January 2025 Elite Athletes of the Month
Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com
In conjunction with WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone, Elite Stone Supply presents the ELITE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH. Each month, local high schools 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.
The Cass High School wrestling team entered the 2024-25 Class AAAA State Dual Tournament seeded fourth but emerged as Back-to-Back State Champions.
The Colonels won Class AAAAA in 2024 and the Class AAA title in 2008, giving the Cass program a Duals State Championship in three classifications.
Cass had victories over Cambridge (56-21), Locust Grove (63-11), and No. 1-seed Central-Carroll (37-29) in the first three rounds of the state tournament. Central had won two straight state titles before falling to the Colonels in the semifinals.
In the state finals, Cass squared off with cross-town rival Woodland. The Colonels’ 38-30 championship dual win avenged a narrow loss to the Wildcats two weeks earlier in the region championship.
Alana Carnes is the January 2025 Elite Athlete of the Month for Woodland High School.
Carnes is a senior three-sport athlete and the daughter of Vanessa and Carey Carnes.
Carnes is a point guard for the Lady Cats basketball team. She also played softball and is a member of the track and field team.
“Alana is not only our leading scorer, but she also exemplifies leadership on and off the court,” said Woodland girls’ basketball coach Whitney Harris. “She plays the complete game for us. Alana always has a positive attitude, always gives her best, and is a true representative of a Lady Wildcat.”
Carnes is a Woodland Scholar-Athlete and National Honor Society member. She plans to continue her education after high school but is undecided about her destination.
Lucy Maybern Evans is the January 2025 Elite Athlete of the Month for Cartersville High School.
A junior and Cartersville riflery team captain, Evans is currently the No. 1-ranked shooter in GHSA Area 10 and No. 2 in the state. She holds every riflery Cartersville High School record.
In addition to her GHSA competitions in riflery, Evans competes through 4-H, USA Shooting, Junior NRA, and the Civilian Marksmanship Program.
In 2024, Evans placed first in .22 Rimfire at the State 4-H Championship and was the Georgia National team captain. She finished third at the 4-H National Shooting Championship and was first in the Civilian Marksmanship Program competition at 4-H Nationals. She is currently ranked in the Top 50 junior shooters in the U.S. through CMP.
“Lucy is an exceptional student-athlete and goes above and beyond to support her teammates,” said Riflery coach Edwin Bonayon. “She leads by example but also guides and motivates other team members. Her remarkable skill level attracts attention — even from competitors — who are naturally drawn to her talent and expertise.”
With a 4.6 grade point average, Evans currently ranks third in her class of 345 students. She takes Honors and Advanced Placement courses and dual enrollment at Georgia Highlands College. She has also been active in many different school clubs and community organizations.
Evans was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at age five but has achieved the highest level of shooting sports while managing her health and academics. She participates in local, state, regional, and national competitions year-round.
The daughter of Shane and Angela Evans, she plans to attend a four-year university and compete in NCAA riflery.
Kaitlyn Queen is the January 2025 Elite Athlete of the Month for Adairsville High School.
A senior Tigers swim team member, Queen competes in distance events. She is the reigning Bartow County champion in the 500-yard freestyle. She also competes in the 200-yard freestyle.
“Kaitlyn has been a committed member of the Adairsville High School Swim Team for seven years,” noted Adairsville head coach Miller Barnett. “She works hard in the pool every opportunity she is given and often attends two practices a day. She exemplifies the dedication of personal excellence and perseverance demanded from the sport of swimming.”
The daughter of Richard Queen and Holly Kelly, she holds a 3.96 grade point average. Queen is a BETA Club and Magnet Program member and plans to major in Psychology in college.
Editors Note: The respective schools and athletic departments supply Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF with photos and bios. Elite Stone Supply Co., LLC is the monthly sponsor. Athletes receive a plaque and recognition during a radio feature on WBHF.
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