Making the jump from high school athletics to the college level is rare. Yet several Charlotte female athletes are preparing to do just that. Last year, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) reported nearly eight million students play high school sports in the United States. Yet less than 490,000 make it to NCAA competition. Even fewer compete as professionals or Olympic athletes. However, playing sports in college increases a student’s chance of graduating. The NCAA reported graduation rates across its three divisions; 86 percent in Division I, 71 percent in Division II and 87 percent in Division III.
Take a look at where the class of 2020 is competing in college, and get to know a few of them.
Please note the information below is subject to change. Also note, schools are listed alphabetically.
Ardrey Kell
Basketball: Evan Miller is heading to UNC Wilmington.
Volleyball: Jadyn Barry and Mya Duggan will play at UNC Wilmington. Julia Haines committed to Anderson University. Sania McCoy will play at East Carolina.
Butler
Basketball: Michala Funderburk will compete for Gardner Webb, and Peyton Sutton is heading to Barton College.
Soccer: Sofia Brotherton will play at Montreat College.
Wrestling: Elisa Cox committed to Adrian College (Michigan). She grew up training in traditional Taekwondo, but decided to go out for wrestling her freshman year. On her first day of practice, she walked into a room full of men. Despite the fear of being the only female in the room, she stayed, she conquered, and now she is taking her talents to the next level. She was the only female on her high school team, and the first to compete in the sport for the Bulldogs.
Charlotte Catholic
Field Hockey: Moira Darling heads to Sewanee: The University of the South.
Tennis: Rose Kenny committed to Villanova University.
Swimming: Victoria Dichak committed to Townson University. Mattie McFee heads to Savannah College of Art and Design. Abigal Parks committed to UNC Ashville. Alina Stout heads to Vanderbilt University.
Charlotte Christian
Tennis: Margaret Carlton will play at Washington and Lee University.
Volleyball: Morgan Shrader committed to Pfeiffer University.
Charlotte Country Day
Cross Country: Sophie Spada committed to the University of Alabama, where she will also run track and field.
Hockey: Katie So heads to Yale University.
Lacrosse: Sarah Powers committed to Sewanee: University of the South.
Soccer: Cameron Grainger will play at Washington and Lee University
Track and Field: Clarkson Graham committed to Wake Forest University. Kathryn Leighty heads to Washington University in St. Louis.
Charlotte Latin
Equestrian: Izzy Song will go to the University of Georgia
Field hockey: Caitlin Ahearn committed to Denison University. Emma Gatrell heads to Washington and Lee University.
Gymnastics: Ana Kenefick and Sara Kenefick will attend the University of Pennsylvania. While these twin sisters started out as swimmers. Then Suzie Sanocki, the wife of their swim coach recognized the form of gymnast in them. Ana excels on the uneven bars, while Sara’s strength lies in floor exercises. Both are considered exceptional leaders and teammates.
Lacrosse: Gracie Colombo heads to the University of Tampa. Emily Harris will attend Florida Tech.
Soccer: Paige Nurkin committed to Columbia University.
Swimming: Evelyn Peters will attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Note: Latin will hold their final recognition event in April.
Davidson Day
Track and field: Hadley Zucker heads to Bucknell University. She completed an inspiring comeback after tearing her ACL and meniscus at practice. Her injury forced her to focus on academics, and now she aspires to be a pediatric oncologist or pediatric sports therapist.
Volleyball: Cat Bodick committed to USC Aiken. Cierra Huntley heads to Virginia Tech.
East Mecklenburg
Soccer: Sophia Wells heads to the University of Lynchburg.
Softball: Kasidi Staley stays local with Queens University of Charlotte.
Swimming: Anneliese Hohm heads to East Carolina.
Hough
Gymnastics: Haleigh Bryant will attend LSU. Kinsley Davis committed to Nebraska.
Lacrosse: Grace Craig heads to Youngstown State University. Morgan Ruger committed to Barton College.
Soccer: Hailey Matthews heads to Miami University (Ohio). Lea Wissell will play at UNC Charlotte. Kylie Vilseck committed to Catawba College.
Softball: Austin Pearce committed to Union College (NY).
Swimming: Kensley Merritt heads to Auburn University.
Independence
Softball: Jaylin Adkins committed to Limestone College.
Lake Norman
Acro and Tumbling: Victoria Bonham heads to Belmont Abbey College.
Basketball: Lauren Sullivan will play at Wingate University.
Lacrosse: Kayla Rinaldi heads to Virginia Tech. Tara Haas will play for Jacksonville University.
Soccer: Kerri Coffman will play at Elon University. Ava Friedman committed to Virginia Military Institute. Haley Stoup will play at James Madison University. Mackensey Psaros heads to the University of Mount Olive.
Volleyball: Mackenzie Taylor committed to NC State.
Swimming: Desirae Mangaoang heads to Texas A&M.
Lake Norman Charter
Soccer: Ayden Yates will play for Virginia Tech. Kasey Hahn heads to Catawba College.
Softball: Alyssa Scercy heads to Belmont Abbey College.
Volleyball: Pearce Augier committed to USC Upstate.
Mallard Creek
Basketball: Nevaeh Brown heads to Wake Forest.
Hali Doctor is also playing basketball. She committed to Columbia College. Her story is one of tragedy and triumph. Depayne Middleton-Doctor was killed in the Charleston Church shooting. Hali relocated to Charlotte, enrolling at Mallard Creek. Basketball helped her cope, and now she will attend her mother’s alma mater.
Olympic
Ice Hockey: Lauren Tulloch committed to Aquinas College.
Soccer: Abigal Rowsey heads to Erskine College. Ashley Busteed will play at Limestone College. Tori Paul committed to Maryland.
Softball: Shelby Sosebee committed to Belmont Abbey College.
Providence
Field Hockey: Clare Thomas committed to Ohio.
Golf: Erica Boyd committed to St. Andrews University.
Soccer: Reagan Culver will play at Western Carolina, and Logan Littleton is heading to Limestone College.
Track and Field: Ella Mainwaring Foster committed to Yale University.
Volleyball: Sarah Knafelz will play at UNC Wilmington.
Providence Day
Basketball: Morgan Kelson committed to Clafton University.
Rowing: Audrey Burri heads to the University of Notre Dame.
Softball: Jala Wright will play at Michigan State University.
Volleyball: Ella Abraham heads to Furman University.
South Mecklenburg
Lacrosse: Mitra Shiraz will play for William Peace University.
Tennis: Jenna Thompson committed to Clemson. She went undefeated during her time at South Mecklenburg. The four-time state champion went 80-0.
Soccer: Katie Lowe will play at Elon University.
Softball: Emily Hill is heading to Maryville College.
Swimming: Brynn Martinson committed to Washington and Lee University.
Vance
Basketball: Kyanna Morgan committed to Radford University.
Track and field: Imani Boyd will attend Western Carolina.
