New Hanover student raises money for ALS research

Max Hildreth, a New Hanover student and baseball player, presented a $5,000 check to the North Carolina ALS Association as part of his senior project. Add to it extra donations after the check presentation, and Hildreth has now raised more than $6,000 total.

Hildreth lost his grandmother in 2013 to ALS and decided he wanted to raise awareness as well as research funding for the disease.

He organized a three-day Orange & Black Fall World Series for his New Hanover teammates, and asked local businesses, friends and family to sponsor innings.

VOLLEYBALL

The St. Mark Division 1 volleyball team won the Southeast Middle School League Championship. The Lions were undefeated in season and tournament play and beat Myrtle Grove Christian in the semifinals and Wilmington Christian Academy in the final playoff game. The Division 1 players are Sophia Caparelli, Lena Cosgrove, Becka Dickens, Ella Fay, Bella Josey, Savannah Josey, Riley Lepley, Mary Lamporte, Emma Messineo, Sloane Woolwine, Miranda Zwack and team manager, Quinn Meiser. The Lions are coached by Shelby Hamilton.

SENIOR GAMES

The Brunswick County Parks and Recreation held a luncheon on Friday to recognize Gator Games medal winners who reached the NC State Finals.

Out of 68 who qualified, a total of 53 medals were won with 17 gold, 19 silver and 17 bronze. Brunswick County placed in the state's top 10 for qualifiers.

There were six Gator Games seniors who won three medals each: Edward Hearn from Wilmington (three throwing events), Dennis Maneri from Caswell Beach (three swimming), Robert Macanko from Bolivia (three cycling), David Rogers from Bolivia (three swimming) and Shallotte's Virginia Winfree (bocce, shuffleboard and croquet).

Four earned two: Jan Abbott from Brunswick Forest (tennis and pickleball), Jeri Degener from Leland (oil paintings and silver arts), Mike Dolan from Winding River (softball and softball throw), Leland's Glenn Eckerie (two in pickleball) and Richard Holloman (two in pickleball).

BOWLING

A bowler out of Planet Fun in Shallotte is now breaking records at Tulane.

Madison McCall, a freshman for the Green Wave, tied the school's high game record with a 289 to help the team to a second-place finish at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Bowling Invitational.

McCall also made the all-tournament team.

SOCCER

Tom Paschal, JV soccer coach at Trask, is opening a soccer academy in Pender County.

For more information, go to paschalsoccer.org.