Woodstock Student Named District Athlete of the Year at Sports Celebration

Woodstock Community News| Woodstock, GA

Woodstock High School’s Nina Carcone was named the Cherokee County School District’s overall Female Athlete of the Year on Monday, Feb. 2, as more than 500 student-athletes gathered to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

The event, held under the theme "Where Confidence Competes," marked the first time the district’s high school athletic directors voted to select an overall athlete and team of the year. While Carcone took top individual honors, Creekview High School’s Fast Pitch Softball team was named the Cherokee County Team of the Year. The annual gathering, sponsored by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, highlights the impact of athletic programs that produced two state championship titles and four region titles last year.

In addition to the district-wide awards, Woodstock High School recognized specific achievements within its own programs. The school honored alumna Anna Brunett Sheehan and selected the Lady Wolverines Flag Football squad as its Team of the Year. Nearby Etowah High School honored alumna Skylar Wallace and named Kimora Stevenson its Athlete of the Year, while River Ridge High School recognized alumna Allie Sweet and Athlete of the Year Kyla Cantey.

River Ridge High School athlete Cassie Vanderberg was named the Special Olympic Athlete of the Year. Her coach, Merry Hofmeister, noted that Vanderberg personifies the Special Olympic oath regarding bravery and effort. The district also presented the Honorary Coach award to Robin Roper, a former fast-pitch softball coach at Cherokee High School.

Event organizer Victoria Brown, an assistant principal and former Etowah High School softball coach, emphasized that the day serves as a commitment to empowering future generations. School Board Chair Janet Read Welch attended the celebration alongside board members Chance Beam and Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison to support the district's female athletes and coaches.