Pender’s Leah Mackley named state Athlete of the Year

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — For the second time in three years, a Pender High School Patriot is the state Athlete of the Year. Leah Mackley received the top award from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association at its annual meeting in Chapel Hill today.

Mackley has been a five-sport star at Pender. She played volleyball, basketball, soccer, indoor and outdoor track. Over the years she has participated in seven state championships, including the state champion softball team as a freshman and the volleyball title. She also holds the school record for assists in volleyball and goals in soccer.

“It’s kinda hard,” she said. “I used to juggle three sports, and even that was hard, but I doubled up on sports. I feel like they recognized my hard work along with my academics, and they knew I was the best athlete around.”

Mackley plans to continue her athletic and academic career at Pitt Community College next fall.