UPHS Athletics Hall of Fame
2022 Induction Class
The UPHS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is proud to announce our
2022 Class of Inductees.
The following Viking legends will be enshrined on February 10, 2023:
Mike Brennan - wrestling
3-time Conference champion
4th place State championship sophomore year
3rd place State championship junior year
Undefeated State champion senior year
Most decorated wrestler in UPHS history
Team conference champions all four years
Team regional runner-up 2010, 2011, 2012
Team state runner-up 2011, 2012
All-state selection
Collegiate athlete
Hannah Priest Catalano - tennis
All-conference three years (missed senior season due to ACL tear)
Conference MVP two years
Conference singles champion three years
Regional singles champion 2 years
State singles semi-finalist junior year
Played collegiate tennis at ECU four years
USA all-academic team, nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year
Conference USA Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Team Conference championships all three years she played
4 times Conference USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal
Assistant Coach ECU Women’s Tennis
Crystal Hicks Leenheer - basketball
Varsity starter 4 years
754 career points, 989 career rebounds
386 career assists, 366 career steals.
Led NC 3A in assists in “forwards” position
1st Team All-conference 2 years
All-district 2 years
Conference Player of the Year 2011-12
East-West All-Star 2011-12
Team Conference Champions 2009-10
Team Sectional Champions 2009-10 and 2010-11
Team Conference Tournament Champions 2010-11
UPHS Female Athlete of the Year 2012
Jim Thomas Sportsmanship Award 2011
Collegiate athlete
Carla Simpson McKenzie - tennis
All-conference 4 years
Conference Singles & Doubles championships
Regional doubles champion
State doubles semi-finalist
Team Conference champions 2 years
Collegiate tennis at Methodist University
#1 National Ranking college doubles 3 years
3-time All-American
2-time ITA Doubles National Champion
Licensed Tennis Professional (18+ years)
Elliot McKenzie - XC and T&F
All-conference Track & Field 4 years (1998-2001)
All-conference Cross Country 4 years (1997-2000)
Conference Athlete of the Year (XC) 1999 and 2000
Mid-East Regional Champion 2000
School record holder in 1600m run and 5000m run
School record holder XC 5k (16:24)
3rd place State XC Championships 2000
3rd place State T&F Championships 1600m 2001
Four-sport athlete: T&F, XC, Soccer, Basketball
XC Team Conference champions 3 years
XC Team Regional champions 3 years
Earned scholarship to run at Brevard College
Tyler Ross - Softball/Basketball
Multi-sport athlete at UPHS for 3 years
3-time Conference softball Player of the Year
2011 MaxPreps Softball All-American
2011 3A Eastern Player of the Year
2-time All-State selection
2-time District Player of the Year
UPHS Basketball 986 points, 1010 rebounds
Volleyball All-conference
Qualified for Indoor Track State Championships 60m dash
Collegiate athlete NCSU (softball scholarship)
3-time ACC Player of the Week
2015 Broke NCSU record for most RBIs in a season
2016 Broke NCSU record for most stolen bases in a game
2017 1st team All-ACC selection
The UP Athletic Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Class until September 1, 2022.
SELECTION CRITERIA OF INDUCTEES
Nominees must have participated in athletics at UPHS, or have been Employed by Moore County Schools, or have contributed significantly to the athletic program of UPHS. Athletes, coaches, teams, and outstanding contributors are eligible for consideration. Athletes must have been out of UPHS for at least five years. Selection criteria include items such as:
State Champion or State Championship Team
All-State Selection
Olympian
State Record Holder
School Record Holder (individual or team)
East/West All-Star Selection
Professional Athlete
Collegiate Athlete
Outstanding Contributions to UPHS Athletics
Click the link below to print a nomination form.
Return your completed form to Union Pines High School Athletic Hall of Fame