ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT This week’s Athlete Spotlight shines a light on TWO incredible Falcons making an impact on the field, court, and in the record books! Georgia Kate Price Michael Traynum Two athletes. Big-time performances. One thing in common — they're Falcons!

We are OFFICIALLY 5️⃣0️⃣days away from tip-off‼️ 🏀🏀🏀

Final: @BenLippenFB 10, @AthleticsHHES 3 Michael Traynum with the interception late

Take a day of work and come out and support CIU athletics ciugolfclassic.com

I have apparently developed another controversial coaching opinion. If you join the cross country team, the cross country meets are mandatory. I know. Pretty extreme stuff. And if there is a club soccer game scheduled at the same time, we are still going to expect you to be at the XC meet. Apparently this requires explanation now. What surprises me more is the outrage this generates. "You mean they HAVE to go?" Yes. That's how being on a team works. We practice so we can compete. The meets aren't optional bonus content you unlock if nothing better shows up on the family calendar. I didn't realize "athletes are expected to attend competitions" had become one of my hottest coaching takes. But here we are.

This past week, more than 80 Nations of Coaches Character Coaches from across the country gathered in Nashville for our annual Character Coach Training! It was a powerful time of connection, encouragement, and equipping, but also an incredibly strategic time as our Character Coaches received practical tools and important training to help them serve the men’s and women’s basketball programs they walk alongside throughout the year. These Character Coaches are stepping into locker rooms, practices, offices, and everyday moments to invest in coaches and athletes, not just in who they are on the court, but in who they are becoming off of it. We’re incredibly grateful for every Character Coach who said YES to showing up, building relationships, and making an eternal impact in the lives of coaches and athletes across the country. Nashville was just the beginning. Now it’s time to take it back to their teams!

HS Coaches will swear they want multi-sport athletes… Then schedule “optional” workouts, that “aren’t mandatory” during every other single sport’s season. Nothing says support like making a 16-year-old choose which adult to disappoint.

In 2001, Clemson upset No. 1 North Carolina in Littlejohn Coliseum 75-65. You don’t just stroll into Tigertown for the weekend and leave with a win.

Behind our student athletes are some amazing coaches. Thankful these coaches were able to join their former student athletes as they were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Student Intern Bella Bissell was able to catch up with a few and get a few words on this years Hall of Fame Inductee class. @LHSWildcatsLex1 @CoachBHarris @MattOberly

Spring Valley High grad and USC Upstate hoops player CJ Rich one of those athletes in DC today.

Honored to be inducted into the Lexington High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Usain Bolt gave me the vision Kobe Bryant inspired me to chase championships Allen Iverson inspired me to have the confidence to be myself with my style @MattOberly @CoachBHarris @LHS_WILDCATS

Mother nature had other plans tonight folks, and unfortunately we will not be able to get the game in. Come back tomorrow - SATURDAY - for a 11:00am kick off! Tickets sold for tonight WILL be good for tomorrow. @LouatTheState @junebugnewyork @LHSWildcatsLex1 @LHS_Wildcats_FB

Highlighting our 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees: Today we celebrate Barbara-Anne Lytes! Ms. Lytes attended Rosenwald High School and graduated in 1967. She started playing organized basketball in the 8th grade, overcoming her shy personality when she had a basketball in her hand. She excelled at scoring- leaving as the career point holder with 2,341 career points. That’s an average of 23 points per game! One thing anyone will see when they spend time with Ms. Barbara - she is passionate about sports. “I love the game, the game of basketball, softball, volleyball, anything to do with ball I would play it”. We asked, what does it mean to be inducted into the Hall of Fame - and she replied “it’s an honor… I was surprised!”. Looking back in the 1967 yearbook “The Hornet” you can find a picture of Ms. Lytes, basketball in hand. She was a 5 year letterman, and started all five years. She was team captain her Sophomore, Junior and Senior years, named MVP 3 years and named All Conference in 1965, 1966, and 1967. Well done Ms. Barbara, and congratulations! To read more, visit lexingtonhswildcats.com @LHSWildcatsLex1

Highlighting our 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees: Today we celebrate Will Hunter! While at Lexington High School, Will was a four year starter for the Football program. He also played on the Basketball team and during his senior year the Baseball team finishing his athletic career with 7 Varsity letters. Mr. Hunter was the starting quarterback for Lexington High School for four years, only missing two games his junior year due to an injury. He compiled impressive records such as: A record of 34-14 Region Champions in 2011 and Co-Region Champions in 2013 State Semifinalist in 2010 4x All Region 2x All State Region Offensive Player of the Year (2011) For more on this Wildcat Alumni, visit lexingtonhswildcats.com

Was this the loudest 12 o’clock game in Sanford/Dooley Field? I need people that were there to tell me! #GoDawgs

Highlighting our 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees : Today we celebrate Blake White! While at Lexington High School, Blake was a member of the Track and Field program as well as the Boys Cross Country team. He won multiple State Championship titles as part of the 2012 Lexington Boys Track State Championship Team and the Boys Cross Country team from 2009 - 2012, and finished his high school career earning 8 Varsity Letters. One of the things that makes this Hall of Fame Inductee stand out, is that not only was he a State Champion in Cross Country and a 3 time All-State XC athlete, but he was ALSO a 3 time All - State selection in the 3200m and State Champion in Track and Field. Mr. White was a member of the 4x800m relay the year the Boys Track and Field team won state. To read more about Blake White - visit lexingtonhswildcats.com ! Congratulations Blake! @LexingtonXC @LHS_Wildcats_TF @LHSWildcatsLex1

Highlighting our 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees and first up is Curtis Walker Jr. While at Lexington High School, Curtis was a member of the Track and Field team. He won multiple State Championship titles both individually (200m and 400m) and as part of the 2012 Lexington Boys Track State Championship Team. Mr. Walker was recognized in the Region as a 2 time All Region selection in the 200m and a 2 time All Region selection in the 400m. He was All-Region in 2013 for the 4x400m relay team and named All Region MVP. To top off an exceptional 2013 campaign, Curtis was named the 4A Boys Track Athlete of the Year. Mr. Walker graduated in 2013 holding six school records. Today, three of these records still stand: 200m - 21.75 400m - 47.75 4x400 relay - Curtis Walker, Trae Carson, Al Walker, Garvin Jackson 3:20.15 After high school, Curtis went on to compete at the collegiate level at Hinds CC and Southern Miss. He was a part of the 4x400m National Championship relay team. Congratulations Curtis! @LHSWildcatsLex1 @Curt__Dawg @CoachCurtis35 @LHS_Wildcats_TF