Gastonia, Shelby sports Athlete of the Week nominees (Oct. 27, 2025)
Here are nominees for boys and girls athlete of the week in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties during the week of Oct. 20-25, 2025.
A bevy of area golfers returned home Tuesday with shiny hardware to add to their respective collections.
South Point girls golf made it two in a row, claiming the NCHSAA 5A team championship by nine strokes over second-place East Lincoln. The Mustangs didn’t leave empty, however, Kennedy Gallentine shooting a 3-over 111, outpacing the Red Raiders’ Madison Pruden by seven strokes for the 5A individual title.
Initially planned for two days and 36 holes, the event was shortened to 27 holes — nine of which were played Tuesday — due to lingering rainfall around Stonebridge Golf Club in Monroe.
After 18 holes, Gallentine and Pruden were tied atop the individual leaderboard after shooting a 3-over 75. However, it was the latter’s South Point team which led the team standings by 17 shots after combining for a score of 242. The cushion came in handy Tuesday, the East Lincoln freshman’s even-par 36 four shots better than her nearest competitor for the day.
Pruden finished second-round play with a 7-over 43, and a two-day score of 10-over 118 to take second on the individual leaderboard. Her teammates did their share as well, Sophia Travinski (131; sixth), Chloe Villareal (133; eighth) and Smantha Clements (143; 19th) each logging top-20 finishes. Caroline Mulford also contributed to the effort with a 36-hole score of 176.
In addition to Gallentine, East Lincoln received contributions from Megan Arnett (137; 11th), Madelyn Reynolds (139; T-15th), Riley McNair (150; 29th) and Cassidy Lewis (157; 37th).
Forestview sophomore Samantha Munoz also competed in this week’s 5A championships, placing 34th after shooting a 36-hole score of 156.
Class 4A
Shortened to 18 holes due to weather, Stuart Cramer placed second at this week’s NCHSAA 4A championships held at Longleaf Golf & Family Club in Southern Pines.
Winsley Crotts led the way for Cramer, placing third with a 5-over 77. The Storm also received contributions from MacKenzie Blacledge (14-over 86; 11th) and Audrey Leazer (21-over 93; 16th).
Lincoln Charter’s Kaylyn Cherry finished 20th with a 24-over 96.
Class 3A
West Lincoln’s Melony Hoffman capped her high school career by placing seventh at the NCHSAA 3A championships held at Longleaf Golf & Family Club in Southern Pines. She shot a 15-over 87.
She was joined in the top 10 by teammate Aynsley Howard, who had a 16-over 88 in an event shortened due to persistent rainfall.
Class1A/2A
Highland Tech’s Ariel Pagan was the area’s top finisher among the NCHSAA 1A/2A ranks, her 22–over 94 placing 19th at Gates Four Country Club in Fayetteville. Teammate Kyndal Hardiman shot a 32-over 103 and finished 36th.
The event was shortened to 18 holes due to persistent rainfall around the course.
