Elite Athletes of the Month for September 2018
Elite Stone Supply, in conjunction with WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone, presents the ELITE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH.
Each month, local high schools are provided opportunity to name an Elite Athlete of the Month and present the information on their honoree through Bartow Sports Zone and on 100.3FM and AM1450, WBHF in Cartersville.
Recipients for September 2018:
Caroline Higdon, Woodland HS Nic Jackson, Adairsville HS Alex Machado, Cartersville HS Rodney Richards, Cass HS
The Elite Athlete of the Month for September representing Woodland High School is Caroline Higdon.
The Lady Cats’ right fielder for the state playoff bound softball team is currently hitting .400 for the year with two home runs and 30 RBI.
The daughter of Brent and Tina Higdon, the Woodland senior has hit .514 in the month of September (18-for-35) with two home runs, four doubles, 13 runs scored, and 18 RBI. Higdon is a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and has been named a Scholar Athlete.
She plans to attend Kennesaw State University next year and ultimately transfer to the University of Georgia.
The Adairsville High School Elite Athlete of the Month for September is Corey Nicholas “Nic” Jackson.
A senior inside linebacker, Jackson has also contributed this season as a running back, punter, and place kicker as needed.
He also competes in the 170-pound weight class for the Tigers’ wrestling team and is a goalkeeper for the soccer team.
“Nic’s tremendous work ethic and leadership by example, along with the fact he is a multi-sport athlete in this day and time of specialization, is what makes him so special,” said Adairsville head football coach Eric Bishop. “Many would describe him as a "throwback" or "old school" type of student-athlete. Not only does he excel on the football and soccer fields, but he is a state placer in wrestling.”
His wrestling coach, Ryan Torrence agrees.
“Nic is as fine a student-athlete as any coach might have the privilege of working with,” said Torrence. “His work ethic and integrity have yielded him the opportunity to earn all of his accolades.”
Jackson, known on campus for his academic success, has maintained a 4.0 grade point average while taking AP and Honors classes.
“Nic is a leader in the AP classroom every day,” noted AP Calculus teacher Katy Carder. “His self-discipline and excellent work ethic are illustrated by the intensity of his nutrition and unwavering positive attitude for learning.”
Jackson plans to attend Georgia Tech or compete in wrestling at Davidson. He plans to earn a degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering. Adairsville athletic director Meredith Barnhill has no doubt Jackson will continue his wide success. “Nic is the most disciplined student-athlete in every aspect of his life (academics, nutrition, integrity, and athletics) I have ever been around,” added Barnhill.
He is the son of Shane Jackson.
Alex Machado is the Elite Athlete of the Month for September representing Cartersville High School.
A sophomore on the Lady Canes’ cross country and track teams, Machado is closing in on becoming one of the top ten female distance runners in Cartersville High School history.
“Alex has a personal best of 22:16 and is bearing down on becoming one of our best ever,” noted Canes’ cross country coach David Matherne. “Alex has ascended to the top because of her rock-solid work ethic. Never one to miss practice, either voluntary summer or regular season workouts, she is consistently our No. 1 runner. But her best attribute, the one that I will remember about her for the rest of my days, is how dedicated she is to the team and to the sport. Her joy of running is pure, her concern for her teammates is evident, and these are the things that make her special. I've coached a long time, and Alex is like a rare coin...highly unusual and highly valuable! She is a coach's delight,” The daughter of Susana and Vicente Machado, Alex competes in the 1,600 meter and 3,200 meter runs for the track team.
Matherne also identified Machado’s legacy connection to the program. “Alex is the neice of Rosa and Maria Meza,” added Matherne. “They were both standouts for Cartersville teams I coached back in the early 90’s.”
Machado is an A/B Honor Roll student at Cartersville and has collegiate aspirations. “I would like to keep running cross country in college and study architecture,” said Machado.
Rodney Richards is the Cass High School Elite Athlete of the Month for September.
The son of Cartina and Michael McCarver, Richards is a senior starting middle linebacker for the Colonels’ football team.
Through five games, Richards has accumulated 54 total tackles (42 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, and three quarterback hurries and has been a clear standout for the Cass defensive unit.
“Rodney is a leader with his peers both on and off the field,” said Cass High athletic director Dr. Nicky Moore. “He has gained the praise of opposing coaches throughout the season with his relentless sideline to sideline play. Several colleges are actively recruiting Rodney at this time.”
Editors Note: Photos and bios are supplied to Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF by the respective schools and their athletic departments. Elite Stone Supply, LLC is the monthly sponsor. Athletes receive a plaque along with recognition during a radio feature on WBHF.
