Ashley Hall athletics honors top performers from 2024-25
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Charleston - Another school year is in the books for the student/athletes at Ashley Hall School. As summer approaches work for the coming year, the athletes are starting to put in the work for 2025-26.
The final act of the 2024-25 year in athletics is the annual athletic awards banquet where Ashley Hall’s coaches recognize and honor the top performers from the past year.
Ashley Hall named most valuable players in every sport and also handed out overall superlatives with special awards.
The top award presented is the Athlete of the Year. Selected for the award this year was Gates McCants, who performed at a high level in three sports – volleyball, basketball and soccer.
The department’s coach of the year is Jeff Word, who directs the cross country and track programs.
Volleyball player Parker Gregg received the Comeback Athlete of the Year and Reagan Miller was tabbed as the Breakthrough athlete of the year.
Madison Middleton received the award for Best Individual Performance for her winning the state high jump title at the 2025 SCISA Division I state track and field meet.
Volleyball player Charlotte Strickland had the Best record-breaking performance as she recorded her 2,000th career assist. Strickland is a junior and will add to her totals next year.
Selected as the Teammate of the Year was Bea Anderson of the soccer team. The junior varsity athlete of the year was Isabella Smith of the volleyball program.
In terms of each individual sport, Most Valuable Players were recognized. Strickland was the MVP of the volleyball team and Middleton was the MVP in track and field. In addition to winning the gold medal in the high jump, Middleton placed fourth in the long jump.
Carson Hyder was the top performer in swimming and Gabby Anderson was most valuable in golf.
Lily Sloan was the MVP of the state championship tennis program, while Kate Coker was the most valuable performer on the cross country team.
In sailing, Pippa Taylor was the top sailor and Gretchen Dawson was the top rider on the equestrian team. Olivia Ellett was the top performer with the archery team.
McCants was the MVP in basketball and Cissy O’Donnell was the MVP in lacrosse. Dia Timko was the MVP in soccer.
Wrapping up the track season, other athletes who qualified for the state meet included Sophia Schauer, Na’Zyia Jenkins, Violet David, and Nyla Jenkins.
