Vote for The Charlotte Observer/Deer Park boys high school athlete of the week

Here are the nominees for The Charlotte Observer/Deer Park boys’ high school athlete of the week.

As it has done with football this season, Deer Park Water will sponsor the boys and girls athlete of the week awards for the remainder of the fall season. The weekly winners will receive a plaque. This week’s poll closes Friday at 1 p.m.. You may vote as often as you like.

Note: Poll results may not always be shown.

This week’s boys nominees

Bennett Ackerman, Gaston Day soccer: The Spartans’ sophomore scored three goals and had one assist in an 8-0 NCISAA 2A third-round win over Northwood Temple Oct. 21. Through Sunday, Ackerman had 21 goals and seven assists for Gaston Day (13-2).

Matthew Byrd, West Cabarrus cross-country: The Wolverines’ senior ran a personal-best 16:20.90 to win the Greater Metro 4A conference at Vietnam Veterans’ Park in Concord Oct. 19. Byrd’s win also helped the West Cabarrus cross country team to a conference title, winning by 33 points. The Greater Metro 4A conference title was the first league crown won by a West Cabarrus team in any sport.

Raghav Gopalakrishnan, Ardrey Kell cross-country: The Knights’ senior ran a 15:48.30 to win the SoMeck 4A conference title at McAlpine Creek Park Oct. 18. Gopalakrishnan, a University of Pennsylvania commit, also led the Ardrey Kell team to a 27-point victory at the same meet.

Logan Hill, Charlotte Catholic cross-country: The Cougars’ senior ran a 16:18 to win the Southwestern 4A conference title at McAlpine Creek Park Oct. 18. Hill’s run also helped the Charlotte Catholic cross country team to a runner-up finish to Providence.

Sam Howe, Independence soccer: The Patriots’ senior scored one goal and had two assists in a 4-1 win over Providence Oct. 17. Howe also had two goals in 4-0 victory over East Mecklenburg, Oct. 19.

Through Sunday, Howe had 13 goals and 10 assists for an Independence team (14-4-1) that had won seven straight games.

Josh Koos, Metrolina Christian cross-country: The Warriors’ sophomore finished third at the Metrolina Athletic conference championships at McAlpine Creek Park Oct. 19.

Koos’ run also helped the Metrolina Christian cross country team win their first MAC title since 2018.

Blake Nicholson, Christ the King cross-country: The Crusaders’ junior ran a 15:53.19 to win the Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A conference title at Frank Liske Park in Concord Oct. 17. Nicholson’s finish also helped the Christ the King cross country team to a conference title, beating runner-up, Lincoln Charter, by three points the same day.

Dhruv Srinivasan, Union Academy soccer: The Cardinals’ junior scored three goals in a 10-1 victory at South Stanly Oct. 16. The next day, Srinivasan scored a goal and had an assist in a 3-2 win over the Greater Cabarrus Stallions.

Through Sunday, Srinivasan had 23 goals and six assists.

Ian Stahlschmidt, Pine Lake Prep soccer: The Pride senior defender accounted for all three goals as Pine Lake Prep beat Community School of Davidson and Corvian Charter.

He had a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win over Corvian Charter on Senior Night Oct. 16. Stahlschmidt also scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory at Community School of Davidson Oct. 18.

Dylan Swinehart, Charlotte Country Day soccer: The Buccaneers’ senior scored two goals and had one assist in a 4-3 NCISAA 4A second round win over Carmel Christian Oct. 19.

Swinehart, a Liberty University commit, has 23 goals and 10 assists for the Buccaneers.

Colden Welsh, Covenant Day cross-country: The Lions’ senior ran a 15:57.10 to win the CISAA conference championship at McAlpine Creek Park Oct. 17.

Thomas Wlazlowski, Cuthbertson cross-country: The Cavaliers’ senior ran a 15:43.80 to win the Southern Carolinas’ conference title by nearly 20 seconds at Weddington High Oct. 17.

Wlazlowski, the SCC runner of the year, also led the Cuthbertson cross country team to a runner-up, conference finish to Weddington.

Wlazlowski won for the second time in as many weeks after winning the Union County championship, Oct. 11.

** Information published today includes statistics through October 21.

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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