Vote for The Charlotte Observer boys fall sports high school athletes of the week
Here are the nominees for the first Charlotte Observer boys high school athlete of the week.
The poll closes Friday.
This week’s nominees
Nolan Anderson, East Mecklenburg Soccer: The Eagles’ senior scored four goals and had one assist in an 8-1 victory at Berry in the season-opener for both teams Aug. 14.
Anderson also helped set up the first goal in a 2-2 tie at Myers Park Aug. 17.
Tanner Baxter, Mountain Island Charter Soccer/Football: The Raptors’ senior scored both goals including the game-tying and game-winning goals in a 2-1 win over East Lincoln Aug. 16.
Baxter also had an assist in a 3-1 victory at Metrolina Christian Aug. 14.
Baxter finished off the week by helping the Mountain Island Charter football, where he’s the starting kicker.
Baxter had four extra points and three touchbacks on kickoffs to help the Raptors to a 40-0 win over Greater Cabarrus in their season opener, Aug. 18.
Preston Cock, Community School of Davidson Soccer: The Spartans’ senior forward scored two goals in a 7-1 win over Lake Norman Charter in the season-opener for both teams Aug. 15.
Cock also scored both goals as the Spartans won 2-1 at Jay M. Robinson Aug. 16.
Jacob Hill, Porter Ridge Soccer: The Pirates’ senior scored two goals and had one assist in a 4-0 win over Richmond Senior Aug. 16.
Hill also had a goal and an assist in a 4-1 victory over Palisades Aug. 17.
Porter Ridge (2-1) also lost to Hickory Ridge, 3-2, in the season-opener Aug. 14.
Hill has three goals and two assists for Porter Ridge this season.
Keegan Klaus, Concord Soccer: The Spiders’ senior midfielder scored three goals, including the game-winner, to lead Concord to a 5-3 win over North Iredell Aug. 14.
Concord (1-0-1) also tied Sun Valley 1-1 Aug. 16.
Ezekiel Modjinu, North Mecklenburg Soccer: The Vikings’ junior goalkeeper had five saves, including a penalty kick save, to lead North Mecklenburg to a 6-1 victory over Union Academy Aug. 15.
Modjinu also helped the Vikings to a 2-0 shutout, win at Olympic with four saves, to earn the “clean sheet,” in only his second career start as the goalkeeper.
Caden Rice, Charlotte Christian Soccer: The Knights’ junior midfielder had two assists to lead Charlotte Christian to a 3-0 win over Christ School in the season-opener Aug. 18.
Charlotte Christian (1-0) also earned the victory in Coach Nicholas Sosa’s debut with the team.
Alvaro Rodriguez, Lincolnton Soccer: The Wolves’ senior scored one goal and had one assist in a 5-1 victory over North Gaston, Aug. 14.
Lincolnton (1-1) also lost to St. Stephens Aug. 16.
Gareth Siemers, Lake Norman Soccer: The Wildcats’ junior midfielder scored a goal to lead Lake Norman to a 3-1 win at Ronald Reagan Aug. 16.
Siemers also had an assist in a 1-1 tie with West Forsyth Aug. 14.
Siemers has also been the “team’s defensive mainstay,” according to Wildcats’ soccer coach Brandon Costilow.
Drew Waller, West Cabarrus Soccer: The Wolverines’ senior scored two goals and had one assist in a 6-1 win at Glenn in the season opener Aug. 14.
Two days later, Waller scored a goal in a 4-2 win over Mount Tabor.
Waller finished off the week with a hat trick (three goals) in a 7-1 win at Central Academy Aug. 17.
Elijah Wilson, Metrolina Christian Soccer: The Warriors’ senior scored two goals and had one assist in a 4-0 victory at Hickory Christian Aug. 15.
Wilson also netted four goals and dished out two assists in an 11-3 win at Arborbrook Christian Aug. 18.
Metrolina Christian (2-1) also lost 3-1 to Mountain Island Charter Aug. 14.
Aaron Zhu, Independence Soccer: The Patriots’ senior forward netted a hat trick (three goals) to lead Independence to a 4-1 victory at Sun Valley in the season opener Aug. 14.
Zhu has another hat trick to go with one assist in a 9-0 win over West Stanly Aug. 16.
Independence is 2-0 this season.
** Information published today includes statistics through August 19.
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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