Presentation Ceremony for Trophy Case Held July 6 at Omni Grove Park Inn
The Mountain Amateur Athletic Club is proud to announce that its trophies will have a new home at The Omni Grove Park Inn. There will be a presentation ceremony of the new trophy case on July 6 at 2 p.m.
The organization’s trophies are awarded each May to the top high school student-athletes in Western North Carolina by the MAAC in a banquet held at The Omni Grove Park Inn.
The new location of the trophies will be on Level 8 of the Vanderbilt Wing at The Omni GrovePark Inn. The new trophy case was designed and built by local builder Rob Kleber. Mr. Kleber donated his services to the MAAC for this project.
“We are extremely excited to announce this new location for our trophies and we can’t think of a better place than The Omni Grove Park Inn,” stated MAAC President Billy Cooper. “The Omni Grove Park Inn has been the site of our banquet for many years and what a perfect place to permanently have our trophies than at The Omni Grove Park Inn.
“The Omni Grove Park Inn has been so generous to us over the years with the banquet and now they are donating space for these trophies. We are so lucky to have them in our community and for their continued support of our banquet over the years,” added Cooper.
Cooper also wanted to thank Kleber for his work. “The MAAC is indebted to Rob Kleber for his incredible work on this project. He donated his time and efforts to make this new trophy case a reality,” stated Cooper. “Rob did a great job on this project that will be seen by thousands of people every year.”
The previous home of the trophies had been in the lobby of Justice Center on the campus of UNC Asheville. “We want to thank UNC Asheville and Athletics Director Janet Cone for housing our trophies for many years,” said Cooper.
61st WNC Sports Awards Banquet Set for May 7 at Grove Park Inn
The 61st WNC Sports Awards Banquet presented by Ingles will be held on Sunday, May 7 at the Omni Grove Park Inn.
The banquet, first held in 1959 and conducted by the Mountain Amateur Athletic Club, honors the area’s top high school athletes and teams with 24 awards, 20 scholarships, the Riley Howell Courage Award, and a Special Olympics Scholarship.
More than 100 of WNC’s top student-athletes are invited to the banquet, which begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Omni Grove Park Inn’s Grand Ballroom.
Tickets are available to the public and can be purchased for $35 at wncsportsawards.org.
Finalists for the awards and scholarships recipients were selected from nominations from WNC coaches and athletic directors, who received their nomination forms in March.
For more information, contact Martha Gates at marthagates18@gmail.com or go to wncawards.org.
Below is a list of finalists for each award that will be handed out on May 7.
Wells Fargo Advisors/Aiken, Meyer, Whatley Division II Female Athlete Major Sport: Katie Alexander, Asheville Christian; Halle McFarland, East Rutherford; Zoie Shuler, Robbinsville; Mahala Stewart, Blue Ridge Early College; Desta Trammell, Robbinsville.
Northwestern Mutual/Carole Martin Division II Female Athlete Olympic Sport: Caroline Barton, Carolina Day; Ella Jane Osada, Asheville Christian; Eliza Perry, Hendersonville; Amelia Rogers, Swain County; Alana Warren, R-S Central.
Homewood Suites Division II Female Team Major Sport: Asheville Christian volleyball, Cherokee basketball, East Rutherford basketball, Robbinsville basketball.
Mills Manufacturing Division II Female Team Olympic Sport: Hendersonville tennis, Swain cross country, Swain indoor track & field, Swain outdoor track & field.
Nicole and Kyte Ferrell Division II Male Athlete Major Sport: Reagan McCranie, Chase; Eric Rasheed, Hendersonville; Isaac Weaver, Andrews; Cooper King, Hendersonville; Derin Saran, Asheville School; Davis Kendall, Owen Soccer.
Tara and Frank Burdette Division II Male Athlete Olympic Sport: Matthew Gray, Swain County; Rocky Hansen, Christ School; Jesse Shelton, Mountain Heritage; McKee Thorsen, Asheville School; Tucker Valliere, Asheville School; Kage Williams, Robbinsville.
Fields Auto Group Division II Male Team Major Sport: Andrews football, Christ School basketball, Mountain Heritage basketball, Owen soccer. Blue Ridge Division of EmergeOrtho Division II Male Team Olympic Sport: Asheville School swimming, Christ School cross country, Owen cross country.
Ann Brandis Division I Female Athlete Major Sport: Chloe Burch, Pisgah; Tori Ensley, Franklin; Evangelia Paulk, Asheville; Halle Skibo, Reynolds; Tymber Thompson, Roberson.
First Citizens Bank Division I Female Athlete Olympic Sport: Jenna Barnes, Reynolds; Emma Hall, West Henderson; Hope Smith, Franklin; Boston Stringer, Franklin; Emma Warren, Enka; McKenna Williams, Tuscola, Emma Hall, West Henderson.
HomeTrust Bank Division I Female Team Major Sport: Pisgah basketball, Reynolds basketball, Roberson volleyball, West Henderson soccer.
Nat & Carolyn Arthur Division I Female Team Olympic Sport: Franklin indoor track and field, North Buncombe indoor track and field, West Henderson cross country, West Henderson outdoor track and field.
Goforth Builders Inc. Division I Male Athlete Major Sport: Chad Clark, North Buncombe; Asher Cunningham, Reynolds; Sean Green, Reynolds; Lukas Kachilo, West Henderson; Dashawn Stone, Reynolds.
Massasoit of North Carolina, Inc. Division I Male Athlete Olympic Sport: Evan Byrd, Pisgah; Blake Cassada, Franklin; Damon Landreth, West Henderson; Noah Tocaben, Enka; Jack Vess, Reynolds.
McKinney Insurance Services Division I Male Team Major Sport: Reynolds football, Reynolds soccer, Roberson baseball, West Henderson baseball.
Rodeway Inn & Suites Division I Male Team Olympic Sport: Enka wrestling, Franklin indoor track and field, Pisgah wrestling, Reynolds outdoor track and field.
Paramount Kia Division II Female Academic Award: Willa Gettys, East Rutherford, Eliza Perry, Hendersonville; Desta Trammell, Robbinsville; Melodi Van’t Hoff, Hendersonville.
Blue Ridge Imaging Technologies Division I Female Academic Award: Kennedy Barker, Pisgah; Anna Grace Eling, North Buncombe; Catherine Rehm, Asheville; Alyssa Smith, Franklin.
Heath & Nikol Shuler Division II Male Academic Award: Trevor Coldren, Rutherford Early College; Luke Collier, Asheville Christian; Cooper King, Hendersonville; Jackson Knox, R-S Central; Matthew Gray, Swain County.
Beverly-Hanks Realty Division I Male Academic Award: Davis Anders, Franklin; Jacob Asbill, Roberson; Evan Byrd, Pisgah; Jackson Duchesne, West Henderson.
Apollo Flame Division II Female Athlete of the Year: Katie Alexander, Asheville Christian; Caroline Barton, Carolina Day; Zoie Shuler, Robbinsville; Desta Trammell, Robbinsville.
Young Transportation Division II Male Athlete of the Year: Matthew Gray, Swain County; Caden Hilemon, Madison; Rocky Hansen, Christ School; Eric Rasheed, Hendersonville; Isaac Weaver, Andrews.
Lary & Jan Schulhof Division I Female Athlete of the Year: Jenna Barnes, Reynolds; Chloe Burch, Pisgah; Lexie Gunter, North Henderson; Evangelia Paulk, Asheville; Tymber Thompson, Roberson.
Henry Logan Division I Male Athlete of the Year: Evan Byrd, Pisgah; Blake Cassada, Franklin; Sean Green, Reynolds; Lukas Kachillo, West Hendersonville; Dashawn Stone, Reynolds.
Scholarship Winners: Jenna Barnes, Reynolds; Ainsley Cannon, Enka; Chad Clark, North Buncombe; Roman Coxie, Asheville Christian; Sarah Kate Dobbins, Thomas Jefferson; Nidrea Gray, Reynolds; Lexie Gunter, North Henderson; Rocky Hansen, Christ School; Israel Jackson, Franklin; Will Johnson, Murphy; Marqies McCombs, Chase; Rylie McDonald, Andrews; Bekka Mull, North Buncombe; Lucas Parker, Enka; Eva Rinker, Tuscola; Amelia Rogers, Swain; Evan Smalley, Tuscola; Tymber Thompson, Roberson; Ty Turbyfill, Mitchell; Kirsten Watt, Asheville High.
MAAC to Induct 2021 and 2022 WNC Sports Hall of Fame Classes
The Mountain Amateur Athletic Club inducted its 2021 and 2022 WNC Sports Hall of Fame classes on Sunday evening, Sept. 25 at the Omni Grove Park Inn.
This year’s Hall of Fame ceremony and dinner marked the first time it’s been held separately in quite some time. In the past, the event has been held in May in conjunction with the WNC awards banquet that honors the top high school student-athletes in the mountains.
The ceremony was the first time the MAAC has been able to induct a Hall of Fame class prior to the pandemic.
The 2021 class consists of former Owen HS football coach Kenny Ford, former WNBA and N.C. State basketball star Rhonda Mapp and former McDowell HS girls’ basketball coach Mike Silver.
The 2022 class includes former major league pitcher Darren Holmes, former Reynolds and Clemson basketball standout Tara Saunooke Alexander, racing legends Bob and Robert Pressley and women’s basketball player, coach, and official Judy Stroud.
In addition, long-time WLOS sportscaster Stan Pamfilis was given the WNC Mountain Athletic Club Gene Ochsenreiter Award for Lifetime Achievement.
MAAC Announces Award Winners at 60th WNC Sports Banquet
The Mountain Amateur Athletics Club hosted its 60th annual awards banquet Sunday night at the Omni Grove Park as the club honored the top high school student-athletes in Western North Carolina.
Sunday night’s event marked the first full capacity banquet since 2019. The banquet was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. It came back last year but to limited capacity.
The first ever Keith Jarrett Memorial Scholarship was announced Sunday night. Jarrett, a long-time Asheville Citizen-Times sportswriter who was the backbone of this event, died unexpectedly last December. The scholarship was created to give a young aspiring journalist some help to begin their college career. Alex McKinney of East Rutherford was the first recipient of the Keith Jarrett Memorial Scholarship.
Also handed out was the Riley Carl Howell Courage Award. Named after the former Roberson student who saved lives during a mass shooting at UNC Charlotte before being killed himself. This year’s award went to Micah Ward of Asheville HS.
Here is a list of the winners from each category:
Wells Fargo Advisors/Aiken, Meyer, Whatley Division II Female Athlete – Major Sport: Cailey Dockery (Murphy).
Northwestern Mutual Division II Female Athlete – Olympic Sport: Arizona Blankenship (Swain)
Homewood Suites Division II Female Team – Major Sport: Asheville Christian Basketball
Mills Manufacturing Division II Female Team – Olympic Sport: Swain Cross Country
Nicole and Kyte Ferrell Division II Male Athlete – Major Sport: Marquis McCombs (Chase)
Tara and Frank Burdette Division II Male Athlete – Olympic Sport: Levi Anderson (Avery)
Fields Auto Group Division II Male Team – Major Sport: Hayesville basketball
Blue Ridge Division of EmergeOrtho Division II Male Team – Olympic Sport: Avery wrestling
Ann Brandis Division I Female Athlete – Major Sport: Emerson Hoyle (Roberson)
First Citizens Bank Division I Female Athlete – Olympic Sport: Emma Hall (West Henderson)
HomeTrust Bank Division I Female Team – Major Sport: Enka basketball
Nat and Carolyn Arthur Division I Female Team – Olympic Sport: West Henderson cross country
Goforth Builders Inc. Division I Male Athlete – Major Sport: Sean Green (Reynolds)
Massasoit of North Carolina, Inc. Division I Male Athlete – Olympic Sport: Brendan Henby (West Henderson)
McKinney Insurance Services Division I Male Team – Major Sport: Pisgah football
Rodeway Inn & Suites Division I Male Team – Olympic Sport: Enka wrestling
Paramount Kia Division II Female Academic Award: Martha Plaehn (Asheville School)
Blue Ridge Imaging Technologies Division I Female Academic Award: Kayla Graham (Roberson)
Heath and Nikol Shuler Division II Male Academic Award: Luke Collier (Asheville Christian)
Beverly-Hanks Realty Division I Male Academic Award: Josh Lowe (Roberson)
Apollo Flame Division II Female Athlete of the Year: Torin Rogers (Murphy)
Young Transportation Division II Male Athlete of the Year: Patrick Sleater (Asheville School)
Lary and Jan Schulhof Division I Female Athlete of the Year: Karlyn Pickens (North Buncombe)
Harry Logan Division I Male Athlete of the Year: Asher Cunningham (Reynolds)
Special Olympics Award: Chris Dockery (Madison)
The following student-athletes were given academic scholarships of $1,500: Kevin Donahue (Enka); Aynsley Fink (Robbinsville); Hailey Glaspy (North Henderson); Glennin Hansen (North Henderson); Greyson Harris (Enka); Mazie Helpman (Swain); Cooper Hyatt (Swain); Taryn Keyzer (Hendersonville); Anna Laws (Reynolds); Pressley Laws (North Buncombe); Ivy McGee (Mountain Heritage); Alex McKinney (East Rutherford); Madison Moore (Mitchell); Madelin Romsdahl (Erwin); Rubisel Sanchez (North Henderson); Jacob Anthony Stanley (Roberson); Mary Elizabeth Shoop (Reynolds); Micah Ward (Asheville).
59th WNC Sports Awards Banquet honors 140 high-school athletes, teams
Capping another strong athletic school year, Murphy High took home five plaques Sunday night at the 59th WNC Sports Awards Banquet presented by Ingles.
The Bulldogs had two athletes - football standout Yousef Mugharbil and track star Sarah Pullium - selected as Athletes of the Year at the event hosted by Omni Resorts Grove Park Inn.
Conducted by the Mountain Amateur Athletic Club, the banquet drew a crowd of more than 500 people that helped honor 140 high-school athletes and teams.
From a list of more than 100 finalists, the MACC awarded plaques to winners in 24 categories and also presented 17 scholarships of $1,500 each.
The banquet also honored 24 award winners from 2020, when no banquet was held due to the pandemic.
Pullium, who will compete in track at UNC-Charlotte, was given the Apollo Flame Division II Female Athlete of the Year Award. Mugharbil, an offensive lineman currently attending Florida on a scholarship, was selected at the Young Transportation Division II Male Athlete of the Year.
Division I Athletes of the Year included North Buncombe multi-sport standout Karlyn Pickens (Lary & Jan Schulrhof Award) and North Henderson wrestler Triston Norris (McNabb Family Award).
Other Murphy winners included Torin Rogers (Wells Fargo Advisors/Aiken, Meyer Whatley Division II Female Athlete in a Major Sport Award), and state-champion teams in football (Fields Auto Group Division II Team in a Major Sport Award) and girls basketball (Homewood Suites Division II Female Team in a Major Sport Award).
The complete list of award and scholarship winners include:
Wells Fargo Advisors/Aiken, Meyer Whatley Award
Division II Female Athlete in a Major Sport: Torin Rogers, Murphy basketball.
Northwestern Mutual Division II Female Athlete - Olympic Sport: Avery Jackson, Asheville Christian Academy track and field.
Homewood Suites Division II Female Team - Major Sport: Murphy basketball.
Mills Manufacturing Division II Female Team - Olympic Sport: Swain track and field.
Keller Ferrell Division II Male Athlete - Major Sport: Nathan Collins, Robbinsville football.
Trudy & David Cappiello Division II Male Athlete - Olympic Sport: Patrick Sleater, Asheville School swimming.
Fields Auto Group Division II Male Team - Major Sport: Murphy football.
Blue Ridge Division of EmergeOrtho Division II Male Team - Olympic Sport: Avery wrestling.
Ann Brandis Division I Female Athlete - Major Sport: Addie Porter, Reynolds soccer.
First Citizens Bank Division I Female Athlete - Olympic Sport: Hannah Angel, Franklin track & field.
HomeTrust Bank Division I Female Team - Major Sport: Roberson volleyball.
Nat & Carolyn Arthur Division I Female Team - Olympic Sport: Hendersonville tennis.
Goforth Builders Inc. Division I Male Athlete - Major Sport: Carter Lindsay, Reynolds baseball and football.
Massasoit of North Carolina, Inc., Division I Male Athlete - Olympic Sport: Luke Ward, Roberson golf.
McKinney/Nationwide Insurance Division I Male Team - Major Sport: Hendersonville basketball.
Rodeway Inn & Suites Division I Male Team - Olympic Sport: North Henderson wrestling.
Paramount Kia Division II Female Academic Award: Alexandra Frank, Asheville Christian Academy swimming.
Blue Ridge X-Ray Division I Female Academic Award: Taryn Keyzer, Hendersonville cross country.
Heath & Nikol Shuler Division II Male Academic Award: Tanner Townsend, Asheville Christian Academy swimming.
Beverly-Hanks Realty Division I Male Academic Award: Luke Artz, Enka wrestling.
Apollo Flame Division II Female Athlete of the Year: Sarah Pullium, Murphy track & field.
Young Transportation Division II Male Athlete of the Year: Yousef Mugharbil, Murphy football.
Lary & Jan Schulhof Division I Female Athlete of the Year: Karlyn Pickens, North Buncombe multiple sports.
McNabb Family Division I Male Athlete of the Year: Triston Norris, North Henderson wrestling.
Scholarship Winners
Sponsored by John & Charlene McNabb Charitable Foundation
Dan Hill Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Hannah Angel, Franklin mutli-sports
Emily Carver, Enka basketball
Marc Golden, Reynolds football
Buck Cannon Memorial Scholarship
Gabby Hooper, Robbinsville multi-sports
Tom & Betsy Bolton Scholarship
Olyvia Dill, Enka cheerleading
Asheville Citizen-Times Scholarship
James Van Cleve, Asheville High baseball
Al & Shirley Whitesides Scholarship
Dylan Garcia, Franklin cross country and track
CP & Brenda Medore Scholarship
Taylor Ensley, Franklin softball and volleyball
Charles D. Owen/Bill Owen Memorial Scholarship
Nathan Honea, Reynolds multi-sports
George & Sandra Beverly Scholarship
Grace Nelson, Murphy multi-sports
Ingles Scholarship
Jenna Marr, Swain
Reid & Pauline Jarrett Memorial Scholarship
Allie Jarrett, New Manna Christian School basketball
Reid & Pauline Jarrett Memorial Scholarship
Addie Porter, Reynolds soccer
Robert Pew & Susan Taylor Scholarship
Jeb Shuler, Robbinsville multi-sports
Thomas & Connie Rogers-Newcome/Ronald Rogers Memorial Scholarship
Julia Parent, West Henderson volleyball
Traci & David Meyer Coach’s Scholarship
Ty Pitman, Mitchell
Elijah Tipton, Madison multi-sports