Special to IFN
The Iredell County Sports Hall of Fame will honor the top female and male senior class athletes from eight high schools during its annual induction banquet on May 18 at the Statesville Event Center. The banquet is set to begin at 6 p.m.
Seven individuals will be inducted as the Iredell County Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. Inductees include Jean Paul Berry, William “Bill” Bustle, Dr. Patrick Campbell, Dale Fox, Maria Hickman, and Dr. Robert L. Long Sr., along with Harold Johnson Community Partner Award recipient Rick Lewis. The new class will be honored at a pre-banquet reception starting at 4:30 p.m. Current members of the Hall of Fame have been invited to meet the new inductees at the reception.
Sixteen high school athletes will receive a plaque commemorating their selection during the banquet. The Hall of Fame Committee will also announce the Iredell County male and female athletes of the Year, selected from the group of 16 nominees.
The female athletes, who were nominated by the athletic directors at the respective schools, include Kasey Dingman (Lake Norman); Lila Pearson (Langtree Charter); Gia Lowe (Mooresville); Barrett Williams (North Iredell); Sophie Chilton (Pine Lake Prep); Emma Line (South Iredell); Promise Lovelace (Statesville); and Taylor Stikeleather (West Iredell).
The male athletes nominated by their school’s athletic directors include Keegan McClure (Lake Norman); Jerel Brawley (Langtree Charter); Joseph “Joe” Hauck (Mooresville); Callum Cary (North Iredell); Bridger Chayes (Pine Lake Prep): Josh Terry (Statesville); Brooks Culp (South Iredell) and Ex-Avier Peet (West Iredell).
TICKETS
Tickets for this year’s banquet are $60 per person ($50 in advance) and include a buffet-style meal. Deadline to purchase in advance is May 10. Tables for eight are available at a reduced price of $350. Seating space is limited. For tickets email srossrankin@yahoo.com or call Executive Director Steve Rankin at 704-402-8298 or Committee Chairman Kenny Miller at 704-902-4566.
NOMINATIONS
The Hall of Fame Committee is now accepting candidates for the class of 2027. Visit iredellsportshalloffame.org to download the nomination form.