By David Rogers. WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (remote) — A slick-passing William & Mary women’s soccer team, along with its physically aggressive defense, upended visiting App State hopes of extending an unblemished, early season record. With goals in each half, The Tribe defeated the Mountainers, 2-0, in Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field, in front of more than 300 soccer fans.
App State mostly controlled possession for the first seven minutes of play on Aug. 24, but momentum shifted and The Tribe gained the upper hand by being first to the ball and executing deft, one- and two-touch passes to work the ball up the field, offensively, a model they executed for most of the match.
In the 54th minute, App State’s redshirt freshman goalkeeper, Anna Claire Jacobi, rushed out to smother a Tribe attack near the left front corner of the penalty box, but with Jacobi on the ground in what can only be described as a muddle involving Jacobi, W & M’s Molly Widderich and the Tribe’s Ivey Crain, the ball slipped out toward the center. An opportunistic Crain jumped out of the pile and used her speed to push the ball ahead. into space, and nudged it into the unprotected goal for the game’s first score.
Then, with just 15 minutes remaining in the second half, Tribe midfielder Lindsay Wilson corralled a pass from from the right side, dribbled left, and ripped a shot just inside the left post, mere fractions of an inch beyond the outstretched arms of a diving Jacobi, for William & Mary’s second and final goal of the day.
Many of William & Mary’s attack opportunities resulted in offsides calls. Much to the displeasure of a vocal group of fans in the grandstands, The Tribe was whistled for offsides nine times vs. just once by the Mountaineers.
According to LiveStats, App State controlled possession 69 percent of the time, vs. 31 percent by their hosts — but The Tribe simply did more with their opportunities, including holding a 13-10 advantage in shots.
Now 3-1 on the young season, App State will try to recover with another meeting against an ACC opponent, at Clemson on Sunday, Aug. 31. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
William & Mary improves to 1-2-1 with the win. They will travel to James Madison for an in-state rivalry game on Thursday, Aug. 28, with a 6 p.m. start time.
By David Rogers. BRISTOL, Tenn. (remote) — With nearly 300 cross country athletes competing in each of the middle school boys and girls division, the 2025 Run for the Hills races at South Holston Dam were primed for harrier excitement. The Watauga District Middle School team (11 girls and 10 boys) didn’t disappoint, with strong performances highlighted by Kate James Moore’s No. 2 finish in the girls race.
GIRLS RACE
Liberty Bell eighth grader Cate Holden finished No. 1 (8:48.80) out of the 238 student athletes competing in the 2400-Meter Girls Division, which included 21 schools qualifying for team scoring. In addition, there were several athletes from schools with fewer than five runners entered, as well as a handful of unattached competitors.
Watauga’s Moore finished just 14 seconds behind Holden for the 1.49 miles’ distance, in 9:07.10, and more than 10 seconds ahead of No. 3 finisher, Isabella Regalado, of Jonesborough MS. A total of 12 student-athletes from eight different schools crossed the finish line in under 10 minutes.
Watauga earned a No. 6 placing in the team competition, which was won by Holden’s Liberty Bell. All but two of the Boone-based girls finished in the top half of the field, including Eden Gates (No. 32), Hannah Reule (No. 36), Liliana Resendiz (No. 39), Addie Greer (No. 57), Estalee Davenport (No. 62), Mia Kelley (No. 71), Anna Brooks Heistand (No. 97), and Abbie Cutchens (No. 105). Watauga 6th grader competed with the older runners, finishing strong at No. 142, followed by 7th grade student, Ellie Cobb at No. 229.
According to Meredith Moore, Kate James Moore’s runner-up time of 9:07.10 is the sixth fastest time in the history of the Run for the Hills event.
BOYS RACE
Indian Trail MS of Johnson City only finished No. 8 in the Boys Division team competition, but had the event’s No. 1 individual performer in 8th grader Justin Wicker (8:17.70). Out of 282 athletes competing in the Boys Division, Watauga District MS didn’t have any team members finish higher than No. 31, but all five individuals calculated in the team score finished in the top 100. That included Yates Hodges (No. 33), Ben Trivette (No. 34), John Braxton (No. 51), William Leonard (No. 60) and Olin Coley (No. 114). Jayden Perez-Zhu, Damien Johnson, and Miles Pearson also finished in the top half of the field. Tye Friedham and Max Friedham also pushed themselves to personal records for the race.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Unity, said Watauga’s junior outside hitter Ashlyn Smith afterwards, was the key to the Pioneers’ two, 3-set sweeps of visiting North Iredell and Providence on Aug. 23, at Lentz Eggers Gym. The Boone volleyballers certainly seemed to be “clicking” against the Raiders in the morning tilt (25-12, 25-17, 25-12) and vs. the Panthers in the nightcap (25-11, 25-14, 25-19).
“There was so much growth today, across offense, defense and across every player. We are playing together. Unity on our team is so strong right now. Coming off these wins as well as our first loss, we have just come out, ready to win. Our unity really makes us play together,” said a smiling Smith.
Watauga’s Ashlyn Smith digs out a difficult serve vs. Providence on Aug. 23 in Lentz Eggers Gym. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Middle blocker Kora Knight had six kills in each of the matches against North Iredell and Providence, adding a couple of stuff blocks against the Raiders and a pair of digs against the Panthers.
“We have connected in multiple, different ways,” said Knight after the Providence match. “It was nice to play against a slower team to make sure we (worked) some things out. We played our strongest rotation first (to aim for an early lead). And our serving tonight was really good. We have been working on that a lot in practice.”
In the middle of the first set, with the scored tied, 8-8, Watauga finally gained separation on the scoreboard. A lot of that came with sophomore libero Carolina Childers serving, running off a string of miscues by Providence in serve receive. Apparently, good serving was contagious, because against Providence the Pioneers rattled off a whopping 13 service aces as a team, five by Childers.
Between sets on Aug. 23, Kira Beasley (22) and Caroline Childers (23) have some fun with a photographer. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
“In the middle of the match,” said Watauga head coach Kim Pryor, “I asked how many aces we had. That had become a huge part of our game. Aces can be such a lift as you are going through the grind of a match. Aces can separate you from other teams. That was great to see us getting the ball to the right places and getting our serves in, honestly. You can crank out a good lead if you can get some aces.”
Pryor shared that in practice the team has been working purposefully on the serving skills.
“In general, we are trying to have better speed, velocity, on the ball. That velocity should result in more aces but the balance there is the potential for more misses. But we are getting good balance now, getting balls in with good velocity and getting them to the right spots,” said Pryor.
Delivering a power serve vs. Providence, Watauga senior Emma Pastusic on Aug. 23 shows how it is done. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Since the season-opening, 3-1 loss to Hickory on Aug. 11, the Pioneers have reeled off four straight victories against historically tough opponents in West Wilkes, Southwestern Randolph, North Iredell and Providence. All have been 3-0 sweeps.
On Monday, Aug. 25, Watauga will have an opportunity to exact a measure of revenge for that one loss when they travel to Hickory for a rematch against the Red Tornadoes. They’ll follow that up with three more scheduled, non-conference matches on the road against Ashe County (Aug. 27), Forbush (Aug. 28) and at A.L. Brown (Sept. 3), before returning home for a final non-conference contest vs. Hickory Christian Academy (Sept. 4). They begin 6A/7A Northwestern Conference play on the road on Sept. 9, at Freedom (Morganton).
STATISTICAL LEADERS vs. PROVIDENCE
Kills: Emma Pastusic (18), Addi Stough (7), Kora Knight (6), Ashlyn Smith (5)
Assists: Lainey Gragg (35), Caroline Childers (3), Ava Zaragoza (2)
Digs: Caroline Childers (15), Lilli Combs (11), Ashlyn Smith (8)
Service Aces: Caroline Childers (5), Ashlyn Smith (4), Emma Pastusic (2)
STATISTICAL LEADERS vs. NORTH IREDELL
Kills: Emma Pastusic (14), Ashlyn Smith (11), Kora Knight (6), Addie Stough (4)
Assists: Lainey Gragg (37)
Digs: Ashlyn Smith (17), Caroline Childers (13), Lilli Combs (9)
Stuff Blocks: Kora Knight (2), Addie Stough (1), Ashlyn Smith (1), Julia Rowan (1)
Service Aces: Ashlyn Smith (3), Caroline Childers (3), Emma Pastusic (2)
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — For a season opening high school football game, there was plenty of action on both sides of the ball, Aug. 22, between host Watauga and visiting High Country rival, Ashe County — at least for the Pioneers, who ran away with this one, 56-7.
While Pioneer head coach Ryan Habich said afterwards there was plenty to “clean up” in executing play on offense, defense and special teams, he was pleased with the obvious connections between his playmakers, including Cade Keller, Evan Burroughs, Everett Gryder, Nyle Peays, Thomas Dieters and transfer Bowen Mayo.
Before the season opener between Watauga and High Country rival Ashe County on Aug. 22, longtime Watauga assistant coach Steve Breitenstein (right) and former defensive back on Watauga’s 1978 state championship team, Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, now the Commissioner of the Mid-American Conference (for which Breitenstein was an assistant coach under Bill Mauldin) got together on the field to share memories. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
SELECTED STATS
Watauga QB Cade Keller completed 8-of-8 passes for 262 yards and 4 TDs
Watauga Rushing
Keller: 3 carries for 48 yards, 1 D
Burroughs: 1 carry for 31 yards
Gryder: 9 carries for 59 yards, 1 TD
Watauga Receiving
Burroughs: 4 catches for 193 yards, 3 TDs
Stats compiled by Watauga Football, subject to later corrections
BONUS PHOTOS
All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Always a pre-game ritual, Watauga’s football “moms” circle up to pray for the safety of their sons…… then gather on the ramp leading to the grandstands for a pre-game photo op with High Country Sports.A team photo op for the Watauga Pacers dance team for the season opener vs. Ashe County on Aug. 22, 2025.The Watauga and Ashe County marching bands joined forces to perform The Star Spangled Banner on Aug. 22, 2025, at Jack Groce Stadium.The student section had a ‘white out’ dress theme for the Aug. 22, 2025, football season opener between host Watauga and visiting Ashe County, lining up for the Pioneer football team’s entrance.Watauga captains Cade Keller (10), Brady Lindenmuth (56), Crue Stoddard (54), and Thomas Dieters (11) walk to the center of the field with game officials for the Aug. 22, 2025 season opener vs. Ashe County.It’s the coin flip ritual — and Watauga wins the toss, electing to receive on Aug. 22, 2025, at Jack Groce Stadium, vs. Ashe County for the season opener.Always a fun way to start a football game, breaking the banner at Watauga High School, led by cheerleaders and greeted by the Pacers.ALL FOR NAUGHT — Cade Keller’s sprint for paydirt on the Pioneers’ second play from scrimmage was called back because of a penalty, but was a harbinger of things to come, Aug. 22, 2025, vs. Ashe County in the season opener.Miller Hankins (85) was Watauga’s placekicker and had significant success on Aug. 22, 2025, in the season opener vs. Ashe County, perfect on extra points and well placed kickoffs, shown here making good on the PAT following the Pioneers’ first TD.A STEADY HAND — Watauga’s Evan Burroughs gathers in an Ashe County punt, for a ‘fair catch’ on Aug. 22, 2025, at Jack Groce Stadium.Everett Gryder (4) cuts upfield on a rush through the middle vs. Ashe County on Aug. 22, 2025.Brady Lindenmuth (56) and Aidan Plemons (57) are right in the middle of things Aug. 22, 2025, to stop Ashe County’s offense.Evan Burroughs (12) goes around the right side on a pitchout from QB Cade Keller for a big gain, Aug. 22, 2025, vs. Ashe County.On the same pitchout run, Burroughs broke free for extra yardage.After finding himself wide open in the second quarter to collect a long Cade Keller pass, Evan Burroughs (12) virtually strolled into the end zone, Aug. 22, 2025, vs. Ashe County.Watauga junior defensive back Devan Lacue makes a diving tackle vs. the Ashe County QB on Aug. 22, 2025.While a teammate applies pressure to the Ashe County QB, Bryce Peters, Cooper Greene (6) leaps high in the air, helping force Peters to pass high and incomplete.The Watauga offensive line opens a gaping hole on Aug. 22 vs. Ashe County — and QB Cade Keller (10) spots it to take advantage, and score.B-back Everett Gryder attacks space around the left side on Aug. 22, 2025, vs. Ashe County in Watauga’s 56-7 win.Around the left side, Everett Gryder (4) cuts toward the sideline vs. Ashe County on Aug. 22, 2025.Watauga senior wide receiver Nyle Peays found himself wide open in the corner of the end zone for a TD pass from QB Cade Keller on Aug. 22, 2025, vs. Ashe County in Jack Groce Stadium.Ashe County QB Bryce Peters didn’t have many good opportunities, given the pressure from Watauga’s defensive personnel on Aug. 22, 2025.Watauga defensive (and offensive) lineman Brady Lindenmuth (56) dives ahead on Aug. 22, 2025, aiming to block an Ashe County punt.Running back Everett Gryder (4) tucks the ball in and attacks a hole in the line of scrimmage on Aug. 22, 2025, vs. Ashe County in the 2025 season opener.Watauga QB Cade Keller (10) has running back Everett Gryder (4) open, but this pass was actually completed deep downfield, to Evan Burroughs.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Early goals in each half proved the difference for App State vs. Davidson women’s soccer on Aug. 21 at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex. The lightning delayed contest resulted in a 2-0 win by the Mountaineers, taking them to 3-0 on the young season for the best start to a fall campaign since 1999.
Less than four minutes into the game, graduate forward Izzy Wood gathered the ball on the right side, then pushed a pass to the center, just outside the penalty box, where teammate Ellie Garrison was sprinting up the middle. Dashing with the ball between two Davidson defenders, Garrison slipped the ball between the goalkeeper Allie Moore’s legs and it skipped skipped along the turf and into the net for the game’s first goal.
Walker Bristow (17), moves the ball upfield vs. Davidson on Aug. 21. Photo courtesy of App State Athletics
The in-state adversaries battled evenly for the rest of the half, although the Wildcats had to be turned away several times by the Mountaineers’ stout defensive play. Davidson took eight shots in the first half, compared to just three by App State. In addition, the visitors held a 6-1 advantage in corner kick opportunities. They just couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities.
App State seemed to come out of halftime with a different agenda, including doing a better job of controlling possession and manufacturing more shot opportunities. They outshot the Wildcats, 9-6, in the second half. The intensified attack produced a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.
One of the early second-half corner kick opportunities produced the Mountaineers’ second goal. From the right corner, forward Kyli Switalski looped a high corner kick toward the front of the goal, soaring over the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Grace Stair — curling under the crossbar, just inside the far left post for the Mountaineers second goal.
App State graduate forward Izzy Wood is on the move vs. Davidson, Aug. 21. Photo courtesy of App State Athletics.
The rest of the half produced few meaningful counterattacks, with disruptive defensive play from both teams.
With the win, the Mountaineers move to 3-0, the best start to a season since 1999, and they have come against Western Carolina (the top-ranked team in the Southern Conference); University of Miami (Fla.), a member of the “Power Four” Atlantic Coast Conference; and Davidson, a strong competitor in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Before starting Sun Belt Conference play against Old Dominion on Sept. 13, in Norfolk, Va., the Mountaineers have four more non-conference matchups, beginning with William & Mary on the road, Aug. 24; at Clemson, another ACC opponent, a week later (Aug. 31); home against East Carolina (American Athletic Conference) on Sept. 4; then back on the road Sept. 7 for a test at Longwood (Farmville, Va.).
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It was a night of celebrations, including a birthday (senior Emma Pastusic) and 1,000 career assists (junior Lainey Gragg) — and when the last point had been scored vs. NCHSAA 2A power Southwestern Randolph, Watauga Volleyball had even more to celebrate: a three-set sweep, 25-4, 25-20, 25-22.
Warming up, Southwestern Randolph’s volleyball team looked the part of their pedigree. According to MaxPreps, the Cougars finished No. 9 in the state 2A rankings in 2024-25, No. 3 in 2023-24, No. 4 in 2022-23, and state champions in 2021-22.
An acrobatic Lainey Gragg sets the ball during Watauga’s non-conference volleyball match vs. 2021-22 2A state champion Southwestern Randolph on Aug. 20, 2025. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
All that “look” fell by the wayside in facing host Watauga on Aug. 20 in Lentz Eggers Gym. The Pioneers were “firing on all cylinders,” as head coach Kim Pryor put it afterwards, running the score up to 12-0 before Southwestern Randolph smelled the scoreboard. At 19-2, the rout was on and it hardly got any better for the visitors by the end, losing 25-4.
But the first set prelude was hardly a harbinger of things to come. The Cougars gathered themselves and made the second and third sets more in keeping with what the crowded onlookers might have expected.
Senior outside hitter Emma Pastusic (18) powers a kill shot past Southwestern Randolph defenders on Aug. 20, in a non-conference matchup in Lentz Eggers Gym. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
In set two, Southwestern Randolph jumped out to an early lead against a lineup that included almost all of the Pioneer starters as Pryor looked to increase court time for a sprinkling of reserves. But Watauga got back in synch and rallied back to tie the score at 8-8, beginning a competitive, see-saw battle the Pioneers eventually won, 25-20.
Set 3 was more of the same, with even more of the Pioneers seeing some of the non-conference action. The early season, after all, is the time when teamwork is emphasized by Pryor and her coaching staff, regardless of who is on the court representing the Pioneers.
Watauga setter Lainey Gragg was the center of attention on Aug. 20 when play was stopped to recognize her 1,000th career set. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
“Southwestern Randolph is an amazing team,” said Watauga head coach Kim Pryor afterwards. “They’ve won a state championship within the last five years. They are well coached and a gritty team. We came out firing on all cylinders. It was the best we have been in synch all year. What we were doing was clicking. We have been working on our setter-hitter connection and the girls’ serving tonight was (really good). It was such a complete team (win). The girls brought both sides of the ball together tonight.
Watauga’s senior outside hitter Emma Pastusic knew to expect a battle from Southwestern Randolph, in spite of the Pioneers’ first set dominance.
Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
“We went five sets with them last year,” said the senior power hitter, “so we knew they are a good team. Their defense was a little iffy (tonight) but their middle blockers are really good.”
“I thought we played really well, especially in the first set,” said Pioneer sophomore libero Caroline Childers after the match. “We were functioning really well as a team. One of the areas we were focused on tonight was the setter to hitter connection. Personally, I worked on serve receive and defense, as well as those critical passes to the setter.
“Covering the areas behind the players up front, blocking, was also a focus for me tonight. Look at it like having their backs,” Childers said, with a smile.
A highlight of the evening was when there was a brief stoppage in play to recognize junior setter Lainey Gragg’s 1,000th career assist.
Statistical leaders for the Pioneer varsity included:
Kills: Emma Pastusic (19), Ashlyn Smith (9), Julia Rowan (8)
Service Aces: Ashlyn Smith (3), Emma Pastusic (1), Lilli Combs (1), Caroline Childers (1)
Pioneer JVs sweep, too
In the junior varsity curtain raiser for the varsity action, Watauga JV also swept in two sets, 25-22, 25-15. Standouts included setter Mia Mitchell (23 assists), outside hitters Kira Beasley (7 kills) and Adeline Tate (10 kills), and libero Ember Honeycutt (29 digs). Mitchell also added two service aces and six digs.
Up Next
On Saturday, Aug. 23, Watauga hosts North Iredell (Olin, N.C.) and Providence (Charlotte, N.C.) in a Tri-Meet. First match is 10 a.m. in Lentz Eggers Gym.
By Matt Present. BOONE, N.C. — In the 79th minute of a scoreless match, Walker Bristow dribbled toward the top of the box and fed a through ball ahead to Ellie Garrison, who was taken down by a Miami defender on her way to the net. After replay review, the referees awarded Garrison a penalty kick.
The sophomore calmly stepped to the dot and buried a shot into the bottom-right corner of the net. Eleven minutes later, her Mountaineer teammates sprinted onto the field in jubilation, having posted a signature, 1-0 victory over the University of Miami Hurricanes — the Mountaineer program’s first win over a Power Five opponent since 2016.
“I’m so proud of our team, our players, just an absolute tough-as-nails performance,” head coach Aimee Haywood said after the game. “I’m over the moon about our players’ performance today.”
Four seasons ago, as Haywood embarked on her first year at App State, the Mountaineers were picked 13th out of 14 teams in the Sun Belt preseason poll. Her squad finished that season seventh in the league and followed with a program-best third-place finish in 2023. In 2024, the Mountaineers opened the campaign with a scoreless draw against NC State.
Sunday’s win was historic: the first in program history against an ACC opponent.
“This has definitely been a four-year build for us, and we’ve done it really intentionally, developing the players that we have here,” Haywood added. “I think it says a lot about the App State brand to get a team [like Miami] to come up here and play us.”
Quantity vs. Quality
Despite being outshot for the game, the Mountaineers had the higher quality scoring opportunities. In addition to the penalty-kick goal — Garrison’s third tally of the week — junior Olivia Simon narrowly missed a goal midway through the second half when her shot was saved by Miami goalkeeper Atlee Olofson and then deflected off the far post.
Defensively, the Mountaineers were stout. Goalkeeper Anna Claire Jacobi posted her first career shutout, registering six saves, highlighted by a diving effort with 18 minutes left to keep the contest scoreless.
Center backs Sydney Snowden and Maddie Williams kept App State organized in front of Jacobi, playing all 90 minutes.
Offensively, Garrison and Simon accounted for all five App State shots.
The Mountaineers are 2-0 for the first time since 2016 and look to continue their hot start Thursday when they host Davidson in Boone. First touch is set for 6 p.m., and the match will stream on ESPN+.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — With 36 schools and 890 student athletes converging on the Watauga High School cross country course, you not only have to expect a lot of parents, grandparents and family friends, but also a lot of coaches and alums of various programs. It all made for a lot of energy in and around the course on a classic “Chamber of Commerce Day” in the High Country for the Pioneers-hosted “Clash of the Classes” on Aug. 16.
Watauga High School head coach Randy McDonough said it was the most schools and the most runners to ever participate in Clash of the Classes, which has run continuously since being started in the 1980s by former App State head coach, John Weaver. McDonough became Watauga’s coach in 1993 and later took over as event director for Clash of the classes, heading it ever since.
The top 15 finishers in each class earned a medal, but for the vast majority of student athletes it was as much about finishing and lowering personal bests as it was about winning.
The Middle School Girls race jumpstarted the day’s 10 races in ‘Clash of the Classes’ on Aug. 16 at Watauga High School. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports.
MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS
Watauga 8th grader Kate James Moore ran away with the race, crossing the finish line more than 46 seconds ahead of a trio of athletes from Providence Academy in Rose Holland, Mia Fox and Hadley Cowert. Another trio of runners, all unattached, were across the line next, including Anna Summers, Lila Carter, and Cora Taft.
Watauga District Middle School’s Kate James Moore was the decisive winner in the Middle SchoolGirls race for ‘Clash of the Classes’ on Aug. 16. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Highlighted by Moore’s No. 1 trek around the 2-mile course in 13:13.47, the other members of the top seven were all under 15 minutes. A total of 41 student-athletes competed in the Middle School Girls division. “Middle School” is a little bit misleading, however, because there were runners as young as 2nd graders from Run for Life Iredell — and a 4th grader from Run for Life Iredell, Rebekah Milos (15:17.86), who was No. 12 to cross the finish line, well ahead of almost 30 older athletes.
Only three schools had enough entrants to qualify for team scoring, led by Watauga District (31), Run for Life Iredell (40) and Langtree Charter Academy (59).
MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS
It was a photo finish — and Boone was well represented in the Middle School Boys division by Grace Academy, with team members taking four of the top six spots, including No. 1 Evan Gordon (11:37.56), No. 2 Micah Arnold (11:37.92), No. 5 Brandon Gordon and No. 6 Evan Dredla.
Evan Gordon and Micah Arnold of Grace Academy came across the finish line within a second of each other on Aug. 16, in the Middle School Boys division of ‘Clash of the Classes’ at Watauga High School. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Arnold, Gordon and Dredla are all 7th graders. In between the Grace Academy runners were a pair of Providence Academy performers, No. 3 Jake Robinson (11:52.22) and No. 4 Finn Blackburn (13:07.39).
Sixty-three student harriers made up the field. Watauga 7th grader John Braxton finished No. 10, as the top Wolverine runner, closely followed by 8th grader Yates Hodges at No. 11.
Grace Academy picked up No. 1 team honors, with 27 points, followed by Providence Academy (39), Lakeshore Middle School (83), Watauga District Middle Schools (96), Run 4 Life Iredell (115) and Chestnut Grove Middle School (170).
9th GRADE WOMEN
RESULTS NOT AVAILABLE
9th GRADE MEN
Watauga freshman Sean Rea was the first Pioneer to cross the line at No. 5, after Seth Marciante (No. 1, 11:08.17, Daniel Boone HS), Liam Crews (No. 2, 11:13.03, A.L. Brown HS), Will Shaffer (No. 3, 11:29.14, William A. Hough HS) and Mason Moore (No. 4, 11:30.14, Oak Grove HS). At No. 5, Rea finished in 11:31.02)
The Watauga team rallied around their Freshman entrants in ‘Clash of the Classes’ on Aug. 16, with a cry of ‘Go Mudcats!’ Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Ninety-two (92) freshman student athletes toed the line for the start of the race.
9th Grade Men Team Scoring:
West Henderson (70)
William A. Hough (80)
A L Brown (101)
Daniel Boone (112)
Mooresville (113)
Watauga (114)
David Crockett (121)
Providence Academy (158)
10th GRADE WOMEN
One of the star performances among all the races was put in by Watauga sophomore Cali Townsend, finishing No. 1 (11:35.29) in the 10th Grade Women’s division. Townsend was almost a full minute ahead of No. 2, Arvella Nave (12:35.07) of Elizabethton HS.
And they’re off! — at the start of the 10th Grade Women’s race in ‘Clash of the Classes,’ Aug. 16. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
It was a large division, with 94 student athletes competing. Watauga’s Nora Price was the second Pioneer to cross the line, finishing No. 8 (13:30.36).
Medalist Olivia Ogle (No. 14, 13:50.85), stopped to talk with High Country Sports after her race. Asked why she ran, Ogle said, “I love the feel of the adrenaline at the start of a race. I love competing, but winning is secondary. Getting better every time I run is the goal. It’s about personal development.”
The top 15 finishers of every race in ‘Clash of the Classes’ earned a medal. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Asked about the Watauga course, she said, “It is beautiful up here. There are a lot of terrain changes, from uneven grass and gravel to pavement and a gravel finish. I’m glad I wore my spikes.”
10th Grade Women Team Scores:
A C Reynolds (31)
Watauga (35)
R J Reynolds (82)
West Henderson (109)
West Cabarrus (125)
Oak Grove (144)
Alexander Central (185)
10th GRADE MEN
With a stirring “kick” in the last 100 yards, Oak Grove’s Bryson Vann captured the No. 1 title in the 10th Grade Men’s division, crossing the line in 10:50.27. He was followed by No. 2 Grant Collum (10:59.27, William A. Hough HS), No. 3 Paxton Lawver (11:07.18, Lake Norman HS), No. 4 Dylan Robinson (11:14.39, Providence Academy), and No. 5 Obie Greene (11:16.90, West Henderson).
Oak Grove HS sophomore Bryson Vann was pretty psyched in winning the 10th Grade Men’s division race in Aug. 16’s ‘Clash of the Classes’ at Watauga High School. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
The field was comprised of 74 student athletes. The top Watauga performer was Cormac Walker at No. 20 (12:22.55).
10th Grade Team Scores:
Ardrey Kell (28)
R J Reynolds (29)
A L Brown (73)
The start of the 11th grade Women’s division race, Aug. 16, for ‘Clash of the Classes.’ Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
11th GRADE WOMEN
Watauga place two harriers in the top 10 of the 11th grade race, No. 5 Lainey Johnston (13:26.37) and No. 8 Susanna Goff (13:45.35), among the 74 student athletes competing.
The race leaders were No. 1 Olivia Teeter of Mooresville (12:52.58), No. 2 Savannah Piazza of David Crockett HS (13:11.04), No. 3 Lorraine Hunter (unattached, 13:13.52), and No. 4 Ava Nutter of Daniel Boone HS (13:14.59).
11th Grade Women Team Scores:
William A. Hough (44)
West Henderson (51)
Ardrey Kell (54)
R J Reynolds (78)
East Rowan (105)
Ahmn Byrd of Mooresville jumped out to an early lead — and kept expanding it on Aug. 16 in the 11th Grade Men’s division of ‘Clash of the Classes’ at Watauga High School. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
11TH GRADE MEN
Ahmn Byrd of Mooresville used a fast-closing sprint to capture the 11th Grade Men’s division, finishing in 10:28.90, just ahead of No. 2 Gavin Christian of Daniel Boone HS (10:36.41). R J Reynolds’ Colin Ehrman was only a second behind as No. 3 (10:37.95), with Adam Dreier of Ardrey Kell at No. 4 (10:45.95) and Clay Summers of R J Reynolds crossing the line at No. 5 (10:47.49).
Ninety (90) student athletes competed in the division, with James Bostrom (No. 11, 11:08.07) and Grady Gates (No. 16, 11:32.14) were the top Watauga finishers.
11th Grade Men Team Scores:
Daniel Boone HS (49)
Ardrey Kell (68)
West Stokes (104)
R J Reynolds (109)
Watauga (117)
Mooresville (141)
William A. Hough (148)
A L Brown (156)
East Rowan (224)
12th GRADE WOMEN
West Henderson’s Amron Rice was first to cross the finish line in the 12th Grade Women’s division, touring the 2-mile course in 12:16.64, well ahead of No. 2 Sadie Honeycutt (12:52.07, Daniel Boone HS) and Hannah Robinson of Providence Academy (13:02.50).
First across the line for Watauga in the No. 4 position was Janie Beach-Verhay, in 13:13.26. Because West Henderson, Daniel Boone, and Providence Academy did not have at least seven runners in this particular class, Beach-Verhay was scored No. 1 for team scoring.
12th Grade Women Team Scoring:
Ardrey Kell (37)
Watauga (43)
A C Reynolds (61)
David Crockett (78)
Janie Beach-Verhay (center, smiling) was Watauga’s top finisher in the 12th Grade Women’s division of ‘Clash of the Classes,’ Aug. 16. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
12th GRADE MEN
Daniel Boone HS’s Fisher Battel crossed the line No. 1 in the day’s final race, completing the course in 10:07.81, the fastest performance of the day. He was followed by Luke Vannoy (No. 2, 10:11.65, Oak Grove HS), Julian Coladonato (No. 3, 10:30.02, A C Reynolds HS), Hunter Creech (No. 4, 10:39.32, Oak Grove HS) and Aiden Edwards (No. 5, 10:39.97, Oak Grove HS).
The 12th Grade Men’s division gof off to a fast start, Aug. 16, for ‘Clash of the Classes.’ Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
With 80 runners competing, Watauga was led by Elliott Taft (No. 13, 11:11.58), Zeke Walker (No. 16, 11:21.18) and Calvin Zwetsloot (11:23.81).
By Bret Strelow. BOONE, N.C. — Hunter Shaut has joined the App State Wrestling staff as an assistant coach.
Shaut (pronounced like shout) concluded his collegiate career at Buffalo in 2025, and the childhood education major earned Academic All-MAC recognition in each of his final two seasons. He won 43 matches during his career, posting 22 dual victories over his final three seasons and going 12-6 in MAC duals.
As a senior, he went 22-15 overall, placed fourth at the MAC Championships at 165 pounds and earned the team’s Academic Excellence Award.
A native of Mohawk, N.Y., Shaut went 53-4 as a high school senior and was the first two-time state champion in Central Valley Academy’s history.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It was a beautiful, if warm evening of football on Aug. 15, with Watauga hosting North Surry, Maiden and South Point. Here is a sampling of the action at Jack Groce Stadium.
All images captured by photographer Jared Everett, processed for High Country Sports by David Rogers
