Vote for The Charlotte Observer girls’ athlete of the week: Jan. 26

Jay Edwards, Langston Wertz Jr.
·5 min read

Below 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

Emma Barr, Lake Norman swimming: The Wildcats’ sophomore broke the Greater Metro 4A conference record (1:55.75) to win the league title in the 200 freestyle at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center Jan. 18.

Barr also won conference titles in the 500 freestyle and 200 medley relay.

Li’Ara Batts, Jay M. Robinson basketball: The 5-foot-11 senior scored 18 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had one steal in a 56-40 win at Central Cabarrus Jan. 16.

Batts also scored 16 points and had four rebounds in an 84-47 loss at West Rowan Jan. 18.

Batts is averaging eight points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game for Jay M. Robinson (10-3).

Mary Bonner Dalton, Myers Park cross-country: The Mustangs’ senior ran a 20:46.70 to finish fourth in the United States’ Track and Field (USTAF) U20 National Championships on Jan. 20 in Richmond, VA, to make the “World Team.”

Dalton, a Notre Dame commit, was first Mecklenburg county athlete to ever the “World Team.”

Dalton, named NC Gatorade cross-country girls’ runner of the year Monday, will represent the United States in competition in Serbia in March.

Makailah Davis, South Mecklenburg basketball: The 5-7 junior scored 30 points, had four rebounds and four steals in a 58-40 win over Pinecrest Jan. 15.

Davis also had 17 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals in a 45-38 loss to Myers Park Jan. 19.

Davis is averaging 19.5 points, four rebounds, three assists and five steals per game for South Mecklenburg (9-7).

Sadie Faulkner, A.L. Brown basketball: The 5-6 junior scored 27 points to help A.L. Brown beat Mooresville, 70-46 Jan. 19.

Faulker also had 13 points in a 50-26 loss to Cox Mill Jan. 17 and 17 points in a 64-55 loss at South Iredell, Jan. 16.

Faulker is averaging 15.6 points per game for the Wonders (10-6).

Sophie Hoang, Cuthbertson indoor track: The Cavaliers’ sophomore was named Southern Carolinas conference field athlete of the year at the league championships at the JDL Fast Track in Winston Salem Jan. 16.

Hoang finished as conference runner-up in the high jump with a personal-best 5-2. She was also runner-up in the triple jump (35-5.75) and sixth in the long jump (15-8.5).

Kamryn Kitchen, Independence basketball: The 5-9 junior scored 21 points, including the 1,000th point of her career, in a 67-34 win over rival Butler Jan. 19.

Kitchen also scored 17 points to go with five rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 66-20 victory at Rocky River Jan. 16.

Kitchen is averaging 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals per game for Independence (14-4).

Natalie Patton, Mountain Island Charter indoor track: The Raptors’ junior ran a personal-best 7.47 to win the 55-meter dash at the Titan Clash II at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem Jan. 18.

Patton also ran a personal and school-record 8.65 to win the 55-meter hurdles at the same meet, where she finished fourth in the 300-meter dash.

Patton has qualified for the 1A state championships in the 55-meter hurdles, 300-meter dash and 4 X 200-meter relay this season.

Teri Pridgen, Cannon School indoor track: The Cougars’ senior ran a school-record 8.21 to win the 55-meter hurdles at the Fast Track Invitational at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem Jan. 19.

Pridgen, a Virginia Tech commit, ran the 55-meter hurdles for the first time ever in competition, earning the No. 1 time in the NCISAA and No. 19 time in the nation this indoor season.

Eliza Wallace, Ardrey Kell swimming: The Knights’ sophomore won the SoMeck 4A conference title in the 100 breaststroke in a personal and school record 1:02.93 Jan. 17.

Wallace also won conference titles in the 100 freestyle and 200 medley relay at the same meet.

Kaylin Williams, Concord basketball: The 5-9 junior scored a season-high 30 points to go with 11 rebounds and five steals in a 57-29 win over Carson Jan. 19.

Williams also scored 15 points, had four rebounds, two steals and one block in a 73-52 loss to East Rowan Jan. 16.

Williams is averaging 11.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals for Concord (6-9).

Mae Winardi, Marvin Ridge swimming: The Mavericks’ sophomore won Southern Carolinas conference titles in the 50 and 200 freestyle at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center Jan. 16.

Winardi also helped both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays to conference titles at the same meet.

The Marvin Ridge girls’ swim team also won the league championship.

** Information published today includes statistics through January 20.

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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