High Country Sports

Author: David

  • Pioneers topple Freedom, 72-52

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Torrid, second half scoring by two Pioneers broke open a critical Northwestern Conference women’s basketball game on Feb. 13, propelling Watauga to a decisive, 72-52 win over visiting Freedom at Lentz Eggers Gym.

    At halftime, Watauga held a tenuous, 25-23 lead over the Patriots, thanks largely to a big first quarter by point guard Kate Sears and forward Laney Shook. While Freedom trailed 16-6 after the first quarter ended, the Patriots battled back, outscoring the Pioneers 17-9 in the second frame to pull within just two points at intermission. Freedom’s Peyton Caldwell accounted for 10 of the visitors’ 17 points in the second period rally.

    Watauga’s Laney Shook (23) scored 12 points on Feb. 13 vs. Freedom, but they were not always easy. Photographic image by Flaco Rafael

    Watauga gained a degree of separation in the third quarter, with Sears putting the Pioneers on her back, scoring every which way both inside and outside. Three made shots from outside the arc along with 5-for-5 shooting from the free throw line and a short jumper for good measure added up to 16 Q3 points of Sears’ game-high 33 points on the night.

    Kate Sears had a big third quarter, Julie matheson in the fourth.

    While the Pioneers didn’t exactly stop Freedom’s Caldwell, Watauga’s pressing, defensive scheme limited most of the other Patriots. Freshman forward Cheryllana Cunningham added five points to Caldwell’s seven points in the third frame to help Freedom stay within striking distance, Watauga holding a 46-39 lead as the two longtime NWC rivals readied for the decisive fourth quarter.

    Just as Sears had the hot hand in the third quarter for the Pioneers, junior guard Julie Matheson scorched the rim for four 3-pointers in the final stanza, accounting for 12 of her 14 points on the night. When combined with five more points from Sears and four more from Shook on the offensive end during period, the Patriots saw their deficit widening by game’s end.

    Watauga point guard Kate Sears rises to the occasion to score two of her game-high 33 points vs. Freedom on Feb. 13. Photographic image by Flaco Rafael

    Watauga head coach Bill Torgerson told High Country Sports after the game that his charges had worked hard in preparing for Freedom.

    “We knew we were in for a battle,” Torgerson said. “We squeaked out a win about a month ago at their place, in overtime. The Freedom coaching staff always has their kids prepared and they always have some surprises for us that we have never seen.”

    Torgerson added, “A big difference in the second half was that big third quarter Kate had scoring. She really helped us stretch the lead out a bit. Then Julie Matheson caught fire in the fourth quarter in hitting four 3-pointers. It reminds me of the Hibriten game when they were really coming after Kate and Julie knocked down a couple of big shots. She did it again tonight.”

    Charlotte Torgerson
    Freedom did not go quietly into the night on Feb. 13. Here, Watauga guard Charlotte Torgerson finds getting to the basket a challenge. Photographic image by Flaco Rafael

    Strategically, Torgerson was quick to point out the impact of broad scoring up and down his roster.

    “Laney Shook played a really steady game. Her 12 points gave us another player in double figures and that makes defenses have to think about more than just stopping Kate.”

    With the win, Watauga is 19-4 overall on the season, 8-1 in conference play and No. 1 in Northwestern Conference standings — but not by much. Ashe County is just behind at 7-2 and Watauga ends their regular season campaign at the Huskies home court in West Jefferson on Friday, Feb. 16.

    “Tonight’s win sets up a big game on Friday, against Ashe County,” said Torgerson. “They are a talented and skilled team. They have rebounding, athleticism, and really good team speed. After the game tonight, we talked about having to come in at tomorrow’s practice with energy and focus up. We have a couple of days practice coming up to prepare.”

    SCORING SUMMARY

    • WAT – Kate Sears (33 points)
    • FDM – Peyton Caldwell (29)
    • WAT – Julie Matheson (14)
    • WAT – Laney Shook (12)
    • FDM – Ava Whitaker (7)
    • FDM – Sydnie Demiter (7)
    • WAT – Charlotte Torgerson (6)
    • FDM – Cheryllana Cunningham (5)
    • WAT – Kaitlyn Darner (4)
    • FDM – Ava Cooke (4)
    • WAT – Diane McGlamery (1)

    NWC Standings

    1. Watauga (8-1 in conference)
    2. Ashe County (7-2)
    3. Hibriten (5-4)
    4. Alexander Central (4-5)
    5. Freedom (3-6)
    6. South Caldwell (0-9)

     

  • Broad scoring lifts Watauga MBB past Freedom, 83-66

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — A speedy Freedom team may have led (23-20) at the end of the first quarter on Feb. 13 in Lentz-Eggers Gym, but once host Watauga gained the lead in the second period the Pioneers never looked back in the convincing, 83-66 win over the Patriots.

    Four Watauga starters posted double figures in scoring, led by Josiah Railey’s 21 points that included 4-for-4 shooting from the charity stripe. Point guard Cade Keller and forward Wyatt Kohout each contributed 17 points, while Jackson Pryor shook off early foul trouble that cost him court time to add 13 points on the night.

    Watauga’s Josiah Railey scored a team-high 21 points on Feb. vs. Freedom. Photographic image by Flaco Rafael

    Kohout tallied three 3-pointers in the second half, each one a dagger in the hearts of the Patriots’ thoughts of a comeback. Keller and Railey were consistent throughout the contest.

    Freedom’s Kobe Johnson poured in a game high 23 points thanks to a big first half when he tallied 17 points. The Pioneers’ defensive adjustments held Johnson to just six points in the second half.

    With the win, Watauga (8-1 in conference, 18-5 overall) remained No. 1 in the Northwestern Conference standings, a mere half game ahead of second place South Caldwell (7-1, 16-6). The Pioneers look to claim sole possession of the regular season title on Friday, Feb. 16, when the travel to West Jefferson to face Ashe County (3-5, 8-14). In the season’s earlier game, on Jan. 26, the Pioneers dismantled the Huskies, 78-38, but this regional rivalry has produced upsets in the past.

    SCORING SUMMARY

    • FDM – Kobe Johnson (23 points)
    • WAT – Josiah Railey (21)
    • WAT – Cade Keller (17)
    • WAT – Wyatt Kohout (17)
    • WAT – Jackson Pryor (13)
    • FDM – Elijah Davidson (13)
    • FDM – King Johnson (12)
    • WAT – Maddox Greene (9)
    • FDM – Gavin McNaughton (8)
    • WAT – Jackson Love (6)
    • FDM – Braxton King (6)
    • FDM – Amare Williams (3)
    • FDM – Max Taylor (1)

     

  • App State softball falls twice to Miami (OH)

    By Jacob Plecker. ELON, N.C. — On day two of the Elon Softball Classic, the App State Mountaineers dropped a pair of contests with the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks at Hunt Softball Park.

    The Mountaineers (0-3) started the day strong, scoring the first two runs in the fourth inning of game one and taking their first lead of the season. Taylor Thorp started the inning with a double and three straight hits from Killian Roberts, Olivia Cook and Sidney Martin brought home a pair of runs. Cook’s fourth-inning knock marked her first hit in a Mountaineer uniform.

    Game 1 saw Sejal Neas make her first start of the season for the Mountaineers, going six strong. Neas pitched well, shutting out the RedHawks through the first four innings while striking out three. But a grand slam off the bat of Sami Bewick capped off a five-run inning to give the RedHawks the lead for good.

    App State tallied seven hits against Miami (4-0) starting pitcher Addy Jarvis and did well to battle against the good pitcher. Jarvis struck out five in the game.

    The Mountaineer offense struggled in Game 2, tallying just three hits and one run. Saturday’s nightcap against the RedHawks was highlighted by Peyton Darnell’s third-inning solo shot to left field, marking her second home run in as many days. The graduate transfer was the lone Mountaineer to post a multi-hit outing in game two.

    Alannah Hopkins started game two for App State, marking her first start of the season. The RedHawks scored 10 runs in the first two innings to take control early and never looked back.

    How it Happened

    Game 1: Miami (Ohio) 5, App State 2

    Neas’ night started strong in the first game as she struck out the first hitter she saw. Neas walked a hitter in the inning, but she was able to keep them stranded.

    Killian Roberts slapped App State’s first hit of the doubleheader and marked the first baserunner for the Mountaineers. Roberts got as far as second base in the inning but a Macy Hamby flyout ended the threat.

    The RedHawks found some offensive action in the third as Reagan Bartholomew and Chloe Parks each reached via singles. But Neas settled back in, retiring the next two hitters to end the inning. Neas’ two strikeouts were key in eliminating the RedHawk threats in the first two innings.

    After Neas retired the RedHawks in order in the third, App State found its offense in their half of the fourth, tallying four hits and scoring two runs. The inning started with Thorp, who bashed a ball down the left-field line as she cruised into second for a double. Hits by Cook and Roberts helped bring in App State’s first run and a fourth hit from Martin drove in a second. Each run scored in the inning was scored with nobody out.

    Martin stole second base to put another runner in scoring position, but Jarvis settled back in and retired the next three hitters to end the frame. Despite that, the Mountaineers led 2-0 after four.

    Now with a lead, Neas continued her great start, recording two quick outs in the bottom of the fourth. The RedHawks got two runners on courtesy of a walk and a single, but the Mountaineer starter struck out Shelby Kunkel to strand two more.

    Miami’s offense clicked in the fifth inning as it scored all five of its runs in the frame. The first Miami run came courtesy of Jenna Golembiewski who hit an RBI double into left to trim the deficit to one. After a walk to Karli Spaid, Sami Bewick brought home four runs with a grand slam to take a 5-2 lead. Neas did well to leave the deficit at three as she retired the next three batters in order, picking up another strikeout of Chloe Parks to end the inning.

    Neas ended up finishing what she started, but the App State offense couldn’t crack Jarvis to end the game as it fell 5-2.

    Game 1 Notes
    Home runs
    App: none
    Miami: Bewick (2)

    WP – Addy Jarvis (2-0): 7 IP, 7 hits, 2 runs, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts
    SV – N/A
    LP – Sejal Neas (0-1): 6 IP, 7 hits, 5 runs, 3 walks, 6 strikeouts

    Game 2: Miami (Ohio) 12, App State 1

    Despite a solo shot to left field by Peyton Darnell, the Mountaineers fell in game two 12-1. The RedHawks scored 10 runs in the first two innings to take a commanding lead. Darnell tallied two of App State’s three hits in the game, but the rest of the offense couldn’t follow suit in the loss.

    Golembiewski started game two off with a bang as she hit a two-run home run down the left-field line. The RedHawks scored twice more to extend their lead to four by the end of the frame.

    The Mountaineers answered with two hits in the bottom of the first courtesy of Martin and Darnell, but a fielder’s choice and a ground out ended the threat.

    Miami scored six more times in the top of the second, using six hits to get there.

    The RedHawks scattered two more runs in the third, but in the bottom of the inning, the Mountaineers answered with a two-out solo homer from Darnell. Darnell’s homer marks her 34th career long-ball and second in as many days.

    After the run by the Mountaineers, Ashley Hitchcock, Miami’s starter, settled back down and closed the game out, recording the win.

    Game 2 Notes

    Home runs
    App: Darnell (2)
    Miami: Golembiewski (3), Kunkel (1), Spaid (2)

    WP – Ashley Hitchcock (2-0): 3 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 1 strikeout
    SV – N/A
    LP – Alannah Hopkins (0-1): 0.1 IP, 2 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, 0 strikeouts

    Up Next
    The Mountaineers conclude play at the Elon Softball Classic on Sunday, squaring off with the host Elon. First pitch from Hunt Softball Park is set for 2:30 p.m. and can be streamed on FloSoftball.

  • Carver, Alston lead App State’s taming of Broncos, 78-68

    By Katherine Jamtgaard. KALAMAZOO, Mich. The App State women’s basketball team defeated Western Michigan, 78-68, in the second installment of the MAC-SBC Challenge on Saturday. The Mountaineers have gone 2-0 in the 2023-24 MAC-SBC Challenge, having downed Ohio on Nov. 11. With the conclusion of the Feb. 10 game, the Mountaineers (13-11 (6-6 SBC)), have won three consecutive games in the month of February.

    App State controlled the lead for the duration of the game.

    Four Mountaineers scored in double figures, led by junior Emily Carver, who netted 16 points. Senior Faith Alston netted 15 points and led the team with four assists. Carver and fellow junior Zada Porter combined for six of the Mountaineers’ 12 treys on the night. Porter matched her season high of 14 points, which she last reached against Furman on Nov. 23. Sophomore Chaé Harris netted 10 points, shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the field, which included 2-of-2 from the arc. Fellow sophomore Rylan Moffitt led the team with six rebounds, marking her 15th game as the Black and Gold’s top rebounder. She also shot 4-of-6 from the field for eight points on the night.

    App State controlled the lead for the duration of the game and shot 47.3% from the field, 42.9% from the arc, and 77.8% from the line. The Mountaineers held Western Michigan to three treys, five second chance points, seven offensive rebounds, and nine fast break points.

    Porter netted 11 of her 14 points in the pivotal third quarter.

    App State held Western Michigan to a mere eight points, while establishing an early lead in the first quarter. Alston and Harris combined for 12 of the Mountaineers’ 19 points, both shooting 100% from the field. Western Michigan worked to catch up with the Mountaineers, despite being turned over by the Mountaineers nine times. Carver netted five points in the period, including her first trey of the game, to contribute to the Mountaineers’ 32-23 lead at the half.

    Porter came out strong in the third quarter, netting 11 of her 14 points and shooting 3-of-4 from the field, 2-of-3 from the arc, and a perfect 3-of-3 from the line. Carver contributed another five points, drilling a 3-point bucket and pair of freebies. Western Michigan chipped away at the Black and Gold’s lead over the course of the period, narrowing it down to a mere two points, but the Mountaineers were quick to extend the deficit after a pair of Porter treys and a pair of Carver freebies. App State closed the quarter with a 60-48 lead.

    In the fourth quarter, Alston and fifth-year senior Taylor Lewis combined for 10 of the Mountaineers’ 18 points, while Carver and Porter combined for six. The Mountaineers caused eight Western Michigan turnovers, and never turned the ball over in the period. App State steadily maintained the lead through the period to record a 78-68 victory.

    UP NEXT
    The Mountaineers will return to Boone for a four-game homestead, tipping things off with a 12 p.m. Education Day game against Marshall on Feb. 15. Admission will be free for fans. The Mountaineers will then host Georgia State at 2 p.m. on Feb. 17 for their Play4Kay Pink Day game. App State women’s basketball alumni are encouraged to join the Mountaineers for Alumni Day festivities on Feb. 17 as well.

    App State will host Old Dominion on Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. and James Madison on Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

  • Watauga rebounds to 77-55 win over Hibriten

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Double- and triple-teaming Watauga’s Kate Sears proved an exercise in futility for the visiting Hibriten women’s basketball team on Feb. 9. Sears defied the blanket coverage and still poured in a game-high 27 points in the 77-55 “Senior Night” win.

    And yet, the real difference in this game could just as easily been the performances of the Pioneers left open because of the Panthers’ defensive focus on Sears.

    Much of the Pioneers’ damage was from behind the 3-point arc. As a team, Watauga recorded 11 three-pointers (33 points) and only two of them by Sears.

    Sears’ backcourt buddy, Charlotte Torgerson, benefited the most with the attention given Sears. The senior guard tallied 19 points on the night, including five from beyond the arc (15 points). Others stepping up included Julie Matheson (7 points, 2 treys), Blair Haines (7 points, 2 treys) and Laney Shook (6 points, 1 trey).

    Kaitlyn Darner (6 points) didn’t score any 3-pointers but picked up a trio of layups, often cleaning up errant shots underneath.

    Coming off a loss to Alexander Central, the Northwestern Conference’s first place Pioneers needed to get back on track. But, said head coach Bill Torgerson, Hibriten was also trying to record a win after suffering recent losses so could be equally “hungry.”

    “Hibriten is a dangerous team,” said Torgerson. “They are really talented and are coming off a couple of losses. We faced the same situation at Alexander Central and we got pushed around a little bit and they seemed more hungry than us. Now that we were coming off a loss, I thought we brought an extra competitive edge that showed in the win.”

    As many in the packed Lentz Eggers Gym felt, Torgerson marveled at Sears’ tenacity.

    “Kate Sears really took over in that third quarter,” Torgerson observed. “They pretty much had three players on her and she just drove right through the defense and scored anyway. The third (quarter) was a 10-point quarter for her.”

    What his other varsity players contributed was not lost on Torgerson, now in his first year as the Pioneers’ head coach.

    “We had a bunch of players step up in different moments,” said Torgerson. “When Hibriten was trapping Kate, Julie Matheson hit back-to-back threes and Charlotte Torgerson had five (3-pointers) in the game. So, when those kids step up and hit big shots, it makes opponents have to think harder about doubling Kate.

    With the Pioneers now 18-4 overall and 7-1 in Northwestern Conference play, Torgerson was mindful of each remaining game’s importance.

    “It was a huge win as far as the goal of winning the conference goes. We had a one-game lead and with Ashe winning tonight, the win tonight allows us to hold on to the lead. Winning the regular season conference title is also important to seeding when it comes to the state playoffs,” noted Torgerson.

    Torgerson saved his highest praise for the four seniors on the team.

     

    Watauga has two remaining conference games for the 2023-24 season, on Feb. 13 vs. Freedom and on Feb. 16, at archrival Ashe County.

    “I just really admire the character of these four seniors,” said Torgerson. “They are hard workers, really coachable, and set the tone with their enthusiastic attitudes every time we come together as a group. When you get to coach a team with seniors like this, it makes your job a lot easier. They’ve set a great example for our underclassmen and I am so thankful and appreciative for all they have poured into the program. All four of them are an inspiration to me.”

    SCORING SUMMARY

    • WAT – Kate Sears, 27
    • WAT – Charlotte Torgerson, 19
    • HIB – Parker Boggs, 14
    • HIB – Emma Poarch, 12
    • HIB – Aamori Patterson, 12
    • HIB – Jada Browm, 9
    • WAT – Julie Matheson, 7
    • WAT – Blair Haines, 7
    • WAT – Laney Shook, 6
    • WAT – Kaitlyn Darner, 6
    • WAT – Gracie Lawrence, 4
    • HIB – Karlee Starnes, 3
    • HIB – Addy Healy, 3

     

     

  • Studney matches school pole vault record at VMI Winter Classic

    By Katherine Jamtgaard. LEXINGTON, Va. – The App State women’s track and field team’s first day of competition at the VMI Winter Classic was highlighted by a matched school record and eight top-five finishes. Six Mountaineers also advanced to Saturday’s women’s 60 meter and 60-meter hurdle finals.

    Action resumes on Saturday with field events starting at 9 a.m. and track events at 10 a.m.

    The Mountaineers went 1-2-3-4 in the women’s pole vault, led by sophomore Ava Studney, who matched the App State school record of 4.06m (13′ 3.75″). The record was set in 2004 by Suzanne Makinson. Graduate students Celia Agee and Noelle Meeker took second (3.60m (11′ 9.75″)) and third (3.45m (11′ 3.75″)). Sophomore Caroline Fowlkes placed fourth with a clearance of 3.30m (10′ 10″).

    In the women’s 300 meters, freshman Nicole Wells stopped the clock at 39.05 for a personal best and first-place finish. Sophomore Daye Talley secured second with a personal best of 39.55. Wells’ time puts her second in the App State all-time list, while Talley’s time moves her to fifth.

    Junior Catherine Breault set pace for the pack in the women’s 5,000 meters, clocking a personal best of 18:08.41 to place first overall. Fellow junior Abby Granberg also clocked a personal best of 18:35.82 to finish third.

    Junior Daiyanna Cooper posted a season best in the women’s weight throw, recording a toss of 16.85m (55′ 3.5″) to place second overall. In the women’s long jump, freshman Gabrielle David placed eighth overall with a personal best leap of 5.54m (18′ 2.25″).

    Advancements
    Graduate student Alexia Moehling secured a spot in the women’s 60-meter hurdle final after clinching first with a time of 8.82 in the prelims. The women’s 60-meter hurdle final is slated for 11:10 a.m. on Saturday.

    Five Mountaineers advanced to Saturday’s women’s 60-meter final. Freshman Jayla Adams led the Mountaineers, finishing second with a time of 7.60. Senior Taylor Smith, Wells, and freshman Kendall Johnson followed close behind, finishing third (7.62), fourth (7.64), and fifth (7.66), respectively. Talley rounded out the qualifiers with a time of 7.75 to place eighth. The women’s 60-meter final is slated for 11:20 a.m. on Saturday.

  • Mark Speir returns to App State Football

    By Bret Strelow. BOONE, N.C. — Mark Speir is returning to Boone for his third stint on App State’s football staff, as he will serve as senior assistant to head coach Shawn Clark, who made the announcement Friday, Feb. 9.

    Speir spent nine seasons as a title-winning assistant at App State from 2003-11 before becoming an FCS head coach, and he served as a senior analyst under Clark at App State in 2021. Over the last two seasons, Speir was Scott Satterfield’s chief of staff at Louisville (2022) and Cincinnati (2023).

    “We are excited to welcome Mark back to Boone,” Clark said. “He and his family are true Mountaineers. Mark’s experience as a Division I head coach and his familiarity with our program and culture will make his presence a tremendous asset to App State Football.”

    As a member of Jerry Moore’s staff at App State late in the program’s FCS era, Speir helped the Mountaineers win three straight national championships and six conference titles in nine seasons. That success led to him being hired as the head coach at Western Carolina, where he was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson National FCS Coach of the Year award during his 10 years with the Catamounts.

    “I am beyond humbled and blessed to be back home in Boone,” Speir said. “App State has been such a special place for my family. I am grateful to Coach Clark for the opportunity to be back as part of App Nation!”

    A Kannapolis, N.C., native, Speir has spent three decades in coaching. He and his wife, Paige, have maintained close ties to App State, where their son Zeb was a quarterback under Satterfield from 2015-18 and their youngest son, Jackson, is currently a student. Zeb is the tight ends coach at Chattanooga.

    In addition to serving as App State’s recruiting coordinator from 2004-11, Speir coached running backs (2003-04), defensive linemen (2005-08), defensive ends (2009-10) and inside linebackers (2011) in Boone. In 2009, he was named the national FCS Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association.

    App State posted a combined record of 92-28 during Speir’s nine seasons as an assistant, and he was the position coach for six All-Americans: DL Jason Hunter, DL Marques Murrell, DL Gary Tharrington, DL Anthony “Whopper” Williams, DL Jabari Fletcher and LB Jeremy Kimbrough.

    Speir also coached as an assistant at Western Carolina, Presbyterian and Elon.

    Off the field, Speir has made an incredible impact through his involvement in many charitable causes, including raising more than $100,000 to rebuild the Memorial Christian Hospital in Bangladesh. Part of the fundraising came through his participation in the 2008 Music City Marathon in Nashville, the 2009 Boston Marathon (which he completed in less than four hours) and the 2010 Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati.

  • Izewski breaks ZAP Endurance record at Orlando Olympic Trials for Marathon

    By David Rogers. ORLANDO, Fla. — In a stacked field — 149 of the most elite male long distance running athletes in the U.S. — finishing in the top 20, much less the top 10 is quite an accomplishment. Representing Blowing Rock based ZAP Endurance, Josh Endurance was No. 8 to cross the finish line on Jan. 3 in the U.S. Olympic Trials for the marathon.

    Izewski did not make the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team but served notice that he is a talent to be reckoned with in professional long distance running. His 2:11:09 time broke the ZAP Endurance club record and he was a little more than two minutes behind first place finisher, Connor Mantz, running for Nike and clocking 2:09:06. The No. 2 finisher was Clayton Young (ASICS/Run Elite Program), in 2:09:06. Leonard Korir (Nike/U.S. Army WCAP) finished at No. 3 in a time of 2:09:57.

    All of the  athletes competing in the Feb. 3 Olympic Trials event had to first  “qualify” by running beneath a certain standard. For the men, an athlete had to have run the 26.2 mile distance in 2:18:0 between Jan. 1, 2022 and December 5, 2023 OR a half marathon in 1:03:00. The women’s qualifying standards were 2:37:00 for the marathon and 1:12:00 for the half marathon.

    The top three athletes in the Trials event are selected to represent the U.S. in their respective men’s and women’s events.

    The marathon events are scheduled for Aug. 10, 2024, covering an historic route through Paris and out to Versailles and back. The historic event recognized with the Olympic marathon route is a key moment from the French Revolution: the Women’s March on Versailles, on 5 October 1789.

    ZAP Endurance, an elite, professional distance running club based in Blowing Rock, had six athletes competing who met the qualifying standard. On the women’s side, ZAP member and former App State cross country and long distance runner in track, Tristin Van Ord finished the race at No. 17 in the field of 117 elite U.S. female athletes.

    The other ZAP members competing:

    • MEN: Tyler Pennel, who in 2016 (Los Angeles) finished No. 5 out of approximately 280 elite runners (he led the field from Mile 13 to Mile 19), was forced to drop out of the Orlando trials after 11 miles because of a hamstring injury. Through that distance he was running a 5:00 mile pace, including a 4:50 pace at Mile 9.
    • MEN: Andrew Colley was running at an impressive, 4:44 mile pace through Mile 17 and was in touch with the race leaders when he was  forced to retire because of gastrointestinal issues, at Mile 19.
    • WOMEN: Annemarie Tuxbury finished at No. 62, clocking a time of 2:39:53, averaging 6:06 minutes per mile.
    • WOMEN: Whitney Macon made it through the 20-miles mark before having to abandon the race due to injury. When she dropped out, she was running at approximately a 6:39 mile pace.

    RELATED LINKS

    • https://www.paris2024.org/en/olympic-marathon-route/
    • https://track.rtrt.me/e/ORLANDO-TRIALS-2024#/leaderboard/top-men-marathon/FINISH
    • https://track.rtrt.me/e/ORLANDO-TRIALS-2024#/leaderboard/top-women-marathon/FINISH

     

  • App State grapplers shut out Duke, 44-0

    By Bret Strelow. DURHAM, N.C. — Make it another dual shutout and another Power Five win for App State Wrestling.

    The 24th-ranked Mountaineers won all 10 individual matches, plus two extra matches, before leaving Duke’s Card Gym with a 44-0 victory against the Blue Devils on Monday night.

    It was App State’s national-leading 15th shutout since the start of 2020 and its 12th win against a P5 program since JohnMark Bentley became head coach. The Mountaineers (2-1) had also faced ACC opponents in their first two duals (No. 3 NC State, No. 21 North Carolina) of this season, and they square off against another one (No. 11 Virginia Tech) on the road Friday night.

    Photo courtesy of App State Athletics

    Coming off a fourth-place finish at the Southern Scuffle, an encouraging development following an injury-delayed start to his season, Riley Edwards took the mat first in his first career dual start and opened the competition against Duke (4-6) with a 15-2 major decision at 141 pounds.

    After building leads of 7-0 and 11-4, Carson Floyd delivered a pin at 197 pounds in just his fifth match of the season, while Tomas Brooker (16-2 major decision at 184 pounds) and Chad Bellis (forfeit at 125 pounds) officially recorded their first career dual victories.

    Back-to-back-to-back tech falls from Tommy Askey (157 pounds), Will Miller (165) and Luke Uliano (174) pushed the lead from 7-0 to 22-0 at the midway point. The other wins came from Cody Bond (7-3 decision at 149), Jacob Sartorio (8-1 decision at heavyweight) and Ethan Oakley (7-3 decision at 133).

    Bond trailed 3-2 entering the third period but had 90 seconds in riding time thanks to a second-period rideout. He earned an escape early in the third and gained separation on a takedown with 1:06 left.

    In Brooker’s win, he used strong defense in the opening two minutes to avoid falling behind, then produced a key takedown with 10 seconds left in the period to seize control.

    In the two extra matches, Ike Byers overcame an 8-1 deficit in a 14-10 decision against Duke starter Christian Colman at 141 pounds, and Anthony Conetta won a 15-8 decision at 157.

    No. 24 App State 44, Duke 0
    141: Riley Edwards (APP) def. Christian Colman (DU), 15-2 maj. dec.
    149: #26 Cody Bond (APP) def. Jarred Papcsy (DU), 7-3 dec.
    157: #19 Tommy Askey (APP) def. Logan Ferrero (DU), 23-6 tech fall
    165: #22 Will Miller (APP) def. Gaetano Console (DU), 22-5 tech fall
    174: Luke Uliano (APP) def. Jack Wimmer (DU), 19-1 tech fall
    184: Tomas Brooker (APP) def. Conor Becker (DU), 16-2 maj. dec.
    197: Carson Floyd (APP) def. Kwasi Bonsu (DU), fall (6:36)
    HWT: Jacob Sartorio (APP) def. Connor Barket (DU), 8-1 dec.
    125: Chad Bellis (APP) won by forfeit
    133: #24 Ethan Oakley (APP) def. Raymond Adams (DU), 7-3 dec.

    BONUS PHOTOS (courtesy of App State Athletics)

  • Armanti Edwards elected to College Football Hall of Fame

    By Joey Jones. IRVING, Texas — The recent jersey retirement in Boone highlighted his number, and now his name will have a permanent home in the College Football Hall of Fame.

    Yes, App State’s Armanti Edwards is being enshrined — as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, no less.

    The National Football Foundation announced Monday that Edwards, a record-setting and title-winning quarterback for the Mountaineers from 2006-09, is one of 22 members of the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class. The official induction ceremony will be held Dec. 10 during the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

    Each inductee will also be recognized at their respective collegiate institutions with NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the fall.

    “On behalf of the entire App State family, we congratulate Armanti on this significant recognition,” said Director of Athletics Doug Gillin. “The continued success of our football program and athletics department stands on the foundation built by student-athlete leaders like Armanti. This is a well-deserved honor, and we’re excited he will be joining the other Mountaineers as members of the College Football Hall of Fame.”

    Edwards will become the fourth official App State representative and second player from App State to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, which is located in Atlanta. The other player, linebacker Dexter Coakley, was inducted in 2011, followed by Edwards’ head coach in Boone, Jerry Moore, who was inducted in 2014.
    Another head coach who led the Mountaineers, Mack Brown, was inducted in 2018. An unofficial Hall of Fame member with ties to the program is Fisher DeBerry, who was an App State assistant before becoming a successful college head coach.
    Less than two months ago, on Nov. 25, App State retired the No. 14 jersey worn by Edwards.
    During his four years in Boone, Edwards was a four-time first-team All-American, the first two-time FCS National Player of the Year (Walter Payton Award) and a two-time national champion who went 42-7 as a starter, including the historic 34-32 upset of No. 5 Michigan to open App State’s 2007 championship season. The Mountaineers went 28-2 in conference games with three unbeaten runs to league titles in his four seasons.
    Edwards amassed 14,753 yards of total offense in his App State career (10,392 passing with 4,361 rushing) and 139 total touchdowns (74 passing with 65 rushing) while helping lead App State to back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007.

    He spent 12 years in pro football after being a third-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, with stints as a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears before he enjoyed additional success as a CFL receiver who produced a 1,000-yard season in 2019. He wasn’t eligible for Hall of Fame inclusion until he had officially retired from professional football.

    Edwards became the first Division I player (FBS or FCS) with more than 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in his career and currently has only one other player (Colin Kaepernick of Nevada) as company on that list.

    Edwards remains an FCS record holder for career rushing TDs by a quarterback and most seasons with 3,000-plus yards of total offense (four seasons, tied for first with Steve McNair) while ranking No. 2 in career rushing yards by a QB and No. 4 in career total offense.

    His four first-team All-America honors from 2006-09 include first-team recognition from the Associated Press in 2008 and 2009.

    Edwards posted single-game highs of 433 passing yards (still a school record) and 313 rushing yards (in a 2007 FCS semifinal win to currently rank No. 2 in single-game rushing yards by an FCS quarterback and No. 2 by any App State player, broken in 2020). In the upset of Michigan, he accounted for four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) and 289 yards of total offense (227 passing, 62 rushing).

    A total of 19 First Team All-America players and three standout coaches will be announced as members of the 2024 Class. The electees have been selected from the 2024 national ballot of 78 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 101 players and 32 coaches from the divisional ranks, including FCS programs.

    What They’re Saying about Armanti Edwards:

    “Only the best of the best are enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, and Armanti is well deserving of being a first-ballot selection. We congratulate Armanti on this honor and appreciate the tremendous impact he has made on App State Football.”
    – App State head coach Shawn Clark

    “In my coaching career, there was not a player or person that was better than Armanti Edwards. He was tough, athletic, and never made an excuse. He led us to two national championships and graduated in three-and-a-half years. He was a terrific leader, even with a quiet demeanor. And he is an outstanding father and husband, a great example. I am excited for him to join the all-time greats as a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.”
    – Former App State head coach (1989-2012) and College Football Hall of Famer Jerry Moore

    Full College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024:

    PLAYERS:

    • Justin Blackmon – WR, Oklahoma State (2009-11)
    • Paul Cameron – TB, UCLA (1951-53)
    • Tim Couch – QB, Kentucky (1996-98)
    • Warrick Dunn – RB, Florida State (1993-96)
    • Armanti Edwards – QB, App State (2006-09)
    • Deon Figures – CB, Colorado (1988, 1990-92)
    • Larry Fitzgerald – WR, Pittsburgh (2002-03)
    • Toby Gerhart – RB, Stanford (2006-09)
    • Dan Hampton – DT, Arkansas (1975-78)
    • Steve Hutchinson – OG, Michigan (1997-2000)
    • Antonio Langham – CB, Alabama (1990-93)
    • Randy Moss – WR, Marshall (1996-97)
    • Julius Peppers – DE, North Carolina (1999-2001)
    • Paul Posluszny – LB, Penn State (2003-06)
    • Dewey Selmon – NG, Oklahoma (1972-75)
    • Alex Smith – QB, Utah (2002-04)
    • Kevin Smith – CB, Texas A&M (1988-91)
    • Chris Ward – OT, Ohio State (1974-77)
    • Danny Woodhead – RB, Chadron State [NE] (2004-07)

    COACHES:

    • Mark Dantonio – 132-74-0 (64.1%): Cincinnati (2004-06), Michigan State (2007-19)
    • Danny Hale – 213-69-1 (75.4%): West Chester [PA] (1984-88), Bloomsburg [PA] (1993-2012)
    • Frank Solich – 173-101-0: Nebraska (1998-2003), Ohio (2005-2020)