The following district-wide information has been gathered through research and the schools submitted responses. If there is anything missing or that needs editing, please contact support@nasathletics.com. Thank you for your help!
Parkwood Alumni Headed to NFL
The Saints selected Nick Saldiveri with the 104th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-6, 316-pound offensive lineman was featured prodominatly at right tackle during his collegiate career, but has the ability to play multiple positions on the line. A native of Monroe, N.C., Saldiveri started 35-of-38 games over his career. He started all 11 games in the fall of 2022, 10 at right tackle and one at right guard, earning second-team All-Sun Belt honors.  He is the first ever player drafted into the NFL from Parkwood HS.
UCPS Inaugural Coach of the Year
Monroe High School’s beloved coach, Johnny Sowell, was named the UCPS inaugural Coach of the Year winner.
The award was a well-deserved recognition of his unwavering dedication and hard work in the sport of football. For 37 years, Sowell has been a mainstay at Monroe High, and his influence on the program is undeniable.
Track and Field
Men's 4A Track & Field
UCPS athletes starred at the 4A Men’s Track & Field Championships.
Jacob Laney from Porter Ridge set a new meet record in the 3200 Meter Run by nearly two seconds and also took first in the 1600.
The Weddington Warriors finished with 44 points to earn their first NCHSAA 4A Men’s Track and Field title to go along with their three 3A titles. The Warriors dominated in the Field events, taking top honors in pole vault, shot put, and discus. Weddington’s Ryan Davis was awarded a Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award.
Cuthbertson came out of a bunched leaderboard in fourth place with 35 points.
Marvin Ridge’s Adam Ridge won two gold finishes for the Mavericks, and teammate Christian Wheeler was awarded a Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award.
Women's 4A Track & Field
The Cuthbertson Cavaliers won their third consecutive NCHSAA Women’s Track and Field Championship – second straight in the 4A Class.Â
Cavalier juniors Charlotte Bell, Stella Kermes, and Justine Preisano took first, third, and fourth in the 800 Meter Run; first, second, and eighth in the 1600 Meter; and they teamed up with Josie Schihi to set a new meet record in the 4×800 Meter Relay. Bell set a new meet record in the 1600.
Cuthbertson’s Maya Studney was named a Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award Winner.
Weddington also finished strong with 41 team points and a 4th place finish.
Men's 2A Track & Field
Monroe athletes captured several top finishes in the 2A Track & Field Championships to earn 4th Place in the team standings.
Third place in the 4×100 and 4X200 Meter Relays was claimed by the quartet of: 1) Josiah Knotts 2) Zachariah Melton
3) Brajon Allen 4) Kaegon Chambers.  Allen and Chambers paired with Jairo Silva and Bryce Davis to take second place in the 4×400 Meter Relay.
On the field, Khamoni Robinson leapt to 2nd place in the Triple Jump, with teammate Jordan Young claiming 4th place. Young also finished 3rd in the Long Jump.
Men's Lacrosse
In the NCHSAA 4A Men’s Lacrosse State Tournament, UCPS’ Marvin Ridge advanced to the quarterfinals after winning against Myers Park 12-9 and Page 19-6. The Mavericks fell short by one goal to Lake Norman 9-8 in the 4th Round.
Women's Lacrosse
The NCHSAA 4A Women’s Lacrosse Tournament had two UCPS teams advance to the 4th Round: Marvin Ridge outscored Providence 21-0 in the 1st Round, then upset #3 ranked Lake Norman in a 17-5 victory before falling to Myers Park 15-12 in the 4th Round. Weddington took down Page 18-3 before meeting eventual championship contender Charlotte Catholic in the 4th Round.Â
In the 1A/2A/3A Women’s Lacrosse Tournament, Parkwood took out North Davidson in the 1st Round 13-4 before meeting eventual championship contender Bishop McGuiness in the 2nd Round.Â
Men's Golf
At the 2023 NCHSAA 4A Boys Golf State Championships hosted at Pinehurst No.8, Marvin Ridge captured 3rd place om the team standings, finishing +27 over Par +12 R1, +15 R2Â
Also notably representing UCPS in the individual standings was Marvin Ridge’s Jack Wieler who finished T4 at one-over for the tournament.Â
NCHSAA Results >>Â
Baseball
In the 4A NCHSAA Baseball Tournament, Cuthbertson advanced to the 3rd Round, beating Watauga 7-3 and Hickory Ridge 4-2 before falling short by one run to Myers Park. Â
NCHSAA 4A Bracket >>Â
In the 3A Division, Parkwood earned a 1st Round game playing North Iredell.Â
3A Bracket >>Â
Softball
In the 4A NCHSAA Softball Tournament, UCPS was well represented with six teams qualifying to compete. Marvin Ridge went deepest into the playoffs, beating North Meck 25-1, Northern Guilford 5-2, Cuthbertson 11-1, and Alexander Central 10-3 before meeting Hickory Ridge in the Semi-finals.
Cuthbertson advanced with wins over Myers Park and Mooresville before meeting Marvin Ridge in the 3rd Round.
Two teams advanced to the 2nd Round, Porter Ridge beating Davie 8-4 and Weddington taking out West Forsyth 2-1.
Piedmont and Sun Valley both earned 1st Round games.
NCHSAA 4A Bracket >>
Parkwood also qualified for the 3A Division playing Tuscola in the 1st Round.
NCHSAA 3A Bracket >>
Men's Tennis
At the 3A Men’s Tennis Dual Team State Tournament, Central Academy advanced to the 2nd Round before meeting #1 seed and eventual champion Hickory. CATA prevailed over Hibriten 8-1 in the 1st Round.Â
NCHSAA Dual Team Bracket >>Â
Women's Soccer
In the NCHSAA 4A Women’s Soccer Tournament, UCPS’ Weddington advanced to the semi-finals outscoring opponents 17-3 with two shutouts. The Warriors won against Mount Tabor 6-0, Northern Guilford 7-2, Lake Norman 1-0, and Northwest Guilford 3-1 before falling to Ardrey Kell in the Semi-finals.
NCHSAA 4A Bracket >>
In the 3A Division, Forest Hills triumphed over Surry County 2-1 and West Stanly 4-1 before meeting Pine Lake in the 3rd Round.
NCHSAA 3A Brackets >>
Fifty-Six Weddington Warriors Earn All-Conference Awards; Three Coaches of the Year!
Spring sports at Weddington were fruitful in 2023 with over fifty student-athletes earning All-Conference status:Â Baseball (6), Softball (2), Men’s LAX (5), Women’s LAX (6), Men’s Tennis (3), Men’s Golf (2), Women’s Soccer (5), Women’s Track/Field (13), Men’s Track/Field (14).
Three UCPS coaches earned Coach of the Year awards including Baseball’s Rick Hurni , Women’s LAX Coach Rob Salminen, & Women’s Soccer Coach Powell Williams.
