By Katherine Jamtgaard. NEW ORLEANS, La. — App State men’s distance coach Brad Herbster has been named Sun Belt Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year, the league announced Thursday. In addition to Herbster’s Coach of the Year honor, six Mountaineers earned all-conference honors.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to coach a strong team and one that is dedicated to improving,” said Herbster. “The student-athletes put in the work and it showed at conference. We have a lot of work to do at the regional meet and look to build off a strong conference performance.”
“I want to congratulate Coach Herbster on the Coach of the Year honor as well as the athletes who have earned all-conference awards,” said director of track & field/cross country Damion McLean. “They have worked hard this year and it shows.”
In his first season as App State men’s distance coach, Herbster led the App State men’s cross country team to its first Sun Belt title since 2019 at the Sun Belt Championships on Oct. 28. The Mountaineers scored 28 points – the lowest team total at the championship meet since 2013 – and five Mountaineer men earned all-conference accolades after finishing in the top-13.
Herbster guided senior Oliver Wilson-Cook to a second-place finish at the Sun Belt Championships after Wilson-Cook earned three Sun Belt Runner of the Week honors during the regular season. Over the course of the season, Herbster also guided the Mountaineers to a pair of second-place finishes at the Firetower Project Run (Sept. 1) and Covered Bridge Open (Sept. 15) as well as a top-10 team finish at the Live In Lou Cross Country Classic (Sept. 30).
Seniors Oliver Willson-Cook, Calbert Guest, and Dwayne Lillie earned first-team all-conference accolades after finishing second (24:40.4), third (24:46.3), and fourth (24:53.6), respectively, in the men’s 8K race at the Sun Belt Championships. Junior Garrett Bivens earned second-team all-conference honors after finishing sixth overall (25:05.0), while graduate student Jonah Bird earned third-team All-SBC recognition after placing 13th (25:42.7).
Donahue earns second team All-SBC honors for women’s team
Senior Jasmine Donohue placed eighth in the women’s 5K at the Sun Belt Championships with a personal best time of 17:36.9. Donohue, who earned second-team All-SBC honors for her performance, helped the women’s squad to a fifth-place finish in the team standings.
The Mountaineers are set to compete in the NCAA Southeast Regional in Spartanburg, S.C. on Friday. The women’s 6K race is set for 11 a.m. with the men’s 10K race to follow at noon.
2023 Sun Belt Cross Country Awards 2023 Sun Belt Men’s Coach of the Year: Brad Herbster, App State 2023 Sun Belt Men’s Newcomer of the Year: Carlo Martinez-Jaramillo, ULM 2023 Sun Belt Men’s Runner of the Year: Teagan Flanagan, South Alabama 2023 Sun Belt Men’s Freshman of the Year: Carlo Martinez-Jaramillo, ULM
2023 Men’ First-Team All-Conference
Teagan Flanagan, South Alabama Oliver Wilson-Cook, App State Calbert Guest, App State Dwayne Lillie, App State
Dawson Mayberry, Arkansas State
2023 Men’s Second-Team All-Conference
Jacob Pyeatt, Arkansas State Garrett Bivens, App State
Evan White, Marshall
Carlo Martinez-Jaramillo
Cash Kunkel, Arkansas State
2023 Men’s Third-Team All-Conference
Rylan Brown, Arkansas State
Natnael Enright, Arkansas State Jonah Bird, App State
Jonathon Hrivnak, Texas State
Ethan Mychajlonka, Arkansas State
Sun Belt Women’s XC Awards
2023 Sun Belt Women’s Coach of the Year: Jesse Duvall, Arkansas State 2023 Sun Belt Women’s Newcomer of the Year: Katherine Lawson, James Madison 2023 Sun Belt Women’s Runner of the Year: Molly Jones, Coastal Carolina 2023 Sun Belt Women’s Freshman of the Year: Rahel Broemmel, Arkansas State
2023 Women’s Second-Team All-Conference
Jaybe Shufelberger, Arkansas State
Miranda Stanhope, James Madison
Elizabeth Martin, Arkansas State Jasmine Donohue, App State
Kylee Mastin, Marshall
2023 Women’s Third-Team All-Conference
Katherine Lawson, James Madison
Starlynn Costa, South Alabama
Mary Beth Bailey, Arkansas State
Amilia Wise-Sweat, Coastal Carolina
Charleen Elizondo, South Alabama
By Katherine Jamtgaard. BOONE, N.C. — App State women’s basketball coach Angel Elderkin announced the signing of two athletes to the 2024-25 signing class on Thursday.
“It is with great excitement that we welcome Nya Smith and Bella Weary to our App State family,” said Elderkin. “Both of these young women have the character and skill sets to elevate our program.”
Nya Smith | 5-9 | G | Roswell, Ga. | Milton HS
Smith will join the Mountaineers as a guard next season and intends on pursuing a degree in marketing. During her high school career, Smith was named First Team All-Region and Rotary Honor Air Tournament MVP. Smith earned Second Team All-State recognition. She also competed on the track team, ranking fifth in the state of Georgia in the 4×400-meter relay and 7th in the state in the 400 meters.
Smith enjoys basketball, track and field, crocheting, baking, lifting and photography.
Why Smith Chose App State: “I loved the family atmosphere of the women’s basketball team and how App State would set me up for both social and professional success in the future.”
Elderkin on Smith: “Nya Smith is a dynamic guard with great size and versatility to play in our uptempo system. She plays with great intensity on both sides of the ball and has a work ethic that is unmatched. She brings leadership’s qualities that will impact our community immediately.”
Bella Weary | 5-6 | G | Jacksonville, Fla. | DME Sports Academy | USF | Daytona State
Weary will join the Mountaineers as a guard for the 2024-25 season after spending a season at Daytona State. Prior to her time at Daytona State, the Jacksonville, Fla. native made a stop at USF. While at South Florida, Weary appeared in eight games and competed in the first round of the inaugural Women’s Battle 4 Atlantis.
During her high school career, Weary scored 2,000 points and was named to the Florida Times-Union All-First Coast First Team. She also was named to the Sunshine State Independent All-Conference Team.
Weary plans on pursuing a degree in communications. After finishing college, she would like to play basketball professionally or box professionally. Her father, Fred, was an All-American football player at the University of Florida, was part of the 1996 National Championship team, and played in the NFL.
Why Weary Chose App State: “I chose App State because of the overwhelming support of the coaching staff.”
Elderkin on Weary: “Bella Weary brings us college experience with an elite competitive mindset. She has a scoring mentality and a skill set that matches our style of play. We are excited about the maturity and leadership that she will bring to our program.”
By Katherine Jamtgaard. BOONE, N.C. – App State head volleyball coach Sarah Rumely Noble announced the addition of four athletes to the volleyball team on Wednesday. Joining the Mountaineers for the 2024 season will be Julianna Horta, Bella Hutchens, Elise Marchel, and Maddie Smith.
“I am so excited about the addition of these four amazing women to our program,” said Rumely Noble. “Not only are they high character individuals, they are incredibly gifted athletes with unmatched work ethic and drive. They are all committed to giving their all to App State and will help us take App to the top.”
Julianna Horta | Setter | Clayton, N.C. | Corinth Holders HS
Horta will be joining the Mountaineers for the 2024 season as a setter. Horta, who intends on pursuing a degree in exercise science, was an all-conference honoree and tournament standout. Horta also competed for the NC Volleyball Academy club team under the direction of Jon Garner, Andi Bentley, and Romel Lightbourne.
Horta has one brother and enjoys working out, shopping and sleeping.
Why Horta Chose App State: “I chose App State because from the moment I stepped on campus, I immediately felt at home and knew this place would allow me to achieve my dreams and be part of something bigger than myself.”
Rumely Noble on Horta: “We are really excited to add Jules to our program in the setting position. She is incredibly driven, a hard worker, and a natural setter. Her ability to locate from anywhere on the court will help our offensive efficiency greatly. We are excited for her to join us this spring.”
Bella Hutchens | Outside Hitter | Pilot Mountain, N.C. | East Surry HS
As an incoming freshman, Hutchens will join the Mountaineers as an outside hitter next fall. Hutchens holds the East Surry High School record for most kills in a match and posted over 1,000 kills during the course of her high school career. She is a four-time All-Conference selection and two-time Player of the Year. She also earned an All-Tournament selection. In addition to her high school career, she played for the Twin City Volleyball Academy club team under the direction of Caley Gilley and Amber Brandon as well as the Triad United Volleyball Academy under the direction of Jan Dowling.
Hutchens intends on majoring in business. Her mother, aunt, and uncle are App State alumni and she has a cousin who is currently attending App State. Hutchens enjoys fishing and hanging out with friends.
Why Hutchens Chose App State: “I’ve grown up being a fan of App State. I love the atmosphere of this beautiful school, not only in academics but in athletics as well.”
Rumely Noble on Hutchens: “Bella is a Mountaineer through and through. She is fast off the ground, incredibly twitchy, and her potential is unmatched. She hits a heavy ball, is dynamic on both pins and has a super fast arm. We can’t wait to see where the future takes her in the Black and Gold.”
Elise Marchal | Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter | Kings Mills, Ohio | Kings HS
Marchal will be joining the Mountaineers as a middle blocker/right side hitter next season. During her high school career, Marchal was a two-time all-conference and all-district honoree. She also was named to the 2021, 2022, and 2023 USA Volleyball Nationals All-Tournament Team. Marchal was named the 2023 OHSCVA District 16 Player of the Year on Nov. 7 and will compete with the Kings High School volleyball team in the Final Four of the OHSAA State Volleyball Tournament on Nov. 11. The Kings Mills, Ohio native also played for the Elevation Volleyball club team under the direction of Greg Ulland.
Marchal has three siblings and enjoys playing basketball, playing pickleball, traveling, painting and working out.
Why Marchal Chose App State: “I chose App State because I instantly felt connected to the coaching staff and players. The culture is strong and focused, and the team works hard and has fun!”
Rumely Noble on Marchal: “Elise is an exciting athlete with a huge skill set. She can pass, play defense, play middle, play on a pin and she is going to kill a lot of balls for us in the Black and Gold. She has incredible versatility and a huge upside. We are thrilled that she is a Mountaineer.”
Maddie Smith | Outside Hitter | Hickory, N.C. | University Christian HS
Smith will be joining the Mountaineers as a true freshman outside hitter. During her high school career, Smith was a three-time all-state selection, two-time Player of the Year, and helped her team to the 2022 NCISAA 2A State Champion title. She also tallied over 1,300 kills. The Hickory, N.C. native also competed on the Carolina Union Volleyball club team under the direction of John Brannon, Bill Ferguson, and Abbi Hayes.
Smith intends to pursue a degree in exercise science and would like to play volleyball professionally after college before attending PA school to be a dermatology PA. Smith’s grandmother, uncle, and aunt all attended App State. Smith enjoys shopping, traveling, walking her dogs, and drawing landscapes.
Why Smith Chose App State: “I chose App State because I love the campus and the culture. The family atmosphere is awesome, and the coaches and my teammates are really special. I also love that it is close to home.”
Rumely Noble on Smith: “Maddie is a gritty outside hitter who isn’t afraid to take big swings. She has a heavy arm, great athleticism and she never backs down. Her ability to play six rotations coupled with her ability to score, makes her an exciting addition for our program. We are glad she will get to be with us this spring.”
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — She still has another competitive swimming season of waking up at 2:30 in the morning and driving down to Kernersville to train with her club team — six days a week and even getting back to Watauga High School in time for her senior year classes — but those days will soon be but a distant memory for Lauren Patterson. On Nov. 8, she officially to enroll and compete next year for the University of Kentucky.
It’s not that she won’t still be putting in miles upon miles of swim training when competing for the Wildcats. She will have all that and maybe even more work in the weight room as an elite athlete competing for a major, Division I university. But at least for six days a week she will have an “extra” four hours a day.
“You have to admire Lauren’s commitment to excelling in her sport,” Guenther Rodriguez, Patterson’s Kernersville coach said to High Country Sports while Patterson was getting photographed with friends, family, teammates and coaches after the signing ceremony. “To do that for the last four years, six days a week, with two hours each way driving every day, well, that is a grueling schedule for anyone.”
University of Kentucky bound swimmer Lauren Patterson is flanked by her two coaches, David Gragg of Watauga High School, left, and Guenther Rodriguez of Enfinity Swim Club, Kernersville, on Nov. 8. Photo by David Rogers
While Patterson had previously committed to swim at Kentucky last year, Nov. 8 was the first day of the National Signing period when she could make it official.
Patterson is blessed with two swimming coaches, Rodriguez with her club team and longtime Watauga High School coach David Gragg, who has steered Watauga to strong Northwestern Conference and regional performances even before the team was able to train in the new Watauga Community Recreation Center pool a couple of years ago. When Patterson started swimming for Watauga as a freshman, the team did not have a regular place to train.
Looking out at the big crowd gathered for her signing ceremony, tears edging past the corners of her eyes, Patterson said, “You have all had such a big impact on my life. I love you all.”
By Joey Jones. BOONE, N.C. – Robert Thomas “Tommy” Sofield Jr., ’76, his wife, Debbie, and the Sofield family have donated a significant gift to Appalachian State University in support of athletics facilities enhancements, including a new, multipurpose indoor practice facility.
Sofield, who played football for the Mountaineers and was captain of the 1975 team that went 8-3 with wins over East Carolina, Wake Forest and South Carolina, has been a successful businessman and real estate developer in Boone since graduating from App State. He also currently serves as Vice Chair of the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees among other leadership positions in the community.
“Appalachian State University means the world to my family and me,” said Sofield. “We are committed to the success of Mountaineer student-athletes on and off the field and carrying on the tradition of championships and a world-class college experience. We love investing back into the program and encourage others to join us in investing in the future of App State Athletics.”
appalachian state means the world to my family and me.
“App State has long been the beneficiary of the generosity of the Sofield Family,” said Dr. Sheri Everts, App State’s Chancellor, when she announced the gift. “Tommy distinguished himself among his peers as a leader when he came to App State, starting a small business that employed other students while playing football and carrying a full-time class load. Since his graduation in 1976, he has become a pillar of the App State Community, well known for his kindness and generosity, as well as his business acumen.
“In 2007, Tommy and his family took the lead on supporting a facility to provide better training opportunities for App State student-athletes, continued Everts. “This additional lead gift will continue to foster our Mountaineers’ competitive drive to excel in their sports as well as in the classroom, and will contribute to the recruitment, growth and development of future student-athletes for many years to come. We thank the Sofield family for their continued support and engagement with App State.”
The Sofields’ lead gift will help fund a new indoor practice facility – with a 100+ yard artificial turf surface – to replace the current Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility that opened in October 2007, for which the Sofields also donated the lead gift.
“We thank Tommy and the entire Sofield family for their generosity throughout the years,” said Director of Athletics Doug Gillin. “From his time as a student-athlete to supporting his alma mater as an alumnus, Tommy’s commitment to the success of App State Athletics is unparalleled. His relational impact on generations of App State student-athletes will also leave an enduring legacy for many more decades.”
A native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Sofield began his career as an entrepreneur during his junior year at App State when he opened a Boone sandwich shop that he ran successfully for 14 years. His many business ventures since earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education from App State are highlighted by starting companies such as U.S. Buildings, U.S. Chemical Storage, U.S. Explosive Storage, U.S. Safe Room, Elephant Structures and Harmony Timberworks.
He was recognized with Appalachian State University’s Outstanding Service Award in 2017.
With his latest gift, the university has raised $41 million toward the $100 million goal for the All for App initiative to invest and build for the future of App State Athletics. Other current athletics facility plans include the construction of a fieldhouse, outdoor tennis courts, softball field and indoor tennis courts at the Appalachian 105 facility.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Take away a forgettable night shooting free throws and there was a lot to like about the Appalachian State men’s basketball team’s season opening win over Oakland City on Nov. 7, 87-49, in front of 2,010 paying customers in the Holmes Convocation Center.
The Mighty Oaks may only be a small school, NAIA-member contender, but they provided a few challenges to the Mountaineers. That said, AppNation had to have been pleased with the energy, focus and ball-sharing mindset of their favorite sons.
The Mountaineers’ pesky defense led to 18 turnovers by the Mighty Oaks compared to just seven by App State. As a result, Appalachian held a 20-8 advantage in points off of turnovers.
Watauga native Bryant Greene came off the bench in App State’s big win over Oakland City, seeing almost 11 minutes of court time. Here he drove to the basket before kicking the ball out to an open perimeter player. Photographic image by David Rogers
Taking advantage of size and athleticism mismatches, Appalachian was dominant on the boards, pulling down 51 total rebounds vs. 39 by Oakland City.
Head coach Dustin Kerns all but emptied his bench in the second half, 13 of 15 rostered players seeing court time and the Mountaineers hardly skipping a beat even deep into the reserves on the floor.
Transfer student Tre’Von Spillers, a 6-7 junior forward from Charleston by way of Moberly Area Community College, may be one of the newer faces on the team but made his presence felt with 16 points and five rebounds to lead all scorers. Another 6-7 junior forward, Mountaineer returnee Christopher Mantis, was also in double figures with 12 points, including 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the 3-poiint arc. The sharpshooter from Lowell, Ind., brought the crowd to its feet in the second half with consecutive 3-pointers.
App State forward C J Huntley goes up vs. Oakland City on Nov. 7. Photographic image by David Rogers
A 6-9 sophomore forward from Pompano Beach, Fla., Justin Abson picked up where he left off a year ago as a freshman team leader in rebounding, pulling down 12 on the evening.
Among the other Mountaineer newcomers, the fans got a good look at Myles Tate, a 6-0 guard from Spartanburg, transferring from Butler University. Another new face is freshman Josh Hayes, a 6-9 forward from Gainesville, Fla., who scored eight points and pulled down seven rebounds in 19 minutes on the floor.
Sophomore forward Justin Abson goes up for 2 points for App State vs. Oakland City on Nov. 7 at the Holmes Convocation Center. Photographic image by David Rogers
Afterward, Kerns opened the press conference by expressing appreciation for the crowd and the fan support, then acknowledged how well his team played, paying attention to a lot of the little things they address in practice. He was particularly pleased with the relatively few turnovers and how well his players shared the ball.
“Everyone played and everyone scored,” said Kerns.
Up next, App State will be tested on the road first at Northern Illinois on Nov. 11, a MAC/Sun Belt Challenge game hosted by NIU in DeKalb, Ill. After that, the Mountaineers head west to Corvallis, Ore., where they will take on Oregon State on Tuesday, Nov. 14. On Nov. 21 and 22, App State will travel south to Fort Myers, Fla., for the Fort Myers Tip-Off event where they will play UNC-Wilmington and Murray State, respectively.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — After a first quarter in which UNC-Greensboro jumped out to an 8-0 lead and Appalachian State couldn’t seem to buy a basket — but kept things close with strong defense and good shooting at the free throw line — the Mountaineers “settled in” and fought back to take a season-opening win, 71-65, in front of almost 700 basketball fans at the Holmes Convocation Center.
App State won the night in characteristic Mountaineer style, with offensive attacks coming from all directions and the points scored spread among multiple players. Led by senior Faith Alston’s 15 points, four Mountaineers scored in double figures, including J’Mani Ingram (13 points), Rylan Moffitt (12), and Emily Carver (11).
App State sophomore guard Alexis Black goes up for a basket vs. UNCG on Nov. 6. Photographic image by David Rogers
The Mountaineers were also active on collecting errant shots by both teams, clearing the glass for a total of 50 rebounds vs. just 35 for the visiting Spartans. Noteworthy: App State limited UNCG to just three offensive rebounds in the second half with a focus on controlling possession. COVID senior Taylor Lewis, a transfer from Middle Tennessee State, and Carver, a junior from Asheville, both reached double figures in rebounding with 10 apiece. Impressively, Carver collected eight of her boards off the offensive glass to keep Mountaineer offensive opportunities alive.
While the offensive scoring was fairly even both in the paint and from the perimeter, a difference maker for this game was App State being successful on 21-of-31 free throw opportunities. The Spartans were flagged 25 times for personal fouls, oftentimes with a Mountaineer driving to the basket in the act of shooting. By comparison, App State drew 17 whistles for fouls, the Spartans making good on just 8-of-13 attempts from the charity stripe.
Rylan Moffitt (15) was strong under the basket for App State vs. UNCG on Nov. 6. Photographic image by David Rogers
After the game, head coach Angel Elderkin was obviously pleased with the result, even after the slow start.
“As you noted, we couldn’t buy a basket in the first quarter, shooting 1-for-14 in the opening period, but I think that just comes from settling in. We had only two starters out there from last year, so we had different players in different roles. They didn’t get discouraged by the ball not going in the basket, but we continued to fight,” said Elderkin.
“Another thing that I’m super proud of is just our rebounding,” added Elderkin. “Anybody who’s watched our program in the last year knows that (rebounding) has been something that has been really hurting us. UNCG came in as one of the top-40 offensive rebounding teams in the country and they returned all those players. We held them in the second half without an offensive rebound and that’s just a testament to the fight and the toughness of our team. We’re not the biggest team, but we’ve got a lot of grit and we’ve got a lot of scrap to us. It feels good just to get one game under our belt, together.”
App State will try to keep the good times rolling on Saturday, Nov. 11, when they host Ohio at the Holmes Center in a 2 p.m. tilt on Youth Day. The game is the first of two MAC/Sun Belt Challenge games. The second MAC/SBC Challenge game is scheduled for Feb. 10, opponent to be determined.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — With Halloween just a few days in the rearview mirror, Appalachian State buried a few 2023 football demons on Nov. 4 with a dominating, 31-9 win over the Thundering Herd of Marshall. The game was played in front of a sold-out crowd of 34,057 filling Kidd-Brewer Stadium in front of a national TV audience on the NFL Network.
After a scoreless first quarter, and a Marshall field goal early in the second period, quarterback Joey Aguilar led the Mountaineer offense on three consecutive TD-scoring drives to put the home team firmly ahead. They followed up with another TD midway through the third quarter to lead the Herd gridders, 28-3, all but putting the game away. Marshall scored its first and only TD with roughly three minutes remaining in the third quarter to tighten the deficit, but the Mountaineers took command and didn’t let up.
There was plenty of entertaining spectacle for the App State vs. Marshall game at Kidd Brewer Stadium, including parachuters. Photo courtesy of App State Sports
While Aguilar and his offensive mates rolled up 404 yards of total offense and controlled possession of the football for 33:45, including being successful on 3-of-3 opportunities inside the red zone, the Mountaineer defense may well have won the day for App State. Marshall was limited to just 243 yards of total offense, was intercepted by the Mountaineers three times, and held to just 3-of-9 conversions on third down, none on fourth down.
The win gives the Mountaineers five wins on the season vs. four losses. They need just one more win in their remaining three regular season games to become bowl eligible but the path is challenging. They travel to Georgia State (6-3 overall, 3-3 in Sun Belt) on Nov. 11, then to undefeated Sun Belt Conference leader James Madison (9-0, 6-0, ranked No.23/24) on Nov. 18. They return home to finish the regular season against longtime rival, Georgia Southern (6-3, 3-2) on Nov. 25.
Milan Tucker scores a TD vs. Marshall on Nov. 4. Photo courtesy of App State Sports
By David Rogers. NEW YORK CITY — Morgan Beadlescomb (13:44) and Annie Rodenfels won their first national titles in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, of the USATF 5k Road Racing Championship on Nov. 4 in Manhattan’s Central Park, but Blowing Rock-based ZAP Endurance was well represented among the leaders. Beadlescomb was representing adidas, the shoe and apparel company.
In the Elite Men’s Division, ZAP middle distance specialist Dan Schaffer finished No. 4, just three seconds behind Beadlescomb in 13:47. To understand just how close it was at the finish, No. 2 Ahmed Muhamed (HOKA Northern Arizona Elite), No. 3 Tai Dinger (unattached) and Schaffer were all credited with the same time of 13:47. Close behind at No. 5 was Brian Barraza (Roots Running) in 13:48 and a second later, No. 6 Woody Kincaid (NIKE) in 13:49.
ZAP Endurance team members Dan Schaffer and Amanda Vestri stop for a photo op in Central Park following the running of the USATF 5km Road Racing Championship. In the background, right, draped in the American flag, is elite women’s division winner Annie Rodenfels. Photo by Pete Rea, ZAP Endurance
Of the 26 elite runners entered in the race, held in conjunction with the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K, 14 men finished the 5km course under 14 minutes (within 17 seconds of the winner). While Beadlescomb took home $12,000 for the win, Schaffer netted $2,000 for the fourth place finish.
In the Elite Women’s Division, ZAP Endurance newcomer Amanda Vestri finished No. 7, approximately 16 seconds behind Rodenfels, representing the Boston Athletic Association (15:22).
Also among the leaders were Rachel Smith (Hoka One One), Bethany Hasz (Boston Athletic Association), Keira D’Amato (NIKE), Weini Kelati (UA Dark Sky Distance), and Katie Camerana (unattached), all ahead of Vestri.
A few places behind Vestri was another High Country athlete, Abbey Cooper, at No. 12, representing New Balance. A total of 23 elite female athletes qualified for and competed in the women’s race.
Rodenfels took home the $12,000 money for first place, Vestri came away with $750 for finishing No. 7.
“Overall, it was a good day for ZAP Endurance to place two of our team members among the leaders of a national championship race,” said Pete Rea, head coach of ZAP Endurance.
The USATF 5km Road Championship is run in Central Park the day before the New York Marathon. Here, Pete Rea, head coach of ZAP Endurance is flanked by Dan Schaffer, who finished No. 4 in the elite men’s competition and Amanda Vestri, who finished No. 7 in the elite women’s division. Photo courtesy of ZAP Endurance
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Even though the Watauga student section was wearing their PJs for “Pajamas Night,” none of the estimated 3,000 people filling the grandstands at Jack Groce Stadium on Nov. 3 dared to fall asleep for the first round game of the North Carolina 4A playoffs vs. Hickory Ridge.
In football terms, it was a blink of an eye. Trailing 20-19 coming out of halftime, Watauga scored three touchdowns in the the first four minutes of the second half, catapulting the Pioneers to a thrilling, don’t-miss-a-minute-of-this, 54-34 win over the Raging Bulls.
Matthew Leon starts to celebrate a TD run vs. Hickory Ridge. Photo by Garner Dewey for High ?Country Sports.
If last week against Ashe County was a coming out party for Watauga sophomore running back Matthew Leon, the Hickory Ridge playoff contest was a game-long Mardi Gras. Called to duty a week ago when regular running back starter Everett Gryder went down with a lower body injury, Leon rambled for 206 yards on 20 carries and two TDs in his state playoffs debut vs. Hickory Ridge.
A good chunk of those came in the opening drive of the second half. Two plays into the drive, Leon burst through a gap carved out by the Pioneer offensive line and ripped off the Raging Bulls’ secondary for a 30-yard gain. On the very next play, he finished things off with a 38-yard ramble through the Hickory Ridge defense, his TD and quarterback Maddox Greene’s 2-point conversion giving the Pioneers a 27-20 lead they would never relinquish.
we will not back down.
But Leon’s second half opening fireworks was just the beginning for this thrill-a-minute Watauga team in the first four minutes of the third quarter.
Just four plays after Landon Smith recovered an onsides kick by the Pioneers, it was sophomore Evan “Swiss Army Knife” Burroughs’ turn to put even more points on the board for Watauga. After picking up 27 pass-and-run yards from an aerial from Greene, Burroughs finished things off with a 7-yard scoot around the right side for a TD. The 2-point conversion attempt failed, but Watauga now had a commanding, 13-point lead, 33-20 and the Raging Bulls had yet to touch the ball in the second half.
Keller to Pryor sequence
Photo by Garner Dewey for High Country SportsJackson Pryor (9) finishes TD catch and run with a flourish on Nov. 3 vs. Hickory Ridge. Photo by Caleb Dewey for High Country Sports
And they still wouldn’t get that chance when Watauga pulled off yet another successful onside kick. And they didn’t waste any time punching Hickory Ridge in the gut. On the first play of the possession, Greene passed laterally left to backup QB Cade Keller, who was lined up as a wide receiver. Keller, in turn, lofted a pass downfield to a wide open Jackson Pryor for a 51-yard touchdown completion. Hickory Ridge seemed unprepared for the two receiver set on the left side and the single defender froze like a deer in headlights, uncertain whether to cover Keller with the ball or Pryor streaking past him down the field.
The Keller-to-Burroughs score, followed by a successful 2-point conversion with Greene passing to Burroughs, put the Pioneers ahead 41-20 and the second half was not even four minutes old.
Matthew Leon rambles up the sideline vs. Hickory Ridge for a big gain. Photographic image by David Rogers
For the rest of the third quarter and into the the final stanza, the two teams traded stalled drives. Finally, aided by a Watauga turnover and fumble recovery by the Raging Bulls, as well as a Watauga face mask penalty, Hickory Ridge had a short field with which to find the end zone. Raging Bull QB Cayden Haywood punched the ball in from the 1-yard line on a keeper, Andrew Schmidt’s PAT kick was good, and Hickory Ridge had closed the deficit to 41-27.
But midway through the fourth quarter, time was not a friend to the gridiron visitors from Harrisburg, N.C., a northwest suburb of Charlotte. The Raging Bulls scored once more, but gave up two more TDs to Watauga with Greene and Leon doing the heavy lifting on the ground thanks to holes opened up on the line of scrimmage by the offensive line.
After the game, Wataiga head coach Ryan Habich described a self-pitying atmosphere in the locker room at halftime with the Pioneers trailing, 20-19. He hinted that several of the guys thought this would be an “easy” game because of at 3-7 overall record and 3-3 record in the 4A Greater Metro Conference.
Watauga celebrates a successful onside kick vs. Hickory Ridge on Nov. 3. Photo by Garner Dewey for High Country Sports
“We told our team all week that (Hickory Ridge) is probably the second best team we had faced all year behind A C Reynolds,” said Habich. “Their overall record was 3-7, but they played a really tough non-conference schedule… We knew this was going to be a tough game. If you just looked at the seeding, you might not think so but when your non-conference schedule playing around Charlotte includes teams like Chambers, Independence, Porter Ridge and Robinso, that is tough competition.
“I think a lot of our guys were shocked in the first half,” said Habich. “It was tough to block those guys. They were big and quick up front. So we had a hard time stopping them and we were missing PATs, which is not good. So at halftime, I told the guys that we were only down by one point, to stop being a bunch of babies, to suck it up and play Watauga football. We are not going to back down.”
Photo by Garner Dewey for High Country Sports
Habich said he was very proud of how the guys checked themselves at the half and came out to win the football game in the second half.
Habich said that particularly this year to get a playoff win in the first round is a significant accomplishment.
“The 4A West bracket this year is like the SEC in college football,” said Habich. “It is stacked and the most challenging bracket in North Carolina high school football. A lot of teams from the mountain have had a hard time winning in the playoffs. We’ve won in the the playoffs. That’s one of the things that we’ve done here at Watauga, we have won in the playoffs.I am really proud of our guys and how they responded and took charge of the second half. We scored 35 points in the second half so you have to give a lot of credit to our guys for how they responded in the second half.”
Maddox Greene hops across the goal line on Nov. 3 vs. Hickory Ridge. Photographic image by David Rogers
Watauga will face another athletic challenger in Round 2 on Nov. 10 when they host No. 18-seeded Mallard Creek, a 41-7 upset winner over No. 15 Marvin Ridge.
The Mavericks finished the regular season 7-3 overall, 5-2 in the 3A/4 Queen City Conference, where earned runner-up honors behind undefeated Hough and ahead of other historically strong urban programs, including Chambers, North Mecklenburg, and West Charlotte.
Kickoff on Nov. 10 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Jack Groce Stadium
SCORING SUMMARY
Q1: Watauga TD, Morgan Henry 34-yard pass from Maddox Greene. Jack Wilson PAT (7-0)
Q1: Hickory Ridge TD, Connor Shulman 29-yard rush. Andrew Schmidt PAT (7-7)
Q1: Watauga TD, Maddox Greene 17-yard rush. PAT failed (13-7)
Q2: Hickory Ridge TD, Dominic Testa 14-yard rush Andrew Schmidt PAT (14-13)
Q2: Hickory Ridge TD, Dominic Testa 31-yard pass from Caden Haywood (PAT blocked by Jackson Pryor (13-20)
Q2: Watauga TD, Maddox Greene 44-yard rush. PAT failed (19-20)
Q3: Watauga TD, Matthew Leon 38-yard rush. Maddox Greene rush on 2-point conversion (27-20)
