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SPRING COLLEGE COMMITS
KATIE SANGER SOCCER
DEAN OMIRLY WRESTLING
Although Hawks fans know Dean as a wrestler, that was not always the case. He started the sport reluctantly in sixth grade just to appease his older brother, who wanted him to be part of the team. Dean says he wanted to quit all through Middle School, even though he had some success on the mat. That all changed at the end of his freshman season, after he won the individual state title at 195 pounds. Dean says winning that state championship changed his mentality – not just about athletics, but about life. Since then, Dean has been the heart and soul of our team. His example has set the tone for the Mat Hawks in terms of work ethic and mental toughness, and his dedication has paid off. He has been undefeated the last two years and finished his Latin career with 118 wins and only 9 losses. Dean will make an impact as he continues his educa- tion and wrestling career as a Cardinal at Wesleyan University.
Katie’s competitive fire and energy were evident when she was just a toddler – she found she hated ballet class and preferred to
run fast and race against others. She started soccer when she was four years old and it suited her much better. Over time, Katie developed into one of the most complete players to come through the Charlotte Latin soccer program. Her tremendous athleticism, skillful play and knowledge of the game make her equally adept at dominating both defensively and offen- sively. Katie’s consistently high energy level comes from her outstanding fitness combined with a huge heart for the outcome of a match. Katie will continue to play with passion next year as she heads to Spartanburg, South Carolina to attend Wofford College.
Nathan was born to play sports. His parents report that he was throwing a ball for the family dog to re- trieve before he could even walk. His dad may get the credit for introducing him to baseball, by putting a small bat in his hands and letting him swing at balloons. Nathan started organized baseball when he was six and says he immediately loved everything about it. The combination of strat- egy, competing, team ca- maraderie, great coaches, and the incredible feeling of hitting a ball hard all
led him to pursue playing collegiately. Since his arrival here at Charlotte Latin, Nathan has been an instru- mental piece in changing the culture of our baseball program. After starting last year’s season on fire at the plate, Nathan has battled through several injuries
and recently returned to the line-up. Even when
he was unable to play, his exuberant personality and presence have been a constant in the dugout and his leadership cannot be overstated. Nathan heads to Middlebury College next year.
Daniel started playing rec- reational soccer when he was six years old. Initially, his joy for running around on a field transformed into an opportunity to chal- lenge himself, learn an appreciation for teamwork, and develop leader-
ship skills. Daniel joined Charlotte Soccer Academy when he was thirteen, and his coach, Raymond Fraser, says he has been a con- sistent starter and leader ever since. Coach Fraser calls Daniel a dedicated, hard-working player, who often trains outside of practice to develop and sharpen his skills. As part of his team’s back line,
he provides strong and dependable defending as well as versatile attack- ing play with accurate crossing, all while being an encouraging voice
for his teammates. He is excited by the academic and athletic opportunities that await him at Williams College.
Graham’s love for bas- ketball extends beyond the court to the fami- ly-like bonds created with teammates and coaches. Over the course of his Latin career, Graham had 1,258 points, and averaged 20 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in 2020-2021, in- cluding a 35-point effort in the quarterfinal of the state tournament. In consider- ing his college options, Graham was determined to find a school that offered incredible academic opportunities and had a basketball program that is a tight knit community. He found what he was looking for in Tennessee with coaches and teammates that are supportive and welcoming. Graham is looking forward to every- thing about Vanderbilt: the classwork, the practices, and the city of Nashville.
NATHAN SAMII BASEBALL
DANIEL ZHANG SOCCER
CHARLOTTE LATIN BOOSTER CLUB SPORTS MAGAZINE | 2020-2021 123
GRAHAM CALTON BASKETBALL