January Elite Athletes of the Month
Elite Stone Supply, in conjunction with WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone, presents the ELITE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH. Each month, local high schools are provided opportunity to 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.
The January 2021 Elite Athlete of the Month for Adairsville High School is Isaac Linley.
A junior wrestler competing in the 120-pound division, Linley is also a member of the Tigers’ football and baseball teams. He is a cornerback/slot on the football team and a middle infielder for the baseball team.
The son of Tommy and Wendy Linley, he has qualified for state each of the last two years and was a runner-up at Dixie Nationals.
Linley’s ambition is to continue his wrestling career after high school by competing at the collegiate level. He currently carries a 3.4 grade point average.
“Isaac has been focused on reaching his goal this year — winning a state championship. His personal goal does not get in the way of his team goals, however. He is a constant example of a strong work ethic and attention to detail. He is a young man respected by his peers and teammates for his athletic ability and more importantly his character,” Adairsville head wrestling coach, Ryan Torrence.
Robert Novak represents Cartersville this month as the January Elite Athlete of the Month. A senior on the basketball team. Novak is also a member of the Canes’ tennis team. This season, Novak was selected to the Adairsville Christmas Clash All-Tournament Team averaging 13 points per game and seven rebounds. He also made a last-second shot to lift the Hurricanes to a one-point, home win over Cass. “Robert is a tireless worker in the classroom and brings that ethic to the basketball court,” said Canes’ basketball head coach Mike Tobin. “He definitely has a bright future.”
The son of Kenneth and Anna Novak, Robert has a 4.45 GPA, he is a Beta Club member, Mu Alpha Theta inductee, and National Honors Society member who plans to attend Holy Cross.
The Cass High School January Elite Athlete of the Month is C.J. Pipkin. A senior member of the Colonels’ basketball and football team, C.J. is the son of Jerome and Samantha Pipkin. “C.J. has become a dependable leader at Cass both on and off the court,” said Colonels’ head basketball coach Sean Glaze. “An impactful teammate, C.J. has averaged nearly 18 points per game over the last five contests. He also has averaged five rebounds and two assists across that stretch.” “He also affects our team with his defensive energy. On that end of the floor, he has nine deflections and fourteen steals in the last five games,” Glaze continued. “The success of our basketball program is built on the character of quality young men who work hard every day to grow and improve as part of something larger than themselves.” With a 3.5 GPA, Pipkin has also been a strong student in the classroom.
The Woodland High School Elite Athlete of the Month for January is Jaxon Smith. A senior on the Tigers’ wrestling team, Smith won the Knockout Christmas Classic and defeated the third-ranked wrestler in the country in the process. Smith is ranked ninth nationally and is a two-time defending state champion with a 3.8 GPA. “Jaxon is a selfless leader and a huge part of our success,” said Woodland coach Adrian Tramutola. “He is a great student and teammate, often staying after practice to help others.”
The son of Tonya and Jeremy Smith, Jaxon has signed a scholarship to continue his wrestling career at the University of Maryland beginning this Fall.
Editors Note: Photos and bios are supplied to Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF by the respective schools and their athletic departments. Elite Stone Supply Co., LLC is the monthly sponsor. Athletes receive a plaque along with recognition during a radio feature on WBHF.
