Athletes Beyond Bartow: Updates on local professional and collegiate athletes

February 10, 2025

This week’s edition includes updates on four dozen athletes with local ties to Bartow County and their contributions for the week ending February 9.

PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS

JASON BOHN — PGA Tour Champions (34 yr. pro; Alabama; Cartersville CC member) … shot rounds of 74-71-79 (5-over) and tied for 39th this past weekend at the Trophy Hassan II at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco. He was in the top twenty entering the final round but struggled with four consecutive bogeys during a stretch on the back nine of the par-73, 7,329-yard course. The PGA Tour Champions moves to Naples, Florida, for the Chubb Classic this weekend.

BASKETBALL

BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … recorded a double-double scoring 41 points with 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals last Friday in a 91-80 win at Sewanee-University of the South. On Sunday, Benham scored 14 points with five assists, three rebounds, and two steals in an 84-67 victory at Centre College (KY) for a ninth-straight win. The Vikings (16-7, 9-1 Southern Athletic Association) visit Oglethorpe University on Wednesday night and host Millsaps College (MS) on Sunday in the regular season finale.

NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … totaled three points with seven rebounds and three assists last week as the Eagles split home games. Reinhardt lost 64-61 to Johnson University (TN) and beat Union Commonwealth University (KY) 73-47. The Eagles (18-6, 14-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visit Bryan College (TN) on Wednesday and St. Andrews University (NC) on Saturday.

CLAIRE DAVIS — Kennesaw State University (Jr., Cass HS) … scored five points at Middle Tennessee this past Saturday in a 76-43 loss in Murfreesboro. Davis grabbed two rebounds and had one assist last Thursday in a 78-57 loss at Western Kentucky. The Owls (8-14, 3-8) host Louisiana Tech on Thursday night and Sam Houston on Saturday afternoon in Conference USA games.

JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Chattanooga State CC (So., Cartersville HS) … scored two points with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals Wednesday, February 5, in a 61-48 home win over Pellissippi State CC. Draughn scored 10 points with six assists and two rebounds this past Saturday in a 64-62 loss at Southwest Tennessee CC. The Tigers (15-9, 10-5 TCCAA) play at Walters State CC on Wednesday.

ANSLEY GRIFFIN — North Carolina Wesleyan (Fr., Cartersville HS) … had no stat line but saw eight minutes of floor time this past Saturday in a 66-44 home victory over Salem College. The Battlin’ Bishops (13-7, 10-3 USA South Athletic Conference) visit William Peace University (NC) on February 18.

ZION HAYES — Weatherford College (Fr., Cass HS) … totaled five points with two blocked shots, two steals, four assists, and four rebounds in wins last week over Southwestern Assemblies of God University (81-65) and at Collin County CC (72-69). The Coyotes (14-8, 6-3 North Texas Junior College Conference) host McLennan CC on Wednesday and Hill College on Saturday afternoon.

DAVID JINKS — University of Maine-Augusta (Fr., Excel Christian Academy) … scored three points with two assists, one rebound, and one steal this past Saturday in a 111-73 loss at Maine-Presque Isle. The Moose (5-18, 5-9 USCAA Division 2) will host New Hampshire Tech on Monday and face Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences on Sunday.

HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … scored eight points with six rebounds, three assists, and one steal in a 73-47 home win this past Saturday over Union Commonwealth University (KY). Johnson also scored nine points with six rebounds, two steals, two assists, and one blocked shot Wednesday, February 5, in a 64-61 home loss to Johnson University (TN). On Wednesday, the Eagles (18-6, 14-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) play at Bryan College (TN).

KEARA McDaniel — Toccoa Falls College (Jr., Cass HS) … scored two points with two assists and one rebound this past Saturday in a 64-38 win at Southeastern Baptist College (MS). The Screamin’ Eagles (12-9) play at Pensacola Christian on Monday night and host Regent University (VA) on Friday.

TJ PRINTUP — Tusculum University (So., Adairsville HS) … making his fourth and fifth starts of the season, Printup totaled 31 points with eight rebounds, four steals, two assists, and one blocked shot as the Pioneers beat visiting Emory & Henry College on Wednesday, February 5, 92-82, and lost to Wingate University 67-57. Tusculum (5-18, 5-14 South Atlantic Conference) hosts Carson-Newman University on Wednesday night.

LONDAISHA SMITH — St. Andrews University (Sr., Cass HS) … extended her streak of games scoring in double figures to eight last week as the Knights split home games with Columbia College (SC) and Truett McConnell University. Smith scored 19 points with five rebounds, two steals, and one assist in the 85-76 win over Columbia. She scored 11 points with five rebounds, four steals, and one assist in a 59-54 loss to Truett McConnell. On Wednesday, St. Andrews (10-15, 6-12 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visits Brenau University (GA).

ALISSA WINTERS — Truett McConnell University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … totaled five points, one rebound, and one assist in five-point wins last week over Tennessee Wesleyan University (62-57) and St. Andrews University (59-54). The Bears (12-12, 9-9 Appalachian Athletic Conference) host Milligan University on Saturday afternoon.

WRESTLING

ANGEL BANDA — Reinhardt University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … won his 125-pound bout by technical fall, but the Eagles lost at Life University this past Friday, 33-14. Up next for RU is the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament on February 21-22 at Life University.

LEE CAMP — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … lost his bout at 133 pounds by technical fall last Friday in a 33-14 loss at Life University. The Eagles return to Marietta February 21-22 for the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament.

KYLE GOLLHOFER — University of Northern Iowa (Sr., Woodland HS) … won a 7-0 decision in his bout this past weekend at 125 pounds, helping the 5th-ranked Panthers to a 33-6 road dual win at North Dakota State. Northern Iowa (12-1) hosts 14th-ranked Iowa State on Sunday.

CALEB HENSON — Virginia Tech (Jr., Woodland HS) … currently ranked No. 1 nationally in the 149-pound weight class, Henson defeated 9th-ranked Jaden Abas by technical fall, 17-1, as the No. 10 Hokies won at No. 17 Stanford this past Friday, 30-13. Virginia Tech (7-2, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) hosts Pitt on Friday night.

CHAMP HIGDON — Lander University (So., Woodland HS) … won his 285-pound bout with a 14-2 tech fall Tuesday, February 4, as the 12th-ranked Bearcats blanked University of Montevallo, 49-0. Lander (13-4, 9-0 Conference Carolinas) hosts Shorter University on Tuesday, and the conference tournament begins on Sunday.

BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Marshall College (Jr., Cass HS) … won his 141-pound bout by pin (2:48) last Friday in the Diplomats’ 30-9 home loss to Drexel University. Franklin & Marshall hosts Millersville University (PA) on Sunday.

TYLER-XAVIER McKNIGHT — Davidson College (So., Cass HS) … the 149-pounder suffered a pair of losses this past weekend to opponents from UT-Chattanooga (4-0) and Bellarmine University (7-1). The Wildcats (3-12, 1-5 Southern Conference) also lost both team duals. Davidson hosts VMI on Friday night.

JORDAN MITCHELL — Life University (R-Sr., Cass HS) … won his 141-pound bout last Friday with a 10-5 decision as the Runnin’ Eagles defeated visiting Reinhardt University 33-14. Life will host the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament on February 21-22.

JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Jr., Woodand HS) … ranked 11th nationally in the 184-pound weight class, Smith went 1-1 in his bouts, but the Terrapins lost home duals to Rutgers (21-20) and Penn State. Smith won a major decision (14-4) in his Rutgers bout but lost by technical fall (17-2) against national No. 1 Carter Starocci of top-ranked Penn State on Sunday. Maryland (8-9, 3-4 Big Ten) travels to Purdue for a Friday conference dual.

ANETRA WITHERSPOON — Life University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … wrestling up in the 207-pound class last Friday, Witherspoon lost bouts by pin to opponents from Campbellsville University (KY) and University of the Cumberlands (KY). Life defeated Campbellsville 34-13 and 5th-ranked University of the Cumberlands 24-19. Next for the Runnin’ Eagles is the Mid-South Conference Tournament in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

TENNIS

EMILY BUSH — University of North Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … won her Line 6 singles match Saturday 6-2, 6-0 in the Nighthawks’ 6-1 victory over Erskine College. She also teamed with Linn Goerdes to win their Line 3 doubles match with the Fleet, 7-6. On February 4, Bush and Goerdes won 6-3 at Line 3 doubles in a 6-1 team victory over Bush’s former team, Young Harris College. North Georgia (3-0) is ranked No. 6 nationally and visits 10th-ranked Auburn Montgomery on Friday.

EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Sr., Cass HS) … in a 6-1 Bulldogs’ victory this past Saturday over visiting Belmont University, Surcey won her Line 1 singles 6-1, 2-6, 10-3 and partnered with Libby Blair to win at Line 1 doubles, 7-6. On Friday, she lost her Line 1 singles match at Lipscomb University in Nashville, 0-6, 2-6, and with Grace Keller at Line 2 doubles, 3-6, in a 0-7 team loss. Samford (5-2) hosts UAB on Wednesday afternoon.

GYMNASTICS

ABIGAIL BUNCH — Rhode Island College (Jr., Cass HS) … scored 9.300 and tied for 12th as an individual on uneven bars this past Sunday as the Anchorwomen finished second behind host University of Bridgeport (CT) in a quad meet with Springfield College (MA) and Wilberforce University (OH). Bunch also scored 8.850 on the balance beam to place 23rd individually. Bridgeport finished with 192.175 points. Rhode Island College was second at 189.950, followed by Springfield (185.275) and Wilberforce (177.300). The Anchorwomen will host a tri-meet on Saturday with SUNY Cortland and Springfield College (MA).

INDOOR TRACK

HAYDEN CAGLE — Berry College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … placed 31st of 38 (11.65 meters / 38-02) in the shot put and was 33rd (10.81 meters / 35-05) in the weight throw this past weekend at the UAB Vulcan Invitational in Birmingham. The Vikings will participate in the Samford Open 2 on Saturday.

KAITLYN GODWIN — University of North Florida (Fr., Cass HS) … finished 22nd of 73 competitors in the 200-meter dash last Friday at the Celebration Pointe Indoor Classica in Gainesville, Florida. Next for the Ospreys is the Atlantic Sun Conference Indoor Championships in Louisville, Kentucky on February 27-28.

GOLF

BLANE DAVIS — Georgia College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … carded rounds of 84-81-76 on the 7,021-yard, par-72 Preserve at Verdae in Greenville (SC) and tied for 65th individually on February 1-2 at the Lander University Bearcat Spring Invitational. Wingate won the tournament and Georgia College was ninth of ten teams. The Bobcats are scheduled for the Matlock Collegiate Classic in Lakeland, Florida, on Monday and Tuesday.

SOFTBALL

KILEY ARNOLD — Shorter University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 4-for-12 with a walk and two RBIs in the Hawks’ four losses last Friday and Saturday at the Alabama-Huntsville Charger Chillout in Albertville, Alabama. Shorter (0-6) hosts Georgia Southwestern State on Tuesday and will play Allen University (SC) and USC Beaufort at the Sand Shark Invitational in Hardeeville, South Carolina on Friday and Saturday.

HAYLEE DISHMON — Georgia Highlands College (So., Cass HS) … went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and one run scored last Friday in a 10-2 home win over USC Salkehatchie. Dishmon also drove in a run, walked, and scored a run on Tuesday, February 4, in a 12-3 home win over Coastal Alabama-North CC. The Chargers (7-1) host Cleveland State CC on Tuesday and USC Sumter for a four-game series on Friday and Saturday.

PEYTON DORN — Brewton-Parker College (Fr., Woodland HS) … picked up her first collegiate pitching win this past Saturday in a 2-⅔ inning relief appearance as the Barons beat visiting West Virginia University Tech 14-5. Dorn did not allow a run on three hits and recorded one strikeout. Brewton-Parker (3-4-1) plays at Brenau University (GA) on Tuesday, hosts College of Coastal Georgia on Friday, and Truett McConnell University on Saturday.

MEGAN GREGORY — Campbell University (So., Adairsville HS) … made pitching appearances this past Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as the Camels beat Kent State twice (5-4 and 9-3) and East Tennessee State (12-4). Gregory totaled 9-⅓ innings in the circle and allowed six runs (four earned) on 12 hits and five walks. She was credited with the pitching win with her two innings against ETSU. Campbell (4-1) will host Lafayette, UMass-Lowell, Eastern Kentucky, and Bryant University Friday through Sunday for the Camel Invitational.

SADYE JOHNSON — University of North Georgia (Sr., Adairsville HS) … went 2-for-4, including one double, two RBIs, and one run scored in three game appearances this past weekend — two wins over Lake Erie College and a loss to the University of West Florida in the Mizuno Invitational in Dahlonega. The Nighthawks (6-2) travel to Carson-Newman for a Wednesday doubleheader and will host Emmanuel University (GA) and Emory & Henry College on Saturday and Sunday for the Gold City Classic.

RACHAEL LEE — Valdosta State University (Jr., Cass HS) … in six starts last week against Florida Southern College, University of Tampa, and Saint Leo University, Lee was 5-for-18 at the plate with four walks, one double, and three RBIs. She also had one stolen base. The Blazers won both games at Florida Southern but lost twice at 10th-ranked Tampa and lost both games at Saint Leo. VSU (4-7) has a three-game Gulf South Conference series on Saturday and Sunday at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee.

AVA PERKINS — Lee University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 6-for-11 at the plate last week, including four walks, one home run, one double, five RBIs, and seven runs scored in two wins at Carson-Newman University and three home wins over Cedarville University (OH). The Flames (7-1) begin Gulf South Conference play at home Saturday and Sunday with a three-game series against Delta State University.

ALEXIS WOODS — Tennessee State University (So., Cass HS) … had four hits in eleven at-bats last weekend as the Tigers went 2-3 at the Troy University Trojan Classic. Woods walked three times and added two sacrifice hits. TSU beat North Texas and Samford but lost to Troy twice and Central Michigan. The Tigers host Illinois, Quinnipiac, Stony Brook, and Mercer Friday through Sunday for the Roar City Invitational in Nashville.

BASEBALL

DREW BILLINGS — Trinity Baptist College (Jr., Woodland HS) … earned his third save this past Saturday in a 14-10 win over Bob Jones University in Orange Park. Billings worked the eighth and ninth innings, allowing one earned run on two hits and three walks. He fanned two of the ten batters he faced. The Eagles (6-2, 4-1) will make a four-game Texas trip this weekend for the National Christian College Athletic Association D-2 Invitational.

CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-8 with two walks and one run scored in starts last Friday and Saturday against 24th-ranked Rhodes College and Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Panthers (0-3) will host Pfeiffer University, 20th-ranked Adrian College, and Berry College Friday through Sunday for the LaGrange College Classic.

HARRISON CHILDERS — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-10 this past weekend in a three-game home series sweep of Spartanburg Methodist. He walked two times and scored one run in the series. ABAC (5-1) visits Middle Georgia State University on Tuesday and welcomes William Carey University for a three-game conference series on Friday and Saturday.

MICAH EARWOOD — Southeastern University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made two relief appearances last Thursday and Saturday with no decision in Fire wins over the University of British Columbia and the University of Saint Francis (IN). Earwood totaled 2-⅔ innings and allowed two runs (no earned runs) on no hits and two walks. He struck out five of ten batters faced in the appearances. Southeastern (8-0) has a four-game series at home with Embry-Riddle University on February 21-22.

GEOFFREY GORE — Bevill State CC (So., Cartersville HS) … earned a save last Friday with a two-inning appearance during a 7-6 win at Calhoun CC. Gore allowed two unearned runs on three hits with two strikeouts. This past Saturday, he was also tagged with a pitching loss in a 6-4 loss at Gadsden State CC. Gore allowed two earned runs on one hit and one walk in 1-⅓ innings. On Tuesday, the Bears (1-5) play a doubleheader at Wallace State-Hanceville CC.

CAL GOSS — Lee University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … allowed six earned runs on five hits and one walk in a ninth-inning appearance last Friday during a 14-10 win over visiting Hillsdale College. He recorded one strikeout and hit one batter. The 22nd-ranked Flames (5-2) visit Young Harris College on Wednesday and travel to Delta State University for a three-game conference series on Friday and Saturday.

COLT McKIBBEN — Lee University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … collected a pitching win with a two-inning relief appearance on Wednesday, February 5, as the Flames beat visiting Lincoln Memorial University 5-1. McKibben allowed no runs on one hit and two walks. He faced nine batters and struck out two. He did issue one intentional walk. Lee (5-2) plays at Young Harris College on Wednesday and visits Delta State University on Friday and Saturday for a three-game Gulf South Conference series.

LUKE MILLER — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 4-for-10, including one triple, one double, and two runs scored in two starts this past weekend at Young Harris College. The Cougars (3-3) host Albany State University on Wednesday before playing at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida, Saturday and Sunday.

AYDEN RAY — USC Lancaster (Fr., Woodland HS) … was 0-for-1 but drove in a run Wednesday, February 5, in a 9-6 loss to Cleveland CC (NC). USC Lancaster (1-8) plays at Cleveland CC on Wednesday and has a three-game series at Rockingham CC on Saturday and Sunday.

PRESTON WELCHEL — Cumberland University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … in a four-game series at home this past weekend against the University of Northwestern Ohio, the Phoenix went 2-1-1. Welchel was 6-for-12 at the plate, including one homer, a double, and four walks. He was also hit by a pitch and scored five runs. Cumberland (5-2-1) visits the University of Tennessee Southern on Tuesday and has a three-game home series with Indiana Tech on Saturday and Sunday.

SAWYER WILSON — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a one-inning relief appearance last Friday with no decision in a 15-6 loss to Lenoir-Rhyne. The game was played at Young Harris College. Wilson allowed two earned runs on two hits. The Cougars (3-3) host Albany State University on Wednesday and travel to Barry University (FL) for three games on Saturday and Sunday.