SPORTS

25 Nashville-area high school spring athletes to watch

Michael Murphy
USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

With the TSSAA spring season under way, here is a look at 25 Nashville-area high school athletes to follow this season.

Ensworth's Tyra Gittens, right, reacts to her teammate, Jenna Rolfe, left, after Rolfe cleared a high bar on the high jump during the Spring Fling Girls Outdoor Pentathlon in 2016.

Allysa Arden, White House Heritage, Jr.: Tennessee Tech softball commitment compiled a 26-6 record with a 0.92 ERA, striking out 336 while posting five no-hitters and a perfect game.

John Armbruster, Father Ryan, Sr.: Louisville soccer signee and three-year captain tallied eight assists from his defensive midfielder spot.

Christ Presbyterian Academy's David Bates

David Bates, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Sr.: Vanderbilt baseball signee posted a 9-1 record with a 1.62 ERA, striking out 106 in 60⅓ innings.

Drew Benefield, Siegel, Jr.: Louisville baseball commitment hit .348 (.620 slugging) with 25 RBIs and 20 extra-base hits.

Luke Bernatavitz, Montgomery Bell Academy, Jr.: 2016 All-Midstate first-teamer scored a team-leading 13 goals and provided five assists for the Division II-AA runners-up.

Alley Brown, Waverly, Sr.: Dyersburg State softball signee compiled a 32-11 with a 0.93 ERA, tallying 288 strikeouts and 14 shutouts.

Ty Chandler, Montgomery Bell Academy, Sr.:Tennessee football signee finished second in the Division II 100-meter dash (10.93).

Philip Clarke, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Sr.: Vanderbilt baseball signee hit .402 (.598 slugging) with 31 RBIs and 15 extra-base hits.

Sam Fischer, Brentwood, Sr.: Alabama signee claimed his first Class AAA singles title with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Science Hill’s Andrew Morton.

Gage Gillian, Spring Hill, Sr.: Reigning Class AA Mr. Baseball posted a 9-1 record with a 1.22 ERA, striking out 131 in 68⅔ innings.

Tyra Gittens, Ensworth, Sr.: Texas A&M track and field signee has won 12 state titles, including three consecutive Division II pentathlon championships.

George Harwell, Mongtomery Bell Academy, Sr.: Vanderbilt tennis signee captured his second consecutive Division II-AA title with a 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 win over rival Miles Jackson of Ensworth.

Mason Hickman, Pope John Paul II, Sr.: Memphis baseball signee hit .424 (.527 on-base) with 37 runs.

Brentwood High School player Somer Henry returns a shot against her opponent from Houston High School during the Tennessee Class AAA girls team tennis championship final Wednesday, May 25, 2016, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Somer Henry, Brentwood, Jr.: Indiana tennis commitment captured her second straight Class AAA singles title with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Collierville’s Sneha Sinha.

Miles Jackson, Ensworth, Jr.: Pushed reigning singles champion and rival George Harwell to the limit before suffering a 6-7, 6-3, 4-6 defeat in the Division II-AA final.

Hannah Koenig, Brentwood Jr.: Louisiana Tech softball commitment posted a 1.55 ERA with 189 strikeouts while also hitting .450.

Caitlyn McCrary, Siegel, So.: Tennessee softball commitment hit .373 with seven home runs, seven doubles and 38 RBIs.

Jeremy McDowell, Maplewood, Sr.: Standout sprinter won the Class A/AA 200 meters (21.77) and finished second in the 100 meters  (10.95).

Chris McElvain, Summit, So.: Vanderbilt baseball commitment posted a 10-1 record with a 0.80 ERA, striking out 90 while surrendering  39 hits in 69 2/3 innings.

Luke Murphy, East Robertson, Jr.: Vanderbilt baseball commitment posted a 4-3 record with a 1.08 ERA, striking out 74 in 45⅓ innings.

Gracie Osbron, Henry County, Jr.: Tennessee softball commitment batted .523 with 44 RBIs, eight home runs and 18 doubles.

Ravenwood's Blake Sams (2) attempts to head the ball on a corner kick over Bearden's Kelvin Garcia (10) in a Class AAA state championship soccer game at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro during Spring Fling on Friday, May 27, 2016. Bearden won 5-2.

Blake Sams, Ravenwood, Sr.: North Florida soccer signee helped lead Ravenwood to its first Class AAA championship appearance.

Loryn Sherwood, Stewarts Creek, Jr.: 2016 All-Midstate first-teamer hit .449 with 22 home runs, nine doubles and 61 RBIs.

Ryan Weathers, Loretto, Jr.: Vanderbilt baseball commitment posted a 9-3 record with a 0.37 ERA, striking out 141 in 76 innings.

Michelle Williams, Oakland, Jr.: Roane State softball commitment hit .462 with 13 doubles, nine home runs and 38 RBIs.

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.