Members of the Chapel Hill Tennis Club’s “Carolina Dreamers” team traveled to Wilmington last weekend for week two of the USTA’s North Carolina Southern Combo Doubles State Tournament and came back with the Super Seniors 6.5 Championship.

The Super Seniors, with players 60 years old and up, were among 220 teams comprising 2,300 players from across the state, competing in a three-round elimination.

“It was an incredible experience, both for our tennis team and the club,” said Grada Arble, team captain. “Excellent coaching and hard work helped us win, but another great benefit was that we made a lot of new friends. A Hillsboro team came to our club to practice because they don’t have clay courts, and we all had a little party the night before the match. Plus, we really bonded as a team.”

Their coach, Lauren Herman, said, “I can’t say enough about these women. I’ve worked with them for several years, and I’m extremely proud to be a part of their success. It’s nice to see that age doesn’t have to be a factor if you’re willing to work at it.”

The next stage will be regional championships held in Mobile, Ala., next spring. “It’s a nine-hour ride, so we’re thinking about chartering a bus,” said Arble. “Now we think we’re rock stars.”

The Dreamers played alongside a contingent of Eno River association teams, which won a trio of state championships at the event.

Wildcats earn top conference honors

East Chapel Hill swept the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s top post-season fall honors in soccer, tennis and girls’ cross-country last week after winning the PAC-6 championship in each of those sports.

In soccer, East Chapel Hill’s Victor Zhang was named Player of the Year and Austin Collins the PAC-6 Coach of the Year after helping the Wildcats win their second conference title — their first undefeated league run as a 4A team.

In tennis, East’s top singles player Brittany Hill was named Player of the Year and Ann Booterbaugh the Coach of the Year after East once again swept all their PAC-6 opponents and advanced into the state playoffs. Booterbaugh is serving as the coach of East’s tennis teams as longtime coach Lindsay Linker takes a year off. Hill has signed to play next year at Stetson.

In cross-country, East’s Stephen Marquis was named coach of the year for both male and female harriers after guiding them undefeated through the dual-meet season and then into top-10 finishes at the state championships. Pegah Kamrani, who recently committed to run next year at Columbia, was the state runnerup and was named PAC-6 Runner of the Year last week.

East’s athletes fill all-PAC-6 rosters

East Chapel Hill had 34 athletes earn all-conference honors, recently announced by the PAC-6 athletics directors.

In boys cross-country, East Chapel Hill’s Ryan Brady, Sam Miner, Graham Stopa, Matt Ruston and James Gildard earned all-conference honors. In girls cross-country, East placed Pegah Kamrani, Maggie Meshnick, Nina Pande, Lilly Price, Katie Cubrilovic, and Anne McDonald on the all-conference team.

Kamrani and Brady both earned all-state recognition for their top-10 finishes at the state meet.

Annie Carter was named all-PAC-6 in volleyball,

In soccer, all-state senior midfielder Victor Zhang led East’s members of the All-PAC-6 team, joined by senior co-captains Gabe Gloss and Matt Gerrish, East senior midfielder Louis Levin, junior midfielder Michael Balog and junior forward Zach Lee. Defender Luka Vujaskovic and forward Alexander Yokum of East earned honorable mention.

PAC-6 Player of the Year Brittany Hill led the East contingent on the all-conference tennis team, joined by Caroline Pope in both doubles and singles. East’s Mackenzie Bright, Julia Gan, Rainie Heck and Meghana Holegadde were named all-PAC-6 in singles — giving each of the Wildcats’ top six players a spot on the honors team.

East Chapel Hill made an impact on the all-conference football team after finishing the regular season at 5-5 — the program’s highest winning percentage ever. The Wildcats won the PAC-6’s sportsmanship award, voted by the league’s coaches.

Eight Wildcats earned all-PAC-6 recognition: wide receiver Jackson Boyer, offensive guard Anthony Burns, offensive tackle Will McEntee, linebackers Cameron Sierzdan and Armond Berry, defensive tackle Chris Alston, defensive end Kevin Mangel and kicker Kieran Sweeney.

Playing in a separate conference, East Chapel Hill’s undefeated state champion field hockey team saw seven players get all-state honors: Marissa Creatore, Amanda Demasi, Rebecca Halter, Sydney Holman, Caroline Kolk, Fiona Nelson and goalkeeper Grace Hayley.

Notably, both Halter and Towne qualified for the NCHSAA 4A golf championships.

Chapel Hill Tire supports YMCA, Rainbow Soccer

The Michelin Soccer Program and University Mall’s Chapel Hill Tire have donated $3,700 in funds and equipment to two local organizations — the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA and Rainbow Soccer. Each received $1,850 as part of the program, which will help provide scholarships, uniforms and other soccer essentials.

“The Michelin Soccer Program is an incredible way to connect with families and young players,” said Cliff Harris of University Mall’s Chapel Hill Tire. “The look on the child’s face as you hand them their soccer ball is priceless. I encourage all the Michelin dealers to find a local soccer league and support them through this program.”

The Michelin Soccer Program partners tire dealers with local youth soccer organizations, providing the dealers the opportunity to reach out to the community. The leagues in turn receive funds and equipment. The soccer leagues are sent certificates that can be redeemed at the dealer’s store for a free soccer ball during a 30-day promotional period, while supplies last. After a 60-day tire rebate promotion included on the certificate, Michelin donates $2 to the soccer organization for each tire sold during the program.

Compiled by W.E. Warnock