The Times Athlete of the Year 2023

20 23 athlete

of the year

SponSored By:

Stephanie Woody Group Publisher swoody@gainesvilletimes.com

Nate McCullough Group Editor nmccullough@gainesvilletimes.com

John Chambliss Managing Editor jchambliss@gainesvilletimes.com

Bill Murphy Sports Editor bmurphy@gainesvilletimes.com

David Friedlander Sports Reporter dfriedlander@gainesvilletimes.com

Megan Smarz Manager of Event Sales and Regional Sales msmarz@gainesvilletimes.com

Jenna Wellborn Multimedia Account Executive jwellborn@gainesvilletimes.com

David Killingsworth Multimedia Account Executive davidkillingsworth@gainesvilletimes.com

Design/Prepress Team

Claudette Keeley

April Seymour Tracie Pike Athlete

congRatulations

GirlS ATHlETE OF THE YEAr: Riley Black BASkETBAll

For her efforts, Black is The Times’ 2023 Girls Athlete of the Year.

BY DAVID FRIEDLANDER dfriedlander@gainesvilletimes.com

Throughout her first two years at Chestatee High, Riley Black was an athlete for all seasons. But after also being a letterwinner for the Lady War Eagles volleyball and track and field programs as a freshman and sophomore, she decided to focus her energies on the basketball court for her junior year.

Based on her performance during the 2022-23 campaign this past winter, the 5-foot-8 guard made the right choice, as she responded with the best season of her career.

This season, she averaged 24 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in leading the Lady War Eagles (23-8) to their first region championship in nearly a decade and their first state quarterfinal appearance in school history.

As much as he appreciated the contributions Black gave throughout her first two varsity seasons, it didn’t take long for Chestatee girls coach Sutton Shirley to realize how much she had stepped up her game this season, and the reason it was such a big step.

“After her sophomore year (in 2021-22), she kind of blew up a little bit (in travel ball),” Shirley said. “I think her confidence was a very big strength for her and the difference between her sophomore and junior years. I think her sophomore year, she was very skilled, but she was still kind of figuring it out.

“I also think that the relationship she’s got with her teammates was a big thing this year. She shoots the ball a lot, but … her teammates know that’s kind of what’s best for us in a lot of moments. So, there’s no (complaining) about her shooting it too much. … There’s a good

relationship between the team.” There was certainly no complaining about how much Black was shooting the ball, especially as she was at her best down the stretch of the regular season, and especially including the region and state tournaments. She averaged 25 points and nearly 14 rebounds per game over the final two games of the regular season and the six postseason games, including a school-record 40-point outing in the regular season finale at Cedar Shoals, plus two more games in which she scored at least 31 points and pulled down at least 13 boards. It demonstrated just how strong Black was able to come through for her team when she was needed most.

“She had a good balance of knowing when to kind of force the issue and when not to,” Shirley said. “There were times I kind of had to direct her to force the issue, but she had a really good feel (for it). … Between her sophomore and junior

years, she did a good job of kind of maturing and understanding when it was the right time to kind of take over and when it was the right time to kind of (back off) a little bit.”

Shirley’s assessment fits in when that of Black herself, who pointed out the bond between herself and her teammates helped her develop a sense of when to shift into an even higher gear.

“It comes as the momentum as the team goes,” Black said following the Lady War Eagles’ first-round state tournament win over CentralCarrollton. “If we’re all doing good, I start doing good, and our shooters start getting hot and we rebound and go.”

congRatulations

BOYS ATHlETE OF THE YEAr: caleB

PRuitt

/ FOOTBAll

On March 14, Pruitt committed to wrestle at Reinhardt University.

BY Bill Murphy bmurphy@gainesvilletimes.com

It took a while for the magnitude of the moment to resonate with East Hall’s Caleb Pruitt. After spending his senior season ranked either No. 1 or 2 in an all-classification poll for heavyweight wrestlers, Pruitt finished his career for the Vikings with a hard-fought 4-3 win by decision against Lovett’s Christian Bell during the Class 4A title bout Feb. 17 in Macon.

However, a slew of celebratory pictures after winning it all, along with standing atop the podium were a bit of a blur for Pruitt, who finished his senior campaign with an astounding 59-0 mark. For his efforts, Pruitt has been named The Times 2023 Boys Athlete of the Year.

“It was weird, at first,” Pruitt said, recalling winning the state title. “The emotions didn’t really hit until later, when I got back to the hotel.”

But now it’s all crystal clear for one of the most accomplished grapplers in East Hall history.

A dream more than a decade in the making came to fruition, thanks to years of diligent work in wrestling, as well as utilizing the skills learned as a standout offensive lineman for the Vikings’ football program.

And, for Pruitt, his success is a direct reflection of his faith and the unwavering support of his family. “I want to give all the glory to God,” Pruitt said. “My family has always been there for me, encouraging me to keep God first.”

In addition to winning the state championship, his wrestling coach feels like the most impressive thing is the fact that Pruitt never had a bad match this season.

“Going undefeated after wrestling more than 50 matches, never having a slipup, is almost unheard of,” Vikings coach Ken Stoudenmire said. All of Pruitt’s success is a testament to the fact that hard work pays off.

In 2022, Pruitt was starting center on the offensive line in football, and he was the ‘leader of the team,’ Vikings football coach Matt Turner said. “Caleb’s a kid who does everything the right way,”

Turner said. “We could see that he was going to have a special senior season. He works so hard at his craft. We’re beyond proud of him.”

Pruitt received all the motivation he needed at the end of the 2022 wrestling season.

He finished last season as Class 3A state runner-up with a loss to one of the nation’s top heavyweight wrestlers, West Laurens’ Chase Horne, who now wrestles at N.C. State.

“That experience at state last year was motivation for Caleb to step up and be the man this season,” Stoudenmire added.

That helped light a fire for Pruitt to have the best senior season possible.

It started with a summer in the weight room, constantly working on building his total-body strength and using his football acumen to become a championship wrestler.

In fact, Pruitt said that his wrestling success wouldn’t be possible without the lessons and skills developed by playing football.

Playing football, the two-sport standout learned all the nuance that relates to both sports, including using leverage to his benefit, staying low and utilizing space to gain an edge over his opponent.

“Playing on the (offensive) line and wrestling really go hand in hand,” Turner said.

After college, Pruitt is definitely contemplating a career in coaching at Valhalla.

That works well with Stoudenmire, who after 30 years in education, plans to retire by the time Pruitt gets his college degree.

East Hall’s wrestling coach feels like his senior standout has all the character traits and athleticdevelopment knowledge to come back and become a superb leader at Valhalla.

Future wrestlers at East Hall will certainly take heed the instruction and knowledge from one of the school’s only state-championship wrestlers.

“Caleb’s a great kid and we’re extraordinarily proud of him,” said Stoudenmire.

This story originally ran in The Times on February 20.

athlete of the yeaR nominations 2023

Talented young runner who came on strong at the end of the season, running a third-place time of 19:54 at the state meet, 10 seconds faster than her fourth-place spot at state in 2021.

O’Bryant was also the Region 8-4A champion, posting a time of 19:10 at Unicoi State Park in Helen.

• What is your essential before playing?

We always do lots of strides and pray.

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“Don’t ever be afraid of the hard things.”

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school? Hanging out with friends after practice on Fridays.

• Do you have any sports superstitions?

Yes, my lucky race socks, they make me run faster.

• Plans after high school?

I’d really like to run for a college, but I still have a lot of work to do to get there.

University of Georgia signee was Hall County champion (15 minutes, 54 seconds) and Region 8-6A champion (16:13) this fall.

Jessup placed ninth at the state championship meet, running a time of 16:54.

• What is your essential before a race?

A good meal with ample amounts of carbs and protein, making sure I’m hydrated, and doing something to get my mind off the race.

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

To just live in the moment.

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school?

Being a part of the cross country and track teams at Gainesville has been super special.

• Do you have any sports superstitions?

I wouldn’t say I have any superstitions, but I like to stick to the same routine before competing.

• Plans after high school?

Committed to run at the University of Georgia. Go Dawgs!

c lodagh o ’B R yant Sophomore | Girls Cross Country | North Hall

John Jessu P Senior | Boys Cross Country | Gainesville

athlete of the yeaR nominations 2023

Telander had a tremendous senior season for the Red Elephants with 112 tackles, 25 for a loss in 2022.

Telander’s final game was a 13-tackle effort (four for a loss) with two sacks in the state championship contest against Hughes.

Telander has already enrolled to begin his college football career at the University of Tennessee.

In the Tennessee spring football game, he recorded three solo tackles for the Volunteers.

In 50 games this season, the Region 8-4A Player of the Year had 438 assists and 243 digs, while posting 119 sets and 62 aces.

Cornett led the program to a Hall County championship and Class 4A state quarterfinals in 2022.

• What is your essential before playing?

To make sure I’m mentally prepared.

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“Pressure either makes diamonds or it bursts pipes.”

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school?

Winning the Elite 8 game against Morgan County (in 2021) to go to the Final 4 last season.

• Do you have any sports superstitions?

I’m not a very superstitious person. I think that if I’ve worked hard enough and practiced, then my work will show on the court.

• Plans after high school?

I’m going to the University of Alabama-Huntsville to continue my volleyball career and receive a business degree.

Je R emiah t elande R Senior | Football | Gainesville

gR ace-Blythe c o R nett

Senior | Volleyball | Cherokee Bluff

athlete of the yeaR nominations 2023

Lady Trojans shortstop burst onto the scene in 2022, hitting a whopping .493, while reaching base almost 55% of the time.

Satterfield had three homers, 11 doubles, 21 RBIs and 26 stolen bases this season.

• What is your essential before playing?

Eating a team meal and talking to all of my teammates, listening to good music and praying.

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“If it’s worth doing, It’s worth doing right.” (my first coach, my grandpa)

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school?

Hitting my first high school home run.

• Do you have any sports superstitions?

I don’t have any extreme superstitions, but I do make sure to always step in the box and have the same plate approach every time.

• Plans after high school?

Playing softball in college and obtaining a degree in sports medicine or nursing.

Georgia Southern signee led the Bears during the regular season, going .485 at the plate with 12 homers and 47 RBIs.

• What is your essential before playing?

Keep myself in the best physical shape possible by staying hydrated and eating correctly.

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“Pay close attention to detail.”

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school?

Hitting three home runs in a single game in the state playoffs my sophomore year.

• Do you have any sports superstitions?

Leading the team in a prayer before the game.

• Plans after high school?

I plan to continue playing at Georgia Southern University. Go Eagles.

g enesis s atte R field Freshman | Softball | North Hall

B R yce e ngland Senior | Baseball | Cherokee Bluff

athlete of the yeaR nominations 2023

The Region 8-4A Player of the Year averaged 24 points and 11.5 rebounds per game en route to the state quarterfinals in 2023. For her career, Black’s topped 1,000 points and 700 rebounds.

• What is your essential before playing?

I go through some routine ball handling to get warmed up and listen to music with my team.

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“The way you do anything is the way you do everything.” coach Sutton Shirley

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school? Winning the Region 8-4A basketball championship.

• Do you have any sports superstitions?

I tend to be superstitious in my pre-game routine. I like to get ready at the same time, do the same ball handling every time, listen to the same songs, and have a consistent routine.

• Plans after high school?

I plan on continuing my basketball career throughout college, but I have not decided where I will attend.

The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds per game for the War Eagles.

He topped 1,000 career points during his junior campaign.

• What is your essential before playing? Shoes, Chipotle and brand-new white socks

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“All we have is to give our best effort.”

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school? When I dunked on someone from UNG.

• Do you have any sports superstitions? Do my best at everything

• Plans after high school? Go to college and get a job

Riley Black Junior | Girls Basketbell | Chestatee

c olton Wil B anks Junior | Boys Basketball | Chestatee

athlete of the yeaR nominations 2023

Finished second in Hall County in the 100-yard butterfly and 100 backstroke. Also, part of two relay teams that won Hall County championships for the Lady Falcons. At state, Walton was a Top-20 finisher in Class 4A/5A in the 200-free relay, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay.

• What is your essential before playing?

The support from friends and family, my favorite racing suit and protein pancakes.

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“People may have more talent than you, but it’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you.”

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school?

Swimming the 200 medley at Hall County Championships, my sophomore year with my best friend Sadie. We took first place and qualified for state.

• Do you have any sports superstitions? Listen to music before I race.

• Plans after high school?

To swim in college and major in exercise science and minor in theology.

The University of South Dakota signee won the Class 4A/5A state championship in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 20.54 at Georgia Tech.

Wall finished fifth in the state in the 100 free (47.8), as well as anchoring the Bears’ 200-free relay team that placed fourth.

• What is your essential before competing?

My airpods, because I always need my hype music

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“One person’s success doesn’t take away from yours.”

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school? When I won state

• Do you have any sports superstitions?

I don’t really believe in superstitions, but I do believe in bad planning.

• Plans after high school?

To swim at the University of South Dakota.

s amantha Walton Junior | Girls Swimming | Flowery Branch

dean Wall Senior | Boys Swimming | Cherokee Bluff

athlete of the yeaR nominations 2023

Highlighted the Lady War Eagles’ state championship with an individual state title in the 155-pound classification.

Finished the season for the War Eagles with a 37-1 mark. She is also a two-time USA Girls state champion.

• What is your essential before competing?

Making sure I am good on weight, as well as having a good night sleep.

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“Be confident, not cocky.” Scott Degraff

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school?

Winning state my final year of high school and just spending time with my teammates.

• Do you have any sports superstitions?

I always carry my lucky stuffed dog named Macon.

• Plans after high school?

As of right now I am undecided, but whatever I decide to do I will commit to it 100%

Heavyweight went 59-0 and earned the Class 4A state championship Feb. 17 in Macon. Pruitt was ranked the No. 1 heavyweight in the state for much of the season.

• What is your essential before playing?

Sleep and some good food

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“Confidence being confident that what I’ve been doing is going to work.”

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school? Winning the state tournament, it’s something I’ve worked for my entire life.

• Do you have any sports superstitions?

I don’t but my dad wears the same sweatshirt to every tournament.

• Plans after high school?

To attend Reinhardt University to continue my academic and wrestling career.

a shley g odinez Senior | Girls wrestling | Chestatee

c ale B P R uitt Senior | Boys wrestling | East Hall

athlete of the yeaR nominations 2023

Repeated as Hall County champion with a two-day total of 82. What is your essential before playing? A bottle of water and my dad’s list of reminders before the round.

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“We are all people on the course and we should all respect each other.”

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school? Being able to get close with my team and my competitors. It makes the rounds much more fun.

• Do you have any sports superstitions?

I can never eat Italian the day before a round. More specifically Olive Garden.

• Plans after high school?

Hopefully get a full ride scholarship to a Division-I school and maybe play on the Tour after that.

Dominated the field at the Hall County championships, shooting a remarkable two-day total of 4-under-par 68.

• What is your essential before playing? Just stick to my routine and know that my hard work has paid off.

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“Just do not think and rely on the work you put in.”

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school? Winning the Hall County championship

• Do you have any sports superstitions? Not really

• Plans after high school? Play college golf

a lisa P R essley Sophomore | Girls Golf | Cherokee Bluff

tanne R s te P hens Junior | Boys Golf | lakeview Academy

athlete of the yeaR nominations 2023

No. 1 singles talent has continued to thrive in young career, compiling a 15-3 regular-season record with a 10-1 mark in Region 8-4A competition in 2023.

• What is your essential before playing? Our team huddle before we go on the court.

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“No excuses”

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school? Watching Riley and Maggie win the match against North Oconee for the region championship.

• Do you have any sports superstitions? No.

• Plans after high school?

I hope to play college tennis

Talented young singles star had another strong regular season, with a 13-2 mark going into the postseason.

• What is your essential before playing? The devotionals that I help lead my team before each match

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“Play better so this match is more fun for me to watch.”

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school?

When my team won two extremely close matches in the state tournament to make it to the Final 4 for the first time as a school.

• Do you have any sports superstitions?

Listening to ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ by Coolio before every match

• Plans after high school?

Hopefully I can continue my tennis career at the college level

e lla k ate c anaday Sophomore | Girls Tennis | North Hall

James Riven B a R k Sophomore | Boys Tennis | Cherokee Bluff

athlete of the yeaR nominations 2023

The University of Tennessee signee had 52 goals during the regular season for the Lady Falcons. Greiner finished her career tied for the Hall County record for goals (129).

• What is your essential before playing?

I like to listen to music and get my mind clear of all worries.

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“Know that you will have bad days, and it’s what you do with those bad days that makes or breaks you.”

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school?

Scoring my 100th goal and celebrating with all of my teammates.

• Do you have any sports superstitions?

Shooting penalty kicks with my right foot (I use my left foot in games) and to end on a good shot before going into a game.

• Plans after high school?

I plan to attend the University of Tennessee to continue my athletic and academic career and plan to major in accounting or finance.

Senior captain for the top-ranked and back-to-back state champion Knights found the back of the net 13 times, while providing 11 assists for the Knights during the 2023 regular season.

• What is your essential before playing?

My essential before playing is praying, for sure.

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“Always stay hungry, humble and never be satisfied.”

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school?

Winning state in 2022

• Do you have any sports superstitions?

Always pointing at the sky before the whistle.

• Plans after high school?

Play college ball, but eventually play professional soccer.

s a R ah gR eine R Senior | Girls Soccer | Flowery Branch

Jo R ge s andoval Senior | Boys Soccer | Johnson

athlete of the yeaR nominations 2023

Set meet records in the 100-meter run and 200 meter at the Hall County championships in 2023, along with running on a winning 400-meter relay for the Lady Bears.

• What is your essential before playing? Having a pep talk with my mom or dad.

• What’s your favorite piece of advice from a coach?

“You can’t teach heart.”

• What’s your favorite sports memory from high school? Qualifying for state sophomore year in multiple events and then becoming state runner up with our 800-meter relay team.

• Do you have any sports superstitions? Wearing a certain hairstyle consistently.

• Plans after high school?

To attend college to study veterinary medicine. I am exploring the possibility of running track or even playing volleyball in college.

Dominated at the Hall County championships, winning the 800-meter run, 1600 and 3200. Also part of the first-place 1600-meter relay squad for Red Elephants. This season, Proffitt set the school record in the 1600 and 3200.

o livia oW ens Junior | Girls Track and Field | Cherokee Bluff