April 2025 Elite Athletes of the Month
- Staff
- May 3
- 3 min read
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.
Malik Henry is the April 2025 Elite Athlete of the Month representing Cass High School. Henry has competed in varsity football and track and field for four years as a senior two-sport athlete.
As a testament to his hard work and dedication, he has been named a permanent captain in football. He broke the school record for the discus throw in track and field — a mark established more than two decades ago. His throw of 152 feet and one inch shattered the previous mark by more than eleven feet.
The son of Natasha Henry, he has a 3.3 GPA and plans to become an electrician following graduation.
Rowan Lee is the Elite Athlete of the Month for Woodland High School for April 2025.
The son of Kristy and Darrell Lee, he is a junior on the Wildcats’ track and field team and plays offensive and defensive line on the football team.
Lee recently qualified for the GHSA sectionals in the 400-meter dash and was a leader on the 4x400-meter relay team that also qualified.
“Rowan has stepped up in a leadership position on the track team this season,” noted Woodland coach Rebecca Beard-Arndt. “He gives it his all.”
Coach Robert Forbes agreed, “Rowan gives 100% in his sports and in the classroom. He is willing to help others and inspire them if needed. He is a great example of a Woodland Wildcat.”
Lee is on the Woodland A/B Honor Roll and is a Woodland Scholar Athlete. He plans to continue his track and field career in college if the opportunity presents itself. He plans to pursue a Logistics degree.
Andrew Purdy is the Elite Athlete of the Month representing Cartersville High School.
He is a third baseman and pitcher on the Purple Hurricanes baseball team and played an integral role as a dual-threat quarterback on the football team.
Through 34 games at the end of April, Purdy has a .579 batting average (55-for-95), including nine home runs, 18 doubles, one triple, and 33 RBI. His on-base percentage sits at .685 with a 1.074 slugging percentage.
On the mound, the right-hander has an 8-0 record with two saves in eight starts and 12 appearances. He has 64 strikeouts with only 17 walks in 38 innings. His ERA is a mere 0.37, and opponents have been limited to a .152 batting average.
In four state playoff games in April, Purdy was 11-for-14 (.786) with three home runs, six doubles, two walks, eight runs scored, and five RBI. He is 2-0 on the mound in two playoff starts, covering 11 innings with 18 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA.
“Andrew is such an outstanding athlete,” stated Canes’ head coach Kyle Tucker. “More importantly, however, he is an outstanding student and citizen. His hard work is second to none, and he handles himself with utmost humility. He is a joy to be around.”
The son of Andy and Amy Purdy, Andrew will continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Alabama as a Crimson Tide baseball team member.
Jackson Taylor is the April 2025 Elite Athlete of the Month for Adairsville High School.
The son of Chris and Natalie Taylor is a junior and the top golfer on the Tigers’ golf team.
“Jackson is hard-working, humble, and level-headed,” raved Adairsville golf coach Troy Hester. “He has consistently lowered his scores yearly through diligence during the off-season. Jackson is mentally tough, so you can’t tell if he made a birdie or a bogey. I joke that his only flaw is that he is a Tennessee fan.”
Taylor has a 4.0 grade point average and is a BETA Club member.
He plans to attend college to become a teacher.
Editor's 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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