Vote for The Charlotte Observer boys’ athlete of the week (May 24)

Below are the nominees for The Charlotte Observer high school athlete of the week.

The poll closes Friday.

You may vote as often as you like.

Note: Poll results may not always be shown.

This week’s nominees

Evan Boykin, Charlotte Christian track: The Knights’ junior won NCISAA Division I state titles in the 100-meter dash (10.61 seconds), the 200 (21.51) and the 400 (personal-best, 48.45) at Cary Academy May 17.

Boykin also led the 400-meter relay (42.04) to a NCISAA Division I state title May 18.

Boykin’s performance helped the Charlotte Christian boys’ track team to a third-place finish at the same meet.

Case Gibbs, Metrolina Christian baseball: The Warriors’ junior left-handed pitcher tossed a complete-game, two-hitter to lead Metrolina Christian to a 5-1 victory over Wesleyan Christian to even the series the best-of-3 state championship series at one game, apiece last week.

In the deciding Game 3, Gibbs started again, going 1.1 innings, to help Metrolina Christian beat Wesleyan Christian, 5-2, to claim the NCISAA 4A state championship, their first in school history.

Gibbs finished the season 9-0 on the mound with 85 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings of work, while boasting 1.60 ERA for Metrolina Christian (29-2).

Reid Heaton, Myers Park golf: The Mustangs’ junior shot a two-day total of 4-over-par 148 (72-76) to finish 24th at the 4A state championships at Pinehurst No. 9 May 13-14.

Heaton, who had two birdies in each round at state, also shot an ever-par 72 to finished seventh at the 4A West Regional at Brushy Mountain Golf Club May 7.

Logan Hill, Charlotte Catholic track: The Cougars’ senior ran a 1:54.29 to win the 4A state title in the 800-meter run at North Carolina A&T University May 17.

Hill, a University of South Carolina commit, also won the 4A West Regional and Southwestern 4A conference titles in the 800-meter run this outdoor season.

Dylan Murphy, Lake Norman lacrosse: The Wildcats’ all-state defender was “all over the field making plays,” according to his coach, as Lake Norman beat Marvin Ridge 13-11 in the 4A state semifinals, May 14, before losing 11-10 in overtime to Green Level in the 4A state championship game at Durham County Stadium May 17.

Murphy is a Queens University commit.

Aiden Ray, Providence Day track: The Chargers’ star performed three personal-bests to win NCISAA Division I state titles in the triple jump (46 feet, 10 3/4 inches), the 110-meter hurdles (14.52) and the 300-meter hurdles (38.80) at Cary Academy May 17-18.

Ray, who was also state runner-up in the long jump (21-10 1/4), helped the Providence Day boys’ track to a state runner-up finish at the same meet.

Joseph Royster, Lake Norman Charter golf: The Knights’ senior shot a two-day total of 143, 1-under par, to finish tied for 10th at the 3A state championship match at Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Pinehurst May 13-14.

Royster’s play helped the Lake Norman Charter boys’ golf team to a sixth-place finish at the same match, their best finish as a team ever in the state championships.

Wyatt Smith, Gaston Day track: The Spartans’ senior had personal-best times to win NCISAA Division III state titles in the 400-meter dash (48.40) and the 800 (1:59.01) at Gaston Christian May 17-18.

Smith also led both the 800-meter relay (1:30.41) and 1,600-meter relay (3:29.49) to championships at the same meet.

Smith’s efforts helped the Gaston Day boys’ track team to a team state championship as well.

Gianni Vines, West Cabarrus track: The Wolverines’ senior jumped 6-10 to win the 4A state title in the high jump at North Carolina A&T University May 17.

Vines had a personal-best 6-11 in a West Cabarrus home meet April 10. That jump was also the best in the state this outdoor season.

Tyson Williams, Mallard Creek track: The Mavericks’ senior won the 4A state title in the 200-meter dash in a personal-best, 20.92, at North Carolina A&T University May 17.

Williams also led the 800-meter relay (1:24.81) to a 4A state title, while earning runner-up finishes in both the 100-meter dash (10.46) and 400-meter relay (40.72) at the same meet.

Williams, who earned the 4A state championship’s most outstanding performer honors, also led the Mallard Creek boys’ track team to a 4A state title, its first in nine years.

Rich Wills, Stuart Cramer golf: The Storm senior shot a two-day total of 136, 8-under par, to win the 3A state individual golf championship at Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Pinehurst May 13-14.

Wills, a Clemson University signee, had 11 birdies in his two rounds at the state championship.

Wills’ play also helped the Stuart Cramer boys’ golf team to a third-place finish.

Josiah Wrice, Butler track: The Bulldogs’ senior ran the state’s second fastest time ever, 46.25, to finish as 4A state runner-up in the 400-meter dash at North Carolina A&T University May 17.

Wrice, a University of Wisconsin commit, was also the 4A West Regional champion in the 400-meter dash May 11.

** Information published today includes statistics through May 18.

If you want to nominate an athlete: Athletes of the week highlights high school players with outstanding performances. The goal is to recognize all athletes in all sports, both the most accomplished and the underrated or underappreciated players. If you want to suggest someone to be included in the athletes of the week column, send email to Jay Edwards at edwardswork23@gmail.com. Please include the athletes’ name, school, class and applicable game performance statistics. Coaches must be willing to verify information.

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