Gainesville High School Athlete Nominations May 2026 Update

Several baseball players from Trenton, Union County, and Buchholz were named in the latest poll. This follows a long list of local athletes honored for their skills in swimming, volleyball, and football since 2023.
By Newsroom | Sports, Gainesville |

Sporadic reports detail performances of athletes in the Gainesville area, with nominations appearing in polls across different weeks and seasons. Data available points to performances in baseball, volleyball, football, and swimming and diving, primarily from 2023 through May 2026.

The latest available nominations, from the week of May 11-17, feature several baseball players. These include Gabriel Cobb and Mason VunCannon of Trenton, and Nate Robertson and Erick Lasseter of Union County, all recognized for significant contributions in state semifinal and championship games. Angel Irizarry of Buchholz baseball also received a nod for his performance in a Class 6A state semifinals win.

Previous reports highlight other sports. For the week of November 4-10, 2025, swimmers and divers were prominent: Peyton Brooks of Buchholz (Class 4A-Region 1 champion), Kara Walters of Gainesville High (Class 3A-Region 1), Elise Panna of Eastside, Eric Gong of Eastside (State champion), and Jenna Herndon of Oak Hall were noted.

Read More: Great-Grandmother, 75, Selected for Glasgow Commonwealth Games Lawn Bowls

The data also indicates:

  • Volleyball players nominated in the September 29-October 5 and September 15-21 weeks of 2025 included Julia Almond (Buchholz), Havyn Richardson (Lafayette), Gracyn Marshall (Santa Fe), Charlotte Judge (Gainesville High), Mylie Fernandez (Branford), and Kayana Mickens (Eastside). Their achievements involved assists, digs, and serving aces in various matches.

  • Football athletes appeared in nominations from August 2023 and September 2025. Notable names include Quinton Cutler, Jordan Richardson (Buchholz), TC Smith, Bynton Edge (Columbia), Joshua Benjamin (Eastside), Chris Johnson (Buchholz), and Andrew Whittemore (Buchholz). Their statistics often involved rushing yards, receiving yards, and touchdowns.

  • Baseball nominations from March 30-April 5, 2026, recognized Brant Bivens (Trenton), Kaiden Griffith (Gainesville High), Ashton Norris (Buchholz), Victoria Swain (Branford softball), and Blake Brewer (Buchholz), citing RBIs and home runs.

A poll from November 11-17, 2025, is listed with a "Low Priority" status and failed to yield extracted summary details.

The context of these nominations appears to be part of a recurring "Athlete of the Week" poll hosted by gainesville.com and other associated news outlets. The selection process seems to be based on reported athletic achievements within a specific weekly timeframe for high school athletes in the Gainesville area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which baseball players were nominated for the Gainesville Athlete of the Week for May 11-17, 2026?
The nominees include Gabriel Cobb and Mason VunCannon from Trenton, Nate Robertson and Erick Lasseter from Union County, and Angel Irizarry from Buchholz. They were chosen for their strong performances during state semifinal and championship games.
Q: How are Gainesville area high school athletes selected for these weekly polls?
Athletes are nominated based on their specific sports achievements, such as home runs, assists, or touchdowns, recorded during a set weekly timeframe. These polls are hosted by local news outlets to recognize top talent in the Gainesville area.
Q: What other sports have been featured in the Gainesville athlete polls recently?
Besides baseball, the polls have recognized athletes in swimming, volleyball, and football. Notable past winners include state champion swimmer Eric Gong and various football players from Buchholz and Columbia high schools.