North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By John Smithson
The North Myrtle Beach High School athletic department held its Senior Awards Night for the class of 2026 last Wednesday evening in the school’s auditorium.
Athletic Director Tony Heilbronn acted as the emcee for the evening of recognition, “a chance to summarize the accomplishments of male and female athletes across all sports and present scholarships from the Boosters Club, the Michael Nash Scholarships, scholar athletes, and the announcement of the male and female Athlete of the Year,” Heilbronn said.
Heilbronn sated that three more athletes held signing events that afternoon for a total of 13 students committing to college, all signees scholar athletes with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, “kids that value athletics and academics.”
Heilbronn thanked his family for their personal sacrifice during his school year, principal Ansley Morrow, the NMB Boosters Club for their financial support to the school’s athletic programs “to ensure that our kids have what they have.”
Heilbronn also mentioned the hard work of parents getting the kids to events and practices that helped them reach “this point tonight.” He also mentioned the North Myrtle Beach community and the businesses that assist the athletic programs.
He also mentioned and thanked his “amazing coaching staffs and the trainers who also work many hours to assist the various sports” and his three student assistants who help him stay organized.
Heilbronn said the school had three regional championships, in girls basketball, girls volleyball and girls track and that girls sports lead the way. “21 of our 23 teams played in postseason playoffs, and I am very proud of our teams, especially our lower state champion girls volleyball team “the best program in Horry County sports.”
Heilbronn introduced Susan Kingston Morgan who announced the winners of scholarships from the Boosters Club. Morgan also announced that she was adding a scholarship to the list of Boosters scholarships, the Jerry Morgan Memorial Scholarship, to honor her late father and contributor and supporter of the high school which she presented to Jake Frick.
The Boosters also presented Chief athletic scholarships to seven seniors. Heilbronn then began to honor 63 scholar athletes in every sport, and each student was joined on stage by others from their team who qualified for the recognition.
Linda Givens and Kent Nash, Michael’s brother, presented the Michael Nash Scholarships to two seniors on the boys soccer team and four players on the girls soccer team.
Heilbronn named 12 seniors who were multi-sport athletes during the 25-26 school year. Ten students played two sports; Keith Allison, Mike Cavallini, Ny’Ray Hannah, Primere Lewis, Tanner Morrison, Thomas Moss, Parker Stephenson, Clara Cloninger, Sadie Olson and Katlyn Powers.
Bricey Gore and Raphaella Nunes played three sports and were designated as “Iron Chiefs.”
Heilbronn then announced the male and female Athlete of the Year. Bricey Gore was the Male Athlete of the Year. Gore played three sports, was a scholar athlete, a two-time All-Region performer and will attend college.
Clara Cloninger was named the Female Athlete of the Year. Cloninger played two sports, was a seven-time All-Region performer, three All-State honors and will attend East Carolina this fall.
Heilbronn stated that eight head coaches had been named Coach of the Year. BA Alderson was 5A Division II winner in baseball. Zach Brittain won in his first year as coach of boys soccer in his first season, while making the playoffs. Dru Brooks took the boys volleyball team to their first playoffs and more wins than any season so far.
Kristen Wilkerson was honored in cheerleading while taking her team to the Nationals for the first time. Alex Booth won once again for another great track and field season. His teams were region and county champions and performed well in Lower State and the State Championships. Danielle Lowrimore took the girls lacrosse team to their first playoffs and set a new standard for team wins.
Jenn Loeswick’s girls volleyball team won region and lower state honors for another spectacular year. Heather Kearney coached her girls basketball team to 22 straight wins and a region championship.
Photos of most of the seniors honored last Wednesday are on these pages.
