gwinnettdailypost.com
IN BRIEF
Johnstone honored at Rubio Long Snapping Camp Archer long snapper Christian Johnstone was selected as one of the top performers at the Rubio Long Snapping Camp last weekend in Cornelius, N.C. Johnstone, a sophomore, competed with 90 snappers from 13 states in the event at William Amos Hough High School. “Christian Johnstone did well all day long in North Carolina,” renowned snapping instructor Chris Rubio said in an event press release. “He has great size, he can move on his feet and shows solid speed on the ball. Locking down his snaps under high pressure situations will make him an easy pick for a TOP 12 Camp spot at VEGAS 30.”
Mill Creek cluster golf tourney planned for August The Mill Creek Cluster Education Foundation will host its second annual golf classic Aug. 28 at Hamilton Mill Golf Club. The event raises money for all schools in the cluster — Mill Creek High School, Jones and Osborne Middle Schools and Duncan Creek, Fort Daniel, Harmony, Ivy Creek and Puckett’s Mill Elementary Schools. Cost is $125 per player ($110 for signups prior to May 15) and sponsorships also are available. For more information, email to 2moons@ bellsouth.net.
Mountain View TD Club to host golf tourney The Mountain View Football Touchdown Club will host its second annual fundraiser golf tournament Friday, May 19 at Legacy on Lanier Golf Club. Tee off is at 2:30 p.m. and registration is at 1 p.m. Online registration is available at www.mtnviewfootball.com/golf.
Falcons sign Pro Bowl DL Poe The Atlanta Falcons announced Thursday afternoon they have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Dontari Poe. The two-time Pro Bowler from the University of Memphis has been a key contributor for the Kansas City Chiefs since being drafted in 2012. The 346-pound, former first round selection has recorded 202 total tackles in 78 games played — 76 started — while also recording 13 sacks, 12 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. “Poe is an athletic, big guy that can push the pocket,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. In 2013, Poe was selected to his first career Pro Bowl. That season he recorded 4.5 sacks and 52 total tackles (43 solo) along with four passes defensed. He followed that year up with another Pro Bowl selection in 2014, while posting a career high six sacks and 46 total tackles. Last season, Poe played in all 16 games, while recording 27 total tackles (18 solo) with 1.5 sacks, three passes defensed and one forced fumble. The Memphis native will be a welcomed sight to a defensive line that saw the emergence of first-time Pro Bowler Vic Beasley Jr. and third-year pro Grady Jarrett, who recorded three sacks in Super Bowl LI. The defensive line will also see the return of Derrick Shelby and Adrian Clayborn. — From staff reports
FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2017 • 3B
Gwinnett honors best in swimming, diving From Staff Reports Collins Hill took two of the four major individual awards Wednesday night at the Gwinnett County Swim and Dive Booster Club’s season-ending banquet to honor the best from the 2016-17 high school season. The Eagles’ Andrew Winton was named Gwinnett’s boys swimmer of the year and teammate Peter Smithson was boys diver of the year. The top girls awards went to Brookwood’s Devan Sweeney as swimmer of the year and Mill Creek’s Ambria D’Alonzo as diver of the year. Smithson, Sweeney and D’Alonzo repeated after winning the same awards from the 2015-16 season. The top coaching awards went to Mill Creek’s boys staff of Rick Creed, Laurel Christopher, Carly Cantrell, Heidi Creed and Kali Shimmin, along with the girls coaches at South Gwinnett, Sara Partee and Kristin Agostini. Brooke Heberling was selected as the diving coach of the year. Former Duluth swimmer Patrick Whaley served as the keynote speaker. Whaley is founder and chief executive officer of TITIN Inc., an Alpharettabased business he founded in 2005 while still a student at Georgia Tech. A special recognition was held to close the evening for retiring Brookwood head coach Greg Puckett, who won 10 state titles in his 23 seasons at the Snellville school. The club also handed out the following postseason awards at the event, which was hosted by Archer: All-County Senior Academic Team Archer: Shelmine Armand, Ethan Cano, Brigid Cross, Jonah Genge, Caden Hooper, Gracie Ingram, Hannah Mahaffey, Kelli McKenzie, Chris Stenzel, Jeffrey Whitaker Berkmar: Kendall Castaneda, Brandon Cruztitla-Juarez, Jennifer Do, Diane Lin, Arely Martinez, Miranda Nguyen, Carlos Pavon, Poutheavy Tep, Jimmy Tran, Phillip Tran, Linda Truong Brookwood: Helen Harmel, Zach Kusch, Garrett Manning, Tim Martin, Lindsay Saul, Wren Shimoji, Devan Sweeney, Regina Wright Central Gwinnett: Joseph Nguyen, Nathan Nguyen Collins Hill: Driscoll Crabbe, Elizabeth Kiger, Bailey Knapp, Hailey Marshbank, Kaitlyn Torrez, Lindsay Weingarth Dacula: Paul Dittamo, Ryan Fischer, Hannah Jaeger, Shelby Jones, Sami Rahman, Tyler Stevens Duluth: Prescott Brown, Jimmy Fung, Jared Hazen, Sonia Lau, Lisette Phillips, Gregg RamirezUrbina, Margaux Ratcliff, Jack Sweney, Amber Wang, Serene Yeoh, Lu Yin Grayson: Mackenzie Boyd, Collin Ferguson, Celese Gray, Gabby Gutierrez, Kaily Martin, Makenzie Narey, Andrew Serrero, Claire Weatherly, Rachel Wellington Lanier: Brandon Berrios, Nicole Chavajay, Amanda Rodriguez, Bailey Sharp, Madeline Smith
Gwinnett divers of the year Peter Smithson (left) of Collins Hill and Ambria D’Alonzo of Mill Creek pose for a photo during Wednesday’s Gwinnett County Swim and Dive Banquet at Archer in Lawrenceville. (Photo: Karl L. Moore) Meadowcreek: Amina Aljic, Nancy Barrera, Jairo Cruz, Karmina Gutlay, Allison Hernandez, Irina Jacimovic, My Le, Mynor Lopez, Joel Ordonez, Oscar Ordonez, Selam Tesfalem Mill Creek: Andrew Covey, Jacob Hurd, Kevin Khadem, Boum-Joon Kim, Ana Lorton, Shay Magahey, James Petty, Brian Smith, Francisco Tomei, Connor Ward Mountain View: Rose Anderson, Justin Chan, Amanda Flatt, Sean Hordines Norcross: Sarah Gries, Lyle Hoge, Colton Kryski, Raya Ward North Gwinnett: Jaylen Bailey, Andrew Corn, Kelley Jones, Jacob Kincheloe, Alayna Lamberth, Valerie Lin, Nicholas Mahoney, Chelsea Murphy, Akaash Pisipati, Matthew Shelton, Ryann Shumeyko, Evan Sobol Parkview: Andrew Brock, Jacob Finco, Leah Halls, Adair Kimbrough, Savannah Larkin, Laura Meadows Peachtree Ridge: Krista Eastman, Mackenzie Glaser, Philip Goeckel, Zion Hammond, Klaudia Holt, Kaitlyn King, Alex Lessley, Hannah Lessley, Avery Neel, Josephine Rudd, Ben Sim, Jack Timmons, Annlen Zorn Shiloh: Jenelle Cranston, Story Lucas South Gwinnett: Aliyah Berry, Abby Cleek, Gerald Coleman, Felix Guevara, Benjamin Rohrer, Marissa VanHassel County All-Stars (top five in individual event, top three in relay at county) Hannah Mahaffey, Archer (two events) Juliana Carey, Brookwood (three events) Emma Claire Cohen, Brookwood (three events) Maddy Cohen, Brookwood (four events) Maddie Cordle, Brookwood (two events) Conor Gamble, Brookwood (two events) Drew Grier, Brookwood (three events) Andrew Huenniger, Brookwood (four events) Dylan Scott, Brookwood (four events) Wren Shimoji, Brookwood Aidan Stoffle, Brookwood (four events) Devan Sweeney, Brookwood (four events) Tegan Sweeney, Brookwood (four events) Leila Taylor, Brookwood (three events) Keegan Walsh, Brookwood (three events)
Haley Arner, Collins Hill (three events) Kari Atnip, Collins Hill Gavin Blackshear, Collins Hill (two events) Driscoll Crabbe, Collins Hill (two events) Alen Deljkic, Collins Hill Coleman Ehrlich, Collins Hill Victoria Kabat, Collins Hill Chauncey Robinson, Collins Hill Peter Smithson, Collins Hill Kell Waddell, Collins Hill (four events) Andrew Winton, Collins Hill (four events) Abigayle Wood, Collins Hill (two events) Bradley Dunham, Dacula (two events) Lauren Henderson, Dacula Haley Bernardo, Duluth Molly Botting, Duluth Jimmy Fung, Duluth Melody Giberson, Duluth Ashley Neas, Duluth (three events) Isabelle Andrews, Mill Creek (three events) Sarah Bevil, Mill Creek Sam Bodon, Mill Creek (four events) Ambria D’Alonzo, Mill Creek Kevin Khadem, Mill Creek Jacob Magahey, Mill Creek (three events) Hunter Misuraca, Mill Creek Christopher Pierce, Mill Creek (four events) Brian Smith, Mill Creek (three events) Abigail Tashlein, Mill Creek (four events) Caroline Weinhart, Mill Creek Bailey Williams, Mill Creek (three events) Sofia Garcia, Mountain View Maggie Hennebaul, Mountain View Maya Murphy, Mountain View Sarah-Grace Thompson, Mountain View (three events) Sarah Wigle, Mountain View Stephanie Bramble, Norcross (two events) Jacob Budnitz, Norcross (two events) Lindsay Chappell, Norcross Holland Danskin, Norcross (two events) Ryan Goldsmith, Norcross (two events) Sarah Gries, Norcross (two events) Meghan Harrell, Norcross (three events) Lyle Hoge, Norcross Carter Januzelli, Norcross Colton Kryski, Norcross (two events) Arion Solomon, Norcross (two events) Andrea Thornell, Norcross Charlotte Whitmer, Norcross
Marianne Allard, North Gwinnett (three events) Sebastian DenBrok, North Gwinnett Mikael Getahoun, North Gwinnett (two events) Kelley Jones, North Gwinnett (three events) Chantal Jordan, North Gwinnett (four events) Joyce Kim, North Gwinnett (two events) Nicholas Mahoney, North Gwinnett (two events) Courtney Niemann, North Gwinnett (three events) Kate Nordengreen, North Gwinnett Catherine Rummins, North Gwinnett Matthew Shelton, North Gwinnett (two events) Zavier Barker, Parkview Delaney Carlton, Parkview Jacob Finco, Parkview (three events) Josh Fountain, Parkview Sarah Jahns, Parkview (three events) Victor Jemison, Parkview (two events) Adair Kimbrough, Parkview (two events) Will Mahone, Parkview Alex Norcini, Parkview (three events) Erin Tillery, Parkview Zoe Walker, Parkview (four events) Kyle Adams, Peachtree Ridge Shwan Ahn, Peachtree Ridge Philip Goeckel, Peachtree Ridge (two events) Klaudia Holt, Peachtree Ridge (two events) Evan McInerny, Peachtree Ridge (three events) Brendan Soeparmin, Peachtree Ridge (two events) Oliver Stephan, Peachtree Ridge Jordan Thompson, Peachtree Ridge (four events) Jonathan Yang, Peachtree Ridge (four events) Jaida Garrett, South Gwinnett All-State Teams First team Maddy Cohen, Brookwood Maddie Cordle, Brookwood Devan Sweeney, Brookwood Tegan Sweeney, Brookwood Peter Smithson, Collins Hill Bradley Dunham, Dacula Sam Bodon, Mill Creek Jacob Magahey, Mill Creek Christopher Pierce, Mill Creek Brian Smith, Mill Creek Tommy Cangelosi, North Gwinnett Sebastian DenBrok, North Gwinnett Nicholas Mahoney, North Gwinnett Matthew Shelton, North Gwinnett Jonathan Yang, Peachtree Ridge Second team Marilyn Coughlin, Brookwood; Conor Gamble, Brookwood; Andrew Huenniger, Brookwood; Dylan Scott, Brookwood; Aidan Stoffle, Brookwood; Leila Taylor, Brookwood; Haley Arner, Collins Hill; Andrew Winton, Collins Hill; Ashley Neas, Duluth; Ambria D’Alonzo, Mill Creek; Marianne Allard, North Gwinnett; Kelley Jones, North Gwinnett; Chantal Jordan, North Gwinnett; Courtney Niemann, North Gwinnett; Philip Goeckel, North Gwinnett; Brendan Soeparmin, Peachtree Ridge; Jordan Thompson, Peachtree Ridge Third team Collins Sainovich, Mill Creek Honorable mention Wren Shimoji, Brookwood; Keegan Walsh, Brookwood; Gavin Blackshear, Collins Hill; Driscoll Crabbe, Collins Hill; Alen Deljkic, Collins Hill; Coleman Ehrlich, Collins Hill; Kell Waddell, Collins Hill; SarahGrace Thompson, Mountain View; Ryan Goldsmith, Norcross; Carter Januzelli, Norcross; Colton Kryski, Norcross; Arion Solomon, Norcross; Joyce Kim, North Gwinnett; Delaney Carlton, Parkview; Jacob Finco, Parkview; Sarah Jahns, Parkview; Adair Kimbrough, Parkview; Zoe Walker, Parkview Outstanding Seniors Archer: Hannah Mahaffey, Ethan Cano Berkmar: Annalee HernandezCruz, Tony Perez Brookwood: Devan Sweeney,
Gwinnett lacrosse continues to rise Mill Creek’s girls lacrosse team didn’t beat seven-time state champion Milton in last year’s Final Four, but just getting to that point was a major step for a Gwinnett County team. It was another leap forward for a county that has lagged behind teams from Fulton and Cobb — two counties who are years ahead in terms of lacrosse experience — since the sport was introduced at the high school level locally. Mill Creek provided another groundbreaking win this season with a win over defending state champion Walton, a Cobb power that ranks first in the state in Laxpower. com’s RPI ratings. North Gwinnett followed that up with a win over Mill Creek on Tuesday night,
Creek now are ranked in the South’s top 10 in multiple girls polls. Several other Gwinnett lacrosse teams are having impressive early seasons, both in boys and girls play. The Mill Creek boys also are among the Will state’s top teams with an Hammock undefeated record, part of an improving group of proving the unbeaten boys lacrosse teams that Bulldogs also belong includes programs like among the state’s elite Greater Atlanta Christian teams. and Buford. “It’s huge, especially What does that mean for the program,” North for Gwinnett? It shows senior goalie Samantha local teams are no longer Gladstein said after a 14- a guaranteed pushover 12, comeback win over win for Georgia’s tradiMill Creek. “We’ve been tional lacrosse powers, a trying to build it up since process that took years we started (as freshmen). (and is still evolving). We started off not so hot Each season, Gwinnett if you look at the past re- programs took small steps cords. But each year we’re by becoming more and getting a little stronger.” more competitive against Both North and Mill the state’s top-tier teams.
When the state playoffs begin in early May, those teams get another chance to prove they belong, another opportunity to make deep playoff runs. It’s only a matter of time before a Gwinnett lacrosse team takes the biggest step and wins a state championship. It’s just a race to see who gets there first. “We’re definitely putting a name out there for Gwinnett lacrosse,” North senior Liz Blumthal said after fueling the rally against Mill Creek. “We went from nobody four years ago to having our name in the top 10 in several different (South) rankings for the first time ever.” Will Hammock can be reached via email at will. hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com.
Andrew Huenniger Central Gwinnett: Kathy Khaikhsm, Lap Pham Collins Hill: Lindsay Weingarth, Kell Waddell Dacula: Hannah Jaeger, Tyler Stevens Duluth: Margaux Ratcliff, Jimmy Fung Grayson: Makenzie Narey, Andrew Serrero Lanier: Bailey Sharp, Christopher Pinkston Meadowcreek: Karen Diaz, Joel Ordonez, Oscar Ordonez Mill Creek: Ambria D’Alonzo, Christopher Pierce Mountain View: Rose Anderson, Justin Chan Norcross: Sarah Gries, Colton Kryski North Gwinnett: Kelley Jones, Nicholas Mahoney Parkview: Adair Kimbrough, Andrew Brock Peachtree Ridge: Francine Moreno, Alex Lessley Shiloh: Jenelle Cranston South Gwinnett: Aliyah Berry, Christopher Gabriel All-American Swimmers Maddy Cohen, Brookwood (100 free) Andrew Huenniger, Brookwood (100 fly, 200 free) Devan Sweeney, Brookwood (200 IM, 100 fly) Andrew Winton, Collins Hill (200 IM, 100 breast) Bradley Dunham, Dacula (500 free) Jacob Magahey, Mill Creek (200 free, 500 free) Jonathan Yang, Peachtree Ridge (100 breast) All-American Consideration Swimmers Maddy Cohen, Brookwood (50 free, 200 medley relay, 400 free relay); Maddie Cordle, Brookwood (400 free relay); Marilyn Coughlin, Brookwood (200 medley relay); Conor Gamble, Brookwood (400 free relay); Andrew Huenniger, Brookwood (400 free relay); Dylan Scott, Brookwood (400 free relay); Aidan Stoffle, Brookwood (100 back, 400 free relay); Devan Sweeney, Brookwood (200 medley relay, 400 free relay); Tegan Sweeney, Brookwood (400 free relay); Leila Taylor, Brookwood (200 medley relay); Haley Arner, Collins Hill (200 free, 500 free); Ashley Neas, Duluth (500 free); Sam Bodon, Mill Creek (200 medley relay, 400 free relay); Jacob Magahey, Mill Creek (400 free relay); Christopher Pierce, Mill Creek (100 back, 200 IM, 200 medley relay, 400 free relay); Collins Sainovich, Mill Creek (200 medley relay); Brian Smith, Mill Creek (200 medley relay, 400 free relay); Marianne Allard, North Gwinnett (200 free relay); Tommy Cangelosi, North Gwinnett (400 free relay); Sebastian DenBrok, North Gwinnett (400 free relay); Kelley Jones, North Gwinnett (200 free relay); Chantal Jordan, North Gwinnett (200 free relay); Nicholas Mahoney, North Gwinnett (500 free, 400 free relay); Courtney Niemann, North Gwinnett (200 free relay); Matt Shelton, North Gwinnett (400 free relay); Jonathan Yang, Peachtree Ridge (200 IM) All-American Diving Qualifiers Peter Smithson, Collins Hill Ambria D’Alonzo, Mill Creek Lyle Hoge, Norcross Diving Awards Kendal Reeves, Duluth (Coach’s Award, West Gwinnett); Yrvin Mangandi, Meadowcreek (Coach’s Award, West Gwinnett); Emily King, Mill Creek (Coach’s Award, Bogan Park); Mirhanda Hoover, Mountain View (Most Improved, Bogan Park); Jaida Garrett, South Gwinnett (Coach’s Award, Mountain Park); Jordan Wolfe, Brookwood (Most Improved, Mountain Park); Dalton Jackson, Parkview (Coach’s Award, Mountain Park); Zavier Barker, Parkview (Most Valuable, West Gwinnett); Alexandra Ames, North Gwinnett (Most Improved, West Gwinnett); Richard Tep, Berkmar (Most Valuable, West Gwinnett); Chauncey Robinson, Collins Hill (Coach’s Award, Collins Hill); Dayton Cady, Dacula (Most Improved, Collins Hill)
FANS CHOICE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Who: Grant Bell School: Collins Hill Sport: Soccer Class: Junior Highlights: Made two penalty-kick saves in a shootout as the Eagles edged Duluth 3-2 Coach Mike Burrell’s take: “Grant has shown a lot of maturity in the goal this season. His dedication to being the best goalkeeper in the county is unparalleled. He has been very solid this entire season so far, already gathering five shutouts and a 0.8 goals-against average. His two penalty saves in the Duluth game was a remarkable experience for him and us. Grant also maintains a 4.0 GPA while taking all AP classes and still has time to juggle numerous clubs at Collins Hill. Grant deserves this award.”