Vote for The Observer’s athlete of the week (Feb. 20, 2026)
Key Takeaways
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Observer opens athlete-of-week voting; readers may vote freely until noon Friday.
- Eight nominees span swimming, indoor track and wrestling, with wins and records.
- Results and statistics compiled through Dec. 13; several athletes listed college commits.
Pine Lake Prep’s Grace McCarthy is The Observer’s high school athlete of the week.
The Pride junior swam a 23.66 to win the 1A/2A/3A state title in the 50 freestyle at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary on Feb. 14.
McCarthy also finished as state runner-up in the 100 freestyle in 50.96, an All-American consideration time.
McCarthy, also helped the 200-freestyle relay to a third-place finish, to help the Pine Lake Prep girls’ swim team to a runner-up finish.
McCarthy is a Harvard University commit.
This story was originally published February 16, 2026 at 8:25 PM with the headline "Vote for The Observer’s athlete of the week (Feb. 20, 2026)."