High School Honors

For the entire season, Northside Christian senior Chris Caton waited and worked for the opportunity to win his fourth consecutive state title.

Sandy Martin and her Providence swim team expect to win championships.

Mallard Creek's Jela Duncan had one of the best seasons a Mecklenburg County running back has ever had. Today, he is named The Charlotte Observer's All-Observer high school football offensive player of the year.

And the 2011 Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 football champion is Rock Hill's South Pointe High.

Mallard Creek running back Jela Duncan and Ardrey Kell's defensive lineman Romeo Okwara, a pair of Shrine Bowl picks, are the Charlotte Observer All-Mecklenburg offensive and defensive players of the year.

West Rowan senior Dinkin Miller's favorite athlete is the Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson. This season, Miller had the kind of season Peterson would probably be proud of.

The Charlotte Latin and Providence volleyball teams are used to winning championships.

West Charlotte's Mark Blackmon is the All-Observer boys' cross-country runner of the year.

Junior Allyson Markiewicz knows all about winning under pressure.

Katie Porter loves to play tennis.

Kedrick Davis' speed and Brett Squibbs' pole vaulting ability were unmatched by nearly everyone in the Carolinas, and is the reason both are the All-Observer Boys' Runner and Field Event Athlete of the Year, respectively.

In 2010, Providence Day sprinter Veronica Johnson rewrote North Carolina high school track and field history, winning the 100-, 200- and 400-meter runs.

J.T. Poston, Hickory, Sr.: Shot single-day (63) and two-day (131) scoring records at the N.C. 3A state finals. Won past two state titles. Three-time conference player of the year signed to Western Carolina.

P - Chelsea Wilkinson, Alexander Central - 3-time All Observer Player of the Year is making her case to be one of best ever in N.C. softball history, N.C. State commit.

FIRST TEAM