By Bret Strelow
Salisbury Post
GRANITE QUARRY ó One unheralded freshman almost matched the award-winning feats of a standout classmate and an older sibling.
Freshman thrower Alisha Bradshaw, senior sprinter Nickola Bradshaw and versatile ninth-grader Dasia McGill were all recognized following a victory by Salisbury’s girls in the Rowan County Track Meet held at East Rowan on Wednesday. The Hornets had 177 points, 68 more than second-place South Rowan.
The younger Bradshaw (wins in the shot put, discus) and McGill (first-place finishes in the long jump, triple jump and 100-meter hurdles to go along with a second-place showing in the 300 hurdles) shared the MVP honor for field events. Nickola Bradshaw, the sprints MVP, won two individual titles (100, 200) and was part of two victorious relay teams (4×100, 4×200).
“It just feels good for me and her to both get it, two sisters,” Nickola Bradshaw said.
The Hornets won 10 of 18 events to secure their second straight county title.
Lauren Caldwell and Chantelle Isaac joined Bradshaw for both relay victories. Shi-Heria Shipp was also on the 4×200 team, and Symone Knox was the fourth member of the 4×100 team.
McGill nearly repeated the exact accomplishment of North Rowan alum LaTasha Pharr, who won two jumping events and two hurdles races as a freshman in 1998. McGill, who has experience competing in national AAU and high school meets, finished 0.28 seconds behind teammate Samantha Saulters in the 300 hurdles.
“I was mad a little bit, but it was all right,” McGill said with a smile. “We’re both going against each other, but we were making sure we got our times.”
Alisha Bradshaw entered the meet with less notoriety and earned two quick victories.
She tossed the shot 35 feet, 7 inches, and South’s Katherine Van Wieren was second at 31-10. Bradshaw had an effort of 103-4 in the discus, and she beat second-place Taylor May of South by more than five feet.
Bradshaw set personal records with both throws.
“I was a little nervous when I came in because I’m a freshman, but I’m glad that I won,” she said. “I’m just glad I could help out.”
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South, which won back-to-back titles before finishing second to Salisbury last year, had three first-place finishes thanks to the work of distance MVP Olivia Jacobs. She was victorious in the 1,600 for the fourth straight year and became a repeat winner in two other events (800 and 3,200).
East took third in the team standings with 72 points. Charlotte Brown was the only participant to clear a height in the pole vault, and the 4×800 relay team of Katie Cassady, Kristen Hatley, Emily Graczyk and Jenny Hughes crossed first.
North Rowan, which finished fourth, benefitted from wins by Tatiana Banks (400) and the 4×400 team of Banks, Cristen Jones, Tameisha Allen and Akevia Charleston.
Fifth-place Carson and sixth-place West Rowan shared one title. Carson’s Courtney Cress and West’s Ayana Avery earned nine points apiece by clearing 4-10 in the high jump.

Contact Bret Strelow at 704-797-4258 or bstrelow@salisburypost.com.