A bunch of Lexington County athletes were recently recognized as being among the best players in the state.

The South Carolina high school lacrosse and soccer coaches recently released their selections for the 2026 All-State teams. In total, 43 local athletes were selected, 22 soccer and 21 lacrosse players.

Of the 22 soccer selections, Gray Collegiate’s girls had the most representation. The War Eagles had four players named All-State.

Twins Victoria and Vanessa Coleman earned a spot after a thrilling senior year. Victoria led the team in scoring and Vanessa was one of the top midfielders.

Freshman Lydia Kiker was also chosen, despite it being her first year of varsity soccer. She was second on the team in scoring this season, making an immediate impact.

Rounding things out is Ruth Ann McCarty. She was tasked with holding everything together as the team’s goal keeper. Her play in net was a big reason for Gray’s (26-3-1) record for the year.

Gray advanced to the state semifinal round, losing to Bishop England. The team finished the year as region champions, going (13-1) in conference play.

Gray’s boys also had a handful of selections. Gray, Chapin’s boys, Lexington’s girls and Chapin’s girls all had three players on the All-State team.

The War Eagles and both Chapin teams advanced to the state championship round last week. Lexington finished the year (19-3-2) with a (9-1) record in region play for first overall.

Lacrosse selections were broken into two teams with players chosen by position. Thirteen boys and seven girls made an All-5A team. One player was selected 4A All-State.

Chapin’s boys squad had eight total selections, including two on the first team.

Ethan Moore was one of the best midfielders in the state this year and a reliable contributor for the Eagles, averaging over three points per game. He earned a spot on the first team, along with teammate James Stevens, who earned a spot as the face-off man.

Jackson Register and Kyle Jenkins of River Bluff also got first team selections. The pair helped lead the Gators to a (15-2) record and combined for well over 100 goals on the year.

Four local girls earned first team honors, two from Lexington and two from River Bluff.

Wildcat senior Lily Sundell earned multiple selections as a midfield and draw specialist. She was a major threat on offense, while teammate Jada VanSickle earned a first team selection for her defense.

River Bluff’s Payton Hart was selected as an attack player, and goalie Mary Stone earned a spot.

Chapin and Dutch Fork’s girls were represented on the 5A second team.

Gilbert’s Micha Wilson was the county’s lone 4A All-State selection. He helped the Indians put together a solid regular season, culminating in a playoff appearance. 

Below is a complete list of all the All-State selections for soccer and lacrosse.

Soccer All-State

5A Division I boys

Austin Ipock - Lexington

DeSean Logan - Lexington

5A Division I girls

Adriana Dunat - Lexington

Shaelyn Smith - Lexington

Brooke Ogorek - River Bluff

5A Division II boys

Jacob Braden - Chapin

Jackson Dyer - Chapin

Jalen Tucker - Chapin

5A Division II girls

Lila Bowers - Chapin

Avery Stoner - Chapin

Sydney Stoner - Chapin

4A boys

David Andrade - Gray Collegiate

Andres Campo - Gray Collegiate

Jason Gonzalez - Gray Collegiate

4A girls

Vanessa Coleman - Gray Collegiate

Victoria Coleman - Gray Collegiate

Lydia Kiker - Gray Collegiate

Ruth Ann McCarty - Gray Collegiate

Tessa Walck - Gilbert

Megan Wooten - Gilbert

3A boys

Ernesto Brazell - Swansea

Juel Rivers - Swansea

Lacrosse All-State

5A boys

Ethan Moore - Chapin - 1st team midfield

James Stevens - Chapin - 1st team face off

Eddie Wright - Chapin - 2nd team attack

Malachi Merkovsky - Chapin - 2nd team attack

Hampton Boiling - Chapin - 2nd team defense

Ethan Covey - Chapin - 2nd team midfield

Sadler Pollok - Chapin - 2nd team LSM

Dawson Williams - Chapin - 2nd team defensive mid

Jackson Register - River Bluff - 1st team attack

Kyle Jenkins - River Bluff - 1st team midfield

Filip Livingston - River Bluff - 2nd team defense

Michael Shields - River Bluff - 2nd team face off

Sawyer Headley - Lexington - 2nd team midfield

5A girls

Lily Sundell - Lexington - 1st team draw specialist, 1st team midfield

Jada VanSickle - Lexington - 1st team defense

Payton Hart - River Bluff - 1st team attack

Mary Stone - River Bluff - 1st team goalie

Larsen Hege - Chapin - 2nd team defense

Clara Jones - Chapin - 2nd team draw specialist

Olivia Turner - Dutch Fork - 2nd team midfield

4A boys

Micah Wilson - Gilbert - 2nd team midfield