CCSD Athletic Programs Celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day
More than 500 CCSD female athletes gathered Monday to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) and recognize the positive impact and great opportunities provided by the school district’s elite athletic programs.
Last year CCSD girls’ sports accounted for one team state championship title, an individual state title, and 11 region championship titles, as well as countless scholarship opportunities enabling female athletes to play at the college level. Continued investment in girls’ sports by the Cherokee County School Board has been key to the level of success enjoyed by these programs and is vital to their future success.
NGWSD recognizes the contributions female athletes have made in their sports, acknowledges the challenges they have overcome, and celebrates the positive influence of sports participation for girls and women everywhere. It is celebrated in all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies, and activities honoring athletic achievements and encouragement of female participation in sports. Cherokee County School District takes part in this special day by hosting its own event, which it has done since 2005, with sponsorship support from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Mary Elizabeth Davis, Cherokee County Superintendent of Schools and a former high school and college athlete, shared her thoughts with the athletes about the skills developed by playing sports, including the ability to choose their energy, manage pressure and be an effective teammate. Dr. Davis encouraged them to stay involved in sports after high school, whether as an athlete, a coach of their children's team or even a referee/umpire.
As part of the 20th anniversary of the celebration, School Board members honored CCSD Supervisor for Student Activities and Athletics Tonya Sebring, who started the local event and has been a key part of it ever since. Sebring was presented with flowers and a special quilt made by School Board Chair Janet Read Welch using t-shirts from girls’ sports programs across the county. School Board Vice Chair Patsy Jordan made the presentation, joined by Ms. Read Welch and School Board Member Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison.
Special Recognitions
Honorary Coach: The NGWSD program honors a coach each year for his/her contributions and support of female athletes. This year's recipient was Matt Cates, who served as a girls basketball coach in CCSD for 25 years, including 23 years as the head of the Cherokee HS girls program. He led the Lady Warriors to 10 region championships, four Sweet Sixteen appearances, five trips to the Elite Eight and two Final Four appearances, and he was named Region Coach of the Year 11 times. Mr. Cates currently serves as athletic director at Creekview HS.
Special Olympic Athlete of the Year: Nicolle Valle of EtowahHigh School, presented by her coach Merry Hofmeister. Nicole is a medalist in swimming and personifies the Special Olympic oath – “Let me win, and if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
School Board Members and CCSD school leadership joined 500+ female athletes for the 20th anniversary of National Girls and Women in Sports Day program.
Each school honored an alumna, an athlete of the year and a team of the year (based on 2024 season).
• Cherokee High School honored alumna Miranda Grogan Hrouda; Athlete of the Year Alex Whitecliffe; and selected Lady Warriors basketball as Team of the Year.
• Creekview High School honored alumna Maggie English; Athlete of the Year Kate English; and selected Lady Grizzly Fast Pitch and Slow Pitch Softball as co-Teams of the Year.
• Etowah High School honored alumna Ally Zazzara; Athlete of the Year Macie Stefano; and selected Lady Eagles Fast Pitch Softball as Team of the Year.
• River Ridge HS honored alumna Cayden Crismon; Athlete of the Year Kayla Cleaveland; and Lady Knights Fast Pitch Softball as Team of the Year.
• Sequoyah HS honored alumna Rylee Fisher; Athlete of the Year Milanni Abdus-Salaam ; and Competition Cheer as Team of the Year.
• Woodstock HS honored alumna Ashton Sutton Hunt and Chandler Sutton; Athlete of the Year Addie Morison; and selected Competition Cheer as Team of the Year.