Ambassador Christian’s Jason Thankachan is The Observer’s boys’ athlete of the week
Ambassador Christian soccer player Jason Thankachan is the first Charlotte Observer boys’ high school athlete of the week for the 2025-26 school year.
The Lions’ senior forward scored six goals and had five assists as Ambassador Christian went 4-0-1 in the Ivey Cup Jamboree in Kernersville, including wins over Cary Academy and Charlotte Christian in the event.
Thankachan also scored one goal and had one assist in a 3-1 victory over Gaston Christian on Aug. 12.
Thankachan scored the lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Atkins on Aug. 15.
Thankachan has eight goals and six assists for Ambassador Christian (5-1-1) that has outscored its opponents 18-5 overall this season.
Last week’s other finalists
Bennett Ackerman, Gaston Day Soccer, Sr.: The Spartans’ midfielder scored four goals and had one assist to account for all five goals in a 7-5 loss to Caldwell Academy on Aug. 15.
Ackerman was an all-state performer for the NCISAA 2A state champions last season.
Ahmn Byrd, Mooresville cross-country, Jr.: The Blue Devils’ star ran a personal-best time of 10:28.90 to win the junior class race at the Pioneer Clash of the Classes on the Watauga High course on Aug. 15 in Boone.
Byrd, who won the race by nearly eight seconds, also helped the Mooresville boys’ cross country team to a sixth-place finish.
Kendal Cordoba-Murillo, Lincolnton soccer, Jr.: The Wolves’ junior goalkeeper had nine saves to help Lincolnton tie North Lincoln 1-1 on Aug. 15.
Cordoba-Murillo also had 16 saves in each game as Lincolnton (0-2-1) lost 6-0 to East Lincoln (Aug. 12) and Patton (Aug. 13).
Dylan Cox, Hough Soccer, Sr.: The Huskies’ forward scored two goals and had one assist in 3-1 win over Community School of Davidson on Aug. 12.
Cox also had both goals in a 3-2 loss to Leesville Road on Aug. 14.
Cox finished off the week with three more goals in Hough’s (2-1) 6-0 win over Grimsley on Aug. 16.
Dominik Danko, Ballantyne Ridge soccer, Sr.: The Wolves’ forward had an assist to help Ballantyne Ridge to a 1-1 tie with South Mecklenburg on Aug. 11.
Danko also scored three goals in a 4-0 victory over West Charlotte.
Jayce Ferris, Lake Norman Charter, Sr.: The Knights’ forward scored four goals and had one assist in a 6-2 win over Central Academy on Aug. 13.
Ferris is the lone returning all-conference and all-region player for the Knights this season.
Jace Garrett, Garinger soccer, Sr.: The Wildcats’ center midfielder scored three goals and had two assists in a 7-1 season-opening win over Olympic on Aug. 12.
Wyatt Granger, Providence Soccer, So.: The Panthers’ star scored a goal in the season-opening 4-1 victory at Bradford Prep on Aug. 12.
Granger also had a goal in a 2-0 win at A.C. Reynolds on Aug. 15.
The next day, Granger scored both goals in Providence’s (2-1) 4-2 loss at Asheville.
Alex Korkowski, Charlotte Latin soccer, Jr.: The Hawks’ forward scored one goal in a 6-0 win over Queens Grant on Aug. 11.
Korkowski also scored one goal in a 4-0 victory over Forsyth Country Day on Aug. 13.
Korkowski finished off the week with two more goals as Charlotte Latin (3-0) won 3-0 at Community School of Davidson on Aug. 15.
Evan McClellan, Porter Ridge soccer, Sr.: The Pirates’ center midfielder had an assist on Porter Ridge’s first goal of the year to help his team to 2-1 win over Charlotte Country Day in the season opener on Aug. 13.
McClellan, a two-year starter, was an all-Southern Carolinas’ conference and all-region pick last season.
Edwin Ramirez, West Lincoln soccer, Jr.: The Rebels’ forward had two assists in a 3-2 season-opening win over Bandys on Aug. 12.
The next night, Ramirez scored two goals and had one assist in a 5-4 loss to Hopewell.
Note: Information published includes statistics through Aug. 16.
This story was originally published August 18, 2025 at 7:55 PM.
