April 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 the 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.
Emily Surcey is the April 2021 Elite Athlete of the Month representing Cass High School.
The senior and Arkansas State signee played Line 1 singles for the Lady Colonels and led the team to a GHSA state tournament appearance. She was undefeated this season including her match in the state playoffs.
The daughter of Mike and Andrea Surcey, Emily has been playing tennis for nine years and has been ranked as high as No. 25 in the South.
Surcey has a 4.0 grade point average and is involved in many school clubs and organizations. She also coaches young kids tennis in her free time.
“Emily is a great leader and will be missed,” said Cass athletic director Dr. Nicky Moore.
The Cartersville High School Elite Athlete of the Month is Eric Toviave.
He is a wide receiver for the Cartersville football team and competes in the 110M Hurdles, 300M Hurdles, 4x100M Relay, and 4x400M Relay in track.
Toviave, a junior, has led GHSA Class AAAAA the entire 2021 track and field season with a state leading time (14.43) in the 110M Hurdles. He has advanced to the State Sectionals as Region 7-AAAAA champion in the event and is the current favorite to win state.
“Eric is undefeated over his past 14 races,” noted Canes’ assistant track and field coach Matt Terry. “He has led the state 110M hurdle rankings most of the year and had a blistering 14.43 time while winning the region title. He is hands down the favorite to win state in the event May 15. Eric is also a key member of our 4x400M and 4x100M relay teams that won region. The 4x100M team set a new school record with a time of 42.8 seconds.”
Toviave has recently become the interest of several Division I track and field programs. “Once he broke the 15 second barrier, the D-I schools took notice and the phone started to ring,” said Terry. “Eric is a team leader and is destined for great things on the track in college. He’s a bonafide D-I track athlete.”
Woodland High School’s Elite Athlete of the Month for April 2021 is Cooper Varga. A sophomore soccer player for the Wildcats, Varga played multiple positions during the 2021 season and competes for both Woodland High School and his club team. “We switch him all over the field,” said Wildcats’ head coach Ed Guse. “His original position is midfielder, but we’ve utilized Cooper in the front, middle, and back as needed this season. He is very versatile and a team player. He also has the ability to read the game well so we’ve played him as a sweeper. He’s extremely valuable to the team.” Varga, the son of Tim Varga and Debra Cantrell, plans to study business and continue his soccer career at the collegiate level.
Jack Whitley is the April 2021 Elite Athlete of the Month representing Adairsville High School.
The son of Elizabeth Manson and John Whitley, he is a sophomore member of both the Tigers’ football and baseball teams.
A pitcher, Whitley earned his way into the Adairsville starting rotation this season and became a valuable contributor on the mound. “When Jack is on the mound we feel like we have a chance to win the ball game,” said Tigers’ head coach Billy Roper. “He is a tremendous competitor and hates to lose.”
Whitley has also proven himself in the classroom at Adairsville. He has a 4.0 grade point average taking Honors level and Advanced Placement courses.
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.
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