Wayne Country Day, Wayne Christian athletes cop NCISAA 1A all-state accolades

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on May 25, 2015 1:51 PM

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By RUDY COGGINS

rcoggins@newsargus.com

Six student-athletes from county rivals Wayne Country Day and Wayne Christian combined to earn N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A all-state accolades in three spring sports.

WCDS had five representatives -- senior Margaret Tanner and eighth-grader Langley Barnes in girls' soccer; sophomore Mitch Turnage in baseball; and eighth-grader Sam Dively and junior Preston Edwards in boys' tennis.

Wayne Christian senior Ted Suggs garnered all-state honors in baseball.

Tanner and Barnes combined for 20 goals and 13 assists as the Chargers had their seven-game win streak snapped by eventual state champ Woodlawn School in the elite eight. WCDS finished 10-6 overall and its defense allowed just one goal in its final eight games -- a stretch of 560 minutes.

"Margaret took on the responsibility of as the lead captain this year, bonded the girls together, creating a good atmosphere with high morale," Chargers head coach Steve Ellis said. "Her work ethic the past few seasons has been second to none. She narrowly missed getting all-state last year and was determined to achieve her goal this year.

"Langley really came alive this season following from being introduced into the varsity program last year. Her link-up play with Margaret was fantastic and I believe most goals they each had came from assists from each other.

"She works hard on the field ... has a bright future on the field and this was a great accomplishment for her efforts this season."

Turnage accepted the leadership role challenge and helped guide the Chargers into the playoffs. Wayne Country Day snapped a two-game in first-round openers and fell to eventual final four participant Lawrence Academy in elite eight action.

"(Mitch) was a main leader on and off the field," said Chargers' head coach Michael Taylor, whose team fashioned a 9-9 record. "He puts in all the work before and after practice. He is the youngest player to ever make all-state in my 13 years of coaching at WCDS.

"The sky is the limit for Mitch (who) has such a great baseball IQ."

Dively, a regular on the USTA circuit during the offseason, received all-state accolades for the second consecutive year. He and Edwards helped guide the Chargers to their second straight semifinal-round appearance in the dual-team playoffs.

WCDS ended the year 8-6.

"I was very proud of both of them for making all-state," said Charles B. Aycock alum Blake Vail.

"I thought both of them put in tons of work throughout the season and were both very deserving (of all-state recognition). They both improved tremendously mentally and physically during the year. I was fun watching them develop."

Suggs and his Wayne Christian teammates wore warm-up shirts that stated their final destination would be historic Fleming Stadium in Wilson this season. The Eagles reached that stage, but endured a heart-breaking, final four loss to eventual state champ Greenfield.

Head coach Curt Hinton describe Suggs as the "ideal baseball player."

"He loves the game and is eager to learn," Hinton said. "His skills continue to advance each game and each practice. He is a student of the game with a great work ethic and attitude."

The Eagles ended the year 13-7 overall.