First Baptist Taps Top Athletes From 2026 Spring Sports Season

By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Charleston – Highlighted by state championship efforts in girls basketball and boys soccer, the athletic year at First Baptist was overall successful.

Most of the Hurricane teams were highly competitive in conference play and took on tough schedules across the board.

The school’s athletic department recently released superlative honors in spring sports, recognizing the top performers and leaders in each sport.

In boys track, Brady Jackson was the most valuable performer in running events. Bates Walpole was the MVP in field events. Miles Jackson received the Hurricane award and Emory Bentley received the Rookie award. Most improved performers were George Doyle in running events and Demarcus Vinson in field events.

Ellie Blitch was MVP in running events in girls track while Hadley Burr was MVP in field events. Clara Grace Blitch received the Hurricane award and Elise Crumpton was most improved in running events. Amelia Blitch received the Rookie award and Addison Townsend was most improved in field events.

Avin Harrison was tabbed as the MVP in varsity baseball while Thomas Martin and Garrett Huffman shared most improved honors. Bennett Bollinger earned the Cy Young award for pitching, and Henry Cline shared the Hurricane award with Landon Nutter.

The MVP in boys golf was Tucker Mappus. Walker Jack Weaver was the most improved player and Abraham Edwards received the Hurricane award.

Watts Tisdale was the MVP in boys soccer and Cal Oliver was most improved. Josh Laney earned the Hurricane award.

Wells Griffin was named MVP of the girls soccer team with Ellison Cummings named most improved player. Caroline Morris earned the Hurricane award.

Tate Kaplanis was the MVP in junior varsity boys soccer. Tucker Thomas was most improved and Wyatt Brown received the Hurricane award.

In softball, Addison Townsend and Lula Mayo shared team MVP honors. Taber Stelling and Bailey Milleman shared the Hurricane award. Olivia Jessey and LG Cooper shared most improved honors.