Tyler Chiu and Tyler Ward are the kind of friends everyone should have; they don’t just get along, they inspire each other to achieve at the highest level. Both boys have accomplished amazing goals together. “When we moved here from Athens, Tyler (Chiu) tried out for the team that Tyler Ward played on,” Tyler Chiu’s mom Tami Chiu said. “Tyler Ward was the first one to come over and shake Tyler’s hand, and they have been friends ever since. They have a lot in common and they both do very well in soccer.”  Some of the many accomplishments the boys have achieved together include, being chosen …

Brian Holmes is on his way to living out his dreams in major league baseball. The former Mill Creek High School pitcher just finished his junior year at Wake Forest and was recently drafted to the Houston Astros.  “He is now officially in the minor leagues,” his mother Sherry Jennings said proudly. “So he will play through the minor leagues and hopefully make it to the major league.” When I spoke to Jennings, her son was on his way to Troy, N.Y. to play for the Penn League. “He will be playing for the Tri-City Valley Cats, a high level single A team,” she explained. “So, he will be working …

At just 10 years of age, Kimberly Harris has proven to be an amazing athlete. Her hard work and determination have led her to excel in several sports. Harris plays striker and forward for Dacula Soccer Club U10 Academy team coached by Jeff Tinklepaugh. She is also a point guard for the Mill Creek Athletic Association basketball team coached by Scott Stone and she runs the 100-, 200-, and 400-meter events for the Jackrabbit Track and Field Clinic coached by Andre Al-ghani. “Kimberly loves to win and works hard each day to accomplish her goals,” her mom, Cortina Harris, explained. “She sets a …

C.J. Clinkscales is an amazing young ­­­athlete with dreams of making it to the Junior Olympics this summer. He is a true star on the track, but off the track, he is not just a star -- he is a hero. C.J. put his Junior Olympic plans on hold just months ago to help save his sister’s life. “C.J.’s sister, Lauryn who is now 10 years old, was born with Sickle cell anemia,” his father, Craig Clinkscales explained. “On April 11, C.J. came to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and went through the process of extracting his bone marrow from both sides of his hip for his sister. On that same day several…

Mill Creek High School senior center back and honor graduate Zach Mruk is a defensive leader on the field and off the field. “Zach will be someone to be looked up to for years to come with his commitment to both high school soccer and his studies,” Hawks head soccer coach Sean Garnett said. “Zach is one of the hardest working players I have ever coached. He is a well-rounded student athlete and carries a 3.6 GPA.” Mruk is a three-year captain and a four-year starter at Mill Creek. He has faced challenges during his high school soccer career, but has always remained a great and determined …

Dacula High School senior Nick Sibert is looking forward to continuing his soccer career at Coastal Carolina University. Head soccer coach Michael Burrell says this second year forward starter simply loves being constantly involved in the game. He also plays for the Georgia United Development Academy soccer program and Norcross Soccer Academy. “Nick is one of the easiest players to coach,” Burrell said proudly. “He is a very dynamic player with an intense enthusiasm for the game. He is very passionate about soccer, and just loves being around it all the time.” Sibert is an all-star student …

Mill Creek High School soccer center midfielder Tony Baza has been a key player for all four years of his high school career. “He is a fine young man and has been a pillar for Mill Creek soccer his past four years," Mill Creek varsity soccer head coach, Sean Garnett said. “Our offense runs through him and his leadership is excellent.”  Tony has battled through injury, but this has by far been his best year while at Mill Creek. He has seven goals and 12 assists so far this season.  “He is one of the most passionate players I have ever coached and he is a big reason for bringing Mill Creek …

Lauren Tanner, the leading goal scorer for the varsity Mill Creek High School soccer team currently has 20 goals, which is a school record for the girls. This star forward is definitely on fire, and in fact by the time this article posts her goals might be well over 20. “She is definitely the focal point of our offence,” said Brent Leitsch, the Mill Creek girls' varsity soccer coach. Tanner was named a preseason Gwinnett Super Six, and her effort on the court has a lot to do this and her many other accomplishments. “Her personality on the field is very driven,” Leitsch said. “She is extremely…

Nick Kozlowski is a 16-year-old junior at Mill Creek High School. He started playing Lacrosse three years ago, and has continued to excel as a team leader and player. “Nick is one of those kids that just dove into it and just loves lacrosse,” Coach Bo Adams at Mill Creek said. “He doesn’t want to do anything else but lacrosse, and he works really hard at continuing to get better.” Kozlowski is a lefty that plays middie (midfield) and LSM (long stick midfield). Last year he was recognized as the second team all-county, set the school record for the most ground balls and was one of the top …

Senior Travis Vanderhorst is expected to be a star player on the Dacula High School varsity baseball team this season. “Travis is one of our star players this year,” Coach John Poitevint said. “He is a senior who has played all four years here, and this is his second year on varsity. Travis was a starter a year ago on our team that was probably one of the most successful here at Dacula. Last year he was one of our key players, he was an all region player and I expect he will be again.” Vanderhorst has a great attitude and is a player that will do whatever it takes. “He is our leading hitter …

Samantha Jensen, a junior at Mill Creek High School and dance team member, recently placed first in the state of Georgia at the Universal Dance Association sanctioned state championship held in Peachtree City. More than 25 schools from across the state and well over 50 dancers competed in the solo division. “The best way to describe Samantha is that dance really is her,” Jensen’s mother Trish Jensen said proudly. “Dance shapes her, moves her, and propels her through life.” Jensen said Samantha usually works 26 hours per week on her dance skills in classes and rehearsals.  Samantha dedicates …

Dacula Elementary student Keaton Anthony helped lead his 9/10-year-old Mill Creek Athletic Association (MCAA) boys' basketball team to a league championship. “In the end of season championship game for Mill Creek, where we won with a score 42-34, Keaton had 24 points,” coach and father Mike Anthony said proudly. “He had a really good game.” Keaton is an all around good basketball player that gives his best and scores big on the court. But what sets Keaton apart is that he is a great leader that remembers to help his teammates as well. “He works very hard on defense and rebounding and he can …

Mill Creek High School varsity girls' basketball player Tamarr Williams scored 16 points in region quarterfinal versus Collins Hill with four 3-pointers including three 3-pointers and 11 other points in the fourth quarter. “That was a big game for us because it qualified us for the state tournament,” coach Ashley Phillips said. “It was a game that if you do not win it, your season is over. The fourth quarter was really the decisive quarter in that game, so scoring the 11 points she did made it a big thing for us as a team.” Williams is a senior, and has been a starter for the varsity team …

At 11 years old, Jenna Miller is the youngest Dacula Soccer Club player to make the state Olympic Development Program (ODP) team. She recently played representing Georgia in an ODP tournament, where Georgia's teams fared well against Alabama's ODP teams. “Jenna is the first boy or girl from DSC to make the state Olympic development team at the youngest age group,” coach Kevin Scheiwe said proudly. “The program started in November and runs in between soccer seasons so it does not interfere with her other soccer commitments.” The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program is a national …

Dacula high school varsity soccer player Ruva Chimedza recently signed to play at Southern Wesleyan College.  “She is a smart, fun loving, respectful, hardworking young lady,” her mother Gertie Chimedza said. “We are so very proud of her and her accomplishments.” Her coach and parents may describe her as laid back, but on the field it is a different story. Her true determination kicks in on the soccer field making her one of the most valuable seniors and giving her the opportunity to play at the college level. “Ruva is a very laid back young lady with a free spirited attitude,” coach Jason …

Dacula girls' basketball player Kendelle Culpepper has gone from not even being a blip on the radar to a starter and leader as a senior through hard work and a fierce determination.  “She has put a lot of hours in over the last two years, working on her individual game and her shots,” coach Travis Young said. This senior’s drive and determination is the key to her success both athletically and academically. “She is averaging double figures her senior year and has a fierce determination to win on the court as well as in the classroom,” her father Don Culpepper said.  Culpepper has worked hard …

Hebron Christian Academy varsity basketball player Dylan Schulte is a senior power forward that leads his team by example. With a game average of 13.4 points and 7.4 rebounds, he is always ready to lead his team to victory on the court. “We never question what we are going to get from Dylan,” head coach Will Cantrell said. “He is always going to give everything he’s got.” Considering his impressive game stats, Schulte is an obvious leader on the basketball court. But this star athlete leads his team in all areas of the game, including helping young players reach their own potential. “He is a …

On the court, Mill Creek varsity basketball player Daniel Loudermilk is a tough match. He is a 6-foot-7 small forward that can play outside and inside, and averages 10 points and eight rebounds a game. “He is a hard worker,” head coach Chad Rogers said. “We are expecting him to be a leader for us this year, he is talented and he makes some tough plays.” Coach Rogers describes Loudermilk as the quiet country boy off the court, but on the court he is the fix-it guy.  “He will go up against the big athletes on the other team,” Rogers said proudly. “His versatility allows us to move him around …

Dacula High School varsity basketball player Anthony Morse has amazed Dacula fans with his talent on the court. Next year, he will apply his basketball skills at the college level as a player for Tennessee Tech. “He has been a constant for us on defense and has developed his scoring ability over the past year,” said coach B.J. Roy. One of the skills that makes Morse such a valuable player is his ability to play well both on offense and defense. “Anthony is an extremely athletic player with the ability to impact the game on both ends of the court,” Roy added. Dacula Patch Athlete of the Week: …

Ethan Selph only started running two years ago, but his commitment and dedication to the sport has already developed into amazing success. Selph recently placed 117th out of 300 of the country's best runners at the USATF (USA Track & Field) Cross Country Junior Olympics. Competitors in the event included over 2,500 athletes representing every state. There were only 12 from Georgia in Selph's division race of 300 runners. He was also the only athlete from Gwinnett county. “He was disappointed that he didn't place higher, but I thought he did very well considering he is one of the young 9-year-…