The 2022 Catoosa-Walker County Spring Sports Players of the Year

EMMA LEVERRETT (Sr., LFO) 2022 CATOOSA COUNTY GIRLS’ SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR

In a season l oaded with impressive individual efforts by a number of county players, Leverrett stood out. The senior collected four assists to go with her county-best 18 goals, giving her 58 goals for her career. She scored four times twice in region play and added a hat trick this past season, helping the Red-and-White win the 6-AAA title. A first-team All-Region selection, among other awards, she was part of program that amassed a 20-7 region mark with two state appearances in the last four years.

STIVEN GALICIA (Sr., LFO) 2022 CATOOSA COUNTY BOYS’ SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The Catoosa County Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year in 2021, Galicia earns the title once again after the senior netted 10 goals and assisted on 12 more for the Warriors in 2022. Those totals featured both goals in a 2-1 overtime win over Rockmart, two tallies in a close loss to 6-AAA champion North Murray, and two goals and an assist in a late-season victory against Adairsville. Galicia ended a spectacular career for LFO with 48 total goals and 26 assists and was an LFO Feather Award finalist.

MARIA RONDA (Fr., Ridgeland) 2022 WALKER COUNTY GIRLS’ SOCCER CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The freshman made a huge impact for the Lady Panthers in 2022. She netted four goals in her very first match, a 7-1 victory over Sonoraville, and continued racking up points the rest of the year. She led Ridgeland in assists (12) and shots on goal (49) and was second in goals scored (12) to pick up first team honors in 7-AAAA. She also displayed her athleticism by setting school-records in the 1600 and 3200 for the track team and showed off her leg strength as a kicker on the football team.

RAGAN WIMPEE (So., Ridgeland) 2022 WALKER COUNTY GIRLS’ SOCCER CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR

An outstanding all-around athlete that’s previously shown her skills on the basketball and competition cheerleading teams at Ridgeland, Wimpee followed up an All-Region honorable mention season as a freshman with second team honors on the pitch this past season. She found the back of the net 14 times to lead the Lady Panthers and was second on the club with 48 shots on goal. Those efforts helped the Black-and-White to a winning season, one that saw them average nearly three goals per contest.

ROB HANNAH (Jr., LaFayette) 2022 WALKER COUNTY BOYS’ SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Many times, defensive players on a soccer field work in relative anonymity, but Hannah is quickly changing that narrative. The junior is one of the toughest lock-down defenders in the entire northwest Georgia area and recently earned a second consecutive All-Region first team honor. The first defensive-only player (other than a goalkeeper) ever named as the Boys’ Player of the Year in Walker County, Hannah was a main cornerstone on a defense that held seven teams to two goals or less with three shutouts.

KORTNEY McKENZIE (Sr., Heritage) 2022 CATOOSA COUNTY GIRLS’ TENNIS CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR

After helping lead the gritty Lady Generals to the Class AAAA Elite Eight in basketball, McKenzie was one of a handful of hoopsters that helped the Navy-and-Red put together a magical run to the Elite Eight in tennis in 2022. The talented, multi-sport senior began the year playing doubles, winning several matches, but eventually found a home at No. 2 singles. She compiled a 9-3 overall record, which included going 5-1 in Region 7-AAAA play and 3-0 in the region tournament in Dalton.