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Vote for the News & Observer’s girls high school athlete of the week (05.22.22)

Here are this week’s nominees for the News & Observer’s girls high school athlete of the week:

Kelli Cruikshank, Wake Christian Soccer: The Bulldogs’ senior scored one goal and had two assists in a 5-1 win over St. Mary’s in the opening round of the NCISAA 4A state playoffs, May 10.

Wake Christian (11-8-1) also lost 6-0 at Charlotte Country Day in the second round of the playoffs.

Cruikshank, who had seven goals in her last four games, led her team with 28 goals overall this season.

Riley Ellis, East Chapel Hill Lacrosse: The Wildcats’ senior midfielder scored four goals, had four assists and one groundball in a 23-6 win over First Flight in the third round of the NCHSAA playoffs, May 10.

Ellis also had two goals, one assist and two groundballs in a 16-13, NCHSAA quarterfinal loss to Cardinal Gibbons, May 12.

Ellis had 47 goals, 41 assists and 28 groundballs for East Chapel Hill (18-2) this season.

Amani Dallo, Durham Academy Track: The Cavaliers’ junior ran personal best to win the 100-meter dash (12.60) and 200-meter dash (26.39) at the TISAC Conference Championships at Cary Academy, May 12-14.

Dallo also led the Cavaliers’ 4 X 100-meter relay to victory at the same meet to help Durham Academy to a team victory by 55 points.

Alexa Francis, Durham School of Arts’ Soccer: The Bulldogs’ sophomore scored two goals and had one assist in an 11-0 win over J.F. Webb, May 10.

Francis has 33 goals and five assists for Durham School of Arts (13-7) this season.

Shawnti Jackson, Wakefield Track: The Wolverines’ junior won all four events she competed in at the 4A East Regionals at Wilmington Hoggard High, May 13.

Jackson won the 100-meter dash (11.61), the 200-meter dash (24.89), the 400-meter dash (53.49), while anchoring the 4 X 400-meter relay to victory (4:00.41) at regionals.

Taylor McQueen, Cleveland Softball: The Rams’ senior catcher went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and two RBI in a 7-5 win at Topsail in the second of the 4A state playoffs, May 13.

Cleveland also blanked Apex Friendship, 14-0, in the opening round of the playoffs, May 10.

McQueen is batting .458 for Cleveland (14-6) this season.

Lexi Mullahy, Cardinal Gibbons Lacrosse: The Crusaders’ freshman scored three goals, had one assist and one groundball in a 17-8 win at Wake Forest in the third round of the NCHSAA playoffs, May 10.

Mullahy also had five goals, two assists and two groundballs in a 16-13 win at East Chapel Hill in the NCHSAA quarterfinals, May 12.

Mullahy has 54 goals, 39 assists and 41 groundballs for Cardinal Gibbons (17-2) this season.

Kelli Ward, Smithfield Selma Track: The Spartans’ freshman ran a personal-best 48.16 to win the 300-meter hurdles at the 3A East Regional at Croatan High, May 14.

Ward also ran a personal-best 15.48 to win the 100-meter hurdles the same day.

The Smithfield Selma girls’ track team finished in 11th-place at regionals.

** Information published here includes statistics through May 14.

Want to nominate an athlete?: Athletes of the week highlights high school players with outstanding performances. The goal is to recognize all athletes in all sports, both the most accomplished and the underrated or underappreciated players. If you want to suggest someone to be included in the Athletes of the week column, send email to Jay Edwards.