Athletes Beyond Bartow: Henson earns All-American honors placing 5th at NCAA Championships
After winning the 149-pound weight class title at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships March 5, former Woodland High wrestling standout Caleb Henson — now a freshman at Virginia Tech — earned All-American honors last week by placing fifth at the NCAA D-I National Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The week’s edition of Athletes Beyond Bartow includes updates on four pro athletes and 30 collegiate contributors from Bartow County.
XFL
VIC BEASLEY — Vegas Vipers (9th-yr. pro; Clemson University; Adairsville HS) … made two tackles (one solo) in the Vipers’ 35-32 home win Saturday night over the Orlando Guardians. Vegas (1-4) hosts the St. Louis Battlehawks this Saturday night in Week 6 of the 10-week regular season schedule. The Vipers are in fourth place in the XFL North trailing the Battlehawks and Seattle Sea Dragons by two games. The D.C. Defenders remain unbeaten at 5-0 and lead the North Division. The top two teams from each division qualify for the XFL playoffs that begin April 29.
MLB SPRING TRAINING
ANTHONY SEIGLER — New York Yankees (6th-yr. pro; Cartersville HS) … an invited, non-roster catcher this Spring with the MLB club Seigler made only one appearance last week. He came off the bench and was 0-for-1 at the plate in a 1-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins last Monday. The Yankees (9-13) have games this week with the Tigers, Nationals, Cardinals, Twins, Phillies, and Blue Jays.
PRO BASKETBALL
ASHTON HAGANS — Greensboro Swarm (NBA G-League; 3rd yr. pro; Cartersville native, University of Kentucky, Newton HS) … averaged nine points per game and totaled 14 assists, nine rebounds, and five steals as the Swarm split home games last Wednesday and Thursday with the Mexico City Capitanes and won at the Austin Spurs Saturday. Greensboro (10-19) is currently 5-½ games out of the final playoff spot in the NBA G League East with 21 games remaining in the regular season. The Swarm has a home stand this week facing the Capital City Go-Go Tuesday and Raptors 905 Friday and Saturday.
A.J. MOSBY — Sudbury Five (NBL-Canada; 6th-yr. pro; Alcorn State University; Cartersville HS) … Sudbury won all three games last week and extended their current winning streak to five games with two wins over the London Lightning and one win over the Windsor Express. Mosby averaged 29 points in the three games including a 35-point night at Windsor last Friday. He also totaled 15 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals during the stretch. The Five (15-4) have taken over first place in the NBLC standings with 11 games remaining. Sudbury visits the KW Titans on Wednesday.
WRESTLING
CALEB HENSON — Virginia Tech (Fr., Woodland HS) … after dropping his Round of 16 bout, Henson won four straight on the backside to secure All-American honors in his debut season. Henson becomes the first true freshman All-American at Virginia Tech since David McFadden in 2016. His 6-2 mark at the NCAA National Championships included wins over Dylan Chappell (Bucknell), Johnny Lovett (Central Michigan), Doug Zapf (Penn), Yaya Thomas (Northwestern), Brock Maulier (Missouri), and Max Murin (Iowa). Henson won the ACC Championship at 149-pounds to qualify for the national tournament. The Hokies finished ninth as a team.
JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Fr., Woodland HS) … entered the final day of the NCAA National Championships one win away from earning All-American status at 197-pounds but dropped a 3-2 decision to Penn State’s Max Dean in the blood round. Smith defeated Michial Foy (Minnesota) and pinned Issac Trumble (NC State) to reach the quarterfinals where he lost to third-seeded and third place finisher Rocky Elam of Missouri.
TENNIS
EMILY BUSH — Young Harris College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … in a 6-1 team loss last Wednesday to visiting University of Texas-Tyler, Bush lost her Line 2 singles match 6-4, 6-1 and her Line 3 doubles match with teammate Catarina Marcko Ferreira 6-4. The Mountain Lions (6-7) host Lee Wednesday before visiting Lander University Saturday and Augusta University Sunday to begin Peach Belt Conference play.
CONNOR GUNNELL — Shorter University (Jr., Woodland HS) … in a 5-2 team win over Gadsden State CC, Gunnell won his Line 4 singles match 6-1, 6-1 and teamed with Yike Liu to win at Line 2 doubles 6-1. The Hawks (1-6, 0-6 Gulf South Conference) play at University of Montevallo Thursday afternoon and host Delta State University Saturday morning.
EMILY SURCEY — Mississippi State University (Cass HS) … was leading 5-4 in the third set when her Line 6 singles match was stopped last Friday. Playing at Missouri, the host Tigers had secured the team match by a 4-2 score when Surcey’s final set was interrupted. She had split the first two sets 6-2, 2-6. Sunday, the Bulldogs were blanked at Arkansas. Surcey lost her Line 6 singles match 6-3, 7-6 (7-2). MSU (10-7, 0-6 SEC) hosts Florida Friday and South Carolina on Saturday.
TRACK AND FIELD
BILL ARCHER — University of Montevallo (So., Cartersville HS) … placed sixth in the 800M run (1:59.84) and the 5000M run (15:25.08) last weekend as the Falcons finished second as a team behind Alabama-Huntsville while hosting the Montevallo Falcon Classic. Archer was also on a 4x400M relay team (3:33.75) that placed ninth. The Falcons visit Atlanta Friday and Saturday for the Emory Spring Break Classic.
GOLF
BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (So., Cartersville HS) … playing as an individual at the Linger Longer Invitational at the par-72 7,436-yard Great Waters Golf Club in Eatonton, Brumlow opened the 54-hole event with back-to-back 1-over-par 73s Sunday and Monday tying him for 19th place with 18 holes remaining on Tuesday. The Bulldogs’ team shot 5-under-par on the opening day and even par Monday. Georgia (5-under) trails Alabama (6-under) by one shot at the 16-team event which concludes on Tuesday.
DALTON HENSON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … fired rounds of 69-77-75—221 (5-over-par) and tied for 10th as an individual in leading the Eagles to a fifth place finish at the 16-team Carey Collegiate Classic in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Host William Carey University won the tournament followed by Lindsey Wilson College, Dalton State, and Spring Hill College. Up next for Reinhardt is the USC-Beaufort Invitational at Oldfield Country Club in Okatie, South Carolina March 27-28.
CHANC WILLIS — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … shot 77-74-73 — 224 (8-over-par) and tied for 19th as an individual as the Eagles finished fifth at the Carey Collegiate in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Reinhardt heads to the USC-Beaufort Invitational for their next tournament March 27-28.
SOFTBALL
LAINEY BAKER — Samford University (Fr., Woodland HS) … made a pair of 1-⅓ inning appearances last week. In an 11-5 home win over Alabama State last Tuesday, she allowed one unearned run on three hits and one walk. In a 5-3 loss to St. Thomas University (Minnesota) on Saturday, Baker yielded one earned run on a solo home run but struck out three. The Bulldogs play at North Alabama Wednesday and will host a three-game Southern Conference series with Mercer Saturday and Sunday.
COLBI BALLARD — Shorter University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … made an unsuccessful pinch hitting appearance Saturday in a Hawks 8-0 home loss to Alabama-Huntsville. Shorter (4-25, 1-13 Gulf South Conference) hosts University of West Florida in a three-game series Saturday and Sunday.
SKYLAR CHAPPELL — Cottey College (Sr., Woodland HS) … started as the Comets’ designated player last Tuesday in an 11-3 win over Viterbo University (Wisconsin) at the Tucson Arizona Games Invitational. Chappell hit a solo home run and scored two runs in the victory. Cottey (11-12) finished the week 3-3. The Comets play at Central Methodist (Missouri) Wednesday and host Lyon College (Arkansas) Sunday.
PRESLY EDWARDS — Wesleyan College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … the Wolves’ catcher started and was 0-for-6 at the plate in a pair of losses Saturday at Belhaven University (Mississippi). Wesleyan (1-11, 0-2 Collegiate Conference of the South) hosts Clark Atlanta Tuesday and visits Piedmont University Sunday.
ANSLEY EVANS — Reinhardt University (So., Woodland HS) … was 2-for-9 at the plate, drove in a pair of runs, and scored twice as the Eagles beat visiting Union College (Kentucky) twice Saturday but lost twice Sunday at Georgia Gwinnett College. Reinhardt (13-7, 8-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Cumberland University (Tennessee) Wednesday, visits Truett-McConnell University Thursday, and entertains Milligan University (Tennessee) Sunday in doubleheaders.
ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … has now hit safely in 16 of 20 games this season after going 4-for-11 including one double and two RBIs in the Eagles’ four games last week. Reinhardt swept visiting Union College (Kentucky) but dropped a pair of games Sunday at Georgia Gwinnett College. The Eagles (13-7, 8-0 AAC) host Cumberland University (Tennessee) Wednesday, visit Truett-McConnell University Thursday, and entertain Milligan University (Tennessee) Sunday in doubleheaders.
RACHAEL LEE — Gulf Coast State CC (Fr., Cass HS) … started in right field last Wednesday in a 4-3 loss at LB Wallace and was 1-for-3 at the plate with a run scored. She also stole a base. The Commodores won the second game of the doubleheader 18-3. Gulf Coast State CC (19-10) begins conference play Tuesday with a doubleheader at Pensacola State CC. Thursday the Commodores host Chipola CC and visit Northwest Florida State CC on Saturday.
LAUREN McELHANEY — University of West Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … the Wolves’ catcher made a start last Wednesday at Young Harris College in an 8-2 win. McElhaney was 0-for-2 with a walk. UWG (6-19, 2-10 Gulf South Conference) travels to St. Petersburg, Florida Tuesday to take on Eckerd College, plays at Florida Southern College Wednesday, and at Alabama-Huntsville Saturday and Sunday in a three-game GSC series.
HOPE SHORT — Shorter University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … in a pair of home losses to Alabama-Huntsville, Short was 1-for-2 with a walk in one start and one pinch hitting appearance. The Hawks (4-25, 1-13 Gulf South Conference) hosts GSC-foe University of West Florida Saturday and Sunday in a three-game series.
ALEXA VARNER — Shorter University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … made an unsuccessful pinch hitting appearance Saturday in a 10-2 home loss to Alabama-Huntsville. Shorter (4-25, 1-13 GSC) hosts West Florida this weekend for a three-game conference series.
BASEBALL
CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 4-for-16 including two doubles, two walks, two RBIs, and two runs scored as the Panthers won a road game last Tuesday at Oglethorpe and swept a three-game series over the weekend at Berea College (Kentucky). NCAA D-III 9th-ranked LaGrange (14-5, 3-0 Collegiate Conference of the South) hosts No. 1-ranked Birmingham-Southern College Wednesday and has a three-game home series with Covenant College Friday and Saturday.
SAM MELTON — Rockingham CC (Fr., Cartersville HS) … playing third base for the Eagles, Melton was 2-for-11 with a walk, a sacrifice fly, and four RBIs in four games last week. Rockingham lost at Ferrum JV and won one of three home games against Camp CC. The Eagles (7-19, 3-5) visit Surry CC this weekend for a three-game region series.
GUNNER MILLSAP — Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (Fr., Cartersville HS) … allowed three earned runs on three hits, two walks, and two hit batsmen in a fifth inning appearance last Tuesday as the Cougars beat visiting Fontbonne University (Missouri) 14-3. SIUE (13-5) hosts Evansville Tuesday and begins Ohio Valley Conference play at home this weekend with a three-game series against Southeast Missouri State University.
ANDREW ROTHSCHILD — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … appeared in three of the Stallions’ four wins last week going 2-for-5 at the plate with three walks, one RBI, and five runs scored. ABAC beat Thomas University JV twice and Scoutz Post Grad twice. The Stallions (14-17) open conference play Tuesday at home against Georgia Highlands CC and will complete the four-game series Friday and Saturday at GHC.
SCOTTY SMITH — Covenant College (So., Woodland HS) … collected his first pitching win of the season last Saturday with a five inning start in a 10-4 win over visiting Huntingdon College. Smith allowed three earned runs on eight hits, no walks, and one hit batsman. The Scots (6-7, 2-0 Collegiate Conference of the South) host Oglethorpe Tuesday and travel to 9th-ranked LaGrange College for three games Friday and Saturday.
STEVEN SPELL — Young Harris College (Sr., Cass HS) … while the Mountain Lions went 3-1 for the week with a home win over Lane College and won two of three at Flagler College, Spell was 6-for-15 including a double, one home run, two walks, one hit by pitch, and two RBIs. He also scored five runs in those four games. YHC (19-8, 10-5 Peach Belt Conference) visits Lincoln Memorial University Wednesday and plays a three-game PBC series at USC-Aiken Friday through Sunday.
DEVIN WARNER — Georgia Gwinnett (Jr., Cartersville HS) … in three games last week — a win at Middle Georgia State, a home win over 8th-ranked University of Mobile and a home loss to 2nd-ranked Tennessee Wesleyan — Warner was 2-for-11 with five walks, two RBIs, and three runs scored. GGC (25-3, 4-0 Continental Athletic Conference), ranked No. 5 in NAIA, plays at 19th-ranked Bryan College Tuesday and hosts Toccoa Falls College and Middle Georgia State for two games each Friday and Saturday.
PRESTON WELCHEL — Tennessee Wesleyan University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-4 Saturday with a walk, three RBIs, and five runs scored in the NAIA 2nd-ranked Bulldogs’ 21-14 win at No. 5 Georgia Gwinnett. He also made a defensive appearance Saturday in an 8-4 win over 8th-ranked University of Mobile in Lawrenceville. Welchel was 0-for-2 last Wednesday in TWU’s 6-4 loss to 19th-ranked Bryan College. The Bulldogs play at Cumberland University (Tennessee) Tuesday and host Johnson University (Tennessee) for three games Friday and Saturday.
COHEN WILBANKS — Georgia Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-9 including a double as the Grizzlies went 2-1 last week. GGC won at Middle Georgia State and defeated 8th-ranked University of Mobile but lost a home game to 2nd-ranked Tennessee Wesleyan University. 5th-ranked Georgia Gwinnett heads to Dayton, Tennessee Tuesday to take on 19th-ranked Bryan College before hosting two games each with Toccoa Falls College and Middle Georgia State Friday and Saturday.
DAVIS WILLIAMS — Birmingham-Southern College (So., Cartersville HS) … entered in the third inning and worked 4-⅓ innings of middle relief in Sunday’s 8-4 loss at Berry College. Davis gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks. He struck out two. BSC, ranked No. 1 NCAA D-III, was 3-1 for the week with a home win over Piedmont University and two wins in the series at Berry. The Panthers (20-2, 5-1 Southern Athletic Association) play 8th-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater Monday in Pensacola and visit 9th-ranked LaGrange Wednesday prior to a three-game home series with Rhodes College Saturday and Sunday.
JORDAN WILKIE — Augusta University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-13 including a double, two walks, and one run scored in four starts last week as the Jags went 1-3. Augusta beat visiting Coker College last Wednesday but lost three straight at Georgia College over the weekend. The Jaguars (11-13, 6-9 Peach Belt Conference) host Francis Marion University Tuesday and Flagler College for three PBC games Friday through Sunday.
