Katie Belle Sikes: The greatest swimmer in Orange High history won her first relay race as a member of the Georgia Bulldogs women’s swimming team last weekend. Sikes, as a freshman, swam the anchor leg to win the 200 yard medley relay race in a tri-meet against South Carolina and Vanderbilt at the University of South Carolina Natatorium last Saturday. Sikes, Eboni McCarty, Olivia Dellatorre and Charlotte Headland finished first with a time of 1:37.89. In her first college meet, Sikes finished third in the 100 yard freestyle. She touched the wall at 22.91 seconds. Dylan Scholes of South Carolina beat out Sikes for first at 22.72. Sikes came in fourth in the 100 yard freestyle. Georgia, ranked #13 in the country won both dual meets, beating Vanderbilt 240-48. The Bulldogs won over South Carolina 167-133.
Payton Wilson: N.C. State will induct Wilson into its Ring of Honor during the Wolfpack’s game against Stanford at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh on November 2. In his final year in Raleigh in 2023, Wilson won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. He was also the 2023 ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Wilson is now a rookie for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last week, Wilson totaled six tackles, including one for a loss as the Steelers defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 32-13 at Allegiant Stadium. Pittsburgh is 4-2 going into its matchup against the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium. It will be Wilson’s second Sunday Night appearance in three weeks.
Trenton Gill: The former Cedar Ridge punter made his first appearance with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium on September 29. Gill averaged 37.5 yards over four punts. His longest was 42 yards. One was downed inside the 20-yard line. On October 4, Atlanta rallied to beat Tampa Bay 36-30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Gill was only needed for two punts, averaging 43.5 yards. His longest was 45 yards.
Darius Satterfield: Satterfield had five punts for Elizabeth City State against Virginia Union at Hovey Field in Richmond, VA last Saturday. He averaged 45.8 yards. His longest punt was 49 yards. Virginia State won 35-0. Satterfield also handled kickoff duties for the Vikings. On October 5, Livingstone College edged Elizabeth City State 23-17 at Alumni Memorial Stadium in Salisbury. Satterfield had seven punts, averaging 35.4 yards. His longest punt was 56 yards. Two boots were downed inside the 20-yard line. The Vikings are 2-4 and will face Virginia State at Roebuck Stadium later this afternoon (Saturday).
Ivy Garner: The Liberty women’s soccer team is on a four-game undefeated streak in Conference USA play. Last Sunday, the Flames defeated Louisiana Tech 2-0 at Caruthers Field in Ruston, LA. Garner, who played her freshman year at Cedar Ridge, scored both goals. She notched the game-winner in the 47th minute, assisted by Halle Engle. In the 52nd minute, Garner scored off an assist from Laurie Littleton. On October 10, Garner scored another game-winning goal in a win over Sam Houston at Pritchett Field in Huntsville, TX. Garner scored in the 29th minute off an assist from Gabby Miranda. On October 6, Liberty played to a 2-2 tie against New Mexico State at Osborne Stadium in Lynchburg, VA. Garner tallied another goal in the 28th minute for an equalizer assisted by Engle. Garner assisted on the second goal from Engle to put the Flames ahead. Liberty is 12-1-3 overall, 4-1-1 in Conference USA.
Emmerson Talley: The Division II Lenoir-Rhyne women’s soccer team has won five in a row. On Wednesday, the Bears blanked Mars Hill 3-0 at Meares Stadium in Mars Hill. Talley, the all-time leading goal scorer in Cedar Ridge history, scored on the Bears first shot of the game in the 15th minute. Talley is now second on the team with four goals. Last Saturday, Lenoir-Rhyne defeated Coker 3-1 at Coker Athletic Field in Harsville, SC. Talley played 72 minutes and had one shot. The Bears remain undefeated at 7-0-3 overall, 5-0-1 in the South Atlantic Conference.