Fourteen Gladiators Sign Letters of Intent

JOHNS CREEK HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES CLASS OF 2026 COLLEGE-BOUND ATHLETES

Fourteen Gladiators Sign to Continue Their Athletic Careers at the Collegiate Level

Johns Creek High School is proud to announce that fourteen exceptional student-athletes from the Class of 2026 have committed to continuing their athletic and academic journeys at colleges and universities across the nation. These Gladiators have demonstrated outstanding dedication both on the field and in the classroom, embodying the spirit of excellence that defines JCHS Athletics.

SOCCER

RYAN GOTTSCHALK – United States Coast Guard Academy - Ryan brings an impressive resume to the Academy, including being a two-time First Team All-Conference selection and ECNL Team Captain during his sophomore and junior years. His ECNL teams consistently qualified for playoffs at Nationals. Beyond athletics, Ryan was honored with the YMSL Superior Service Award, President's Volunteer Service Award, and AP Scholar with Distinction Award. He achieved All-Region and All-Academic Region honors during his sophomore and junior years while maintaining Academic Honor Roll throughout high school.

KAMILAH SMITH – Tuskegee University - Kamilah brings 14 years of soccer experience to Tuskegee University. Throughout her high school career, she has been consistently recognized on the honor roll, demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence alongside her athletic pursuits.

DANIEL WYBORN – Huntingdon College - Daniel, with 15 years of soccer experience, earned a spot on the U17 ECRL All-Southeast Team. He will continue his soccer career at Huntingdon College.

AIDEN GIACOMELLI – Middle Georgia State University - Aiden has been one of the most decorated soccer players in recent JCHS history. His accolades include being a 2x ECNL All-Conference First Team selection, 2024 Offensive MVP, 2025 All-Region 2nd Team, 2025 Preseason All-State, 2025 All-State All-Star Game Player, and 2026 Soccer Down Here Creek Cup MVP. He also maintained Honor Roll status during the 2024-2025 school year.

AVARY GRESS – Georgia College and State University - Avary has been a cornerstone of Johns Creek Soccer for four years, earning a 3-year varsity letter and 2nd Team All-Region honors during her junior year. She was part of the team that reached the Final Four in 2024 and first-round state playoffs in 2025. Avary also volunteers with North Fulton United and maintains honor roll status.

KUBERT KENANOV – Georgia Military College - Kubert brings 12 years of soccer experience and an impressive tournament resume. His championship titles include the 2014 Las Vegas Mayor Cup, 2016 DLVSC Cup, 2018 Las Vegas Cup, 2019 Stars Cup, 2020 Challenge Cup CF, and 2021 Alliance Premier Cup. He was also part of JCHS's Final Four run in 2024-25.

BASKETBALL

THOMAS LANDECK – Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology - Thomas has been a leader on the court, serving as a 2x Team Captain and earning 2x All-Region honors with multiple tournament wins. Off the court, he's a 3x Scholar Athlete who has made Honor Roll every semester—a true student-athlete heading to one of the nation's premier engineering institutions.

TATUM HOLMES – University of North Georgia - Tatum leaves JCHS as one of the most accomplished basketball players in school history, scoring over 1,000 career points and holding the record for most steals in a season. He earned 2x All-Region honors and will continue his basketball career at UNG.

BEN UHDE – Hope College - Ben received 10 basketball offers before committing to Hope College. His achievements include making the All-Tournament Team at the Jackson County Christmas Tournament and earning 2nd Team All-Circuit honors with On the Radar Hoops, where he was also an MVP and Top Shooter finalist.

CHRISTIAN COOPER – Oglethorpe University - Christian earned All-Region honors during the 2023-2024 season and was named Johns Creek MVP for that same year. He will take his talents to Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.

ADDITIONAL SPORTS

GABRIELLA FAYS – Rollins College - Rowing - Gabriella served as Team Captain for the Atlanta Junior Rowing Association Women's Varsity Team and has competed at the highest levels of the sport. Her crew placed 13th out of 90 boats in the Women's Varsity 8+ at the Head of the Charles—the world's largest regatta—in 2025. She also helped set a program record with a 5th-place national finish in the Women's 2nd Varsity 8+ in 2025. Beyond rowing, Gabriella is a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient and one of the 7 Council Young Women of Distinction for 2026. She was also featured in the women's empowerment novel "Force of Nature" by Kate Parker.

ALAN ZHANG – Truett McConnell University - Golf - Alan has excelled on the golf course over his two years with JCHS, earning 1st place at the HJGT Eagles Landing tournament and becoming the GSGA Stone Mountain Regional Qualifier Champion. He also earned multiple top-3 finishes including 2nd at HJGT The Chimneys Junior Classic and 3rd at SJGT Hampton Cove Junior Classic.

LUKE VOLPE – College of Wooster - Baseball - Luke is a 3x Letterman in Baseball and 2x Letterman in Football. He earned the 2025 Gold Glove Award and was named 2nd Team All-Region Catcher. Luke was part of the 2025 Varsity Region Championship team and the 2023 North Fulton JV Region Championship team.

MATT MUIR – Sewanee: The University of the South - Football - Matt received 10 offers before committing to Sewanee. His accolades include 2x Scholar Athlete, Offensive MVP, Creek Athlete of the Month, Team Captain, and 2nd Team All-Region Left Tackle. Matt was selected as the JCHS Senior Spotlight for Fulton County and is a co-founder of SALT. He maintains Honor Roll status and received Academic Honors in Physical Education.