The Jacksonville Area Soccer Association Hammerheads U19 boys and the Pitt‑Greenville Soccer Association Stars Green traveled to Utah for the final stages of the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships, a tournament that pits the nation’s top youth teams against one another.
Championship Match in Utah
In a tightly contested final, the Hammerheads edged out Little Rock 2‑1 to claim the national title, while the Stars Green fell just short, losing 2‑1 to Century United and settling for second place.
The tournament also served as a stage for individual accolades, with goalkeeper Aiden McMann earning the Golden Glove Award, midfielder Ryan Hanks being named Most Valuable Player, and forward Sebastian Aranda capturing the Golden Boot as the competition’s top scorer.
Beyond the soccer field, former local athletes continued to make headlines. Justin Hardy, a West Craven and East Carolina alumnus, logged six receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown with the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks, while C.J. Mims, another West Craven and ECU product, appeared at SEC Football Media Days ahead of the 2026 season.
Shawn Armstrong, a former West Craven and ECU pitcher, recorded the final out for the Cleveland Guardians in a 13‑4 victory over the Minnesota Twins, and Dixon Williams, a D.H. Conley graduate, doubled and drove in a run for the Rome Emperors in a 12‑5 win over the Asheville Tourists.
NASCAR veteran Joey Logano added a personal milestone by winning his first Cup Series race of the season at North Wilkesboro Speedway, securing a playoff berth.