Elite Athletes of the Week
Elite Stone Supply, in conjunction with WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone, is proud to present the ELITE ATHLETES OF THE WEEK. Each week, all five local schools will name an Elite Athlete of the Week and present the information on their honoree through Bartow Sports Zone and on 100.3FM and AM1450, WBHF in Cartersville.
Recipients for the week ending August 20, 2016:
Justice Carter -- Woodland High School Chad Lowery -- Adairsville High School Brighton McCollum -- Excel Christian Academy Sadie McMicken -- Cass High School Hannah Todd -- Cartersville High School
Justice Carter is the Woodland High School Elite Athlete of the Week.
Carter is a tenth grade student at WHS with a current 3.8 grade point average. He is a two-sport athlete competing for the Wildcats in both football and basketball. He is the son of Nundall Carter.
Carter had perfect attendance this summer in the Woodland summer strength and conditioning program, leading by example. Carter rushed for 67 yards in the Wildcats’ football game last week at River Ridge.
Chad Lowery is the Adairsville High School Elite Athlete of the Week. Lowery plays on both sides of the ball for the Tigers’ football program. In the opening game of the regular season, he scored a touchdown and showed promise at his safety position on defense. Lowery is the living embodiment of moral character both in the classroom and on the field. Academically, he gives 100 percent effort. He pushes his intellect by taking challenging honors and AP classes and thrives under the rigor and demands it offers. Lowery makes hard decisions, such as studying when he could socialize and takes time to help others understand when he could choose to focus solely on himself. Additionally, he involves himself in organizations such as FCA and the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program in order lead by example.
Lowery carries these attributes onto the football field every day. He works hard even when conditions are less than ideal. He completes drills to focus on form and ability. He chooses not to complain but to inspire others by exemplifying the value of hard work. Lowery exudes humility when his efforts are recognized. He makes conscious decisions every day to make moral choices, work harder and become more.
Brighton McCollum is the Elite Athlete of the Week from Excel Christian Academy.
She is the daughter of Brian and Suzanne McCollum and has attended Excel for twelve years. McCollum has been an honor roll student for all of her high school years.
McCollum is a four year starter at shortstop on the softball team as well as being a four year starter on the basketball team. She has also run cross country for three years. She has been an integral part of softball teams that qualified for the state tournament each of the last two seasons and has served as captain of the softball team for two years.
McCollum was All-County, first team All Region, and first team All State in her sophomore season. Last year, she was All-County, All-Region, and honorable mention All State.
McCollum is off to a great start this season. She is currently fourth in the region with a .478 batting average and fourth in the region with 7 RBIs. She leads the region with 12 runs scored. She is third in the region in stolen bases with five; fourth in the region with a .909 fielding percentage; and has a .520 on base percentage.
McCollum serves as one of the Huddle leaders for the FCA at Excel. She has also served as a class representative on the Student Council. She serves her community by being an active participant in Splash Bartow during the summer months.
Sadie McMicken is the Cass High School Elite Athlete of the Week.
McMicken is a 17-year-old senior and the daughter of Darrell and Allison McMicken. She is a four-year member of the Lady Colonels’ varsity volleyball team and a three-year starter.
McMicken has moved from front row attack to libero this year where she is excelling and better serving her team. She is a leader both on the court and off. She is often the “voice” of the team, encouraging her teammates in their efforts, cheering on her teammates, and serving as captain. McMicken is an integral part of the Cass High School volleyball team.
Hannah Todd is the Elite Athlete of the Week for Cartersville High School. She is a senior member of the Lady Canes’ softball team as a pitcher and an outfielder and is committed to the University of North Carolina. She is the daughter of Kelly and Becky Todd. In five games last week, the future Tar Heel was 2-1 as a pitcher throwing no-hitters in both of her wins over Adairsville and Fannin County. She allowed only six hits in her pitching loss to region and state power, Central of Carrollton. Todd struck out 25 in the three games in the circle. She also played centerfield and was the Canes’ designated player (DP) in another game.
In eleven plate appearances last week, Todd had three hits including a home run and a triple. She also drove in four runs.
Editors Note: Photos and bios are supplied to Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF by the respective schools and their athletic departments.
