Vote for The Charlotte Observer boys high school athlete of the week (09.15.23)

Here are the nominees for The Charlotte Observer high school athlete of the week.

The poll closes Friday.

You may vote as often as you like.

Note: Poll results may not always be shown.

This week’s nominees

Cameron Brown, Charlotte Country Day Cross Country: The Buccaneers’ senior ran a personal-best 15:55.30 to finish fifth at the Wilmington Beach Blast at the Olsen Park course Sept. 8.

Brown’s efforts also helped the Charlotte Country Day boys’ cross country team to victory in Wilmington with their top five runners averaging a time of 16:43.

Nehemiah Garcia, Ashbrook Cross-Country: The Greenwave senior ran a personal-best 18:41.65 to win the Luminary Run at Ashbrook High Sept. 6.

Garcia’s run also helped the Ashbrook boys’ cross country team to a fourth-place finish at the same event.

Raghav Gopalakrishnan, Ardrey Kell Cross-Country: The Knights’ senior ran a personal-best 15:29.70 to finish as runner-up at the Friday Night Lights’ Cross Country Festival at the Ivey Redmon Sports’ Complex in Kernersville Sept. 8.

Gopalakrishnan led the Ardrey Kell boys’ cross country team to an eighth-place finish at the same meet.

Forrest Hayes, North Lincoln Soccer: The Knights’ senior forward had four goals to lead North Lincoln to a 6-4 win over Hunter Huss Sept. 5.

Hayes accounted for four goals in a Knights’ for the second times in two weeks after doing the same thing against Lincolnton last week.

Hayes has eight goals and two assists for North Lincoln (2-2-1) this season.

Sam Howe, Independence Soccer: The Patriots’ senior forward scored both goals on free kicks in a 2-1 win at Marvin Ridge Sept. 5.

Howe has eight goals and four assists for Independence (6-1) this season.

Cameron Lawrence, Community School of Davidson Soccer: The Spartans’ senior forward scored three goals and had one assist in an 8-4 win over Mountain Island Charter Sept. 5.

The next day, Lawrence scored two more goals in a 5-0 victory at Lincoln Charter.

Lawrence has 10 goals and three assists for a Community School of Davidson team that is still perfect at 7-0 this season.

Luke McKinney, Metrolina Christian Soccer: The Warriors’ senior scored four goals and had one assist in a 7-2 win over Grace Academy Sept. 5.

McKinney also had a goal in a 3-2 victory over Monroe Sept. 7.

Metrolina Christian (5-4) also lost 9-0 at Covenant Day Sept. 8.

McKinney has nine goals and two assists for the Warriors this season.

Jack Ramanata, Pine Lake Prep Soccer: The Pride junior scored a goal and had an assist in a 4-0 win at Christ the King Sept. 5.

The next day, Ramanata had another goal and an assist in a 6-0 victory at Bradford Prep.

Ramanata has three goals and three assists for Pine Lake Prep (3-3-1) this season.

Jacob Rase, Lake Norman Soccer: The Wildcats’ senior defender led Lake Norman to a 1-0 shutout of Providence Sept. 6.

Rase also led the Wildcats’ defense in a 4-1 victory over Northwest Guilford Sept. 5.

Rase has been the “anchor of a Lake Norman defense,” that has allowed only six goals in seven games this season, according to Coach Brandon Costilow.

Lake Norman (6-0-1) has won six straight games this season.

Drew Waller, West Cabarrus Soccer: The Wolverines’ senior scored three goals in a 6-1 victory over Gray Stone Day Sept. 5.

Waller also scored the game’s lone goal in a 1-0 win at Cox Mill.

Waller has 21 goals and six assists for a West Cabarrus team that is still perfect at 10-0 overall this season.

Cole Williams, Covenant Day Soccer: The Lions’ senior scored two goals in a 3-0 win at Carmel Christian Sept. 5.

Williams also scored a goal in a 9-0 win over Metrolina Christian Sept. 8.

Williams has seven goals for Covenant Day (5-2) this season.

Thomas Wlazlowski, Cuthbertson Cross Country: The Cavaliers’ senior broke a personal and school-record by 12 seconds, running a time of 15:47.70 to finish fourth at the Friday Night Lights’ Invitational at Ivey Redmon Sports’ Complex in Kernersville Sept. 8.

Wlazlowski’s run also helped the Cuthbertson boys’ cross country team to victory at the same event.

** Information published today includes statistics through September 9.

If you want to nominate an athlete?: Athletes of the week highlights high school players with outstanding performances. The goal is to recognize all athletes in all sports, both the most accomplished and the underrated or underappreciated players. If you want to suggest someone to be included in the Athletes of the week column, send email to Jay Edwards at edwardswork23@gmail.com. Please include the athletes’ name, school, class and applicable game performance statistics. Coaches must be willing to verify information.

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