August 2019 Elite Athletes of the Month
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 from their varsity programs and present the information on their honoree through Bartow Sports Zone and on 100.3FM and AM1450, WBHF in Cartersville.
Recipients for August 2019:
Wade Conduff -- Adairsville High School McKenna Trapheagen -- Woodland High School
Lauren McElhaney -- Cartersville High School
Alexis Woods -- Cass High School
The Adairsville High School August 2019 Elite Athlete of the Month is Wade Conduff. A senior wide receiver and defensive back on the Tigers’ football team, Conduff is also a member of the baseball team at Adairsville.
In the Tigers first two games of the season, he has contributed as a down-field threat and a consistent possession receiver. More importantly, Conduff has relished his role as an aggressive downfield blocker and has helped spring multiple explosive running plays for the Tigers’ offense. On defense, he has been a sure tackler as well as a difference-maker on special teams.
“Wade’s contributions on Friday nights are second to none for this year’s Tiger football team,” noted Adairsville offensive coordinator Pat Konen. “More importantly, however, is the work he is putting in during practice week. When he is not perfecting his skill set for our offense and defense, he volunteers as a valuable member of the scout team to give us a great replication of upcoming opponents.”
The son of Bucky and Carla Conduff, he has been a full-time dual enrolled college student as a junior and senior in high school. He plans to attend Kennesaw State University.
Lauren McElhaney represents Cartersville High School as the Purple Hurricanes’ August 2019 Elite Athlete of the Month.
The daughter of Patrick and Dawn McElhaney, the Cartersville senior is a catcher and outfielder for the Lady Canes’ softball team.
Through the season’s first 14 games, McElhaney has a .451 batting average that includes 14 RBI. She has scored 14 runs with seven doubles and a triple. Her 57 plate appearances also includes a dozen walks with only four strikeouts. McElhaney has an on-base percentage of .419 along with a slugging percentage of .627 and a 1.119 OPS.
“Lauren’s success does not come by surprise,” said Lady Canes’ softball head coach Shannon Suarez. “Her success is a result of her dedication and hard work on and off the field. Over the past four years, Lauren has assumed many roles and played multiple positions. She is a team player who leads by example and always puts the team’s needs ahead of her own.”
McElhaney is an Honor Roll student taking AP classes, honor classes, and she is dual-enrolled with Shorter University. She plans to attend the University of West Georgia to major in nursing. She also plans to play collegiate softball.
The August 2019 Elite Athlete of the Month for Woodland High School is McKenna Trapheagen. Currently ranked 1st in the state of Georgia and 10th in the United States, the cross country and track athlete is the daughter of Alec and Sheri Trapheagen. “McKenna is a pleasure to coach,” Wildcats track and cross country coach Rob Forbes said. “She excels both in the classroom and on the field. When she sets a goal, she plans and executes.”
The Lady Cats’ senior is currently ranked first in her graduating class and seeks to run cross country and track in college.
Trapheagen plans to pursue a degree in Speech Therapy.
Alexis Woods is the August 2019 Elite Athlete of the Month at Cass High School. A freshman on the Lady Colonels softball team, Woods paces the team with a .462 batting average. Hitting in the leadoff spot, she also has contributed eight RBI. A two-sport athlete, Woods juggles a very demanding year-round softball schedule while playing basketball in the winter.
“Although she is young and only about a month into her high school career, Alexis has already proven she plays the game like a veteran,” said Cass athletic director Dr. Nicky Moore.
Woods participates in honors classes where she has accumulated a GPA of 3.5. The ninth grader approaches academics as seriously as she does athletics and intends to continue her playing career at the college level. She is the daughter of Kenneth and Jamie Woods.
Editors Note: Photos and bios are supplied to Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF by the respective schools and their athletic departments. Elite Stone Supply Co., LLC is the monthly sponsor. Athletes receive a plaque along with recognition during a radio feature on WBHF.
