Hillgrove’s Lauren Render and Mount Paran Christian’s Kara Dunn are multi-sport athletes who led their teams to deep playoff runs and state championships.
Both players shined throughout their season as they were key pieces of the championship teams and they have been named the Cobb County Girls Co-Athletes of the Year.
“This award means a lot because I play three sports and I work hard for all three. This award is pretty cool and I’m excited,” Render said.
In the fall, Render led the Lady Hawks to a 17-1 record and its first girls flag football championship. She had three interceptions and scored two touchdowns in the 20-6 victory over Marrietta in the Class AAAAAAA state championship game
“She was our north star,” former Hillgrove flag football coach Daniel Pinckney said. “She set the tone and was an intimidator on the field. Everyone just kind of knew her as a lacrosse player, but then she got on the flag football field and really lit it up.”
In the winter, Render earned all-state honors and played for the Lady Hawks basketball team, which went 18-10 and advanced to the sweet 16 of the state playoffs.
Finally, in the spring, Render was all-state and led the lacrosse team to a 18-2 record, spearheading the way with 81 goals. The Lady Hawks advanced to an elite eight appearance in the Class AAAAAAA state playoffs, the furthest in program history.
Lacrosse is considered her best sport as she will continue her career at Virginia Tech.
“There’s nobody that’s more deserving of this award than Lauren Render, ‘’ Hillgrove lacrosse coach Keon Humphires said. “She is the ultimate talent, for her to get this award is the biggest honor for someone so deserving.”
Dunn, a Georgia Tech basketball signee, averaged 22 points, eight rebounds and two assists in the 2021 season, while also averaging 2.8 steals and 2.2 blocks per game.
“I am very grateful because this was one of the hardest years for me just to make sure that I did everything I needed for my team,” Dunn said. “And we had a goal and I only had one more year to do it. So that means a lot.”
In the playoffs, Dunn scored 30 points to lead the Lady Eagles to a 54-49 win against Hebron Christian Academy in the Class A-Private state championship.
“Kara came into a program that had previously only won three games,” Mount Paran Chistian coach Stephanie Dunn said. “It really amplifies the winning spirit, dedication and the loyalty that it took to bring Mount Paran from that status, to a state championship program.”
Dunn also led the Lady Eagles volleyball team to a 36-7 record and its second state championship in four years after defeating Athens Academy in the title match.
“The final four in both sports was the hardest game and the most intense,” Dunn said. “We really had to push through and persevere and a lot of people thought we would lose both of them, but we didn’t. It was the most bonding with my team in those games for both sports.”
Dunn recorded 107 total blocks and 342 kills during the season, while leading the team with 3.1 kills per set on a 38.8 hitting percentage.
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