O’Neals Hodges and Joyce Celebrate College Commitments

O’Neal’s Hodges and Joyce Celebrate College Commitments

Southern Pines: The O’Neal Athletic Department celebrated the athletic commitments of Brennan Hodges (Queens University) and Nick Joyce (Methodist University) recently.

“When we want other student-athletes to represent us in the right manner, we turn to Brennan Hodges to model the O’Neal way. Brennan’s commitment and consistency help him be the successful student-athlete he is.” 

“The results and successes Brennan has enjoyed hold him in esteem as a highly decorated and successful student-athlete at The O’Neal School”, shares Athletic Director James Franklin. Hodges has competed in three varsity sports, soccer, basketball and track and field and competed for 11 seasons as a varsity student-athlete at O’Neal. He has played in 59 varsity soccer games, 63 varsity basketball games and competed in 27 varsity track and field meets. Hodges has won four conference titles, two North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association (NCISAA) state titles and has been a key contributor in all the sports he has participated in. 

Franklin concluded, “Brennan’s teams have all been made better due to his approach as a student-athlete. He outworks everyone, everyday accomplishments have helped raise the level of our programs enormously.” 

Hodges heads to Queens University to compete at the Division I level in track and field. 

Joining Hodges to celebrate his college athletics commitment is fellow senior, Nick Joyce who committed to play golf at Methodist University. Athletic Director James Franklin shared about Joyce, “Nick Joyce seamlessly joined our boys golf program when entering our school as a junior. Nick has worked hard to improve on all facets of his game. He has become a consistent member of the team and Methodist will benefit from his selflessness and dedication.” 

Joyce’s performances for O’Neal’s golf team led to a conference championship and second place at the NCISAA State Tournament during his junior season. The team will look to go one better during his senior season and Joyce is competing to be at the top of the lineup.

Varsity Golf Coach Jon Halloran said of Joyce “Nick was an immediate upgrade to our lineup from both a talent and character standpoint. His game is a great blend of both power and style. It has been an absolute joy to coach him the past two years and I look forward to watching the success he achieves in college golf.” 

Joyce played two varsity sports while at O’Neal, contributing as a starter on the basketball team for both seasons. Joyce also performed on one of the best high school golf programs in the country. Joyce will enter Methodist’s highly esteemed PGM program and compete on the golf team. 

Congratulations to both Brennan Hodges and Nick Joyce on their stellar O’Neal athletic careers, and O’Neal looks forward to their continued successes at the collegiate level.

O’Neal is a part of the Sandhills Athletic Conference (SAC). It is the recipient of the 2022-2023 Wells Fargo Cup, recognizing O’Neal for having the top athletics program among Division 2 independent schools. An independent, college preparatory school for pre-kindergarten age 3 through grade 12, The O’Neal School is dedicated to the development of academic excellence, strength of character, and physical well-being of its students. Enrollment applications are being accepted for the 2024-2025 school year. For more information, go to www.ONealSchool.org.

Contributed. Photos courtesy of Wendy Hodges.

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