by Griffin Powell and Aidan Eller

It is that time again for fall sports in the GC Pride community. As we kick off the school semester, it is also a time for our fall sports to begin their regular season play. With many teams coming off impressive seasons last year, the Pride look to build off success and move forward into their journeys to the USA South Conference Tournament.

Football
With an impressive win against crosstown rival Guilford College, Greensboro held Guilford to just seven points in their win, with a score of 21-7. Senior quarterback Josh Sims attributed two touchdowns as well as 109 yards to lead the Pride to a late-game scoring surge to put the Quakers away.

“Although beginning the game I was not the starter, I had to stay ready because I know I can play at a high level,” Sims said. “The game against Guilford was just a small portion of what this team can do. We must keep working and keep getting better.”

The overall mentality has changed for Greensboro football. Across each player’s shirt, it says “Our Year.”

“The mentality has definitely changed,” said Assistant Coach Ty Shwallon. “The buy-in has gotten better each year I have been here. This is a special season, especially with all the close games lost in previous years. There are no excuses, it is our year.”

Along with all the team’s basic pillars and foundations, a team needs leadership.

“It is a privilege for me to be considered a leader on this team,” said senior linebacker Will Pailthorpe on what it means to be a pivotal leader for Greensboro. “We have set an example for our younger guys and give them the blueprint on how things are supposed to operate for this year and years to come.”

The Pride look to build off that monumental victory moving into the next few games. The GC Football team opens at home against Roanoke College on the Pride Field at 12 p.m.

Men’s Soccer
Things are looking a lot different for GC Men’s Soccer this year. Coming off a disappointing past couple of seasons, the Pride decided to move on from previous head coach, Manbi Nyepon. Leading the charge for the Pride in the 2025 season is head coach Jacob Weinshank. Previously an assistant at Division I, Bowling Green State University, Weinshank looks to bolster the roster to make serious waves in USA South Conference play.

Greensboro adds 10 foreign transfers as well as retaining most of their core from the previous season. One key addition is freshman forward Jade Diane. Diane brings a great deal of skill and overseas experience to help them make the jump they need.

“The game here is more physical and relies more on speed rather than tactical skill,” Diane said about the transition from Germany to the United States and how it has impacted him. “I came here to get a second chance in soccer. I always want to lead by example with good performances. It is truly a team sport, and I cannot do it alone. We have a great team, and everyone gets along.”

With the Pride starting the season off 2-1-2, they still are looking to make the push necessary to be one of the top teams in the USA South.

Women’s Soccer
Starting the season off to an impressive record of 2-0-1, GC Women’s Soccer looks like they will begin right where they left off last season, coming off a late season surge after a slow start, making it all the way to the conference semifinals. The Pride are not satisfied and want to continue at that level of play.

Head Coach Mike Johnston spoke on the progression from last season to this upcoming year.

“I think last year could be a great steppingstone for us and a lesson that each game is an opportunity for improvement,” Johnston said. “Our kids are driven to make it even further this year and look forward to taking the program to new heights.”

With GC adding a very talented freshman class as well as transfers, the Pride are led by All-Conference midfielders Shae Brennan and Claire Friedlander.

“Any time you can return an All-Conference player in Shae, I think that is huge,” Johnston said. “She is such a versatile piece for us. We have added multiple dynamic pieces to our lineup who have the potential for big minutes. These pieces set the tone for the rest.”

Men’s Golf
Men’s Golf started this season off with the Transylvania fall invitational at the end of August. Greensboro College finished seventh out of 19 and Watcharakan Chankarn won the season opener shooting six under. This was the first men’s golf win for GC since 2022.

The Greensboro College Men’s Golf team is under the lead of first year head coach Robert Heavner. He is a Greensboro local who attended Northwest Guilford High School.

“I had assisted the former head coach Steve Johnson for one and a half years,” he said about coming to Greensboro College. “My competitive nature is strong, and I want to see the program continue to build on the success Steve had started.”

Heavner was asked how he stays up to date with the current golf trends and trainings.

“Laser tools/range finders are great, but the app shows a top view of the hole. I have also tasked one of the players and my assistant coach, Grayson Sutherland, with helping design a golf-specific fitness and training program. It will include lifting days, yoga sessions and walking the courses more and not relying on golf carts.”

Men’s golf has their next invitational Sept. 15-16 here in Greensboro at Forest Oaks and looks to continue to have success.

Women’s Volleyball
Women’s Volleyball looks to build on a successful campaign, last year going 20-9 and now adding new head coach, Dan Bozarth. Bozarth is a highly decorated high school coach and athletic director from Caldwell Academy.

Bozarth was asked about how to balance both teams.

“Balancing both roles is a challenge, but it is one that is worth it,” he said. “Each day I look forward to working in both environments and I am genuinely happy each day I get to the gym and be with the student-athletes.”

Last week Coach Bozarth secured his 300th career win, now with an overall record of 300-65 and has five state NCISAA championship appearances and two NCISAA championships.

The team is off to a 5-0 start. They secured their first conference win on Sept. 10 at William Peace, with a 3-1 win. Another key victory was against Guilford College, also winning 3-1. The Guilford game was an away game and the Pride fan base still showed out.

“Personally, I want to be at as many events as possible to show support for all our Greensboro College teams,” Bozarth said about returning the love. “Visibility is huge and the volleyball program is committed to supporting all the other teams on campus.”

Going into the rest of the year, expect to see big things in women’s volleyball as they are led by a strong group of nine seniors. Make sure to come out and support the team for the rest of the season!

Cross Country
Cross Country is another team under new management with the hiring of head coach, Patrick Westervelt.

“I would love to see us score at the conference,” Westervelt said. “That takes five runners on each team which we are working toward. Beyond that, creating a team that is well rounded and focused on growing as a program.”

This is the Pride’s second season with a cross-country team since 2011 and as a young program there are challenges.

“Making sure that my athletes stay healthy,” Westervelt said of the biggest challenge. “Running is a physically and mentally demanding sport and as such, I want to make sure my athletes make it through to the end of the season healthy and well.”

Be sure to check the men’s and women’s cross country this season to support your Pride.