By David Rogers. NEW YORK, N.Y. — Known largely for scenic, leisurely walks and romantic horse and buggy rides, New York’s Central Park was the venue for something more frenetic on June 10: the Mastercard New York Mini 10k for Women.
In an elite field of international runners, Blowing Rock’s Tristin Van Ord finished No. 11 out of more than 8,300 competitors on June 10.
Map graphic credited to New York Mini 10k
Van Ord’s time of 32:34 for the 10k distance (slightly more than 6.21 miles) was hardly leisurely, a 5:15 mile pace around the challenging course that features several elevation changes as well as twists and turns in meandering around the park.
The jam-packed, competitive field included 26 runners all finishing under 35 minutes, topped by Ethiopian Senbere Teferi at No. 1 in 20:12, a sizzling 4:52 mile pace. Kenya’s Hellen Obiri was No. 2 (30:19/4:53) and Mexico’s Laura Galvan rounded out the top three (31:14/5:02).
“ZAP Assistant Coacch Ryan Warrenburg and I pretty much expected Tristin to run this course around 32:30,” said ZAP Endurance head coach Pete Rea after the race. “The way she has been running in practice, we calculated that on a flat track in a stadium she would go 31:15 to 31:45, but in Central Park you have to add at least 30 seconds for the same distance. It is not an easy course. For Tristin, it was just a matter of execution and she did executed almost perfectly.”
Rea added that in such an elite field, finishing at No. 11 was outstanding at this point in Van Ord’s career.
“She was just two seconds outside of a top 10 finish, which is worth paying attention to,” said Rea. “Until the last 400 meters or so, she was running neck and neck with the tenth place runner, Emma Grace Hurley of Atlanta, for really about three miles. They were kind of alone, the runners ahead a little out of touch and the runners behind pretty far behind. So it was great for both of them to have that competition. They pushed each other. Until the last 400 meters, Tristin was slightly ahead, then gave up those two seconds as they neared the finish.”
Next up for Van Ord is the Atlanta Journal Constitution Peachtree Road Race on July 4.
By David Rogers. CONCORD, Mass. — It may not have been the shot heard round the world but it was a scorching battle royale, not far from the site of the American Revolution’s first military engagement, The Battle of Lexington and Concord. This June 10 battle, though, was civil yet still an adrenaline rush: The Adrian Martinez Classic, a men’s 1500-meter race on the track at Emerson Field.
VIDEO OF RACE EMBEDDED AT BOTTOM OF THIS ARTICLE
Dan Schaffer, a member of Blowing Rock-based professional running team ZAP Endurance, emerged the victor in a thrilling race where only two seconds separated the top four athletes. Schaffer crossed the finish line in 3:40.37, followed by a pair of unattached runners in Jack Salisbury (3:41.42) and A J Ernst (3:41.74). UA Run Baltimore Dist.’s Ahmed Jaziri came across the line less than a second later in the No. 4 position (3:42.67).
Schaffer started the race with a bit of jostling in getting across the starting line before settling into a position at the back of a tight pack that included all 12 runners. He stayed in that position for the better part of 1000 meters, then moved up to the No. 3 spot for the last couple laps. As they rounded the final turn, he shot to the outside and sprinted past the two runners then in front of him to get the “W.”
A total of 12 athletes were entered in the race, of which two did not finish (designated pacesetters). The finishers included two runners from Georgetown University, and one each from Davidson College, Boston Athletic Association, Soul Elite, and other unattached athletes. The slowest of the finishers crossed the line in 3:53.08.
Compliments of YouTube, you can see the entire race in this video. Schaffer is in the light colored jersey, in the center of the field at the starting line.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — The Boone Bigfoots got off… well, they got off on the wrong foot June 8 and could never quite recover, losing to the division-leading Forest City Owls, 16-8, in a Coastal Plain League matchup.
With what looked more like a football score than a baseball result, the game was long on offense and short on pitching but an entertaining affair for the 200-plus fans in attendance at Smith Stadium on a cool, breezy, mid-week evening.
This ball is outta here! J C Navarro connects for a home run in the 2nd inning of game vs. Forest City Owls on June 8. Photographic image by David Rogers
The visiting Owls scored 16 runs on 20 hits, including nine doubles, a triple and two home runs. They were helped by a pair of Bigfoot fielding errors.
Scoring eight runs on nine hits, the Bigfoots were a bit more efficient in capitalizing on their offensive production. They just needed to get more guys on base if the game was going to be a slugfest.
Two of the Owls’ nine doubles happened in the first inning, beginning with shortstop Matthew Heavner’s leadoff rip to the gap in left field. He plated the game’s first run of the evening just one batter later when Owl right fielder G. Allen singled, the speedy Heavner not pausing as he rounded third (see cover photo) and headed home, standing up. Allen later scored on third baseman Brady Jeffcoat’s double to left, accounting for the Owls’ second earned run of the opening frame.
Runner! As Boone Bigfoots’ pitcher Dante Chirico delivers, the Forest City Owls runner is off to the races on June 8 at Smith Stadium. Photographic image by David Rogers
The Bigfoots’ starter on the mound, Dante Chirico (App State), wriggled out of any further damage but the the foreshadowing of a potential slugfest had been set.
The Bigfoots were unable to respond in the first inning but got things started in the second. First baseman J.C. Navarro lofted a home run to left to lead off the inning and guaranteed there would be no shutout. Then, the Bigfoots took advantage of a hit batter, a single, and a walk to load the bases with nobody out, setting up second baseman Brayden Simpson’s 2-RBI single to center. A bit later, catcher Braxton Church (App State) put up a long sacrifice fly to left, scoring third baseman Zach Weaver, who had walked previously and advanced to third on an earlier throw to the plate.
That 4-2 Bigfoot advantage at the end of the second inning was the last they would see as the Owls exploded for four runs each in the third and fourth innings on more doubles and home runs. Meanwhile, Forest City’s starting pitcher, Austin Hunley, kept the Bigfoot bats silenced, retiring the side in order in the bottom half of the third and fourth innings. He made it through the 5th inning, but after the Bigfoots scored three runs in the frame he was replaced by reliever Cooper Sain.
Out! Boone Bigfoots catcher Braxton Church pegged the ball perfectly to get the Forest City Owls runner attempting to steal second on June 8. Photographic image by David Rogers
Offensively in the bottom of the fifth, the Bigfoots took advantage of Hunley’s perceived tiring on the mound. A single to center by shortstop and leadoff hitter Carlos Amezquita, followed by a towering fly ball over the centerfielder’s head off the bat of Church that bounced over the wall for a ground rule double put Boone runners on second and third. Cleanup batter Caden Wagner was hit by a pitch to load the bases, setting up Navarro’s RBI single that kept the bases loaded. Justin Reed was hit by yet another pitch, forcing Church home before Boone centerfielder Nadir Lewis advanced on a fielder’s choice that scored Wagner from third.
By this point, the Owls were leading 13-7, though, and were running out of innings in which to tally runs. They added one more run in the 6th inning but Forest City plated two more and then three more over the final three frames while keeping the Bigfoots scoreless.
Hunley was credited as the winning pitcher, Chirico the losing pitcher, while Sain picked up the save.
With the win, the Owls strengthen their hold atop the CPL West Division at 5-1. The Bigfoots fall into a tie for the No. 4 spot in the division, matching the Macon Bacon’s 2-4 record.
CPL West Division Standings
Forest City Owls (5-1)
High Point/Thomasville HiToms (3-1)
Lexington County Blowfish (4-2)
Boone Bigfoots (2-4)
Macon Bacon (2-4)
Martinsville Mustangs (0-2)
Asheboro Zookeepers (0-4)
TOP INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS FOR JUNE 8 GAME
BIG – Carlos Amezquita: 2-5, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, HR
BIG – Braxton Church: 1-2, 1 run scored, 1 RBI, 2B, sac fly
BIG – J C Navarro: 2-4, 1 run scored, 2 RBIs, HR
BIG – Nadir Lewis: 2-4, 1 run scored, 1 RBI
FC – Matthew Heavner: 1-5, 1 run scored, 2B
FC – G. Allen: 4-6, 5 runs scored, 2 RBIs, 2B (2), SB (2)
Matthew Heavner of the Forest City Owls rounds the corner at third base, heading home for the first run of the June 8 game against the Boone Bigfoots. Photographic image by David Rogers
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. —The North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association announced the organization’s high school “all state” teams on June 7, and the High Country was well represented with Watauga shortstop Maddox Greene’s selection to the large school, “4A” All State Team.
Greene was one of two Northwestern Conference student athletes to make the list of 31 players named to the list. The other NWC representative is Mason Reising of South Caldwell.
Luke Stevenson of Wake Forest High School was named “4A Player of the Year,” while Nathan Teague of Southern Alamance was tabbed “4A Pitcher of the Year.”
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Success in anything usually involves more than one person. Sometimes it is a whole community of people from different walks of life, with different personalities — but everyone pushing toward a common goal of excellence.
That is Watauga High School athletics and that was the central message of athletic director Dustin Kerley on June 6 as he addressed close to 100 coaches, administrators, spouses, children and significant others celebrating a “Coaches Night” dinner in the school cafeteria.
Athletic director Dustin Kerley, right, presents the Bill Ross Service Award to athletic trainer Hannah Blevins on June 6 as part of the ‘Coaches Dinner.’ Photographic image by David Rogers
To create successful programs revolving around the development of high character and high-achieving student athletes — which Watauga has done the past several years on both the high school and middle school levels — required the dedicated efforts of a lot of people both in and around the Watauga County School District. At the head of it all, Kerley had a lot of thank-yous to say out loud to everyone and he didn’t miss a one over the course of the evening.
Before dinner, Kerley handed out three awards, the first a Service Award to Hannah Blevins, the athletic trainer who has served the Pioneer student athletes and, Kerley said, even many of the coaches who might be found lying on a table with an ice pack on ankle, knee, or another part of the physical person.
Kerley also recognized WCS administrators Dr. Stephen Martin and Dr. Scott Elliott, both of whom are soon retiring.
Martin is WCS Assistant Superintendent and Human Resources Director and, Kerley reported, was largely responsible for Watauga’s expansion of its middle school athletics program.
“When he first started, the Watauga School District had school specific middle school sports in boys and girls basketball and girls volleyball, and a district football team. Now there are District teams in football, girls and boys basketball, girls and boys soccer, baseball, softball, cross country, track, golf, wrestling and cheerleading, and individual school based programs in boys and girls basketball and volleyball,” said Kerley. “You might also see him driving a school bus, serving as a required administrator at a sports competition, serving lunches in the cafeteria, or shoveling snow outside the administration building.”
Martin, Kerley said, previously served as an educator in Caldwell County and has been a coach or game official for many years.
Kerley heaped similar thanks and appreciation on outgoing WCS Superintendent Scott Elliott who, the athletic director said, didn’t seem to know how to reject an idea or dismiss a need. Instead, he embraced projects and found ways to get them done, going on to list the many physical plant improvements that have been completed or started under Elliott’s watch as superintendent, including new flooring and interior improvements to the gymnasium and new turf on the stadium field, among many others.
Dr. Scott Elliott, left, was recognized by athletic director Dustin Kerley on June 6 during the ‘Coaches Dinner’ ceremonies. Photo by David Rogers
After Kerley’s long list of thank-yous, there was an unscripted poignant moment when golf coach Klay Anderson was called upon to offer a prayer in blessing the food the group was about to eat. Before the prayer, Anderson told the crowd that there was one big thank-you that had been left out, and that was to Kerley himself, for his leadership.
“I have watched him grow into the role,” said Anderson. “He pays attention to every detail. I have served as a coach here and over the years have worked under six athletic directors and met a lot more. Dustin Kerley is right up there at the top, on the same level as the best of them.”
By Joey Jones and Bret Strelow for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. — Record-setting, title-winning App State quarterback Armanti Edwards is included on the 2024 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in his first eligible year.
The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame on Monday announced a candidate list that includes 78 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and 101 players and 32 coaches from the divisional ranks, which include FCS standouts.
The ballot was emailed Monday to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers, whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which will deliberate and select the class. The announcement of the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2024.
Edwards, who wasn’t eligible for inclusion until he had officially retired from professional football, played for App State from 2006-09 and spent 12 years in pro football after being a third-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft.
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.
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 career (10,392 passing with 4,361 rushing) and 139 total touchdowns (74 passing with 65 rushing) while helping lead App State to a 48-9 record from 2006-09 with back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007.
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).
App State currently has three players/head coaches who have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame: linebacker Dexter Coakley (2011 induction), head coach Jerry Moore (2014 induction) and head coach Mack Brown (2018 induction). Fisher DeBerry, who was an App State assistant before becoming a successful college head coach, was inducted in 2011.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — For the better part of five innings on June 4, the Boone Bigfoots couldn’t get anything going offensively, all but caged by the Asheboro Zookeepers. The scoring drought came to a decisive end in the sixth and seventh innings, however, powered by home runs off the bats of Boone third baseman Nick DiPietrantonio and first baseman Caden Wagner.
Trailing 5-1 entering the bottom half of the sixth inning, Wagner — having just arrived in Boone from the University of Northern Colorado — led off the Bigfoots’ half of the 6th with a single. The next batter was DiPietrantonio (Princeton University) and he promptly powered a 1-2 pitch over the 385-foot marker on the fence in left field for a 2-RBI home run, narrowing the deficit to 5-3.
Nick DiPietrantonio (9) had a double as well as this 6th inning home run that helped power a 7-5 comeback win for the Boone Bigfoots over the Asheboro Zookeepers on June 4. Photographic image by David Rogers
After holding the Zookeepers scoreless in the top of the 7th inning, the Bigfoots had a statement inning in the bottom of the 7th: they would not be denied their first Coastal Plain League win of the young season.
Boone catcher Blake Hale (from Murray State) and shortstop Carlos Amezquita (UNC-Pembroke) got the inning started with consecutive singles. Three batters later, Wagner hammered a 3-RBI home run over the left field fence, putting the Bigfoots ahead to stay. Boone added an insurance run later in the inning when DiPietrantonio smacked a double to the warning track in right center and crossed the plate with the Bigfoots’ final run one batter later.
Although he only pitched 1.1 innings, Zach Lewis (an Appalachian State reliever) was on the mound at the right time for when the Bigfoots surged into the lead and was credited with the win. Asheboro’s Loy Hickman picked up the loss. Boone’s Cord Butler earned the save.
TOP INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES
BIG – Nick DiPietrantonio: 2-4, 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs, 2B, HR, stolen base
By Bret Strelow for App State Sports. GENEVA, Ohio — Thanks to a strong showing from Ethan Oakley, App State Wrestling and the Boone RTC produced a U23 Freestyle national finalist for the second straight year.
Oakley won his first five matches in the 61 kg bracket Sunday to reach a best-of-three championship round against Julian Chlebove from Arizona State. Chlebove broke a 4-4 tie in a 6-4 win before wrapping up the title with an 8-3 victory.
Oakley’s run to the final occurred one year after Jon Jon Millner took second in the 70 kg bracket at the U23 Freestyle World Team Trials.
A seventh-place finish Saturday in the U20 Freestyle World Team Trials from Carson Floyd, who posted a 2-2 record after becoming an All-American in late April by placing eighth at the US Open Championships, means App State has had five USA Wrestling All-Americans in the last two years.
Oakley, Chad Bellis (four wins at 57 kg), Ike Byers (six straight consolation wins at 65 kg), Tommy Askey (six wins at 70 kg) and Jacob Sartorio (four wins at 125 kg) were all among the final 16 wrestlers left in their U23 Freestyle brackets, which featured a double-elimination format. Riley Edwards also made it to Day 2 before dropping a matchup that involved two Boone RTC entries.
Oakley reached the final with an 11-7 victory against second-seeded Dominick Serrano and advanced to the semifinal round by rallying for a 7-5 win against Kyle Burwick, thanks to a tying point with 11 seconds left and two tiebreaking points with two seconds left. Oakley opened the event by scoring two tiebreaking points with eight seconds left in an 8-6 win against Hunter Adrian and then had decisive wins by scores of 16-6 and 12-4.
By beating Oakley, Chlebove makes the USA University World Team and will compete in October at the U23 World Championships in Finland.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Rebounding from a frustrating first half, Appalachian FC rallied to score two goals against Alliance FC (Knoxville, Tenn.) in the second half to win the night, 2-1.
It was the fifth match of the young National Premier Soccer League season and the Sasquatch crew left with a 2-1-2 record. After tying a strong Apotheos team (3-0-2) on the road a week earlier, Appalachian FC head coach Dale Parker suggested after the June 3 tilt vs. Alliance that his side expects to come into every match here on out as the favorite.
“It was a bit unlucky that our schedule matched us with Apotheos in two of the first four games of the season,” said Parker, “but our guys rallied after that first loss and did what they had to do last week in Atlanta. Apotheos is a good side but we also came close to winning that match.”
Against Alliance, Appalachian FC played like they were the favorites, controlling possession an estimated 70 percent of the first half, mostly in the attacking half of the field. The just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net on multiple scoring opportunities but a lot of credit must go to a courageous defensive effort by the Knoxville, Tenn.-based opponents.
Unfortunately, in addition to not scoring, Appalachian conceded a goal to Alliance in the 35th minute when a shot caromed off the goal post and was headed into the net by a follow-up Alliance frontline player.
“Down 1-0 at halftime, I really didn’t have to say anything to the guys at halftime,” said Parker. “They knew what they had to do. We were disappointed to concede the goal like we did but you have to move on — and make the next goal.”
And it didn’t take long for them to do it. In the 51st minute, Rashawn Kellman, a native of Barbados and played soccer at Chicago State University, found the back of the net. Roughly 10 minutes later, British national Max Bolton scored to put Sasquatch & Co. up, 2-1.
“I think in the end the better team won, which is always nice,” said Parker in assessing how the night unfolded for Appalachian. Alliance is a good team with some good players. In the first half we played exceptionally well but couldn’t put them away. When you don’t score at this level, you leave yourself open. We made one mistake in the first half and they capitalized on it. So halftime was massively important. We could not afford to just let up. We had to make sure got out there in the second half and carried on, doing what we needed to do.”
Good, competitive play on both sides was marred by a number of yellow cards, mostly awarded to Alliance team members after bringing down an Appalachian player dangerously.
“Physical play does not bother us,” said Parker, later. “When we are the favorites coming in, you expect the opposing team to try and knock you around a bit as part of their game strategy. Of course, we are always concerned for our players’ safety.”
On June 10, Appalachian FC travels to McDonough, Ga., to take on the Georgia Revolution, currently listed in the NPSL Southeast Division standings at No. 2, with a 3-2-0 record.
The next home match for Appalachian Fc is June 13 in a non-conference challenge by DC United Under 20, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m. at Ted Mackeroll Stadium.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — A picture often represents a thousand words, so there is very little to say except that we were blessed to have witnessed the graduation of Watauga High School’s remarkable 2023 class. Great music, meaningful speeches, enthusiastic cheers from the crowd surrounding (and supporting) the grads, and of course those priceless moments… Congratulations to all who are starting their next chapter of life’s adventures.
