Vikings celebrate a historical year

The 2025-26 school year will go down as one of the greatest years in the history of Union Pines Athletics.

Across all sports, the Vikings showcased excellence on the conference, regional and state levels. By year's end, Union Pines had claimed 15 conference championships, produced three state championship wrestling teams, earned an Eastern Regional Championship, finished as state runners-up in softball, and celebrated 33 student-athletes signing to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

The fall season set the tone for what would become a remarkable year.

Women's Tennis dominated conference competition, finishing with a 17-1 overall record and a perfect 10-0 mark in conference play. Women's Golf also captured a conference championship, going undefeated against conference opponents while finishing 8-1 overall. The Vikings placed eighth at the NCHSAA 6A East Regional Championships, and both Celine Trumm and Aleah Farlow qualified for and competed in the state championships.

Women's Cross Country earned a trip to the state championship meet after finishing fourth at the East Regional Championships. The Vikings were led by freshman Charlotte Garner, who finished the 5K course in 22:50.74. Rachel Armstrong (24:07.64), Anna Gaab (24:26.85), Yamilet Casas (24:44.33), and Brynn Rothlisberger (24:45.03) rounded out the scoring lineup as Union Pines placed 16th in the state.

Volleyball put together an outstanding season, finishing 24-3 overall and advancing to the third round of the NCHSAA State Playoffs.

Football continued the momentum with one of the program's strongest seasons in recent years. The Vikings finished 11-2 overall, went undefeated in conference play with a 7-0 record, captured the conference championship, and advanced to the third round of the state playoffs.

The swimming programs continued to shine on the state stage.

The women's team captured a conference championship and finished 18th at the NCHSAA State Championships with 22 points. State qualifiers included the 200-yard medley relay team of Uxia Abad, Riley Elwell, Rebecca Kangas, and Nyah Tranel. Individual qualifiers included Nyah Tranel in the 200-yard freestyle, Riley Elwell in the 200-yard individual medley, Rebecca Kangas in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly, and Uxia Abad in the 100-yard backstroke. The 400-yard freestyle relay team of Molly Conway, Riley Elwell, Abigail Weld and Nyah Tranel also competed at the state meet.

The men's team followed with an impressive 13th-place finish at the state championships, scoring 65 points. State qualifiers included the 200-yard medley relay team of Klay Blue, Ian Hicks, Cullen Cox and Liam Hicks. Individual qualifiers included Liam Hicks and Klay Blue in the 200-yard freestyle, Ian Hicks in the 200-yard individual medley, Andrew Davis in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events, Cullen Cox in the 100-yard butterfly and 500-yard freestyle, and Klay Blue in both the 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard breaststroke. The Vikings also qualified relay teams in the 200-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard freestyle relay.

Winter belonged to Union Pines Wrestling.

The women's wrestling team captured the NCHSAA Individual Team State Championship, powered by individual state champions Makenzie Shaver (138 pounds), LillyAnn Blair (132 pounds), and Lella Flechsenhaar (165 pounds).

The men's wrestling team added even more hardware, winning both the NCHSAA Dual Team State Championship and the NCHSAA Individual Team State Championship. The Vikings scored 161 points to secure the team title and crowned individual state champions Liam Myles at 106 pounds and Dominic Blue at 175 pounds.

Together, the wrestling programs produced three team state championships and five individual state champions, cementing Union Pines as one of the premier wrestling programs in North Carolina.

Additional conference championships were earned by Cheerleading, Women's Wrestling, Men's Wrestling, Softball, Women's Track and Field, Women's Soccer, Men's Track and Field, Men's Tennis, and Men's Lacrosse.

The spring season delivered some of the year's most memorable moments.

Softball authored one of the greatest seasons in school history. The Vikings finished 28-4 overall, went undefeated in conference play, captured the East Regional Championship, and advanced to the NCHSAA State Championship Series for the first time in program history. Union Pines finished the year as the State Runner-Up.

Women's Soccer dominated throughout the season, finishing a perfect 14-0 in conference play and 20-5-1 overall. The Vikings were ranked fifth in North Carolina and advanced to the third round of the state playoffs.

Men's Tennis added another conference championship and advanced to the NCHSAA Dual Team State Quarterfinals. In individual competition, Lane McPherson qualified for the state tournament.

Men's Lacrosse enjoyed a historic season, finishing 21-2 overall and 10-0 in conference play. The Vikings reached the Eastern Regional Championship and finished as Eastern Regional Runner-Up while being ranked among the state's top programs throughout the season.

From championship trophies and state titles to college commitments and historic postseason runs, Union Pines Athletics established a standard of excellence that few programs across North Carolina could match.

Written by Curtis Self, photo provided by Union Pines Athletics.