Vote for Upstate 2025 boys athlete of the year for spring sports seasons

These are the high school boys athletes who were selected as Upstate players of the year for their respective sports. Which one should be the spring sports athlete of the year? Here’s a chance to cast your votes. The poll will close at 5 p.m. on June 22. Multiple votes are allowed.

Carson Bolemon, Southside Christian, Jr.: Bolemon was named the Upstate’s baseball player of the year after leading the Sabres to the Class AAA state championship. As a pitcher, he went 11-0 and in 55.1 innings allowed only six hits and no earned runs. He struck out 135 and walked eight. As a hitter, he batted .374 with a team-leading seven home runs, 11 doubles and 35 RBIs.

Smith Darby, J.L. Mann, Jr.: Darby was named Gatorade South Carolina soccer player of the year after leading the Patriots to a 26-0 season and the Class AAAAA Division 1 state championship. He ranked second in the state with 74 points and 32 goals. Darby scored the winning goal and added an assist in the state title game.

Knox Eaton, Spartanburg, Sr.: Eaton was Upstate track and field athlete of the year. He won Class AAAAA Division 1 state championships in the 800 meters (1:54.88) and the 1,600 meters (4:16.17). He broke the state record for the 800 meters at the region meet. Eaton helped Spartanburg as a team finish second at the state meet.

Erik Erlenkeuser, T.L. Hanna, Jr.: Erlenkeuser was named Upstate golfer of the year after leading Hanna to the Class AAAAA Division 2 state championship and winning medalist honors with a 3-under 140. He won the individual title in a playoff, saving par with a 20-foot putt and then winning with a 25-foot birdie putt.

Christian Holloway, J.L. Mann, Sr.: Holloway led J.L Mann to the Class AAAAA Division 1 tennis state championship, fourth straight for the Patriots as they finished a 27-0 season. Holloway then won the individuals state championship tournament the following week. He made all-state for the fourth consecutive year. 

Kai Smith, Eastside, Sr.: Smith was named the Upstate’s lacrosse player of the year. He ranked second in the state with 66 goals and third with 91 points. Smith was named Class AAAAA Division 2 Upper State player of the year by the South Carolina High School Lacrosse Coaches Association. He helped Eastside (9-8) reach the Class AAAAA Division 2 Upper State semifinals.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Vote for Upstate boys athlete of the year for spring sports seasons