2026 Spring Sports Highlights

Varsity Baseball

After graduating 9 seniors last year, this year’s squad was tested in every position. They battled all season and earned several come-from-behind victories. The team’s five seniors, three of whom will compete at the next level, led the way. The team finished 12-14 overall, 5-5 in conference, earning the #8 seed in the NCISAA State Championship.

Freshman Owen Duncan and Senior Hunter Kincheloe earned All-Conference Second Team honors.

Varsity Boys Golf

Under new varsity head coach Kevin Kornegay, boys’ golf experienced steady growth. The highlight was a win over Charlotte Country Day, in which five of six athletes shot personal bests, and the team achieved their lowest score in recent history. Senior Reed Maier and Junior Gabe DeBuhr consistently posted top scores in every match.

Senior Reed Maier, Junior Gabe deBuhr, and 8th grader Elijah Johnson qualified for the NCISAA State Championship. Reed and Gabe earned All-Conference Second Team honors.

Varsity Girls Soccer

The varsity girls’ soccer season featured victories over Carmel Christian in PKs, at Providence Day, and a double-overtime win over Charlotte Christian. Offensively, freshman Callie Hylton led with 6 goals and 2 assists. Jane Neil scored 3 goals, and Stella Queen had 4, helping control the midfield. The defense was solidly anchored by Eylie Stanley, Barrett Brooks, and Bella Burns, while Lila Jones excelled in goal.

Senior Jane Neil was named to the First Team All-Conference, and Sophomore Stella Queen and Senior Barrett Brooks were named to the Second Team.

Varsity Softball

Led by the Fab 5—five seniors who have played together since 7th grade with Coach Houseton—the softball team soared to a 23-6 season. In their historic campaign, the team dominated conference play at 10-1 and triumphantly defeated Cannon for the first time since 2022. They captured the first-ever softball CISAA Conference and NCISAA State Championship, along with the first CDS team state championship since 2017!

Senior Avery Houseton was named Conference Player of the Year. Joining her on the All-Conference First Team were Senior RJ Llaneza and Sophomore Charlotte Llaneza. Senior Kaitlyn Allen, Senior Charlotte Hall, Sophomore Izzy Horton, and Sophomore Alison Vandiver earned Second Team All-Conference honors. Avery, RJ, and Charlotte were named to the All-State Team, and Avery was named to the Charlotte Observer All-Observer First Team.

Varsity Boys Tennis

The boys’ tennis season was highlighted by 8th-grade Carlton Huitt finishing 7-3 in the #1 singles position, including a victory over an undefeated senior from Charlotte Christian. Carlton earned First Team All-Conference and All-State honors.

Varsity Track & Field

Track & Field continued its tradition of breaking personal and school records. Freshman Callie Welsh set 2 new CDS records in the 200 meters (25.65) and 400 meters (57.78), earning the CISAA Conference title in the 400m and placing 3rd at the NCISAA State Championship. Junior Gracie Poston broke the 100-meter record (12.37) and also placed 3rd at States. The 4x200m relay team (Gracie Poston, Maya Spriggs, Arabelle Exis, Callie Welsh) finished 3rd at States.

Junior Sawyer Duncan set a new school record in the 2000m Steeplechase (6:22.65) and entered the top 5 spot in the CDS record books in multiple other events. Juniors Sawyer Duncan (300m hurdles), Jack Gurendel (discus), and Joey Johnson (800m) earned Second Team All-Conference honors. Jack Gruendel set a school record of Javelin (101’6) and won the NCISAA State Championship in Discus.

The Covey's

We hosted the annual athletics award show – The Covey’s! It was a truly special night, with over 500 student-athletes and their families coming together to celebrate an outstanding year. For a recap of The Covey’s, click HERE. 

College Signees

Around 7% of high school athletes go on to participate in college athletics, and less than 2% compete at the Division 1 level. We have 12 students continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level, 3 at Division 1 institutions.

Baseball – Jalen Boyd – Paul D Camp Community College
Baseball – Matthew Dorsey – Wake Tech Community College
Baseball – Hunter Kincheloe – Hampden-Sydney College
Basketball – Douglas Smith – Grove City College
Basketball – Luke Thompson – Macalester College
Cross Country/Track & Field – Ethan Welsh – East Carolina University
Boys Soccer – Brady Johnson – Cedarville College
Boys Soccer – Baker Runge – Gordon College
Girls Soccer – Jane Neil – Louisiana Tech University
Softball – Kaitlyn Allen – Tusculum University
Softball – Avery Houseton – UNC Charlotte
Volleyball – Maggie Shannon – Springfield College

As these athletes compete at the next level, we hope the foundation they built here at CDS will carry with them, and they will continue to honor God in all they do.

 

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