Athletes Beyond Bartow: A busy week for local collegians

February 9, 2026

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

It is one of the busiest times of the year for collegiate sports, as winter sports conclude regular-season play in preparation for postseason play and spring sports begin with early-season games, matches, and tournaments.

This week’s 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' update includes contributions from 38 local athletes across eight sports nationwide.

WRESTLING

LEE CAMP — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … won a 17-2 technical fall at 133 pounds as the Eagles beat visiting University of Montevallo 26-15 last Saturday in Waleska. Next for Reinhardt is the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships on Friday, February 20, site to be determined.

CADEN McCRARY — Reinhardt University (Sr., Woodland HS) … won a 4-1 sudden victory overtime decision in his 141-pound bout last Saturday in the Eagles’ 26-15 home win over the University of Montevallo. Next for Reinhardt is the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships on Friday, February 20, site to be determined.

HAYDEN SANTORA — Reinhardt University (So., Woodland HS) … lost his bout at 165 pounds, but the Eagles beat visiting University of Montevallo last Saturday 26-15. Next for Reinhardt is the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships on Friday, February 20, site to be determined.

ANETRA WITHERSPOON — Life University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-2 in her 180-pound bouts at the Grand View Open Silver Division last Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa. Witherspoon also lost a bout to an opponent from Ottawa University (KS) on Sunday at For Her Duals in Coralville, Iowa, as the Running Eagles went 3-1. Next for Life is the Mid-South Conference Championship Tournament on February 20 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

BASKETBALL

NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … scored four points and had one rebound with one assist in a 79-52 home win February 4 over Spartanburg Methodist. The Eagles also beat Bryan College (TN)  on Saturday, 71-64. Reinhardt (17-5, 14-1) visits Columbia International University (SC) on Wednesday and hosts the University of Pikeville (KY) on Saturday.

JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Brewton Parker Christian University (So., Cartersville HS) … totaled 15 points, five assists, three rebounds, and three steals in three home games last week. The Barons edged Faulkner University (AL) 72-70 in overtime, but lost 69-66 to Blue Mountain University (MS) and 80-75 to the University of Mobile. Brewton Parker (5-19, 4-9 Southern States Athletic Conference) visits Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Thursday and Thomas University on Saturday.

ANSLEY GRIFFIN — North Carolina Wesleyan University (So., Cartersville HS) … scored three points with two steals, one rebound, and one assist in a 71-44 win last Saturday at Meredith College (NC). The Battling Bishops (11-8, 9-4) carry a six-game winning streak to Pfeiffer College (NC) on Monday. NCWU also plays on Wednesday at Greensboro College and hosts Mary Baldwin University on Saturday.

ZION HAYES — Vincennes University (So., Cass HS) … grabbed nine rebounds and scored five points with four assists and three steals in the Trailblazers’ 68-60 win on February 4 at Lincoln Trail College (IL). The team also won 91-42 this past Saturday at Shawnee CC, but no stats were available for this report. The Blazers (16-7) host Shawnee CC on Wednesday and Rend Lake College on Saturday.

ZYON HEATH — LaGrange College (So., Woodland HS) … had two rebounds in the Panthers’ win over Asbury University (KY) 80-65 and 85-84 loss to Piedmont University last weekend at home. LaGrange (10-9, 3-5 Collegiate Conference of the South) welcomes Huntingdon College on Tuesday, before traveling to Toccoa Falls College on Wednesday and to Covenant College (GA) on Saturday.

HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled four points, four rebounds, and three assists as the Eagles pushed their current winning streak to 12 games with wins over Spartanburg Methodist on February 4 and at home over Bryan College last Saturday.  Reinhardt (17-5, 14-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travels to Columbia International University (SC) on Wednesday and welcomes the University of Pikeville (KY) on Saturday.

KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled 38 points in four home games last week, with 29 assists, 12 rebounds, and nine steals as the Screaming Eagles defeated Paine College 79-76, Trinity Baptist College-Jacksonville 81-75, and Southeastern Baptist (FL) 69-32, but dropped a 72-59 decision to Bob Jones University (SC). TFC (9-15, 2-2 NCCAA) visits Paine College in Augusta on Tuesday and Alice Lloyd College (KY) on Saturday.

T.J. PRINTUP — Tusculum University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … totaled 20 points with 23 rebounds,  seven assists, two steals, and two blocks in two losses last week. The Pioneers dropped a 65-58 home decision to Lincoln Memorial University (TN) on February 4 and suffered a 93-76 loss last Saturday at Catawba College (NC). Tusculum (8-14, 4-12 South Atlantic Conference) hosts Mars Hill on Wednesday and Newberry College on Saturday.

MEGAN SCHULTZ — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Woodland HS) … totaled four points, four assists, and four rebounds in road losses at Loyola University-New Orleans and William Carey University (MS) last Thursday and Saturday. The Fillies (5-16, 2-10 Southern States Athletic Conference) visit Trinity College-Jacksonville on Tuesday before hosting Brewton-Parker Christian and Point University on Thursday and Saturday.

LONDAISHA SMITH — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … scored 22 points with 11 rebounds, three assists, and one steal in home wins on February 4 and this past Saturday over Spartanburg Methodist (SC and Bryan College (TN). The Eagles (17-5, 14-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) look to extend their 12-game win streak at Columbia International University (SC) on Wednesday and will host the University of Pikeville (KY) on Saturday.

TENNIS

EMILY BUSH — University of North Georgia (Sr., Cartersville HS) … partnered with Sofia Giraldo to win 6-2 at Line 3 doubles as the Nighthawks opened the 2026 season with a 6-1 home win over Newberry College (SC). UNG had an exhibition at Mercer University on Sunday and will travel to Erskine College on Saturday before hosting Auburn University-Montgomery on Sunday.

SYDNEY COPPOLA — Berry College (Jr., Cass HS) ... teamed up with Charlee Eidson to secure a 6-1 victory at Line 3 doubles and won her Line 5 singles match 6-2, 6-2, contributing to the Vikings' 7-0 home win over Snead State CC (AL) last Friday. Although Coppola and Eidson were defeated at Line 3 doubles against Wallace State CC (AL), Coppola triumphed in her singles match, 6-3, 6-3, in the Vikings' 5-2 loss last Friday. Facing D-I Jacksonville State, Coppola and Eidson suffered a 0-6 loss in a 0-7 team defeat on January 27. On Sunday, Coppola and Sloane Vaccaro lost 6-0 in doubles, and Coppola was defeated 6-1, 6-0 at Line 5 singles in the Vikings' 0-7 loss at Emory University in Atlanta. The Vikings will host a scrimmage with Piedmont University on Tuesday and will compete again at Shorter University on Saturday, February 21.

GOLF

CHRISTINA SURCEY — Lipscomb University (So., Cartersville resident, North Cobb Christian School) …  carded rounds of 79-72-73 (8-over) to finish 16th as the Bisons tied for second at the Advance Golf Partners Collegiate at Hammond Creek Golf Club in Palm City, Florida on February 1-3. Virginia Tech won the tournament with a team total of 4-over par. Lipscomb tied with UNC-Greensboro at 35-over. Georgia State (+37) and Akron (+42) rounded out the top five teams in the 17-team event. Lipscomb’s next tournament is the Space Coast Classic at Duran Golf Club in Melbourne, Florida, on February 20-21.

GYMNASTICS

ABIGAIL BUNCH — Rhode Island College (Sr., Cass HS) … scored 9.55 on balance beam and 9.525 on the uneven bars this past Sunday as the Anchorwomen finished second to Brown University but ahead of Springfield College (MA) in a tri-meet at Springfield. Rhode Island College will host Springfield College on Saturday.

TRACK AND FIELD

BEN ABERNATHY — Reinhardt University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … finished 11th (40’ 7-75”) in the triple jump last Saturday at the Life University Super Bowl Meet in Marietta. The Eagles will compete at the Samford University Bulldog Indoor Invitational in Birmingham on Friday.

ANDY FORSYTH — Berry College (So., Woodland HS) … ran eighth (1:58.72) in the 800 meters last Friday at the UAB Green and Gold Invitational in Birmingham. Next for the Vikings is the Samford Open 2 in Birmingham on Saturday.

TYLER JONES — University of West Georgia (Jr., Woodland HS) … placed 29th (4:40.17) in the one-mile run last Saturday at the UAB Green and Gold Invitational in Birmingham. The Wolves travel to the Tryon Mid-Winter Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

WILL PARKER — Columbia College (Fr., Woodland HS) … finished 19th (3:07.10) in the 1000 meters at the Campbell University Camel City Distance in Winston-Salem last Saturday. The Koalas will compete at the Tryon Mid-Winter Invitational hosted by UNC-Asheville on Friday and Saturday.

JAYLEN SCOTT — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … finished ninth (39’ 7.75”) in the shot put and was tenth (47’9.25”) in the weight throw last Saturday at the Life University Super Bowl Meet in Marietta. The Eagles will compete at the Samford University Bulldog Indoor Invitational in Birmingham on Friday.

SOFTBALL

KILEY ARNOLD — Shorter University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made a start last Friday and went 0-for-2 in a 9-0 loss to McKendree University in Chattanooga. The Hawks also had losses to Palm Beach Atlantic University and Union University (TN). They salvaged a 5-4 win over the University of Illinois-Springfield on Saturday. Shorter (3-3) hosts Middle Georgia State University for a doubleheader on Tuesday, visits the University of Alabama-Huntsville on Friday, and will play Kentucky Wesleyan College in a doubleheader on Saturday in Huntsville.

JORDAN BISHOP — Virginia Tech (Fr., Cartersville HS) … appeared in three of five games last Thursday through Saturday and made one start in right field as the Hokies started the season 5-0 with two wins over host and 14th-ranked South Carolina, two wins over Binghamton University, and one over Winthrop University. Bishop was 0-for-2 at the plate, but scored one run as a pinch runner. Virginia Tech will face Villanova twice, Michigan State twice, and Charlotte this weekend in the Queen City Classic in Charlotte.

TAYLOR EVANS — Southern Wesleyan University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … saw action in two games and made one start at catcher as the Warriors went 1-4 last Thursday through Saturday at the Embry-Riddle Tournament in Daytona Beach, Florida. Evans was 0-for-2 in two official at bats. Southern Wesleyan split games with Mississippi College and lost to the University of West Alabama, the University of Tampa, and host Embry-Riddle University. The Warriors have four games Friday and Saturday in Greenwood, South Carolina, at the Lander University Invitational.

MEGAN GREGORY — Indiana University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … pitched one scoreless inning in two games last weekend at the Florida Atlantic University Paradise Classic. Gregory allowed one hit and one walk with one strikeout in an 8-2 win over Army, and retired the side in order with one strikeout in a 10-0 victory over Stonehill College (MA). The Hoosiers (4-1) lost to host FAU, but beat Army, 25th-ranked Ohio State, Delaware, and Stonehill. Indiana travels to Arizona State for games Thursday through Sunday in the Littlewood Invitational. The Hoosiers will face Portland State, Pacific University, the host Sun Devils, and Nevada twice.

RACHAEL LEE — Valdosta State University (Sr., Cass HS) … went 1-for-5, including a two-run home run, and was hit by a pitch in two losses Saturday at 6th-ranked University of North Georgia. The Blazers (1-5) will play Flagler College, Saint Leo University twice, and Chowan University (NC) on Saturday and Sunday in St. Augustine, Florida, at the Old Coast Classic.

BASEBALL

CAMERON ADAMS — Shorter University (R-Fr., Excel Christian Academy) … saw action in three games last Friday and Saturday as the Hawks went 4-0 against visiting Kentucky State University. Adams was 1-for-2 at the plate with a double, one hit by pitch, and scored five runs. Shorter (4-0) visits Middle Georgia State University on Tuesday and hosts three conference games with Belmont Abbey College on Friday and Saturday.

DREW BILLINGS — Trinity Baptist College-Jacksonville (Sr., Woodland HS) … recorded one strikeout and was credited with a save last Friday in a 7-6 win over visiting Bob Jones University (SC). The Eagles (3-3, 2-0 NCCAA D-II) welcome Baptist University of Florida for three games on Friday and Saturday.

CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … went 4-for-11, including three walks, one hit by pitch, three runs, and one RBI in three games last Friday and Saturday at The Firehouse Classic hosted by Huntingdon College in Montgomery. The Panthers had two wins over Schreiner University (TX) and one over Berea College (KY). LaGrange (3-0) hosts a three-game series with Millikin University (IL) on Friday through Sunday.

MADDOX FRAZIER — Southern Union State CC (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made two, one-inning relief appearances last week in an 8-6 win at Chipola College on February 5 and a home 9-5 win last Saturday over Walters State CC. Frazier fanned four, walked one, and collected his second save, facing seven batters in the two appearances. The Bison (6-2) host San Jacinto College-North (TX), Marion Military Institute (AL), and John A. Logan College (IL) this weekend for the SUSCC Invitational.

NICHOLAS HRUBY — Bryan College (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … retired the final two outs in the fourth inning, but was tagged with the pitching loss last Saturday in a 12-9 loss to Marian University (IN). Hruby allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits, one walk, and one hit batter. The Lions (0-7) host a three-game series on Friday and Saturday with Union Commonwealth University (KY).

AIDAN LARKIN — Georgia Highlands College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 5-for-11 with one home run, one double, five runs scored, and one walk in the Chargers’ four-game home sweep of USC Lancaster this past weekend. GHC (7-3) visits Cleveland State CC (TN) on Tuesday for two games and welcomes Lincoln Trail College (IL) for four games on Friday and Saturday.

LUKE MILLER — Columbus State University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-12, including one home run, three RBI, and three walks in the Cougars’ three losses last weekend at Lenoir-Rhyne University (NC). Columbus State (0-5) hosts Albany State University on Wednesday and welcomes Flagler College (FL) for a three-game Peach Belt Conference series on Friday through Sunday.

DREW ROTHSCHILD — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-11 at the plate as the Stallions split two games at Warner University (FL) and swept two games against Indiana University-South Bend in Lake Wales, Florida, last Friday and Saturday. Rothschild had one double, one walk, scored five runs, stole two bases, and was hit by a pitch twice in the four-game set. ABAC (7-3) hosts Thomas University (GA) on Tuesday and Spartanburg Methodist College for three games on Friday and Saturday.

JARRETT SCOTT — Bryan College (Fr., Adairsville HS) … appeared in three games of a four-game home series with Marian University (IN) last weekend and went 3-for-12, including one double, one RBI, and three runs scored. The Lions (0-7) host Union Commonwealth University (KY) for three games on Friday and Saturday.

SAWYER WILSON — Columbus State University (So., Cartersville HS) … made a four-inning pitching start this past Sunday at Lenoir-Rhyne University and was tagged with the loss as the Cougars fell 13-2. Wilson allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks. He struck out three. Columbus State (0-5) hosts Albany State University on Wednesday and entertains Flagler College (FL) for a three-game conference series on Friday through Sunday.