Charlotte Catholic’s Rex Bumgarner is The Observer’s boys’ athlete of the week
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Twelve standout athletes nominated across cross-country and soccer events
- Voting for Athlete of the Week poll remains open until Friday at noon
- Personal bests and multi-goal matches highlight strong early fall performances
Charlotte Catholic’s Rex Bumgarner is The Observer’s boys’ high school athlete of the week.
The Cougars’ junior scored two goals in a 9-0 win at Piedmont on Sept. 15.
Bumgarner also scored two goals and had one assist in a 5-2 victory at Weddington on Sept. 17.
Bumgarner has 10 goals and five assists for Charlotte Catholic (10-0-1) through Monday.
Last week’s other finalists
Harrison Akers, Carmel Christian cross-country: The Cougars’ sophomore ran a personal-best time of 16 minutes, 20.40 seconds to finish in third in the Boys’ 5k Invitational Race at the Hare and Hounds’ Invitational at McAlpine Creek Park on Sept. 20.
Akers’ efforts also helped the Carmel Christian cross country team to a ninth-place finish in the 58-team field.
Jack Bennett, Hough cross-country: The Huskies’ senior ran a personal-best 16:23 to finish 48th in the 283-runner field in the Boys’ 5k Championship race at the Hare and Hounds’ Invitational at McAlpine Creek Park on Sept. 20.
Bennett’s run, the second fastest time run in school history, also helped Hough to a fourth-place finish.
Adam Dreier, Ardrey Kell cross-country: The Knights’ junior ran a personal-best 16:14.30 5k to finish fourth in the Boys’ Invitational race at the Adidas Challenge at Wake Med Complex in Cary on Sept. 20.
Dreier, whose time was 18 second faster than his previous best, also helped Ardrey Kell to a fourth-place finish at the same event.
Drew Davidson, Hickory Grove cross-country: The Lions’ senior ran a 19:59.77 to finish as runner-up individually in a quad-meet at Rob Wallace Park in Midland on Sept. 16.
Davidson also led his team to a runner-up finish.
Christian Grzelak, Metrolina Christian soccer: The Warriors’ sophomore midfielder had two goals and three assists in a 10-3 win at Lee Park Prep on Sept. 16.
Grzelak also had a goal and an assist in regulation and two overtimes that ended in 2-2 tie, before scoring on a penalty kick to help Metrolina Christian to a 5-3 win in the shootout on Sept. 18.
Grzelak has six goals and five assists for Metrolina Christian (4-8-1) through Monday.
Sam Lutwick, Ballantyne Ridge cross-country: The Wolves’ sophomore ran a personal-best 17:21.90 to finish ninth at the Adidas Challenge at WakeMed Complex in Cary on Sept. 20.
Lutwick’s run helped Ballantyne Ridge earn a historic first cross-country trophy, as the Wolves were runner-up at the Adidas Challenge the same day.
Jay Olin, Butler cross-country: The Bulldogs’ senior ran a 16:45.30 to finish as runner-up at the Adidas Challenge at WakeMed Complex in Cary on Sept. 20.
Olin’s run also helped the Butler to a 19th-place finish.
Matthew Perrone, Providence cross-country: The Panthers’ senior ran a personal-best 15:58.10 to finish third in the Boys’ Invitational race at the Adidas Challenge at WakeMed Complex in Cary on Sept. 20.
Perrone also helped the Providence to a seventh-place finish at the same event.
Tommy Purvis, Providence soccer: The Panthers’ senior forward scored a hat trick, with three goals in a 6-0 win at Palisades on Sept. 16.
Purvis added three more goals in a 5-0 victory at Ballantyne Ridge on Sept. 18.
Providence is 9-2-1 through Monday.
Edwin Ramirez, West Lincoln soccer: The Rebels’ junior forward scored all four goals in 4-1 win over East Gaston on Sept. 17.
Ramirez also netted the lone goal in a 6-1 loss to Burns on Sept. 17.
Ramirez has 22 goals and seven assists for West Lincoln (6-5) this season.
Aaron Seaman, Lake Norman soccer: The Wildcats’ senior scored three goals in a 6-3 win over South Iredell on Sept. 16.
The previous day, Seaman had a goal and an assist in a 4-0 victory at Lincolnton.
Seaman has seven goals and four assists for Lake Norman (8-1-2) this season
. Note: Information published today includes statistics through Sept. 20.
Previous winners
Week 1: Jason Thankachan, Ambassador Christian
Week 2: John Lilly, Charlotte Latin
Week 3: Louis Markin, Charlotte Latin
Week 4: Ryan Ladimir, Porter Ridge
Week 5: Jack Totten, Charlotte Latin
How to vote
To vote in the poll, you must type “yes” into the box below BEFORE the poll will show. After you type yes and hit return, the poll will appear. To vote again, simply refresh the page. You may vote as often as you like.
If you cannot see the box on mobile, click here
This story was originally published September 22, 2025 at 8:05 PM with the headline "Charlotte Catholic’s Rex Bumgarner is The Observer’s boys’ athlete of the week."
