Rock Hill High School Athlete of the Week Nominees Announced

Rock Hill, SC, October 2, 2025

News Summary

The Herald has revealed the nominees for the High School Athlete of the Week Poll, featuring remarkable athletes from various sports in Rock Hill. Top performers include Libba Faircloth in cross-country, Jamol Horton in football, and Lillian Rivers in golf, among others. Each athlete has demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication in their respective competitions, reflecting the strong sports culture at Rock Hill high schools.

Rock Hill, SC – The Herald has announced the nominees for the High School Athlete of the Week Poll, showcasing a remarkable lineup of standout athletes from various sports. These nominees have showcased impressive performances in recent games and events, demonstrating their skills and dedication to their respective sports.

Nominee Highlights

The nominees feature athletes from numerous sports, including cross-country, football, tennis, swimming, and golf:

• Libba Faircloth, a Junior at South Pointe, recently won the Cavalier Classic at Dorman High with a 5k time of 19:36.16 on September 27, finishing nearly 25 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor. Her victory helped South Pointe secure a fourth-place finish overall.
• Jamol Horton, a senior running back for Indian Land football, showcased his prowess with a season-high 160 yards on 28 carries in a 33-9 win over Rock Hill on September 26. This season, he has accumulated 474 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
• Carson Pinti, a senior middle linebacker at Clover, recorded 13 tackles, including two for loss, in a tight 27-26 victory against Fort Mill on September 26. Clover currently holds a 4-2 record this season.
• Ahilyn Ramurez Guttierez, a senior player on Lancaster’s tennis team, achieved victory at No. 3 singles with a score of 6-4, 6-2 despite the team losing 4-3 against Richland Northeast on September 25. She has been excelling despite only playing for six months.
• Lillian Rivers, a senior golfer from Northwestern, shot an even-par 36 to earn medalist honors in a match against Clover and York on September 22. She followed that up with a 3-over-par 39 to again win medalist honors in a match against Clover and Nation Ford on September 23. Northwestern’s golf team holds an 11-4 record.
• Jane Rohrmeier, a sophomore on Catawba Ridge’s girls’ tennis team, won matches against Clover and Fort Mill, contributing to her team’s victory with a singles record of 6-1 this season.
• Nigel Smith, a senior running back for Northwestern football, excelled with 153 yards and three touchdowns on just 12 carries in a 56-20 rout against Catawba Ridge on September 26, bringing his season total to 541 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
• Ellis Spencer, a junior from York cross-country, won a home meet with a time of 16:37.90, finishing nearly 30 seconds ahead of the competition on September 25.
• Carson Wolf, a senior swimmer at Fort Mill, placed third in the 200 individual medley and second in the 100 breaststroke at the Fort Mill Fallout meet on September 25. He was also a key contributor in relay events where teams earned runners-up positions.

Recent Achievements in Sports

Recent weeks have seen many outstanding performances across the local sports arena:

• Haruka Ono, a sophomore swimmer from Fort Mill, was recognized as Athlete of the Week for winning four events during a five-team meet on September 11, helping her team secure first place with a total of 84 points.
• Keller Brown, a senior cross-country athlete from South Pointe, dominated the Clover Classic Eagles’ Nest Invitational on September 13, finishing with a time of 16:26.50.
• Joseph Duey, a senior linebacker from Fort Mill, tallied 14 tackles in a victory over Lancaster on September 12, bringing his season total to 42 tackles.
• Casey Fikis, a defensive back/linebacker for Catawba Ridge, made significant contributions during a win over Spring Valley on September 12 with three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
• Justin Haywood, a receiver/returner from Clover, made a valuable contribution with five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown in a victory against York on September 12.
• Giau Pham, a senior from Rock Hill girls’ tennis, held a record of 2-1 in singles play, showcasing her skills in multiple recent matches.
• Cadence Ruppe, a senior outside hitter for Riverwalk Academy volleyball, recorded key kills that led her team to secure their first season victory.

Outlook for High School Athletes

As the current sports season continues, these nominated athletes are anticipated to further demonstrate their talents and commitment. Their impressive performances not only accentuate individual skill but also highlight the competitive spirit and teamwork prevalent across Rock Hill high schools.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Nominees for High School Athlete of the Week Announced
Avery Jolley Receives Back-to-Back Big South Honors
Winthrop Volleyball Hosts Gardner-Webb for Big South Opener
Winthrop University Athletics 2025 Schedule, Tickets & Game-Day Guide
Brandon Taylor Returns to 27 News and New Horse Joins Mounted Patrol
Western Carolina Women’s Soccer Continues Road Trip Against Winthrop
Winthrop University Volleyball Team Prepares for Match
Winthrop University Cross Country Teams Kick Off Season
Rock Hill Area High School Football Results: Week 2 Highlights
High School Football Season Kicks Off in South Carolina

Additional Resources

• Grosse Pointe News: Cross Country Teams Race for MAC Titles
• Wikipedia: Cross Country Running
• Charlotte Observer: High School Sports Highlights
• Google Search: High School Athlete of the Week
• High Point Panthers: Women’s XC on the Hunt for 8th Big South Title
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Cross Country
• C & G News: Grosse Pointe South Cross Country Program Sweeps MAC White
• Google News: Grosse Pointe South Cross Country

Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL

The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.