The Times Athlete of the Year 2022

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BY BOWEN CORLEY bcorley@gainesvilletimes.com

Jeremiah Telander has the world at his fingertips with his intense work ethic and aspirations.

In 2021 at North Hall, the 210-pound middle linebacker put together a phenomenal junior season, racking up 137 tackles (33 for a loss).

After the season ended, he made the decision, with his family’s blessing, to move to Gainesville High.

Telander has nearly 30 Division-I football scholarship offers, including Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Georgia Tech and North Carolina.

Football is his best sport and ticket to the future, but he’s an all-around great athlete, with impressive performances in basketball as well as track and field.

For his efforts, Telander is The Times’ 2022 Boys Athlete of the Year.

In addition to non-stop conditioning, Telander said

he’s started to narrow down his football favorites for the next four years.

“I want to play Division-I football, be an All-American linebacker and win a national championship,” he said.

However, he’s also eager to be a part of new Gainesville coach Josh Niblett’s first program since moving from Alabama, where the coach won seven state championships at the state’s highest classification for powerhouse Hoover High, near Birmingham.

Telander wants to be one of the next greats at the linebacker position for Gainesville, joining the company of Alexander Johnson, Devan Stringer and Thomas Sprague, just to name a few.

Telander is appreciative of his time at North Hall, where he built relationships as well as a reputation for being a sideline to sideline defender, who had the ability to read offenses at an advanced level for a teenager.

Telander was close to 20 stops against Cherokee Bluff this past season. Following the game, Bears coach Tommy Jones said in a radio interview that Telander’s performance was one of the best defensive efforts he’s ever seen from a player in a single game.

Against White County, Telander had 14 tackles, an interception return for a score and a kickoff return for a touchdown.

With Telander’s move, he’ll pose a matchup problem for an entirely new set of opponents on Fridays.

“I look forward to building the team,” Telander said. “Everyone (at Gainesville) is bought in and that is exciting.”

Steve Telander, Jeremiah’s father, said it has been great to see him develop as a leader, and it is exciting to see the discipline being cultivated at Gainesville.

The next step for Telander is playing Class 6A football, putting himself up against some of the biggest programs in the state. And he’s putting in the hours to be a competitor at that level.

“I worry more about him resting than I do him working hard,” said Jeremiah’s father, who spent many years as a Division-I assistant football coach, before relocating to Gainesville when his son was

young. “He is always lifting, running and improving himself. It has only gotten more intense.”

Telander said he looks up to his father.

“He made me into the player I am today,” Telander said.

In addition to shining on the football field, Telander finished third in Class 3A in high jump last year for the Trojans and is now going after a track and field state title for Class 7A with Gainesville. He’s had success with basketball, too.

“I’ve always been a hooper,” Telander said. “I like to compete in everything I can.”

When asked about his success, Telander immediately gives credit to his coaches and teammates.

“Coaches throughout my career have invested in me on and off the field, and I could not be more grateful for that,” Telander said.

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BY BOWEN CORLEY bcorley@gainesvilletimes.com

Millie Filson has been the ultimate competitor the past four seasons for Lakeview Academy.

And, in the process, she set records in soccer that will likely stand for years.

The University of Georgia signee finished her high school career with a Hall County record 129 goals and 69 assists.

For her efforts, Filson is The Times 2022 Girls Athlete of the Year.

Filson said she is grateful for the community that has supported her at Lakeview and is excited for her future at UGA.

“She has the best header I have ever seen,” Lakeview Academy coach Nathan Wallace said. “Her ability to take over the game is impressive.”

After signing to play soccer at Georgia at the beginning of her senior year, Filson had a big target on her back. However, she stepped up and was a huge part of the offense, Wallace said.

“She will do anything to win,” he said.

Filson’s leadership and toughness set an example for her teammates this year. She has played injured and sick for the team.

Filson started playing soccer at the age of 4 and has played for five different clubs.

She said the most influential person in her life has been her father.

“He never forced me to do anything but supported me every step of the way,” Filson said.

With both her parents former high school

athletes, it was important for them to let Filson choose her own way. They have been steadfast supporters, cheering her on in all aspects of her life.

Filson gives her teammates much credit for her success.

“Yes, I scored a lot of goals, but they were the ones who set me up,” Filson said. “They knew I had goals, and they worked hard to help me achieve them.”

They’re a close knit-team. With 13 seniors, most of them have played together since middle school.

The team chemistry was a big reason for success, Wallace said.

Filson’s support system does not stop with the soccer team.

The entire Lakeview community has cheered for her, she said. “I’m grateful that Lakeview is small because it makes us a family. Walking through the halls, every face is familiar and you can feel the support,” Filson said.

Filson thanked God for her stellar career.

“All my success comes from the Lord,” Filson said. “I am on his path.”

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS 2022

• What’s your essential before competing? Listening to music and stretch

• What’s your favorite coach’s catchphrase? “ATM,” attack the moment — Gainesville coach Josh Niblett

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “You never know who is watching.” — Dad, Steve Telander

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? The White County game where I had 14 tackles, a pick 6 and a kickoff return for a touchdown.

• What’s your favorite hype song? “Lose Yourself” by Eminem

• Instagram: @jeremiahtelander

• Twitter: @jeremiahtelander

He earned second place at the Class 4A state championship meet, running a time of 16:41 for the back-to-back state champion War Eagles. He finished second at the Region 8-4A championship meet (16:14) and won the Hall County championship (16:34).

• What’s your essential before competing? My essential before competing is the mindset I get into. If you are not in the right frame of mind, then you won’t be running any fast times.

• What’s your favorite coach’s catchphrase? “Fear no one, respect everyone.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “Not all stars shine every night.” — Dad, Rob Grater

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? My best memory has to be placing first at the Hall County invitational.

• What’s your favorite hype song? “Till I Collapse” by Eminem

• Instagram @garrettgrater

He had 137 tackles (33 for a loss) for the Trojans and will compete his senior year with Gainesville’s Red Elephants. A three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he has nearly 30 Division-I football scholarship offers.

JEREMIAH TELANDER Junior | Football, Linebacker | North Hall

GARRETT GRATER

Senior | Boys Cross Country | Chestatee

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ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS 2022

She earned fourth place in Class 3A at the state championship meet with a time of 20:04. She won the Region 7-3A championship with 19:26 and was Hall County champion with 18:54.

• What’s your essential before competing? My essential before competing is being appreciative that I get to race. Physically, I make sure I have eaten well and am warmed up.

• What’s your favorite coach catchphrase? “On the line.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “Sometimes you have to parent yourself.” — Sister, Sinéad O’Bryant

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? My favorite memories are when we run the warm-up lap at every morning practice and always try to beat the guys, but they outsprint us on the last 100 meters.

• What’s your favorite hype song? “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley

The slugger hit .495 with 14 homers and 42 RBIs in 2021. She also had eight doubles and four triples for the Lady Bears.

• What’s your essential before competing? My essential before competing is listening to all different kinds of music and to clear my head.

• What’s your favorite coach catchphrase? “Don’t be a slappy.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “Do what you believe is right.” — Parents, Matt and Kelly Condland

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? My favorite memory is blaring music on the school bus with my best friends and seeing my grandparents at every game.

• What’s your favorite hype song? “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers

• Instagram: @Stephani3._

• Twitter: @StephCondland29

CLODAGH O’BRYANT Freshman | Girls Cross Country | North Hall

STEPHANIE CONDLAND

Senior | Softball, First base | Cherokee Bluff

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS 2022

• What’s your essential before competing? My essential is a Celsius (drink) and getting in the right mindset.

• What’s your favorite coach catchphrase? “Do it for the people that said you never could. Prove them wrong.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “You have to have a greater fear of being average than being uncomfortable.” — Dad, Eric Sutulovich

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? My favorite memory would be winning the Elite 8 game against Morgan County.

• What’s your favorite hype song? I don’t have a specific favorite, we just listened to Waka Flocka.

• Instagram: @sagesutulovich

• Twitter: @sagesutulovich

He finished his senior season with 17 points and nine rebounds per game, reaching 1,000 career points and 500 rebounds in his career with the Vikings.

• What’s your essential before competing? I love to stay focused, listen to music and pray before I compete.

• What’s your favorite coach catchphrase? “Master the boring.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “Attack every day like it’s your last.” — Coach Tommy Yancey

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? Winning Lanierland

• What’s your favorite hype song? “Sum 2 Prove” by Lil Baby

• Instagram: @christian.torres__10

• Twitter: @_ctorres10

Finished this season with 348 kills and 48 aces for the Lady Bears, who advanced to the Class 3A state semifinals in 2021. She also had a 91.3% success rate on serves.

SAGE SUTULOVICH Senior | Volleyball, Outside hitter | Cherokee Bluff

CHRISTIAN TORRES Senior | Boys Basketball | East Hall

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS 2022

She averaged 21 points and nine rebounds in Region 8-4A games this season en route to the second round of the state playoffs.

• What’s your essential before competing? Before games, I have a certain stretching routine I do with my teammates while we listen to music. I do the same ball handling and passing routine right before we run out.

• What’s your favorite coach catchphrase? “Fye.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “Do everything like it’s your last opportunity.” — Parents, Chris and Tina Black

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? Beating Cedar Shoals at home with my girls. This is the game that led us to the good position we had in the region tournament. We went out and played with everything we had and we won.

• What’s your favorite hype song? Anything by Queen

• Instagram: @rileyblackkkk

• Twitter: @RileyBlack150

He won the 100-yard butterfly state championship for Class 7A with a time of 48.63 seconds.

• What’s your essential before competing? I would say my essential before competing is getting in the right mindset before a big meet, which prepares me to race. This may include doing breath work or the kind of foods that I eat, as well as getting the right amount of sleep.

• What’s your favorite coach catchphrase? “Be the blue still flame, not the roaring wild flame.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do.” — Michael Phelps

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? My favorite memory from this season is seeing myself visualize my goals, failing over and over, and then succeeding.

• What’s your favorite hype song? “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC

• Instagram: @SwimmerEamon

• Snapchat: @SwimmerBoyEamon

RILEY BLACK Sophomore | Girls basketball | Chestatee

EAMON MONAGHAN Sophomore | Boys Swimming | Gainesville

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS 2022

She will continue swimming next year at Grand Canyon University.

• What’s your essential before competing? The two essentials for me are warming up until right before I need to be on the blocks and praying because it calms me and puts my focus on God and giving him the glory.

• What’s your favorite coach’s catchphrase? “Be so proud of your work that you’re willing to sign it to let the world know you did it.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “Everything you do is for God’s glory, not your own. God is the one who gave you these talents.” — Mom, Karen Henderson

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? My favorite memory from this season is the 400-freestyle relay in the Hall County Championship. Everyone was swimming their best times. They were all cheering when I dove in and, as the anchor, I was able to pull us from second to first place and win.

• What’s your favorite hype song? I love country music with a good beat.

• Instagram: @krisalyn.joy

He earned back-to-back state titles to wrap up his career for the Trojans. In 2022, he won the 182-pound 3A state championship in Macon.

• What’s your essential before competing? My essential before competing is to be in the best shape I can be in.

• What’s your favorite coach’s catchphrase? “Do your moves.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “The first minute of wrestling should look like the last.” — Yianni Diakomihalis

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? Seeing my family after I won the state championship.

• What’s your favorite hype song? “Devil Went Down To Georgia” by Charlie Daniels Band

• Instagram: @hunter_adams.11

She won 11 Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools state championships and seven Hall County championships during her career.

KRISALYN HENDERSON Senior | Girls Swimming | Lanier Christian

HUNTER ADAMS Senior | Boys Wrestling | North Hall

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS 2022

She is a two-time state champion for the Lady War Eagles and is ranked No. 16 nationally.

• What’s your essential before competing? My essential before competing is the pre-mat pep talks from family, friends and coaches.

• What’s your favorite coach’s catchphrase? “If you think about how much it’s going to suck, and dread it, then it’s going to be harder than if you just accepted it and faced it head on.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “If you don’t do something yourself, it’s not going to get done. Taking shortcuts is not going to produce the same results.” — Mom, Nicole Esquilin-Nievas

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? My favorite memory from this season is winning my finals match by pin and getting to see all of my teammates holding up a two, friends and strangers cheering my name and girls from my weight class sitting in the front row pounding the glass in excitement. It made the setbacks, surgery, pain and doubts all melt away.

• What’s your favorite hype song? “Let’s Get it Started” by Black Eyed Peas

• Instagram: @isabella.redlinger

He’s the most consistent performer for the Red Elephants, who are qualified to play in the Class 7A state championship in May at the Chattahoochee Golf Club. He had a season-best 2-under par (70) at Hall County and 1-under par (70) at the Carrollton Invitational. His performance was also strong at Apple Mountain with an even-par round of 72, and 73 at the Area 2-7A championship in Acworth.

• What’s your essential before competing? My essential is to pray.

• What’s your favorite coach’s catchphrase? “Do your best at what you can control and don’t worry about the rest.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? My favorite piece of advice is 1 Corinthians 10:31.

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? My favorite memory might be the final day of the Billy Peek invitational this past week. I hadn’t played well the first day but I kept myself in it. My coach Kevin Brown was walking with me the final day and we were just having a good time out there, and the birdies started rolling on the last 9 and I went 6-under par to win by two.

• What’s your favorite hype song? “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins

• Instagram: @rhinodavidson

ISABELLA REDLINGER Junior | Girls Wrestling | Chestatee

RYAN DAVIDSON Senior | Boys Golf | Gainesville

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS 2022

• What’s your essential before competing? My essential changes. Sometimes I need to stretch, other times I need to talk and sometimes I just need a snack.

• What’s your favorite coach’s catchphrase? “It’s not whether you get knocked down. It’s whether you get up.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “You have to make all the effort. Nothing will be handed to you, and people will surpass you. Make the effort and you will achieve your goals and dreams.” — Mom, Devan Pressley

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? My favorite memories are talking to my teammates before I tee off.

• What’s your favorite hype song? “Unstoppable” by The Score

• Instagram: @¡golfgirlalisa

• Twitter: @¡golfgirlalisa

Right-handed pitcher has an 8-1 record and 1.68 ERA with 58 strikeouts on the mound in the regular season for the Region 7-3A champions. Also leads the team offensively with a .375 average, 31 hits, three homers and 31 RBIs.

• What’s your essential before competing? My essential is listening to music.

• What’s your favorite coach’s catchphrase? “Be on time.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “Times flies, don’t take a moment for granted.”

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? My favorite memory was sweeping region.

• What’s your favorite hype song? “Show Me How To Live” by Audioslave

• Instagram: @jaretb29

She won the Hall County championship with a two-day total of 78 at Chicopee Woods, three shots clear of her nearest competitor.

ALISA PRESSLEY Freshman | Girls Golf | Cherokee Bluff

JARET BALES

Senior | Baseball | North Hall

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS 2022

A talented player at No. 1 singles with a 13-3 mark in the regular season, he went unbeaten in Region 7-3A and won each match at the region tournament in straight sets.

• What’s your essential before competing? My essential before competing is taking time to get in the right mindset and praying.

• What’s your favorite coach’s catchphrase? “Can’t beat luck.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “Do all you can do and let God do the rest.”

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? My favorite memory from this season is when we went to Waffle House after a match and then went back to the courts and hit for three hours.

• What’s your favorite hype song? “Graves into Gardens” by Elevation Worship

• Instagram: @james_rivenbark21

A standout at No. 1 singles, she went 13-2 and was unbeaten in Region 7-3A. Canaday was held out of six matches this season due to facing less skilled opponents.

• What’s your essential before competing? I don’t really have an essential, I just go out and play.

• What’s your favorite coach’s catchphrase? “Way to go champs.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “Whatever you do, always give 100%.” — Mom, Courtney Canaday

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? Watching Lily win the deciding match for the region championship. When she finished, we all started crying because our hard work had paid off and we were region champions.

• What’s your favorite hype song? “Baby” by Justin Bieber

• Instagram: @_ellakatecanaday_

JAMES RIVENBARK Freshman | Boys Tennis | Cherokee Bluff

ELLA KATE CANADAY

Freshman | Girl Tennis | North Hall

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS 2022

He has scored 32 goals with 17 assists during the 2022 regular season for the No. 1-ranked Knights. Recorded a hat trick in Region 8-5A championship match against Clarke Central.

• What’s your essential before competing? My essential before competing is to pray as a team and individually.

• What’s your favorite coach’s catchphrase? “Do it for the school, community and the people that believe in us.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “God’s timing is always perfect.” — Mom, Paola Gutiérrez

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? My favorite memory was winning another region title.

• What’s your favorite hype song? I don’t really have a favorite song, the whole team just hypes each other up.

• Instagram: @jorgesandoval_10

A University of Georgia commit, she has shattered the Hall County record for career goals for a girls player with 129. She scored 34 goals during the 2022 regular season for the Lady Lions and has a school record with 69 career assists.

• What’s your essential before competing? My essential before competing is to eat a snack, read Scripture, pray and talk to my teammates about the game.

• What’s your favorite coach’s catchphrase? “Play hard and play smart.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “Everything you do should be for the glory of God.” — Parents, John and Beverly Filson

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? My favorite memory from this season is senior night when all of the seniors scored a goal. It was cool to see everyone so happy for each other.

• What’s your favorite hype song? “Thunderstruck” by ACDC

• Instagram: @milliefilson22

JORGE SANDOVAL Junior | Boys Soccer | Johnson

MILLIE FILSON

Senior | Girls Soccer | Lakeview Academy

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS 2022

He garnered Hall County championships in the 800 meter and 1600 meter.

• What’s your essential before competing? I start preparing for a race the night before by eating a big pasta and chicken dinner. The next day I eat low fiber meals and I make sure I get a short run and long stretch in.

• What’s your favorite coach’s catchphrase? “The hay is in the barn.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it? “There are kids trying to outwork you every day, you just don’t see it all the time.” — Josh Clark

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? My favorite memories from the season are the cross country state meet and seeing my teammates work so hard in track workouts.

• What’s your favorite hype song? I really don’t have a favorite hype song. I listen to anything, it just depends on my mood that day.

• Instagram: @The_Stephen_Clark

• Twitter: @Stephen_Clark_3

The top girls sprinter in Hall County, she won the 100 and 200 meter at the Hall County championships and went on to win those at region. She is also part of the Bears’ relay teams.

• What’s your essential before competing? I need 5 to 10 minutes alone to get into the right mindset before I compete.

• What’s your favorite coach’s catchphrase? “Back at 0.”

• What’s your favorite piece of life advice and who said it?

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” — Ernest Hemingway

• What’s your favorite memory from this season? Team bonding when we went bowling and then had a water balloon fight after.

• What’s your favorite hype song? Anything by T.I.

• Instagram: @kaylahjjackson

STEPHEN CLARK Senior | Boys Track and Field | West Hall

M’KAYLAH JACKSON

Junior | Girls Track and Field | Cherokee Bluff

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