Weddington’s Zack Ortiz is The Observer’s boys’ high school athlete of the week
Weddington High’s Zack Ortiz is The Observer’s boys’ high school athlete of the week.
The Warriors’ senior anchored the defense to a 3-0 shutout at Piedmont on Oct. 6.
Ortiz also scored two goals in a 5-2 win over Hickory Ridge on Oct. 8.
Weddington is 6-5-3 overall this season.
Last week’s other finalists
Grady Anderson, Hickory Ridge cross-country: The Ragin’ Bulls’ junior ran a time of 16 minutes, 24.20 seconds to win the Cabarrus County championship by 23 seconds at West Cabarrus High on Oct. 8.
Anderson’s run also helped Hickory Ridge to a runner-up finish at the same meet.
Erik Anglemyer, Charlotte Latin cross-country: The Hawks’ junior ran a personal-best 16:10.20 to win the CISAA meet at McAlpine Creek Park on Oct. 7.
Anglemyer’s efforts also helped Charlotte Latin to a first-place finish.
Rex Bumgarner, Charlotte Catholic soccer: The Cougars’ junior forward netted a hat trick (three goals) in a 3-0 win over Piedmont on Oct. 8.
Charlotte Catholic (14-1-1) also beat Cuthbertson, 1-0, on Oct. 6.
Bumgarner has 14 goals and six assists for the Cougars this season.
Ahmn Byrd, Mooresville cross-country: The Blue Devils’ junior ran a time of 16:17.75 to win the North Piedmont conference (NPC) championship at McAnderson Park in Statesville on Oct. 9.
Byrd’s efforts also helped Mooresville to a third-place finish at the same meet.
States Cooke, Charlotte Country Day cross-country: The Buccaneers’ senior ran a personal-best 16:39.59 to finish third at a CISAA meet at McAlpine Creek Park on Oct. 7.
Cooke’s time was 39 seconds faster his previous personal-best run.
Cooke also led Charlotte Country Day team to a third-place finish at the same meet.
Cade Creswell, Porter Ridge cross-country: The Pirates’ senior ran a personal-best 15:43.20 to win the Union County championship at McAlpine Creek Park on Oct. 9.
Creswell is a Furman University commit.
Holden Dulin, Metrolina Christian soccer: The Warriors’ senior left wing back scored a goal in a 3-2 loss at SouthLake Christian on Oct. 7.
Dulin also had two goals in a 3-0 win over Gaston Christian on senior night on Oct. 9. Metrolina Christian beat Gaston Christian for the first time since 2008.
Dulin, who has 19 goals and three assists this season, is being recruited by Columbia International University, Milligan University and North Greenville, according to Metrolina Christian soccer coach Joe Morgan.
Wyatt Harper, Charlotte Country Day soccer: The Buccaneers’ senior all-state forward scored one goal and had three assists in a 5-0 win at Charlotte Christian on Oct. 6.
The next day, Harper added two more goals and one assist in a 3-1 win over Charlotte Latin.
Harper finished off the week with one goal and one assist in a 2-1 victory over Covenant Day.
Charlotte Country Day is 12-6 overall this season.
Ephraim Staley, Independence cross-country: The Patriots’ senior ran a 18:25 to finish in first-place by 51 seconds at Mallard Creek on Oct. 7.
Staley ran a personal-best 16:51.79 to finish 17th at the Wendys’ Invitational at McAlpine Creek Park on Oct. 4.
Note: Information published today includes statistics through October 11.
Past 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
Week 6: Rex Bumgardner, Charlotte Catholic
Week 7: Cesar Ramirez, Cuthbertson
Week 8: Cole Sheets, Pine Lake Prep
Week 9: Zach Ortiz, Weddington
This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 8:05 PM with the headline "Weddington’s Zack Ortiz is The Observer’s boys’ high school athlete of the week."
