Glynn County Sports Hall of Fame honors 2018 Ambassadors

Brunswick, Ga. – The Glynn County Sports Hall of Fame held its 2018 Ambassadors Event Saturday night at the Glynn Academy Auditorium to honor outstanding high-school senior athletes from Brunswick High, Glynn Academy and Frederica Academy.

Aaron Swinson speaks from the stage at the Glynn Academy Auditorium during the Ambassadors event.

Glynn County Sports Hall of Fame member Aaron Swinson returned home to serve as the featured speaker. Swinson is a former Brunswick High basketball standout who played at Auburn and also professionally for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and several Europoean pro teams.

The Hall of Fame began its Ambassadors Program in 2015. Each year, the Hall of Fame awards $3,000 in scholarships as part of the program.

At this year’s event, eight student-athletes from each of the three schools were honored with one from each school receiving a $1,000 scholarship. The Hall of Fame works in conjunction with school administrators to identify the student-athletes who earn the Ambassador awards.

The 2018 honorees include the following:

Brunswick: Antonisha Davis, Jordan Caprino, Emily Spence, Aleah Underwood, John Cano, Harrison Trawick, Aubrey Williams, Marcus Scott.

Glynn Academy: Will Bowdoin, Caine Crews, Claire Fendig, Alivyah Floyd, Hunter Hall, Randon Jernigan, Morgan Overly, Jack Podlesny.

Frederica Academy: Santana Clark, Jacob Myers, Jack O’Hara, Ryan Steilen, Jalaya Lewis, Curran Squire, Jenifer Arellano-Mendoza, Piper O’Quinn.

The 2018 Ambassadors Scholarships went to Antonisha Davis (BHS), Jack Podlesny (GA) and Jalaya Lewis (FA).

Kevin Thomas from ESPN Coastal Georgia served as the emcee for the event.

“It was a special evening,” said Kevin Price, Hall of Fame president. “The Ambassadors are an impressive group of young people who have accomplished a lot academically and athletically in the prep careers and it will be exciting to see what these young people continue to do in the future.

“We appreciate the cooperation we got from all three schools to help us with this event and we certainly appreciate Glynn County Schools for allowing us to use one of their venues for the event. Aaron did a great job speaking to the kids about what they need to do to be successful in athletics and beyond and shared his own experiences in his basketball journey which has involved a playing and coaching career.”

The complete bios for all of the 2018 Ambassadors are listed below.

2018 Ambassadors

Brunswick High

Antonisha Davis

Antonisha Davis is a great student-athlete according to BHS girls basketball coach Maria Mangram who said she works hard on and off the court and is a big role model for her peers. She made 1st team All Region. She was team captain and the BHS girls leading scorer. She’s been on varsity since the 9th grade. She helped lead the Lady Pirates to the Final Four in 2016. She was was voted the team’s Best Defensive player in 9th-11th grade and was Team MVP for her Senior season. Her GPA is currently a 3.44.

Jordan Caprino

Jordan is a 4 year Varsity Letter winner for the BHS Girls soccer team. She also played Varsity Softball, Varsity Track, and Varsity Cross Country. She is an outstanding student who is in the running for Class Valedictorian. She is very coachable and has improved so much in the last year on the soccer field, according to her coach who added that she’s a team captain and leads by example.

BHS softball coach Brian Crawford offered the following: “Jordan was a three year varsity starter for us in the outfield. Her speed and athleticism gave us multiple avenues of opportunity over the past three years. She is a tremendous competitor and a fantastic role model as a student-athlete. Filling her spot in the outfield will be a challenge due to her above average speed and arm in the outfield. Jordan has a personality that is memorable and she is a joy to coach and I wish her nothing but the best of luck at GA Tech.”

Jordan’s GPA currently is a 4.52.

Emily Spence

Emily is a member of the BHS Softball Team and has been a starter in three of the 4 years she played. Emily also started all 4 years of Varsity Soccer. Emily participated in Cross Country as well as the Literary team for two years. She also is currently in the running for Class Valedictorian. Emily will be attending the Naval Academy in the Fall. She currently has a 4.53 GPA.

Aleah Underwood

Aleah has been a member of the BHS Volleyball Team for 4 years. She served as team captain for 2 years. During her tenure on the volleyball team Aleah earned the award for Best Server. Aleah plans to attend Georgia State University and study Forensic Psychology. Aleah currently has a 3.5 GPA.

John Cano

John is a Four year member of the Varsity Football and Wrestling teams. He was Captain of both teams for multiple years and won three all region awards for both sports. This fall, he was voted Honorable Mention All-State as an offensive lineman. John qualified for the state tournament in wrestling twice and placed 3rd in the 285 pound weight division. John has accepted a full scholarship to Reinhardt University for football. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and the FFA. John’s current GPA is a 3.83.

Harrison Trawick

“I knew of Harrison before entering my first season as the head coach at Brunswick High,” said BHS first-year baseball coach Brian Crawford. “I knew he had some talent, but I had my doubts of the all-around impact he would have towards our success. He has since proven just how dynamic he can be on the baseball field. He is the biggest competitor we have and he is a true role model for our upcoming players as to what it means to be a student-athlete. As a coaching staff and team we are grateful to have Harrison’s leadership on and off the field. He is as well-rounded as a player and person as you can find, and the expectations for this young man should be set to a higher standard because his character allows him to absorb a certain level of expectations.”

Harrison has a 3.67 GPA.

Aubrey Williams

Aubrey is a four year member of the Pirate Football Team. He played a starting role 2 of the four years at Brunswick. He was named First Team All Region as a senior this fall. Aubrey plans on attending the Naval Academy in the Fall. He currently has a 2.89 GPA.

Marcus Scott

Marcus lettered in basketball all four years at Brunswick. A 2018 Glynn County Sports Hall of Fame Player of the game winner, Marcus has enjoyed great success at BHS over the last four years. Marcus played on the 2015 State Championship team, the 2017 State Finalist team and has scored nearly 1,000 points in his high school career. Marcus has a number of other accomplishments including Region Player of the Year, All-Area MVP and All State Selection. Marcus has a 3.55 GPA and will go to the Air Force Academy to play basketball.

Glynn Academy

Will Bowdoin

Will has played baseball his whole life, having earned awards throughout his varsity career. His athletic achievements include being named to the GISA All-Region and All-State team at Frederica Academy as an 8th grader. Moving to Glynn Academy he started on the varsity baseball team as a freshman and was Named Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, and All Region for the 2015 season.

In the 2016 season, he was named Most Valuable Player and All Region again.

In his junior year, he was given the Most Valuable Player award, Pitcher of the Year, 2nd Team All State, and All Region.

Prior to this season, the Georgia Dugout Club named him Preseason All State.

Will participated in travel baseball during the summer throughout high school. He has played at the highest level against the best competition in tournaments hosted by Perfect Game USA and has earned Perfect Game High School Underclassmen All American Honorable Mention honors.

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While at Glynn Academy, in 2015, Will was given the Distinguished Learner Award for Literature. He has been on the Honor Roll all four years. He is a member of the Glynn Academy Beta Club and National Honor Society. He has earned a 4.1 GPA, 27 on the ACT and 1240 on the SAT.

Will has completed many community service projects including volunteering at the Manna House and the RSM Classic Golf Tournament. He consistently volunteers as an usher during church service at Frederica Baptist Church. He had nearly 20 hours of service after Hurricane Irma, helping families move furniture and clean. In 2016 and 2017, he volunteered as an umpire for baseball tournaments and he is also involved in Buddy Ball, which is an organized baseball program for children with special needs.

Caine Crews

Caine is a Glynn Academy senior with a 3.4 GPA.

Caine is a three-year all region football player. He was part of two quarterfinal finishes, one semifinal finish and a State Championship appearance in 2015.

In 2017, Caine was the Offensive player of the year for Glynn Academy by way of “In the Game Magazine.” He made the All-Area Team and was selected to participate in two different all-star games. He also was named the Glynn County Sports Hall of Fame Player of the Game after the City Championship. In that game, he also won the Jacksonville Jaguar Player of the Week Honors.

This past year, he was named the Georgia Farm Bureau Player of the Week six times. His community service involves cleanup after Hurricane Matthew and Irma. Caine has been involved in several church camps and retreats. He will continue his education and athletic career on a Football scholarship at Lenoir Ryne University in Hickory, North Carolina, where he will study Mass Communications.

Claire Fendig

In four years at Glynn Academy, Claire has made straight A’s while taking advanced placement, honors, and dual enrollment classes. Currently, she maintains a 4.24 GPA and is ranked 31 of 422 in an extremely competitive senior class. By the time Claire graduates, she will have completed 30 hours of dual enrollment classes. She has decided to continue her education and softball career at Brenau University in the fall of 2018.

As for Claire’s softball career, she started in center field for Glynn Academy’s Varsity team all four years. Her career batting average for the Lady Terrors is .378, and she hit 8 home runs. In four years, she scored just over 70 runs and had 58 runs batted in. Claire received the Lady Terror’s Varsity Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2014, 2016, and 2017. She was recognized for the highest GPA on the softball team in 2017 and was named All-Region in 2016 and 2017.

Outside of softball, Claire is involved in several service organizations. She values the importance of giving back as so many have given to her. Along with volunteering at Manna House, she coached two youth girls softball teams in 2017 and gives batting lessons. She attends a 707 group through the Gathering Place and is a member at St. Simons Presbyterian Church. She is a member of the National Honor Society as well.

Alivyah LaVaunghn Floyd

Alivyah has taken honor classes all four years in high school. She began taking college classes in her senior year through the Move On When Ready program. She holds a 3.3 GPA and plans to attend Georgia State College on a track and field scholarship.

Alivyah’s sports career includes playing varsity basketball all four years. She was team captain during her senior year. She ran track and field all four years where she was on the 4×100 and the 4×400. relay teams She also throws the shot put and discus and has won the Region championship the last two years throwing the shot put and discus. She finished 6th and 7th in the State Championship in 2016. Last year she finished 3rd and 4th in the State Championship.

Alivyah sings and praise dances in her church. She also loves listening to music.

Hunter Hall

Hunter is a four-year starter on the varsity football team and baseball teams.

Playing middle linebacker and a running back,, he led the Red Terrors in tackles this fall with more than 100 and amassed a 400-plus-tackle record for his high school career.

Hunter’s many football achievements this past fall include All State Team Linebacker, Region Defensive Player of the year, The Brunswick News Coastal Georgia All-Area Defensive Player of the Year, ESPN Coastal Georgia Defensive Player of the Year, In the Game Southeast Georgia Academic Player of the Year, Georgia Farm Bureau Defensive Player of Game and ESPN Coastal Georgia Preseason Team.

As a junior, he was a 1st Team All Region Linebacker. Georgia Farm Bureau Defensive Player of Game, ESPN Coastal Georgia Team member, The Brunswick News Coastal Georgia All-Area Team member and ESPN Coastal Georgia Preseason Team selection. He also was awarded the Vystar All Star Athlete Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in athletics, academics, and community service.

As a sophomore, he was honorable mention All-State, Georgia Farm Bureau Player of the Game for the state championship game and also made The Brunswick News Coastal All Area Team and ESPN Coastal Georgia Team. He was honorable mention All-Region as a freshman.

Hunter holds a 3.6 GPA while taking honors and advanced placement courses, has a 26 ACT, and is attending the College of Georgia taking courses through the Dual Enrollment Program. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes & 707 Clubs, National Honor society, National Society of High School Scholars, the Beta Club, and was a 2016 Honor Youth Leader & Captain Delegate representing prayer in the community. Hunter volunteers with the school’s summer youth football and baseball camps and reads to local elementary school classes and speaks to them about practicing good sportsmanship in athletics as well.

Hunter recently committed to further his football and academic career at the University of West Georgia.

Randon Jernigan

During Randon’s time at Glynn Academy, he has attained a 3.9 GPA. He has been on the principal’s honor roll and has achieved a composite score of 24 on the ACT.

While participating in baseball at Glynn Academy, Randon has made 1st team All-region 3 times in 3 years. In football, he has made 1st team All-region 4 times in 4 years.

He also earned Region Player of the Year for baseball as a junior and was selected as offensive player of the year twice during football.

Randon will play baseball at the college level. He has chosen the University of Georgia to further his education and playing career.

Morgan Overly

Morgan has participated in volleyball during her four years at Glynn Academy and has played club ball since 6th grade.

Morgan has won several honors and awards in volleyball. As a freshman, she was named Offensive MVP, Honorable Mention All-Region and made the Brunswick All-Area Team, Hilton Head Island Volleyball Bash All-tournament Team and was named Prep Volleyball Fab Frosh 59 special Honorable Mention.

As a sophomore, she won the GA Coaches Award, was named First Team All-Region, was named to the Brunswick All Area Team and was a Prep Volleyball Super Soph 79 Honorable Mention and Prep Volleyball Defensive Dandy-Lions Sixth Team selection.

Her junior year, she was again named for the GA’s coaches award, First Team All-Region, GA Team Captain and reached 1,000 career kills. As a senior, she was again GA Team Captain, Region Player of the year and team MVP.

Clair is a member of the Beta Club, Quill Scroll, National Honor Society and is the Glynn Academy yearbook editor. She also participates in the Glynn Academy Spirit Club and Pirates of the Spanish Main Sorority. She is a member of St. Williams Catholic Church and volunteers with the Humane Society.

Jack Podlesny

Jack is a four-year letterman in soccer and currently serves as the Terrors’ Team Captain. His freshman year he started at goalkeeper, but he currently plays in the field at center back except when needed he will step back in the goal.

He also has been a part of the Terrors’ football team as a kicker, lettering both his junior and senior years. His senior year, he was named to the All-Region. Also, Jack was named for the Principal’s Award for highest GPA on the Terrors football team with a 4.26 and ranks in the top 10 percent of the senior class.

Jack received six Division I football offers as a kicker and just this week committed to the University of Georgia as a preferred walk-on.

Jack is a current mentor and tutor for Communities in Schools at Glynn Middle School. He is a member of Key Club, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honors Society, Beta Club, and Student Council. He is also a part of the United Community Bank Junior Board where he serves in the community through beautification projects, fundraisers, and other community events.

In addition to his work with local organizations, he participates in St. Vincent DePaul through his church. Jack was an ambassador with the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program his sophomore year and returned as a junior staff member last year.

Frederica Academy

Santana Clark

Clark was an All-Region performer as a safety for the Frederica football team this past season and earned a football scholarship to nearby Jacksonville University.

Clark, who currently has a 3.4 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society and also the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His volunteer work includes serving as a summer camp counselor and working with Second Harvest.

Jacob Meyers

Meyers is an All-Region and All-State soccer player for the Knights and will play soccer at Davidson College starting next school year.

Meyers, who currently has a 4.08 GPA, also runs cross country at Frederica. He has been the captain of the soccer team the last two years.

Heavily involved in extra-curricular activities at Frederica, Meyers is currently serving as President of the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes group while also serving as Vice President of the National Honor Society and the school’s Service Council.

Meyers is also a member of the Stem Club, Model United Nations team and the Ambassador Club. Having been named to the Head of School list for his academics, Meyers has received the school’s Teacher Award in Biology, Spanish and Algebra II.

His extensive volunteer work includes helping with the Gathering Place, Safe Harbor, Second Harvest, Manna House and the Salvation Army and serving as a volunteer coach at youth soccer camps.

Meyers has been involved with the Sea Island Junior Board of Directors and also Youth Leadership Glynn.

He is actively involved in the youth group at St. Simons Community Church.

Jack O’Hara

O’Hara is a two-sport standout at Frederica. He has been named All-Region in both basketball and golf and has been named All-State in golf and Honorable-Mention All-State for basketball.

O’Hara recently signed a golf scholarship with Villanova University. He carries a 4.12 GPA.

Having previously attended Christian Brothers Academy in New York, he was a scholar-athlete there in 2014 and received high academic honors as a freshman and sophomore while making the school’s

Brothers List. He also was a member of the Colonie Youth Leadership Board and the Colonie Youth Court.

At Frederica, he is a member of the National Honor Society. His volunteer work includes serving with the Center for Disabilities Telethon, the Ronald McDonald House and also working at the RSM Classic.

Ryan Steilen

Steilen is an all-region soccer and basketball player for the Knights and he also has been named All-State for soccer. He was also captain of the basketball team this past season.

Steilen presently has a 4.23 GPA and will attend college at the University of North Carolina or enroll in school as a member of the Georgia Honors Program. He has been named to the Head of School academic list several times.

He is also involved in numerous extra-curricular activities at Frederica. Steilen is a member of the Stem Club, Model United Nations and Debate teams, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society and the Newspaper Club. He founded the school’s Investments Club and also currently serves as secretary for the Honors Council, president of the Ping Pong Club and is the chief business coordinator for the school yearbook staff.

Steilen has served on the United Community Bank Board while participating in the Glynn County Youth Entrepreneurship Conference and the Sea Island advisory executive board of the youth leadership forum.

His volunteer work includes serving with the Southeast Georgia Health System, Second Harvest, Children in Action and working as a soccer referee and homework helper at Frederica. He also has done missionary work with the FCA.

Jalaya Lewis

Lewis is an All-Region and All-State basketball player at Frederica and she is also a standout athlete on the track team.

Lewis carries a 3.5 GPA and is currently considering several offers from colleges to play basketball. She also plays AAU basketball for a team based out of Brunswick.

She has been named to the Frederica Honor Roll several times and is a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club.

Her volunteer work includes serving with Second Harvest and Prospect Baptist Church in Townsend, serving meals to the homeless and less fortunate people in the community.

Curran Squire

Squire is an All-Region soccer player at Frederica. She is also a member of the school’s volleyball and cheerleading teams and is a former member of the girls basketball team.

Squire will attend the University of Georgia in the fall and she currently owns a 4.20 GPA. She has made the school’s Honor Roll and Head of School academic list several times and is a member of the National Honor Society.

She has received the Pre-Calculas Award, Spanish Award and also earned honorable-mention recognition for her score on the National Spanish Exam.

Squire is a member of the Student Council and has been a member of the Yearbook staff.

Her volunteer work includes serving with several organizations as a member of the Pirates of the Spanish Main. She has also volunteered with the Hands on Frederica and Wheels Up groups and also has served as a tutor at the school and as a camp counselor for the YMCA’s High Harbour Camp in Lake Burton. She has also served on the Sea Island Youth Advisory Board and has done missionary work through the FCA.

Jenifer Arellano-Mendoza

Mendoza is a member of the Frederica soccer and cheerleading teams.

She currently has a 3.77 GPA and remains undecided on her college plans.

Mendoza has been named to the school Honor Roll several times. Her academic honors include winning the National Spanish Award all four years in high school and earning the Converse College Award as a junior.

She is a member of the school’s Ambassadors Club, Stem Club, Spanish Club, Humane Society Club and Ping Pong Club.

Her extensive volunteer work includes serving as a translator for the American Red Cross, working with the Humane Society and also the Special Arts and Special Olympics. She also has served as a volunteer teacher at her mom’s church where she helps young kids develop academically.

Piper O’Quinn

O’Quinn is a member of the Frederica track, soccer and cheerleading teams. As a sophomore, she won the region championship in the 100-meter dash and went on to place fifth in the state.

She currently has a 4.19 GPA and will attend the University of Georgia in the fall.

O’Quinn has been named to the Head of School academic list several times. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has been chosen for the Spanish 3 Teacher’s Award. She also received bronze medal recognition for her score on the National Spanish Exam and she has placed third in the

Biology Science Fair.

She is a member of the school’s Ambassador Club, founder of the Lost Photography Club and is currently president of the Student Council. She is also the school prom coordinator and a Youth Group Bible Study Leader at St. Simons Community Church.

O’Quinn has done several community service projects as a member of the Pirates of the Spanish Main. She has also volunteered with the Gathering Place and has done missionary work through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

She has participated in Youth Leadership Glynn and been part of the Sea Island Youth Advisory Board.