Rolesville: Ras Ran Amon, Andrew Guile, Daniel Stevens. Knightdale: Dyllan Baranchak.

Wake Forest head coach Mike Joyner during Wake Forest's baseball game at Heritage on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Heritage won the game 9-4.
Wake Forest head coach Mike Joyner during Wake Forest's baseball game at Heritage on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Heritage won the game 9-4. Ray Black III newsobserver.com

SOFTBALL

Player of the Year: Imani Rochelle, Heritage

Pitcher of the Year: Raygan Rensing, Heritage

Co-Rookie of the Year: Alani Horton, Knightdale & Alyssa Henault, Wake Forest

Coach of the Year: Brittany Owens, Wake Forest

All-Conference:

Heritage: Grace Valchar, Kennedy Preist, Cassidy Henault, Georgeanna Barefoot, Ashley Gontram, Ashley Ferguson. Wake Forest: Summer Harvey, Ramsey Schlafer, JaNesa Robinson, Blakely Powell. Rolesville: Mary Elaine Murdock, Summer Howerton, Hannah Escala, Kaitlyn Seagraves. Corinth Holders: Shanan Hester, Rebecca Parker, Brooke Davis, Kylie Keon. Wakefield: Peris Pavlinac.

Honorable Mention: Chloe Plesset (Heritage); Karlee Harrington (Heritage); Elena Lewis (Wake Forest); Makayla Thomas (Rolesville); Samantha Paw (Rolesville); Hailey Allen (Corinth Holders).

Heritage’s Raygan Rensing (5) delivers the pitch to the plate in 2018.
Heritage’s Raygan Rensing (5) delivers the pitch to the plate in 2018. Carl Copeland newobserver.com

GIRLS SOCCER

Co-Player of the Year: Hayley Boyles, Heritage & Kaitlyn Bouck, Wakefield

Coach of the Year: C.J. Komons, Wakefield

All-Conference:

Heritage: Hayley Boyles, Teresa Hupp, Riley Quinlan, Olivia Neal, Keely Bowen, Brittany Kropp, Regan Meyer. Wakefield: Kaitlyn Bouck, Sam Francis, Jeanna Freeman, Ashley Skinner, Caroline Wright. Corinth Holders: Carolina Solis, Rylee Bays, Lindy Morgan, Alexis Ayers. Wake Forest: Hannah Dion, Allison Gauley, Ashley Finn. Rolesville: Shea Evans, Mya Gonzalez. Knightdale: Kate Ward.

Wakefield's Kaitlyn Bouck (2) kicks the ball goalward during the Sanderson Spartan high school soccer game with the Wakefield Wolverines high school , March 16, 2017, in Raleigh , N.C.
Wakefield's Kaitlyn Bouck (2) kicks the ball goalward during the Sanderson Spartan high school soccer game with the Wakefield Wolverines high school , March 16, 2017, in Raleigh , N.C. Johnny Johnson newsobserver.com

BOYS LACROSSE

Player of the Year: Kevin Ritter, Wakefield

Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Connor Pirrung, Wakefield & Dominic Manzo, Heritage

Defensive Player of the Year: Micheal Menaro, Heritage

Coach of the Year: Derin Vacca, Wakefield

Co-Assistant Coach of the Year: Toney Delucia, Heritage & Bruce Trimble, Wake Forest

All-Conference:

First Team: (Attack) Kevin Ritter, Wakefield; Grant Cartledge, Corinth Holders; Dominic Manzo, Heritage; Keelan Senica, Heritage; (Middie) Connor Santos, Wakefield; Connor Pirrung, Wakefield; Brooks Long, Wake Forest; Ryan Cornelle, Heritage; (Defense) Ryan Santos, Wakefield; Jack Graber, Wake Forest; David Weeks, Heritage; (LSM) Micheal Manaro, Heritage; (D-mid) Collin Little, Heritage; (FOGO) Nick Fields, Heritage; Jarret Novak, Wakefield; (Goalie) Griffin Broad, Wakefield.

Second Team: (Attack) Austin Patrey, Wakefield; Ian Howard, Wake Forest; Colin Speer, Wake Forest; Justin Kwiatek, Heritage; (Middie) Austin Julian, Wake Forest; Cole Pirrung, Wakefield; Tyler King, Heritage; (Defense) Lucas Crenshaw, Wakefield; Garret Nelson, Heritage; Camryn Snow, Corinth Holders; (LSM) R.J. Raby, Rolesville; (D-mid) Iain Moede, Heritage.

Third Team: (Attack) Collin Cregan, Corinth Holders; Blake Bennett, Wake Forest; Lance Bradley, Wake Forest; (Middie) Jackson Hackney, Wake Forest; Cole Canterbury, Corinth Holders; Tommy Petruccione, Wakefield; (Defense) Sammy Walters, Wakefield; Lemuel Vardy, Corinth Holders; Connor Fussa, Heritage; (LSM) Ben Luther, Wakefield; (D-mid) Sam Barbarawi, Wake Forest.

Honorable Mention: Jacob Remoe, Corinth Holders; Colby Thomas, Wake Forest; Luke Pirrung, Wakefield; Sean Neu, Wake Forest; Eli Leeworthy, Corinth Holders; Hunter Clark, Corinth Holders; Jordan Atwater, Wake Forest; Grayson Gall, Corinth Holders; Justin Decooman, Wakefield; Hunter Bobrick, Wakefield; Michael Rodriguez, Corinth Holders; Nick Proffitt, Rolesville.

Wakefield's Kevin Ritter ( (11) celebrates his goal. The Apex Cougars visited the Wakefield Wolverines in a high school Blax game on May 8, 2018 in Raleigh, N.C. 27604.
Wakefield's Kevin Ritter ( (11) celebrates his goal. The Apex Cougars visited the Wakefield Wolverines in a high school Blax game on May 8, 2018 in Raleigh, N.C. 27604.

GIRLS LACROSSE*

Player of the Year: Shannon Wulff, Chapel Hill

Goalie of the Year: Millenia Crespo, Wake Forest

Rookie of the Year: Talia Zuco, East Chapel Hill

Coach of the Year: Jessica-Claire Jones, East Chapel Hill

All-Conference:

East Chapel Hill: Talia Zuco, Maya Levin, Olivia Jenkins, Flynn Reed, Shoshana Halev, Riley Wernoski, Kyndra Miller-Greene. Chapel Hill: Shannon Wulff, Alleigh Kempf, Anne Crabill, Aoi Nakanishi, Katherine DeHart, Sam Breschi. Wake Forest: Hannah Mae Ayers, Olivia John, Grace Whitcomb, Morgan Probasco, Millenia Crespo. Heritage: Maggie Clark, Caroline Savage, Sydney Garff, Madison Bradley, Georgia Callahan. Wakefield: Andee Abrams, Jenna Chitla, Mary Butler, Meredith Mann, Brennan Elms. Carrboro: Mackenzie Cox, Sydney Mosteller. Rolesville: Crystin Williams.

Wake Forest's Grace Whitcomb (7) looks to pass the ball into the crease area. Coverage from the girls lacrosse game between the Wake Forest Cougars and the Leesville Road Pride played in Wake Forest, N.C. on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. Leesville Road defeated Wake Forest 7-4.
Wake Forest's Grace Whitcomb (7) looks to pass the ball into the crease area. Coverage from the girls lacrosse game between the Wake Forest Cougars and the Leesville Road Pride played in Wake Forest, N.C. on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. Leesville Road defeated Wake Forest 7-4. Dean Strickland

BOYS TENNIS

All-Conference:

Heritage: Gabriel Thomas. Corinth Holders: Thomas Dunn, Carson Dunn. Knightdale: Jackson Beam. Rolesville: Nick Stewart, Nathan Stewart. Wakefield: Gage Felton, Joshua Sun, Logan Boyd. Wake Forest: Brad Beck, Mason VanViegen, Desmond Williams.

BOYS GOLF

All-Conference:

Jason Crews, Wakefield; Caleb Jarmen, Corinth Holders; Jake Linker, Corinth Holders; Jake Petroski, Corinth Holders; Landon Warrick, Wake Forest; Zach Daniel, Heritage; Ryder Massey, Heritage; Ian Apsey, Corinth Holders; Ryan Fitzpatrick, Heritage; Ben Bullock, Rolesville; Josh Buxbaum, Wake Forest.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Player of the Year: Jayden Gardner, Heritage

Coach of the Year: Tilden Brill, Heritage

All-Conference: Jarren McAllister, Heritage; Shane Saigo, Knightdale; Xavier Fennell, Knightdale; Mike Armstrong, Knightdale; Trae Smith, Wakefield; Elijah Shabazz, Wakefield; Ricky Clemons, Rolesville; Dominique Johnson, Rolesville; Darrius Everett, Wake Forest; Warren Ramsey, Corinth Holders; Jayden Gardner, Heritage.

Jayden Gardner (40) of Heritage dribbles against Anthony Allen (21), Miles Pauldin (10), and Matt Smith (1) of Independence. The Heritage Huskies played the Independence Patriots in a boys basketball game that counted for the NCHSAA 4A championship that took place at the UNC Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Saturday, March 10, 2018. Independence won 71-60.
Jayden Gardner (40) of Heritage dribbles against Anthony Allen (21), Miles Pauldin (10), and Matt Smith (1) of Independence. The Heritage Huskies played the Independence Patriots in a boys basketball game that counted for the NCHSAA 4A championship that took place at the UNC Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Saturday, March 10, 2018. Independence won 71-60. Fabian Radulescu newsobserver.com

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Player of the Year: Cydney Johnson, Heritage

Defensive Player of the Year: Jada Peebles, Wakefield

Coach of the Year: Donald Williams, Wakefield

All-Conference: Diamond Thomas, Knightdale; Alcenia Purnell, Heritage; Alissa Smalls, Heritage; Valencia Carroll, Rolesville; Kayla Surles, Wake Forest; Akira Wiggins, Knightdale; Naomi Lockamy, Rolesville; Jada Miller, Wake Forest; Gabby Donaldson, Wakefield; Demi Washington, Heritage; Cydney Johnson, Heritage; Jada Peebles, Wakefield.

Heritage's Cydney Johnson (5) pushes the pace as she dribbles upcourt. The Heritage Huskies and Wakefield Wolverines girls and Heritage Huskies and Knightdale Knights boys played in the NAC6 4A Conference basketball tournament championships on Feb. 16, 2018.
Heritage's Cydney Johnson (5) pushes the pace as she dribbles upcourt. The Heritage Huskies and Wakefield Wolverines girls and Heritage Huskies and Knightdale Knights boys played in the NAC6 4A Conference basketball tournament championships on Feb. 16, 2018. Ray Black III newsobserver.com

WRESTLING

Wrestler of the Year: Travis Voelker, Wake Forest

Coach of the Year: Andy Shrader, Wake Forest

All-Conference:

Corinth Holders: Joe Emede (106), Brandon Barrow (145), Carter Styons (152), Mike Darden (160), Cameron Carroll (170), Larry Williams (220). Heritage: Alex Chester (126), Michael Russo (138), Nate Lyon (170), David Halatek (182), Joseph Vickers (285). Knightdale: none. Rolesville: Anthony Frie, Dylan Wilman, Jonathan Saravia-Martinez. Wakefield: Ben Buenviajae (160), Elijah Rudiak (152). Wake Forest: Zachary O’Briant (106), Michael Pappaconstantinou(120), Tim Mallo (126), Ayush Patel (132), Blake Brewer (145), Connor Voelker (170), Jack Malone (195), Travis Voelker (220), Sam DeLuke (285).

FOOTBALL

Player of the Year: Devon Lawrence, Wake Forest

Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Gunnar Holmberg and Ricky Person Jr., Heritage

Defensive Player of the Year: Seth Williams, Wake Forest

Special Teams Player of the Year: Nolan Parris, Wake Forest

Coach of the Year: Reggie Lucas, Wake Forest

All-conference offense

Wake Forest: Chris James, Devon Lawrence, Marquis Dunn, Josh King, Sam Deluke, James Frye, Lex Goodwin. Heritage: Gunnar Holmberg, Ricky Person Jr., Mike Williamson, Devin Grant, Christian Staresina, Trey Holloway, Bryce Heidinger. Knightdale: Tomminique Crank, Isaiah Dunn, Matthew Gast, Kenny McCray, Joshua Davidson, Khirell Knight. Rolesville: John Adorno, Amir Webster, Josh Pullen, Cameron Moore. Corinth Holders: Jacob Monk, Larry Williams.

All-conference defense

Wake Forest: Jaden McKenzie, Jadacus Logan, John Jiles, Javon Terry, Drew Homschek, Isaiah Dickens. Heritage: Joseph Boletepeli, Joe Kane, Drake Thomas, Jaedon Williams, Donothan Muldrow, Kyle Barnette. Knightdale: Andrew Tuazama, Jourdan Mobley, Nickili Muhammad, Donovan Suitte, Roger Jackson, Gabriel Suazo, Corey Larkins. Rolesville: Julian Stinnett, Solomon Rogers, Kingsley Nwachukwu, Josh Jarvis, Kishon Kelly. Corinth Holders: Lamont Weathers. Wakefield: Marcellus Spell.

Heritage's Gunnar Holmberg (12) runs in open field .The Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders football team has a home 2nd round playoff game vs. Heritage Huskies on Friday, November 17, 2017. Raleigh ,N.C.
Heritage's Gunnar Holmberg (12) runs in open field .The Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders football team has a home 2nd round playoff game vs. Heritage Huskies on Friday, November 17, 2017. Raleigh ,N.C. Johnny Johnson newsobserver.com



Boys Soccer

Player of the Year: Trevor Berk, Heritage

Coach of the Year: Scott Sloan, Heritage

All-conference

Heritage: Trevor Berk, James Simpson, Dylan Berk, Jake Owczarzak, David Daria, Ricky Kuntz, Ashton Ferrante. Wakefield: Harry Watlington, Connor Hoke, John Alexander, Omar Abouseido, Matthew Errington. Wake Forest: Blake Brewer, Luke Sylvia, Edy Argueta, Krystian Serwinski. Knightdale: Brooks Poirier, Jake Fortner, Meschak Kebi. Corinth Holders: Christian Alvarez, Casey Coughlin. Rolesville: Jalen Duran.

Trevor Berk (10) of Heritage dribbles against Adam Trickett (12) and Martin Mezera (9) of Cardinal Gibbons. The Heritage Huskies visited the Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders in the Wake County Cup championship high school soccer game on Sept. 23, 2017.
Trevor Berk (10) of Heritage dribbles against Adam Trickett (12) and Martin Mezera (9) of Cardinal Gibbons. The Heritage Huskies visited the Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders in the Wake County Cup championship high school soccer game on Sept. 23, 2017. Fabian Radulescu newsobserver.com

VOLLEYBALL

Player of the Year: Ade’ Owokoniran, Wakefield

Wakefield's Ade' Owokoniran (8) spikes the ball during a high school volleyball game against East Chapel Hill in Raleigh, N.C. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016.
Wakefield's Ade' Owokoniran (8) spikes the ball during a high school volleyball game against East Chapel Hill in Raleigh, N.C. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Ben McKeown newsobserver.com
Offensive Player of the Year: Ally Harper, Heritage

Defensive Player of the Year: Megan Philipson, Corinth Holders

Co-Coach of the Year: Charles Riley, Corinth Holders and Cynthia Terrell, Wakefield

All-conference: Corinth Holders: Kalyn Rogers, Ali Blanco, Grace Pittman, Megan Philipson. Heritage: Ally Harper, Victoria Legrant, Maggie Mcguire. Knightdale: Devin Lasiter. Rolesville: Ahuna Akpuda. Wake Forest: Savannah Strawbridge, Emma Surles. Wakefield: Ade’ Owokoniran, Erin McEnery, Ele’sia Williams, Lauren Slusher.

CROSS COUNTRY

Boys Runner of the Year: John Autry, Wake Forest

Girls Runner of the Year: Diana Sanchez-Lopez, Rolesville

Boys all-conference first team: 1. John Autry, Wake Forest; 2. Ethan Boyd, Rolesville; 3. Grant White, Heritage; 4. Mamoon Hassan, Rolesville; 5. Reid Calhoun, Wakefield; 6. Benjamin Hayes, Wake Forest; 7. Max Geckler, Heritage.

Boys all-conference second team: 8. Nicholas Giron, Wakefield; 9. M.J. Ellis, Wake Forest; 10. Crist Cruz, Rolesville; 11. Brandon Coates, Corinth Holders; 12. Ryan Collins, Heritage; 13. Matthew Lewis, Corinth Holders; 14. Ben Brisard, Wake Forest.

Girls all-conference first team: 1. Diana Sanchez-Lopez, Rolesville; 2. Erin Spreen, Wake Forest; 3. Christina Bourne, Heritage; 4. Melissa Bourne, Heritage; 5. Natalie Mitchell, Wake Forest; 6. Danielle Lugo, Heritage; 7. Sydney Quate, Wake Forest.

Girls all-conference second team: 8. Tyler Bland, Wake Forest; 9. Kaelin Sanderford, Corinth Holders; 10. Crawford Ramsey, Corinth Holders; 11. Reghan Flores, Wake Forest; 12. Kayla Alznauer, Corinth Holders; 13. McKenzie Poland, Corinth Holders; 14. Mary Ward, Wake Forest.

GIRLS TENNIS

Player of the Year: Jade Houston, Rolesville

Coach of the Year: Carolyn Ashdown, Rolesville

All-conference: Rolesville: Jade Houston, Camryn Straughn, Makayla Thomas. Wake Forest: Rachel Davis, Sophie Padelecki, Katie Dickerson. Wakefield: Bliss Dowden, Ashley Spaulding. Heritage: Lea Yorke, Leighann Halik. Corinth Holders: Eden Brackman. Knightdale: Mallorie Aycock.

Rolesville freshman Jade Houston returns a serve during the No. 1 singles match in the Greater Neuse River 4A Conference girls tennis match against East Wake in Wendell, N.C. on Monday, Sept. 26, 2016.
Rolesville freshman Jade Houston returns a serve during the No. 1 singles match in the Greater Neuse River 4A Conference girls tennis match against East Wake in Wendell, N.C. on Monday, Sept. 26, 2016. Aaron Moody amoody@newsobserver.com

GIRLS GOLF

Player of the Year: Lotte Fox, Wakefield

All-conference: 1. Lotte Fox, Wakefield; 2. Randi Vedeld, Rolesville; 3. Carly Romano, Heritage; 4. Tayor Capps, Corinth Holders; 5. Morgan Whitt, Heritage; 6. Becky Murray, Corinth Holders; 7. Mary-Sears Brown, Heritage; 8. Christine Lauture, Wakefield; 9. Ryanne Howard, Wakefield; 10. Mary Hederick, Wake Forest; 11. Kenidee Crowder, Rolesville; 12. Lizzie Hussey, Wake Forest.

Wakefield's Lotte Fox chips in for birdie on No. 15 during day two of the 4-A state girls' golf championship at Pinehurst No. 5 in Pinehurst, N.C. on Tuesday, October 25, 2016.
Wakefield's Lotte Fox chips in for birdie on No. 15 during day two of the 4-A state girls' golf championship at Pinehurst No. 5 in Pinehurst, N.C. on Tuesday, October 25, 2016. John Lucas newsobserver.com

This story was originally published June 21, 2018 at 2:06 PM with the headline "Northern Athletic all-conference teams, 2017-18."

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