Athlete of the Year is a publication of The Times, 345 Green St., Gainesville, Ga. A Metro Market Media property.
2025 NOMINEES
Valiree Schmus
Volleyball
Chestatee, Senior
Notable: In 2024, the outside hitter dominated, earning Co-Player of the Year recognition for Class 3A and was also the Region 6-3A Player of the Year.
As a senior, the West Georgia early enrollee had 631 kills en route to the Class 3A state quarterfinals. For her career, Schmus finished with 2,209 kills, which ranks second in state history.
Bryant Young
boyS croSS country
North Hall, Senior
Notable: Ran a second-place time at the Class 3A state sectionals (15 minutes, 55 seconds) at Unicoi State Park, then finished the season at state placing third overall (16:20) in Carrollton.
Young won the Hall County championship with a time of 16:12.6 on Oct. 9 at the North Hall Community Center.
2025 NOMINEES
William Childs
boyS wreStling
Gainesville, Sophomore
Notable: Claimed the 175-pound state championship for Class 5A on Feb. 15 in Macon.
At the individual state championship meet, he won each of his final three matches by way of a pin.
For the season, Childs finished with an impressive 46-0 record in the state.
Clodagh O’Bryant
girlS croSS country
North Hall, Senior
Notable: Won the individual Class 3A state championship, running a time of 20:09 en route to a team state championship for the Lady Trojans.
Leading into state, she ran a first-place time of 18:27 at the Class 3A state sectionals at Unicoi State Park.
2025 NOMINEES
Abby Plemons
girlS wreStling
Chestatee, Senior
Notable: Finished the season with a 44-5 record and took fifth place in the 130-pound division at the allclassification state meet Feb. 15 in Macon. Finished her four-year career for Chestatee with an overall mark of 134-33.
Claire Carlson
girlS baSketball
Cherokee Bluff, Junior
Notable: The skilled guard who finished the regular season averaging 16.5 points per game, bumped that up to 21.5 per contest in the state playoffs en route to a Class 3A state championship. However, her impact didn’t stop with scoring. Carlson averaged six rebounds, 2.5 deflections, four steals and two blocks per game in the state tournament. Was also named All-State by the GACA.
2025 NOMINEES
Blake Bubniak
boyS Swimming
North Hall, Senior
Notable: Powerful swimmer who was fourth in both the 100 breaststroke (59.91) and 100 freestyle at the state meet en route to a third-place team finish. On school-record, 400-meter relay team that took second place at state. Broke 200 free school record (1:46.91).
James Rivenbark
boyS tenniS
Cherokee Bluff, Senior
Notable: Accomplished No. 1 singles standout finished the season with a perfect 20-0 mark and was 3-0 when playing at No. 1 doubles during the regular season. For the season, Rivenbark, who is his class valedictorian, only lost one set in the regular season.
2025 NOMINEES
Bristol Kersh
girlS Soccer
Cherokee Bluff, Sophomore
Notable: A nationally-recognized talent, she scored 31 goals with 10 assists in only eight regular-season games this season. In the postseason, she had five goals in a first-round win against West Laurens, then scored six times in a quarterfinal win against Gilmer.
Henry Kopydlowski
boyS golf
Gainesville, Senior
Notable: Finished a strong twoday showing at the Hall County championship, winning with a total of 2-under-par (70).
2025 NOMINEES
Branson Crawford
baSebaball
North Hall, Junior
Notable: Through the first round of the playoffs, hit .408 with 10 doubles and 13 RBIs, while earning the win in all six starts on the mound with a 0.96 ERA in 29 innings pitched. Finished with 40 strikeouts on the mound and only allowed 16 hits and four earned runs. In the second round of state, earned the win on the mound in Game 1 against Heritage-Catoosa, while hitting two homers at the plate in the two-game sweep.
Summer Muxlow
girlS track and field
North Hall, Freshman
Notable: Ran region-best times in the 800 meter (2 minutes, 18 seconds), 1600 meter (5:09) and 3200 (11:28) at the 6-3A championships on April 26 in Cleveland — all three Top-50 times in the state this season. At state, won the 1600 and 3200-meter state championships, while taking second in the 800 on May 10 in Albany.
2025 NOMINEES
Bryant Young
boyS track and field
North Hall, Senior
Notable: Put on a superb showing at the Region 6-3A championship, winning the 800 meter with a school-record time (1:54, Top 25 in the state), 1600 (4:19,38, Top 10 in the state) and was second in the 3200 (9:31, Top 50 in the state). Won the distance triple crown (800, 1600 and 3200 meter state titles) at the 3A state championship meet on May 10 in Albany.
Alex Gonzalez
boyS Soccer
Johnson, Junior
Notable: Dependable midfielder for the Knights was its anchor, finishing the regular season with eight assists and a goal. Named Boys Region Player of the Year in 6-3A.
