By David Shelton Senior Writer Walterboro – As the new executive director of the Colleton County athletic department, Chris Myers believes heavily in recognizing the athletic achievements of the athletes in the school. Colleton County recently honored the top athletic performers from the 2025-26 school year at the year-end athletic banquet. In cross country, Michael Witkin was the MVP of the boys team while Kira Ralmer was the MVP of the girls team. Gabriel Idol was most improved runner and Samuel Witkin received the Cougar award. Trenton Bunch received the Sportsmanship award and Easton Grovenstein received the Perseverance award. Earning Academic awards from the girls program were Allyson Scott and Grady Nettles . In girls tennis, Mady Myers was the MVP and Kaylee Canady was most improved. Constance Keefer received the Sportsmanship award and Cassidy German received the Academic award. In volleyball, the best defender award went to Inaya Green while Trinity Drayton was best outside hitter. Zyon Salley was the best middle hitter and Brooklyn Holmes received the Cougar award. In Wrestling, Jordan LaPresta was named Most Outstanding and Charlie Hogan received the Rookie award. Most Improved was Bryce Wilson and Jonathan Warren received the Cougar award. On the girls team, Ero Randolph received the Cougar award and Kaylen Campbell was Most Outstanding. Alicia Guerra was Most Improved and Jaleesha Jenkins received the Cougar award. Justus Jamison received the offensive MVP in football while Jakell Jenkins received the defensive MVP honor. Galil Frazier received the Wide Receiver award and Chace Jones was the top offensive lineman. Ziair Holmes was the top defensive lineman and Okeefe Martin earned the top linebacker award. Rodney Wilder was the top defensive back and Xavion Bright received the Academic Award. For girls basketball, Keyarah Koger received the Cougar award and Trinity Drayton earned the Academic award. Xiomara Oxner was the team MVP while Drayton and Tierra Wilkins were co-MVP on defense. Galil Frazier was the top defender in boys basketball while Akai Martin was most improved. Michael Witkin and Jaqueas Martin were MVP’s. In baseball, Brenton Jirel earned the Silver Slugger award and Michael Witkin earned the Cy Young award for pitching and also the scholar award. Sam Witkin was the Rookie of the Year. Emerson Melgar earned the offensive leadership award in boys soccer while Aaden Castellanos earned the defensive leadership award. John Gallagher received the Team Leadership award. Julia Prentiss and Ellie Gallagher were co-MVP in girls soccer. Nikki Gabriel received the Academic award and Avery Gallagher was the Newcomer of the Year. In boys golf, Dalton Litchfield received the Academic award and Jacob Singleton received the Integrity award. In boys track, Khamren Wiggins was the MVP. Shawn Bouges received the award for field events while Hayvion Huggins was Most Outstanding. Lorenzo Breland was Most Improved and Gabriel Idol received the Academic award. Malachi Kirkman received the Cougar award. For girls track, Jakira Magwood was team MVP. Sharing the award foe field events MVP were Xaria Holmes and Kamalene Goodwine. Khylie Doctor was Most Improved and Zariana Gethers received the Academic award.

 By Neill Kirkpatrick Special to the HSSR Walterboro – Hurricane Erin passed without much fanfare but Monday night in Walterboro a Hurricane from Varnville blew through Cougar Stadium leaving a path of destruction as Hampton County opened their season with a 59-13 victory over Colleton County. “We had a couple penalties early in the game but after we scored that first touchdown we got rolling,” said Hampton County head coach Rob Hanna. “There was a point in the second quarter that we didn’t touch the ball offensively for three straight drives. We had a defensive score, kick return for a score and a blocked punt for a score. All three phases played great, we still have some things we have to clean up but overall happy with the game.” The Hurricane’s also had a little extra motivation after seeing on MaxPreps that Colleton County had beat them 75-0 on Friday night. Coach said his players saw that and they weren’t happy about it. They wanted to prove a point. The game started like a lot of first games with both teams and the official making early mistakes in the game but after Colleton County’s second punt the Hurricanes made landfall and the rout was on. The Cane’s went 75 yards in seven plays to score their first points of the new season as Jaylen Singletary capped off the drive with an 11-yard touchdown run. He added the two-point conversion and the Cane’s led 8-0. On the drive Singletary had four carries for 40 yards and quarterback Tarell Grant also ran for 30 yards on the drive. After another Colleton County punt, the Hurricanes needed just one play as Karinton Sabb raced around the left end and went untouched for a 49-yard touchdown. Rafe Sullivan added the extra point for a 15-0 lead. Things continued to go bad for the homestanding Cougars. On their next possession the center snapped the ball over the punter Nicholas Jones head. Jones ran back and recovered the ball in the end zone for a safety for the Hurricanes and a 17-0 lead. On the free kick the Hurricanes Desmond Mathis returned it for a touchdown but a penalty wiped it out. However, on their first play after the penalty Grant hit Sabb for a 50-yard touchdown pass and the lead ballooned to 24-0. The Cougars put together their best drive of the first half on their next possession as they went 59 yards in six plays. Kenari Koger finished the drive with a four-yard run up the gut for the score. Jones added the extra point to make the score 24-7 Hurricanes. Quarterback Gail Fraizer was 2-3 for 46 yards on the drive with a 35-yard completion to Dustin Davis . The Hurricanes would essentially end the game without an offensive snap the rest of the quarter. Singletary got things started with a 75-yard kickoff return for six. Next, Grant would cause a fumble, pick it up and ramble 38 yards for another score. Special teams would be responsible for the last score. On fourth down the Cougars were punting from their end zone when Ty’Quavian Jones came up the middle to block the punt and Kaveon Tyler recovered the ball in the end zone for another Cane’s touchdown. Sullivan added all the PAT’s and the teams went to the half with the Cane’s up 45-7. The second half was a formality. Singletary scored for the third time when he went 57 yards for another touchdown. D’Andre Capers - Dobson would finish the Cane’s scoring as he scored on a 19-yard run up the middle. Sullivan was good on the PAT’s. The Cougars would score the final points when Trevy Manigo busted up the middle to score from the 12-yard line as time ran out. Both teams will operate on a short week as the Cougars (0-1) travel to Woodland while the Hurricanes (1-0) will head to Allendale to take on area rival Allendale- Fairfax.

Dr. Chris Myers really never left the Colleton County community while coaching in many capacities in the area.