​The Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame will honor its 2026 class during a banquet on Saturday, July 18, at the city’s municipal complex located at 400 E. Central Ave. This year’s slate of inductees includes former standouts Brent Grice, Jared “Boo” Hogan, Erika Hullander, Gary Neely and Joe Pacheco, along with the 2002 East Gaston High School wrestling team. In addition, Tareyton “Zip” Stowe will receive the Community Service Award in recognition of his athletic accomplishments on the court—first as a standout player at East Gaston High with a subsequent stint at Western Carolina—and for his ongoing support of recreation departments in Mount Holly and nearby communities.
Doors will open at 5 p.m., with the banquet beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are priced at $25 and can be purchased at David’s Detailing, online at fametothename.org, or by contacting a Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame committee member.
Here is a closer look at this year’s inductees. Despite a small wrestling team, consisting of 11 athletes across 13 weight classes, the 2002 East Gaston Warriors captured the NCHSAA 3A state championship. East Gaston boasted three individual state champions in wrestling, with another athlete finishing as runner-up, and five Warrior wrestlers ranked among the state’s top 100 for career victories. A photo commemorates the 2002 East Gaston wrestling team, which earned the NCHSAA 3A team gold.
Brent Grice, a standout baseball and basketball player at East Gaston High, translated his on-field success into a college baseball scholarship at Belmont Abbey. While at Belmont Abbey, Grice was a four-year starter, serving as team captain three times and earning team MVP honors twice. He was also a distinguished tennis player in his youth. Grice’s accomplishments at East Gaston and Belmont Abbey illustrate his versatility and leadership on multiple athletic fronts.
Jared “Boo” Hogan, a 2003 East Gaston High graduate, left a lasting legacy in Mount Holly nearly 22 years after his passing. Hogan won NCHSAA 3A state wrestling championships in 2002 and 2003, finishing his career with 150 victories. He earned a scholarship to the University of North Carolina, but returned to the area to serve as an assistant wrestling coach at Stanley Middle School before a car accident ended his life at the age of 19. Since then, the East Gaston High School community has honored his memory with the Jared Hogan Memorial Scholarship.
Erika Hullander excelled as a four-sport athlete at East Gaston, competing in girls basketball, golf, tennis and soccer. She was a state-title contender in girls golf and tennis and ultimately played women’s soccer and women’s tennis at Belmont Abbey College, continuing to build on her multi-sport legacy.
Gary Neely, a standout at Mount Holly’s old high school, contributed across multiple sports during his varsity career, earning recognition for his athletic versatility and leadership.
Joe Pacheco’s athletic achievements and contributions helped shape Mount Holly’s sports culture, with his performances leaving a lasting impact on the community and its young athletes.
The 2026 Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame ceremony will celebrate these remarkable individuals and the 2002 East Gaston wrestling team for their enduring influence on local athletics and their roles in shaping the spirit of Mount Holly sports.