Andrews – Joshua Hernandez, a senior at Andrews High School, was named the Smoky Mountain Conference Soccer Player of the Year.
During the 2023 season, Hernandez accounted for 21 out of the 25 goals scored by the Andrews soccer team, and he had an assist on the other four goals. He was also one of three captains on the team.
“Not only is Joshua a great soccer player, he is also a great individual,” Andrews soccer coach Patrick Santorn said. That sentiment was echoed by Andrews athletic director Frank Maenlee and Principal Lance Bristol.
Santorn, a California native, has been coaching soccer for 20 years. The soccer program at Andrews just started back last year, and he volunteered to coach the team. Santorn is retired but, at age 80, is still going strong. The team improved this year from two wins to five.
Hernandez plans to attend N.C. State University to pursue a degree in engineering after graduating from Andrews High in the spring.