This Fall was a season of players, coaches, and teams taking a step forward. Each and every team showed commitment, hard work, and a willingness to do whatever it took to move forward. The commitment of our coaches,players, and families to make Carmel Athletics successful is truly remarkable! Most of our athletes spent the summer working out and attending workouts to prepare for the season. Your dedication and commitment is noticed and it is those choices that make a big difference.
Middle School sports is a time to begin to lay the groundwork for skill development, team dynamics, and an introduction to each program’s culture. Above winning games and trophies, it is the primary focus of our MS teams to introduce our athletes to what it takes to be successful in the years to come.
Our middle school coaches did that this year, and along the way had great seasons of development and success. Our MS soccer team finished with a .500 record and advanced to the semifinals of their conference tournament. This team is very young and with the team culture that has been established this year, this team will continue to improve.
The MS volleyball team had so many young players and returning players step into big roles to make the season a huge success! The team finished 2nd in the conference regular season and runner up in the QCC conference tournament.
The MS Boys Cross Country team finished 2nd in the QCC Regular season and the MS Girls finished 1st in the regular season. At the QCC Conference Meet, both teams dominated the meet taking home both conference championships! Both of these teams have shown great progress through the season.
JV Volleyball and JV Boys Soccer bridge the gap between MS and Varsity teams. Both teams showed great improvement and the continued development of players will help provide strength for our varsity teams in the coming years.
Our Varsity Women’s golf team continues to grow and show improvement. Today was the first round of the NCISAA State Golf Tournament. It will conclude on Tuesday. Rylee Ratcliff from our CCS golf team qualified as an individual for the state tournament. We are excited to see how she fairs over the 2 day tournament.
The Varsity Volleyball team had its best record in several years. Coach Arnett has established a culture that will produce more success in the years to come. The senior volleyball players have left a great legacy with this program.
Varsity Women’s tennis played a very competitive schedule, competing against some of the top public and private high schools in Charlotte. Their improvement was incredible and the team made some great lasting memories. They qualified for the NCISAA State Tournament, but lost to a very strong Charlotte Christian team.
The CCS Varsity Cross Country teams had great seasons, continuing to hit PR’s and learn that teams are better when they run together. The top 10 runners from each team will compete in the NCISAA State Cross Country Meet this Friday at McAlpine Park in Charlotte. The 4A division race will be at 9:00 a.m. for the women and 9:35 a.m. for the men on Friday. Come out and support our teams if you can.
The Varsity Men’s Soccer team has won 7 games in a row and have advanced to the semi-finals of the Soccer State tournament. They will play the #2 seeded team, Christ School, on Tuesday at Christ School in Asheville. WHEN they win on Tuesday, they will play on Saturday for the soccer state championship!
It takes many hands to pull off a season of sports at Carmel! I would like to say a special thanks to the following people who have helped make this season possible:
- My staff- Lauren Mello and Marty Parrish
- Our great Athletic Training Staff- Carlee Taylor and Briley Waters
- Coaches- thank you for your time and dedication and willingness to invest in our students’ lives.
- CCS Booster Club- thank you to the members who help raise funds for our athletes. Thanks to our Booster Club Executive Board for their love and commitment to CCS Athletics. Thousands of dollars were spent by the CCS Booster Club to help make this season a success. You can still join today from our school website!
- Principals Sheila Nelson and Wendy Grace for their support of CCS Athletics. And, most importantly, the MS and HS teachers for their support and help with the crazy fall season of early dismissals, tutoring time, and all the other things they do to help athletes.
- Families of our coaches- thank you for sharing them with us. I know there are things they could be doing with you, but they are working with our students.
- Athletes and Families- thank you for your commitment and sacrifice to make our season great!
Fall Award Recipients:
Middle School:
Cross Country (Girls)
Most Improved- Reese Barney
MVP- Emma Campbell
Cougar PRIDE- Hailey McMasters
Cross Country (Boys)
Most Improved- Palmer High
MVP- Gavin Seamann
Cougar PRIDE- Caeden Weiler
Soccer
Most Improved- CJ Spolar
MVP- Jude Le Festa
Cougar PRIDE- Walt Woodard
Volleyball
Most Improved- Ava Hope
MVP- Fiona Stewart
Cougar PRIDE- Emily Monk
High School:
JV Soccer
Most Improved- Eric Gonchar
MVP- Levi Holland
Cougar PRIDE- Brady Brown
JV Volleyball
Most Improved- Natalie Guillen
MVP- Lily Pacetti
Cougar PRIDE- Maggie Wall
Varsity Golf (Women)
Most Improved- Ellie Huxley
MVP- Rylee Ratcliff
Cougar PRIDE- Emma Coulter
Varsity Tennis (Women)
Most Improved- Anna Browne
MVP- Merritt Livingston
Cougar PRIDE- Cate Hilton
Varsity Cross Country (Men)
Most Improved- Roy Austin Graham
MVP- Harrison Akers
Cougar PRIDE- Aaron Asvestas
Varsity Cross Country (Women)
Most Improved- Sabrina Asvestas
MVP- Sophie Pettus
Cougar PRIDE- Gabriela Gutierrez
Varsity Volleyball
Most Improved- Ava Spratt
MVP- Mabry Hudson
Cougar PRIDE- Jessical Keene
Varsity Soccer
Most Improved- Matteo Porretta
MVP- Kalani Ugale
Cougar PRIDE- Jahir Jimenez
