Carmi-White County seniors Merick Millhorn and Caroline Simmons have been voted the 2026 WRUL Sports Male and Female Athletes of the Year.
Both Millhorn and Simmons have spent their high school careers doing just about everything asked of them, serving as leaders, competitors, and role models while representing Carmi-White County across multiple sports. Their dedication, consistency, and success throughout the 2025-2026 school year made them stand out among a talented senior class.
Senior Merick Millhorn was one of the bright spots during a difficult basketball season for the Bulldogs. Millhorn started all 26 games during his senior campaign, averaging 8.9 points per game while providing leadership and energy night in and night out. Even through a season that saw the Bulldogs battle through adversity and finish with just two wins, Millhorn remained a steady presence on and off the court.
Once baseball season rolled around, Millhorn quickly reminded everyone why he has been considered one of the top all-around players in southern Illinois. Heading into the final stretch of the regular season, Millhorn leads the Bulldogs in nearly every major offensive category. He currently owns a .394 batting average along with a .985 OPS, .545 slugging percentage, 26 hits, one home run, 14 RBI, 13 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases.
His impact goes far beyond the stat sheet. Millhorn’s competitiveness and leadership have helped keep the Bulldogs focused as they prepare for the postseason with hopes of making a late-season run.
After graduation, Millhorn will continue his baseball career at Olney Central College, where he plans to study Health Sciences.
On the girls side, senior Caroline Simmons is putting the finishing touches on one of the greatest female athletic careers in Carmi-White County history.
A four-year starter in volleyball, basketball, and softball, Simmons has played a major role in some of the most successful seasons the Lady Bulldogs have ever had. No matter the sport or moment, Simmons has consistently been one of the top athletes on the floor or field.
In volleyball, Simmons helped lead the Lady Bulldogs to three straight Regional and Sectional Championships, highlighted by a 4th Place finish at the IHSA State Finals in 2023. Throughout her career, Simmons established herself as not only one of the best volleyball players to play at CWCHS, but one of the best in the state of Illinois. Simmons finished with over 1,664 kills, which is 9th in IHSA History.
Her success continued onto the basketball court, where she became a 1,000-point scorer and helped lead the Lady Bulldogs to back-to-back Black Diamond Conference Championships in 2024 and 2025. Simmons was known not only for her scoring ability, but also for her toughness, leadership, and ability to take over games when her team needed her most.
Now during softball season, Simmons continues to shine. She currently holds a .391 batting average with 27 hits, one home run, 16 RBI, and six stolen bases as the Lady Bulldogs push toward the postseason.
Simmons will continue her volleyball career at Tennessee Tech University, where she plans to study Exercise Science.
Both Millhorn and Simmons have left their mark on Carmi-White County athletics in different ways, but they share many of the same qualities. Hard work, dedication, leadership, and pride in wearing the maroon and white.
They have been outstanding representatives of CWCHS both on and off the field, and their impact on the Bulldog community will not soon be forgotten.
Congratulations to Merick Millhorn and Caroline Simmons, your 2026 WRUL Sports Male and Female Athletes of the Year!