Uwharrie Charter Academy placed eighth in Class 1A for the Wells Fargo Cup for the 2023-24 school year.
The award recognizes schools that achieved the best overall athletic performance within each North Carolina High School Athletic Association classification.
The winner in Class 1A was Mount Airy, followed by Swain County, Bishop McGuinness, Christ the King, Mountain Island Charter, Corvian Community and Elkin.
UCA moved into the top 10 based on results in spring sports. The Eagles won the Class 1A state championship in baseball for the second year in a row and the school’s softball team had a strong season.
Other statewide winners were Seaforth (Class 2A), Croatan (Class 3A) and Marvin Ridge (Class 4A).
Good sports
When the NCHSAA recognized Sportsmanship Award winners prior to state championship series in the spring, each contending team had a player honored. The awards are based on a player displaying the ideals of sportsmanship throughout the year.
In Class 1A baseball, infielder Caleb Stickle of UCA was the awardee.
In Class 2A softball, second baseman Lillian Payne of state champion Southwestern Randolph was honored.
Top athletes honored
For the 2023-24 school year, the NCHSAA Athletes of the Year were West Rowan senior Emma Clark for females and Reidsville sophomore Kendre Harrison for males.
Clark played volleyball, basketball and softball. She was a key player on the school’s Class 3A state championship team, which was undefeated. She’s planning to play softball at Tennessee.
Harrison is a football (receiver and defensive player) and basketball player (power forward). He was on Class 2A state championship teams in both sports.
Opening practices approaching
The first day for official practices for fall sports teams in the NCHSAA is set for July 31.
With the exception of football, the first contest dates for fall teams come Aug. 12. Football games begin Aug. 23.
Scrimmages are held in many cases prior to the first formal competition.
