Vote for Observer/Deer Park boys’ high school athlete of the week: Nov. 3

Jay Edwards, Langston Wertz Jr.
·4 min read

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

The poll closes Friday at 1 p.m. and the winner will receive a trophy.

You may vote as often as you like.

Note: Poll results may not always be shown.

This week’s nominees

Ty Fritts, Hickory Ridge soccer: The Ragin’ Bulls’ senior forward scored a goal in a 3-1 win over A.L. Brown on Oct. 23. The next day, Fritts had two goals in a 3-1 victory over Cox Mill. Hickory Ridge (13-2-5) also clinched the Greater Metro 4A conference regular season title with a 3-3 tie at West Cabarrus on Oct. 26. Fritts has 18 goals and seven assists for Hickory Ridge during the regular season.

Raghav Gopalakrishnan, Ardrey Kell cross-country: The Knights’ senior won the 4A West Regional title running a 15:41.62 at McAlpine Creek Park on Oct. 28. Gopalakrishnan’s run helped Ardrey Kell beat runner-up T.C. Roberson, by one point to claim the 4A West Regional championship.

Logan Hill, Charlotte Catholic cross-country: The Cougars’ senior ran a personal-best 16:05.91 to finish sixth at the 4A West Regional at McAlpine Creek Park Oct. 28. Hill’s run helped the Charlotte Catholic cross-country team to a ninth-place finish at regionals.

Aidan Hopper, Union Academy soccer: The Cardinals’ senior midfielder scored three goals and had one assist in a 9-0 win over North Stanly on Oct. 23. Hopper had 25 goals and 15 assists for Union Academy (12-8) during the regular season.

Aaron Lail, Lincolnton soccer: The Wolves’ senior had three goals in a 5-0 win over Maiden on Oct. 23. Lail also had four goals in an 8-4 victory over West Lincoln. Lail had 28 goals and two assists for Lincolnton (13-4-4) in the regular season.

Gavin Malloy, Hickory Grove cross-country: The Lions’ junior ran a personal-best 16:47.50 to finish 10th at the NCISAA 3A state championship meet at WakeMed Park in Cary on Oct. 27. Malloy also led his Hickory Grove cross-country team to a sixth-place finish in the 20-team field the same day. Malloy, who earned all-state honors, was also the Metrolina Athletic conference (MAC) runner-up Oct. 19.

Blake Nicholson, Christ the King cross-country: The Crusaders’ junior won the 1A West Regional running a course and personal record 15:03.29 at Kituwah Mound in Bryson City on Oct. 28. Nicholson’s run also helped the Christ the King cross-country team to a fourth-place regional finish.

Parker St. Jean, North Lincoln cross-country: The Knights’ sophomore ran a personal best 16:07.30 at the 3A West Regional at Freedom High on Oct. 28. St. Jean’s efforts also helped the North Lincoln cross country team to a regional title the same day.

Andrew Thompson, Davidson Day soccer: The Patriots’ junior scored both goals in a 2-1 win at Carolina Day School in the NCISAA 2A state championship game Oct. 28. Thompson’s goals both game on headers off set pieces, while he also played lockdown defense when Carolina Day had the ball in the same game. Thompson had nine goals and six assists for a Davidson Day team (17-3) that won its final 14 games to close the season.

Drew Waller, West Cabarrus soccer: The Wolverines’ senior scored two goals in a 3-0 victory over Carson on Oct. 24. Waller also had one goal and one assist in a 3-3 double overtime tie with Hickory Ridge on Oct. 26. Waller had 42 goals and 16 assists for West Cabarrus (17-6-1) in the regular season.

Thomas Wlazlowski, Cuthbertson cross-country: The Cavaliers’ senior won the 4A Midwest Regional title by 10 seconds running a 15:37.06 at Ivey Redmon Sports’ Complex in Kernersville on Oct. 28. Wlazlowski, the Southern Carolinas’ conference and Union County champion, also led the Cuthbertson boys’ cross-country team to a third-place finish at regionals.

Aaron Zhu, Independence soccer: The Patriots’ senior forward had three goals and two assists in an 8-4 win over Rocky River on Oct. 24. Zhu scored two more goals in a 6-0 win at Butler on Oct. 26. Zhu had 27 goals and eight assists for Independence (16-4-2) in the regular-season.

*Statistics through October 28.

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 athlete’s name, school, class and applicable game performance statistics. Coaches must be willing to verify information.

How to vote

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