Featured Hawks: Larkin Best
Every Friday Chowan Athletics will spotlight select student-athletes and coaches in a series called Featured Hawks. This series highlights Hawks who exemplify excellence in the classroom, in competition, and within the Chowan community. Student-athletes were selected based on their academic achievement, athletic performance, leadership, character, and overall standing with the university. Coaches have the opportunity to share their coaching journey, discuss their programs, and provide insight about their vision for the future.
Fans will learn more about the individual experiences and stories of our student-athletes and coaches at Chowan as the spotlight series will continue by highlighting one individual throughout the school year each week.
August 21st, 2026
Larkin Best is a sophomore on the Chowan University women's soccer team and a junior academically. A native of Clinton, North Carolina, Best is majoring in Exercise Science and has quickly established herself as a dedicated student-athlete both on and off the field.
Best plays in the midfield for the Hawks and made an impact during her freshman season, appearing in 13 matches. As she enters her second year with the program, she looks to continue building her role on the team while bringing the energy, enthusiasm, and support that have become defining qualities of her personality. Best is known for being one of the team's most energetic, encouraging, and outgoing players, making her a positive presence both on and off the field.
Academically, Best has demonstrated exceptional dedication, maintaining a 4.00 GPA while entering Chowan already classified as a sophomore in the classroom. During the 2025-26 academic year, she was recognized at the Hawks' Athletic Banquet as a Top 50 honoree after ranking among the top 10 students in the sophomore class in GPA.
Best embodies what it means to be a well-rounded student-athlete. Her academic success, commitment to her team, and contagious personality make her a valuable member of the Chowan community. As she enters her second year with the Hawks, the sky is truly the limit for what she can accomplish.
Why did you choose Chowan University?
I chose Chowan because of the community. I come from a very small town, so going to a school in a small town that has a community that is very involved is something that I was looking for, just because that's something that I have been involved with my whole life. So, Chowan was the perfect place for me to be.
What has been your favorite memory as a Chowan student-athlete so far?
My favorite memory so far as an athlete here at Chowan, especially this past season, was beating UNC Pembroke, which is a team we hadn't beaten in a couple of years. We never lost to them this season. We tied them at Pembroke and then beat them at home, which was such a blessing and such a great time for our community and our team.
Who has had the greatest impact on your journey at Chowan, and why?
My coaches and my teammates have played a huge factor in who I am today and who I want to continue to grow into as a person. My coaches always push me and my teammates to stay involved and to always be there to help whenever they ask. They have taught us how to stay prepared in any situation, be organized, and stay on top of what we need to get done.
My teammates always push me, on and off the field, to be a better player and a better person. They push me to work harder to earn a spot on the field and to earn anything in school in general, because you have to work to get what you want. If you don't work, it's never going to fall into your feet. So, you have to work and push yourself to get to where you want to be.
