Gastonia, Shelby Sports Athlete of the Week nominees (October 27, 2025)
For the week of October 20-25, 2025, we will be highlighting the nominees for Boy and Girl Athlete of the Week for Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln Counties.
On Tuesday, scores of area golfers returned home with shiny hardware to add to their collections.
South Point girls golf won the NCHSAA 5A team championship by nine strokes over second-place East Lincoln, winning its second straight tournament. But the Mustangs didn’t empty out, and Kennedy Galentine shot a 3-over 111 to beat the Red Raiders’ Madison Pruden by seven strokes and win the 5A individual title.
The event was originally scheduled for two days and 36 holes, but due to continued rain around Stone Bridge Golf Club in Monroe, the event was shortened to 27 holes, nine of which were played on Tuesday.
After 18 holes, Galentine and Pruden shot a 3-over 75, putting them at the top of the individual leaderboard. However, it was the latter South Point team that led the team standings by 17 strokes with a total score of 242. That cushion came in handy Tuesday, as the East Lincoln University freshman shot an even-par 36, four strokes better than his closest rival that day.
Pruden finished the second round with a 7-over 43 and a two-day score of 10-over 118, putting him in second place on the individual leaderboard. Her teammates did their part as well, with Sofia Travinsky (131, 6th), Chloe Villarreal (133, 8th) and Smantha Clements (143, 19th) each posting top-20 finishes. Caroline Mulford also contributed with a 176 in 36 holes.
In addition to Galentine, East Lincoln received contributions from Megan Arnett (137; 11th), Madelyn Reynolds (139; T-15th), Riley McNair (150; 29th) and Cassidy Lewis (157; 37th).
Forest View sophomore Samantha Munoz also competed in this week’s 5A championship, scoring 156 through 36 holes to place 34th.
class 4A
Stuart Kramer took second at this week’s NCHSAA 4A Championship, which was shortened to 18 holes due to weather and held at Longleaf Golf & Family Club in Southern Pines.
Winsley Klotz led Kramer with a 5-over 77 for third place. Mackenzie Blackledge (14-over 86, 11th place) and Audrey Reaser (21-over 93, 16th place) also contributed for the Storm.
Lincoln Charter’s Kaylin Cherry finished 20th with a 24-over 96.
class 3A
West Lincoln University’s Melony Hoffman capped off her high school career with a seventh-place finish at the NCHSAA 3A Championship held at Longleaf Golf & Family Club in Southern Pines. She shot 87 in 15 overs.
She finished in the top 10 with teammate Ainsley Howard, who shot a 16-over 88 in the event, which was shortened due to continued rain.
Class 1A/2A
Highland Tech’s Ariel Pagan was the region’s top player in the NCHSAA 1A/2A ranks, finishing 19th with a 22-over 94 at Gates for Country Club in Fayetteville. Teammate Kyndall Hardiman finished 36th with a 32-over 103.
The event was shortened to 18 holes due to continued rain around the course.
