SouthLake Christian Alumni

Come Home to SouthLake, See It Through a Parent’s Eyes. We invite you to come for a personalized campus tour designed especially for our alumni. Walk the halls, visit new facilities, and see all that has grown. Explore SouthLake as a prospective parent. We can’t wait to welcome you back.

Two of our 2023 graduates discovered they were both presenting at the same seminar hosted by Wofford College. Hayden Ledford's research on acorn production and weevil infestation revealed that environmental cues and predator dynamics shape oak masking patterns. Ansley Robert's study demonstrated how sleep loss affects children's cognitive, emotional, and physical health. We are so proud of our alumni.

GUESS WHAT?! 🎊 Thursdays just got a whole lot better!
Welcome to Throwback & Community Connections Thursday—your weekly dose of:
🔙 Alumni who are changing the world
🤝 Community heroes supporting our students
🌟 Student organizations making a difference
📚 Stories that connect our past to our present
First feature drops TODAY! Who should we spotlight first? Let us know! ⬇️

During his time at SouthLake Christian Academy, Kyle, a 2007 Valedictorian, was a 4-year basketball starter for the Eagles and once held the all-time SouthLake men's scoring record of 1300+ career points. He was the first male SLCA basketball player to play collegiately, playing basketball on a full academic scholarship at Kenyon College. Kyle was a point guard who had a stellar junior season, averaging 17 points, over 5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game against a very challenging schedule. Kyle is the son of the longtime SLCA teacher assistant Tammy Davis and longtime basketball staff member Rich Davis.

Following his time at SouthLake in 2007, Kyle continued his athletic career at Kenyon College, where he played basketball for the Lords from 2007 to 2011. While at Kenyon College, Kyle earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. This foundation launched a successful career as an actuary, culminating in his current leadership role as Head of Product at M Financial Group.
Kyle's journey also brought him to Greensboro, where he met his wife of 7 years, Meredith, a relationship that famously began when he recruited her for his adult kickball team.
Reflecting on his years at SouthLake, Kyle appreciates that SLCA provided him with more than just athletic opportunities; he deeply values the academic rigor and the significant level of preparedness it afforded him for his post-SouthLake life.

Daniel Stallsmith, SouthLake Christian Class of 2008, is a SouthLake Hall of Fame inductee recognized for his excellence as a multi-sport athlete and collegiate baseball player. He was a standout pitcher and hitter in high school, earning two all-state baseball selections and all-state quarterback honors. Daniel also excelled academically as a National Merit Scholar.

At Furman University, Daniel was a key left-handed pitcher, earning SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week and three-time Academic Honor Roll honors. After graduation, he built a career in technology and nonprofit leadership. He and his wife Ceci live in Menlo Park, California, with their four children, staying active in their community and embodying strong leadership and service.

Sam Remick, a SouthLake Christian Academy Hall of Fame inductee, excelled as a multi-sport athlete in football, baseball, and wrestling. He was a five-year varsity catcher, helping secure SouthLake’s first baseball State Championship in 2011, earning multiple All-Conference and All-State honors. In football, Sam was a four-year starter and two-time All-State selection, excelling on offense and defense, and he won a state wrestling championship as a senior.

Sam continued his baseball career at Lenoir Community College and Charleston Southern University, where he was a key catcher and earned Second Team All-Big South honors. Known for his leadership and consistency, Sam transitioned to a career in construction management. He lives in Davidson, NC with his wife and son, embodying strong family values both on and off the field.

Rachel Noreika is a seasoned volleyball coach and educator originally from Ortonville, Michigan. A multi-sport athlete throughout her youth, Rachel went on to compete at the NCAA Division I level, playing collegiate volleyball at Liberty University. Following her collegiate career, she played professionally overseas before returning to the United States to begin her coaching journey.

Rachel has held coaching positions at several Division I programs, including Samford University and Winthrop University. While coaching at Winthrop and residing in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she met her husband, Matt. The couple has called the Charlotte area home since 2006.

From 2006 to 2011, Rachel taught high school English Literature and served as the varsity volleyball coach at SouthLake Christian. Under her leadership, the team captured the school?s first-ever NCISAA State Championship in 2010 and returned to the championship match in 2011.

Today, Rachel continues to pursue her passion for coaching and mentoring young athletes through Charlotte Beach Academy, where she helps indoor and beach volleyball players develop their skills and confidence. She lives in Cornelius, North Carolina, with Matt and their two daughters, Hazel and Lola.

Bethany Spano is a decorated multi-sport athlete from SouthLake Christian Academy, known for her standout soccer and cross country achievements. She earned All-State and All-Conference honors in soccer, leading her team in scoring and being named MVP. As an eighth grader, she made history by winning the NCISAA 1A/2A state cross country championship with a time of 19:54, setting a new state standard.

Bethany continued her soccer career at UNC Asheville, overcoming a freshman-year injury to become a key contributor over the next three seasons, scoring goals and earning significant playing time. Her versatility and competitive drive have inspired many at SouthLake and beyond.

After college, Bethany pursued coaching soccer in North Carolina. She now teaches 6th grade literacy and coaches for DSC following her family's move to North Dakota.

Brianne Mack, a distinguished alumnus of SouthLake Christian Academy, was named to the NCISAA 1A All-State Team. A dominant force on the court, she earned All-Conference honors in the Metrolina Athletics Conference and was named to the NCISAA 2A All-State Team during the 2010–11 season. That same year, she was recognized as the Carolina Weekly Newspaper Group’s Lake Norman-Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

Throughout her career, Brianne compiled more than 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, averaging 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks per game. Her standout seasons included 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks per game as a junior, and 17 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks per game as a senior.

Brianne went on to play all four years of Division I college basketball at Western Carolina University, where she graduated with double majors in Spanish Language and Literature and Communications. During her time there, she was an active leader in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., serving as Community Service Chair for two years, and a dedicated member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for four years. She was also recognized as a Trailblazer for her leadership efforts on the 2015 North Carolina Bond Referendum campaign.

Following graduation, Brianne began her career in athletics as a college basketball coach at Salem College before transitioning into the technology sector. Since 2022, she has built a career in Software Quality, Process Improvement, and Data Analytics.

Her greatest accomplishment, however, is being a proud mother to her two sons, Major (6) and Mahkai (5). She credits her family—including her mother, Gloria Mack; her parents, Tia and Terry Batts; and her sisters, Tera Batts Brown and Tianna Batts—with shaping her journey. Brianne continues to give back to her community, stay active in basketball spaces, grow in her faith, and share her love of sports with others.

Micah Handlogten's #2 Raised to the Rafters!

SouthLake Christian Academy is proud to announce the retirement of the jersey of alumnus Micah Handlogten, one of the most accomplished athletes in school history and a 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Champion.

During his time at SouthLake Christian, Handlogten distinguished himself as a rare multi-sport standout, lettering in basketball, lacrosse, and soccer. On the basketball court, he averaged 17 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks per game as a senior, earning two-time All-Conference and All-State honors while cementing his reputation as one of North Carolina’s premier players. In lacrosse, Handlogten played all four years and earned All-State recognition his senior season, recording 28 takeaways and 97 ground balls while ranking among the top athletes both in-state and nationally.

After graduating from SouthLake Christian, Handlogten launched his collegiate basketball career at Marshall University, where he averaged 9.8 rebounds per game as a freshman and was named Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year. He later transferred to the University of Florida, where his relentless play on the boards placed him among the school’s all-time leaders in offensive rebounds. His sophomore season was cut short by a fractured leg sustained in the SEC Tournament, but his determination quickly became the defining trait of his career.

In 2025, Handlogten made a celebrated return from injury, foregoing a medical redshirt to contribute meaningful minutes during Florida’s national title run. His performances in the SEC semifinal, the Elite Eight, and the National Championship game were vital in helping the Gators capture their first NCAA title in 18 years.

The jersey retirement ceremony will be held on October 3, as the SouthLake community gathers to celebrate Micah Handlogten’s impact, legacy, and example for future generations of Eagles.

Our first Hall of Fame inductee we are excited to showcase is Karissa Flores (Santiago), Class of 2007:

A three-time All-State selection and a three-time All-Conference honoree, Karissa was the cornerstone of the Varsity Girls Basketball team at SouthLake. Leading them to an unprecedented five consecutive state championships in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. In her junior year, she became the first basketball player in school history—male or female—to reach the 1,000-point milestone. A historic achievement that still resonates throughout the program.

Following high school, Karissa earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She went on to build a successful career in sports marketing, managing sponsorships for major organizations including the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and NASCAR.

During her time in motorsports, she met her husband, Ryan Flores, a front tire changer for Team Penske. They have been married for almost 10 years and reside in Huntersville. They are also proud parents to their two children, Harper (8) and Crew (5).

Karissa is honored to be inducted into SouthLake’s Athletic Hall of Fame and is deeply grateful to her coaches, teammates, family, and community for their unwavering support throughout her journey.