October 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.
Ansley Evans is the Elite Athlete of the Month representing Woodland High School.
A four-year letter winner in softball and basketball, the senior is the daughter of Derrick and Kim Evans.
A shortstop on the Wildcats’ softball team, Evans helped lead Woodland to an Elite Eight appearance in the Class AAAAA state playoffs by hitting for a .460 batting average. She contributed eight doubles, three triples, and 14 RBIs prior to the team’s final playoff round. She scored 45 runs and committed only two errors in 86 defensive chances.
“She is a team leader and always stays positive with the younger players,” said Woodland coach Colman Roberts. “We have qualified for the state tournament all four years of Ansley’s high school career. She had a big impact on all four of those state tournament appearances.”
Evans has a 3.96 cumulative GPA and 94.98 numerical GPA.
She has verbally committed to Reinhardt University to continue her education and softball career.
The Elite Athlete of the Month for Cartersville High School is Colin McCann. A senior member of the Hurricanes’ cross country team, he is the son of Frank and Cherie McCann.
“I selected Colin because he not only has exhibited the poise and maturity to run his best race at the Region Championship Tuesday (Oct. 27), but because of his continued improvement throughout the season," said Cartersville coach David Matherne. "In fact, throughout his four year career at Cartersville he has been steadily improving to the point where he is ready to compete in college. He is one of the best we’ve ever had at Cartersville. In the summer, he ran a 5K in 16:56 on the track in a time-trial with no one to push him. Tuesday in the Region meet, he was our No. 1 man and helped the team earn a trip to the state meet for the 34th-consecutive season.”
McCann plans to run cross country and track in college.
Chris Roper represents Adairsville High School as the October Elite Athlete of the Month.
A sophomore and a three-sport athlete — football, basketball, and baseball — Roper has been selected this football season as an offensive and special teams Player of the Week.
“Chris does a lot of things well,” said Adairsville football defensive coordinator Jon Cudd. “He does things that are difficult to teach and has filled a big void in the secondary as a tenth grader.” Tigers’ offensive coordinator Pat Konen had similar comments. “Chris is a special talent with the ball in his hands. The more he continues to learn and grow, the more exciting he will be to watch. He is improving each week in the little things that will help him become a complete player,” said Konen.
The son of Billy and Tamara Roper, Chris has a 4.0 GPA taking Honors and AP classes.
The Elite Athlete of the Month for October representing Cass High School is Jake Wright. Jake, the son of Jason Wright, is a sophomore and a second-year contributor running cross country for the Colonels.
“Jake has been one of our leading runners and most consistent runners this year. He improved his personal best time in every meet this season and improved his time of the Region Championship course by 30 seconds,” said Cass cross country coach Darin Cooper. Wright currently holds a 4.0 GPA in Honors classes and is ranked 14th overall in his class.
“He has been a strong leader for our team this year and continues to lead by example,” added Cooper. “Jake has a passion to always be the best whether in the classroom or in athletics.”
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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