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CASE STUDY: South Shore Golf Course evaluated by NCAA Division I collegians

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CASE STUDY: South Shore Golf Course evaluated by NCAA Division I collegians

By David Rogers. NARRAGANSETT, R.I. — On May 16, we ran a story about our recent trip to South Kingstown, R.I., where we got a firsthand look at Blowing Rock-based Ron Cutlip’s latest golf course design: South Shore Golf Club. During our visit, we ran across the men’s golf team from the University of Rhode Island, who have adopted the 9-hole course in the middle of a residential development as one of their primary practice venues.

Communicating with them through community developer Larry LeBlanc and Cutlip, the head coach, Gregg Burke, and a few of the players from the team offered their insights about the course and its features, including hole-by-hole characteristics.

Spring had not quite arrived in mid-April, but the course was already beginning to “green,” if not yet fully.

Photographic image by David Rogers

Those Teaching Moments

“From the time you drive into the beautiful homes within the complex, with the golf course just ahead, you know you are in for a very special playing experience,” said Coach Burke in his review. “The layout is so well designed that it is a challenge for a high handicapper as well as to the Division I golfer and top amateur.

“The two hallmarks of the course,” added Burke, “are the challenge of the tight fairways’ tee shots, with challenging bunkering to access the green — and the incredible green complexes themselves. The size of the greens and the devilish slopes and tucked areas allow for more pin placements than virtually any course around.

“This is not a golf course where you look at the yardages and think birdies,” Burke concluded. It is one where you look at the holes and think respect. Along with Whitinsville Golf Club, the Par Three Course at Shelter Harbor, South Shore is a ‘top three’ nine-hole layout in New England.”

Ron Cutlip, left, greets University of Rhode Island senior Geronimo Narrizano. Photographic image by David Rogers

Geronimo Narizzano, a senior from Buenos Aires, Argentina: “The best quality of the golf course is the multiple tee areas and the incredible number of pin placement options. You can play this course over and over and it will feel different every time.”

Seb Carlsson, a freshman from Narragansett: :The best part of the golf course is the green structures. So many options and so many tricky putts out there.”

Aidan O’Donovan, a sophomore from Somerville, Mass.: “Overall, the course is very fair. It has a tough par 5 and a (reachable) par 4, which I think every course should have. The greens are tricky with false fronts and tiers but they are also very fair. It is just flat out a great golf course, tee to green.”

Brandon Gillis, Assistant Coach who played for Wake Forest and Rhode Island: “This (course) is both fun and challenging. From the start, you see it is a beautiful layout with great bunkering. The greens complexes make the course great. There are so many tee shot and pin options. You could make this as easy or as hard as you want and it would be a fun round either way.”

Photographic image by David Rogers

HOLE BY HOLE COMMENTS

No. 1:

    • Terrific opener made tougher by the false front and the traps to the right.
    • Bunkers and trees make this a tough tee shot unless you decide to lay up.
    • The smart way to play it is mid-iron/wedge but the temptation to go for it makes it great.

No. 2:

    • Visually a great golf hole with both easy and difficult pin options.
    • The different tee block options can change this hole dramatically as can the pin options. Maybe the toughest tee shot on the course.
    • If the pin is below the ridge you just hit a shot that finds the fairway and then use the slope. Otherwise, you probably want a little more out of the tee shot.

No. 3:

    • Wow. Just a great green and the best par three on the course.
    • The giant dip in front of the green makes this a tougher hole, visually.
    • The green is tough and a four-putt is not out of the question.
    • So many options for distance make this a different hole every time.
    • One of the best par threes in RI.

No. 4:

    • Bunkering left and tree line right make this a decision hole. You can bust a drive and have little in but you bring risk into the equation.
    • Great green!
    • You cannot see the hole from the tee so with well-placed bunkers in the fairway, this is a really tough hole.
    • Loved this hole. Fun tee shot and better green.
The backdrop to No. 5 includes an historic rock wall dating back to the 1600s. Photographic image by David Rogers

No. 5:

    • Another risk/reward tee shot. Super wide fairway that can lull you into being lazy off the tee.
    • The easiest green on the golf course but you still need to get it close to make birdie.
      Only easy hole out there.

No. 6:

    • Best hole on the golf course. Layup off the tee almost guarantees par but if you risk the bunker and the trees right, you can get home in two.
    • Green is long and thin which makes for great pin options.
    • The landing area looks wider than it is.
    • The best part of the hole is the green, which slopes front to back – very rare in golf.
    • Reachable par 5 with a narrow second shot into the green.
    • Two good shots and you can make 3 or 4 but a bad tee ball or (poor) second shot and double bogey comes into play pretty quickly.
    • Easy hole until you hit a bad tee shot and then you are punching out and hoping for par.
    • Best hole for sure. Depending on where you are with your score or in your match will decide how you play this.

No. 7:

    • Most severe slope on the golf course. Pin back left makes it crazy tough.
    • Like No. 3, the pin placement makes the hole. It can be a easy birdie to a scramble bogey!
    • Everything about this hole says ‘stay right’ — but if you are too far right and the pin is near the edge of the slope you could see a very big number.
    • Another hole that looks easy from the tee box but can be tough if pin is near slope.

No. 8:

    • Fun hole because you can reach it with a hybrid but going over turns a birdie into a par or worse.
    • Visually challenging and one would think to go for it every time because the layup is not easy.
    • Still can’t decide if this is a really easy hole or a tough hole.
    • Hate to say it but the only hole I didn’t love. Looking forward to seeing what they do with the giant waste area to the left.
    • Green needs to grow in a but more.
No. 9 will have a fountain — a water hazard? –when fully operational. Photographic image by David Rogers

No. 9:

    • Could be the prettiest hole on the course with the creek just in front.
    • Terrific finishing hole.
    • Water is in play on tee shot and second shot.
    • The trees blocking the approach if you are on the wrong side is challenging.
    • Funky angle off the tee box and don’t go right.
    • A good tee ball and can be set up nicely in the fairway for birdie.
    • Great golf hole! Not sure where the clubhouse will be but this would be a great one to see from a deck of some kind.

Kerns, App State add 10 to MBB roster

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Kerns, App State add 10 to MBB roster

By Jacob Plecker. BOONE, N.C. — App State Men’s Basketball coach Dustin Kerns announced the addition of 10 players to the 2024-25 roster Wednesday.

“We are fired up about this group of signees,” Kerns said. “They are all really good players, but most importantly, they are really good people who align with our values at App State. They have all been a part of winning at various levels, and we cannot wait to get them to campus. Additionally, they all come from quality families and parents who are excited about App State. Please help us welcome all of them and their families to the Boone community.”

Jason Clarke | 6-0 | G | Silver Spring, Md. | Miller School

Clarke was a state champion in 2024 at Miller School in Virginia, scoring 18 points a game. Clarke rarely turns the ball over, as he posted 139 assists compared to just 32 turnovers last season, good for an astounding 4.34 assist/turnover ratio. A VISAA Division II Player of the Year, Clarke has extensive experience on the AAU circuit playing for coach Boo Williams on the Boo Williams EYBL team, leading that squad to the Peach Jam last season. His accomplishments at the prep level included a first-team All-Central selection, a first-team All-BRAC honor and being named the Charlottesville Athlete of the Week. Academically, Clarke was on the honor roll every year he was at Miller School.

Why Clarke chose App State: “I chose App State because of the great coaching staff. From the moment I stepped on campus, they made me feel like family. Along with great academics, App State feels like the place for me.”

Jamil Muttilib | 6-6 | G | Houston, Texas | Cypress Ridge | Kilgore College

A junior college product, Muttilib is a prolific scorer at the guard position, as he averaged 19.2 points a game at Kilgore College last season while shooting 39 percent from behind the 3-point line. Muttilib scored at least 20 points in 16 games last year, including a 42-point outburst against Trinity Valley Community College on Jan. 31. His 6-foot-6 frame not only helps him produce on the offensive end, but also defensively, as he tallied three or more steals in nine games at Kilgore. Muttilib was a first-team all-conference and all-region selection in 2024 while also being named to the all-tournament team for his performance at the Region XIV Tournament. In the classroom, Muttilib was an honor roll student in 2022 and was named to the State All-Academic Team.

Why Muttilib chose App State: “I chose App State because of the winning culture and the amazing support.”

Jackson Threadgill | 6-6 | G | Concord, N.C. | Davidson Day | Charlotte

Threadgill, who won a 2A state championship in 2020 at Davidson Day, brings a combination of veteran presence and efficient 3-point shooting to the High Country. He made 73 career starts at Charlotte over the past four years, sinking 91 3-pointers at a 33-percent clip. Threadgill shined on the defensive end of the floor for the 49ers, regularly accepting the task of guarding the opposing team’s best scorer — in his first four years, he tallied 52 steals and blocked 19 shots. He was a part of 67 wins with Charlotte. Threadgill also thrives academically, as he is a two-time member of the CSC All-District team and represented Charlotte at the 2023 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum in Baltimore.

Why Threadgill chose App State: “I chose App State because of the relationship I had already built with Coach Kerns and his staff and for the community and college-town feel. I’m also thrilled to play with one of my former high school teammates and best friends, CJ Huntley.”

Jalil Beaubrun | 6-9 | F | Miami, Fla. | Montverde | Stephen F. Austin

Another Division I transfer, Beaubrun will provide a big presence both in the paint and on the glass for the Mountaineers. In two years at Stephen F. Austin, Beaubrun played in 50 games and averaged 6.2 points a game. With a 6-foot-9 frame, Beaubrun is athletic and has the ability to stretch the floor at an efficient rate. For his career, he has nailed 42 3-pointers at a 40-percent clip while also shooting over 50 percent from the floor. Last season, Beaubrun took on a larger role with the Lumberjacks and thrived as he recorded 12 double-digit point outings, which included a 14-point night against NCAA Tournament participant Drake. In addition to his offensive prowess, Beaubrun is a tremendous rebounder, as he led the Lumberjacks in both rebounding average (4.8) and offensive rebounds (69) last season.

Why Beaubrun chose App State: “I’m so excited to join the App State family. The community, staff and players felt like a family from the moment I stepped on campus. Coach Kerns has a vision for me and the program that I’m very excited to be a part of.”

Alonzo Dodd | 6-1 | G | St. Paul, Minn. | South St. Paul | Texas A&M-Commerce

Dodd comes to App State from Texas A&M-Commerce, where he started 46 games in his first two years and appeared in 66 games. He is a willing passer at the guard position, dishing out a team-leading 99 assists in 2023-24, good for a 3.0 average that was the ninth-best mark in the Southland Conference. Dodd is an efficient scorer, shooting 41 percent from the field in his career, and his ability to get into the lane helps him find open shooters along the perimeter. The St. Paul, Minn., native averaged seven points a game last season. Defensively, Dodd is a pest in the passing lanes, compiling the third-most steals for Texas A&M-Commerce a season ago while also blocking 12 shots. The lefty is South St. Paul’s all-time leading scorer, and he helped lead it to a 49-3 record over his final two seasons on the prep circuit.

Why Dodd chose App State: “App State has a real family-oriented community, and I thought it would be a great environment to put myself into. That’s why I chose App State.”

Dior Conners | 6-3 | G | Pickerington, Ohio | Pickerington North | Triton College

Making the transition from junior college to the Division I level, Conners comes to App State after helping lead Triton College to a 34-3 record last season and an NJCAA national runner-up finish. Conners was vital to the Trojans’ success, as he averaged 13.9 points a game while also being an efficient shooter, shooting 39 percent from behind the 3-point line. His sweet stroke helped him nail at least three treys in 14 games last season, including an eight 3-pointer barrage against Harper College en route to a season-best 28 points. For his career, Conners has recorded eight 20-point contests, which included a 24-point outing against Barton Community College in the NJCAA National Championship game to lead the Trojans. Conners has nailed 137 career 3s at a 41-percent rate. He has also shown the ability to wreak havoc on the defensive end, as he tallied at least one steal in all but four games last season, good for an average 1.7 steals a game.

Why Conners chose App State: “I chose App State because it provides me an amazing opportunity to be successful.”

Jerquarius Stanback | 6-7 | F | Asheboro, N.C. | Asheboro

Stanback comes to App State after a successful career at Asheboro High School, where he averaged 25 points a game while grabbing 11 rebounds per contest in his senior year. Stanback provides length on defense and can block shots at a high rate, as he swatted 99 shots in 23 games last season while also averaging 2.7 steals a game. He was crucial to guiding Asheboro to its conference championship game a season ago, racking up six games scoring at least 30 points, which led to him being named District Eight Player of the Year and receiving first-team all-conference honors. Stanback scored over 1,000 career points at Asheboro, including 566 last year. A willing passer, Stanback boasted a 3.28 assist/turnover ratio as he dished out 95 assists.

Why Stanback chose App State: “App State has an incredible coaching staff and an incredible campus. I can’t wait to get up there.”

Jonah Long | 6-4 | G | Hickory, N.C. | Saint Stephens

Long comes to App State from Saint Stephens High School, where he was a captain of his team for each of the past three years. He averaged 9.8 points a game his senior year. A multi-sport standout, Long led the Western Foothills Conference in scoring, rebounding and double-doubles as a junior. His sophomore year saw him tally a 51-point game. He was named his team’s MVP both his sophomore and junior years while also being named all-conference. Academically, Long was invited to the National Youth Leadership Forum and was selected for membership in the National Society of High School Scholars.

Why Long chose App State: “I chose App State because I was given the opportunity to play the game that I love at a high level while also being able to play in front of my family members in Boone.”

Will Coble | 6-4 | G | Charlotte, N.C. | Davidson Day | Randolph-Macon

One of two Davidson Day products in this class, Coble joins the Mountaineers as a graduate transfer from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va. Coble made 53 starts for the Yellow Jackets across his four years while appearing in 97 games. He has poured in 571 career points at an efficient clip, as he shot 42 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range. His Yellow Jacket career was highlighted by a stellar junior year in which he scored 216 points and drilled a career-high 61 3s. He led the team in 3-point percentage in 2022-23 and was second on the team in 2023-24 to help lead Randolph-Macon to a 25-5 record. Coble was a part of the 2020 Davidson Day team that won the 2A state championship. He was also a two-time all-conference player and an N.C. All-Star.

Why Coble chose App State: “I came from a small college, and I wanted to step out and experience a larger school and environment. Plus, I wanted to be a part of a winning program and a great culture.”

Cameron O’Kelley | 6-3 | G | Seneca, S.C. | Seneca

O’Kelley comes to App State after a solid career at Seneca High School, where he played in 89 games. He was a three-time all-region player and a two-time all-state selection in South Carolina. He averaged over 16 points a game in both his junior and senior seasons while also scoring over 1,000 points in his prep career. His last season saw him pour in an impressive 457 points on 40-percent shooting. His length along the perimeter helped make him a plus defender on the prep circuit, as he tallied 121 steals and 26 blocks. O’Kelley is a solid rebounder at the guard position, as he pulled in 295 rebounds for his career, including 119 his senior year. O’Kelley helped lead Seneca to a top-60 ranking last year and a 23-5 overall record.

Why O’Kelley chose App State: “App State has a tremendous culture and a platform for me to build a successful future. I’m excited to get started.”

The Mountaineers are excited to welcome these 10 players to the mountain. Fans can support the program and secure their seats for next season by putting down a deposit on 2024-25 season tickets. If you decide you don’t want season tickets your deposit will be used as a credit toward Men’s Basketball’s single-game tickets this winter.

App State tabs Whitney Jones as softball coach

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App State tabs Whitney Jones as softball coach

By Jacob Plecker. BOONE, N.C. — Whitney Jones, who has competed in the Women’s College World Series as both a student-athlete and a coach, has been named the sixth head coach in App State softball history, Director of Athletics Doug Gillin announced Wednesday.

App State will hold a press conference on Tuesday, May 28 on the fifth floor of the Mark E. Ricks Athletics Complex to introduce Jones. The press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m., and the event is open to members of the public who would like to attend, with lunch provided afterward.

“We are thrilled to welcome Whitney to the App State family,” Gillin said. “Whitney has been a consistent winner throughout her coaching and playing career. She is a great fit to lead our softball program. Her vision aligns with our core values of academic integrity, competitive excellence, social responsibility and a world-class experience. We are very excited for the future of App State Softball.”

Whitney Jones has competed in the College World Series as a student athlete and as a coach.

Jones spent the last two years at Ohio State University where she was promoted to associate head coach this past season. In her first year with the Buckeyes in 2023, Jones helped guide Ohio State to stellar offensive numbers, including top three rankings in the Big Ten in batting average (third), slugging percentage (third), on-base percentage (third) and runs scored (third). In 2024, the Buckeyes hit 65 homers, the second-most in the league as of May 21, and posted a .497 slugging percentage.

“First and foremost, I’d like to give all the glory to God,” Jones said. “I am honored to have this opportunity to lead App State Softball alongside the amazing leaders and coaches at this university. I would like to give a special thank you to Chancellor Heather Norris, Doug Gillin and Sarah Strickland for entrusting me with the vision and future of the softball program.

“As head coach of App State Softball, I look forward to continue bringing in and developing exceptional young women to compete for championships on the field, while also developing them to be champions in life. I am excited to get to work, connect with alumni and meet the people that make Boone the special place that it is.”

Jones has had assistant coaching stints at Washington, Central Florida, and Ohio State.

Before Ohio State, Jones was an instrumental member of a UCF staff that was heralded by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) as the Mideast Region’s Coaching Staff of the Year in 2022. Her work with the offense helped the Knights post a 49-14 record, which garnered the No. 16 national seed in the NCAA Tournament, leading to UCF’s first-ever Super Regional appearance.

At UCF, Jones guided the team to top-50 national marks in batting average, runs per game, doubles and on-base percentage. She was also key in the development of Jada Cody, who became one of the best hitters in the country in 2022 when she posted a .361 batting average and drove in 75 runs, the fourth-most in the nation.

Jones got her coaching career started at her alma mater, Washington, serving as a volunteer assistant coach for four years. She worked primarily with the outfielders during her stint with the Huskies, which had four all-region selections and five All-Pac-12 honorees in her tenure.

Her proclivity as a hitting coach served her well at Washington as the Husky outfielders hit over .300 every year she was in Seattle. Her teams made the Super Regionals three times and the Women’s College World Series twice.

She has been a part of 285 wins in her coaching career, including back-to-back 50-win campaigns in her first two years at Washington.

While this will be Jones’ first collegiate head-coaching gig, she enjoyed a successful season as Garfield High School’s head coach in 2017 when her squad posted a 19-8 record and made the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association state championship game. Jones was named the 3A Metro Coach of the Year.

Jones was a four-year letterwinner at Washington from 2011-14 and was a two-time Pac-12 All-Academic performer, while also being named All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2014. Jones’ teams made a Super Regional appearance every year and made the Women’s College World Series in 2013. Her playing career was highlighted by her 2014 season in which she posted a .341 batting average and slugged five homers.

A 2014 graduate of the University of Washington, Jones has two siblings, Justin and Morgan, and is the daughter of Lorraine and Carl Jones. Her father, Carl, played professional baseball from 1986-88 in the Atlanta Braves organization, reaching as far as AAA Richmond.

Jones earned a master’s degree at Tulsa in 2016 as well as her CSCS certification. While at Tulsa, she was a graduate assistant in the athletic performance department and worked with the football, softball, men’s tennis and women’s golf programs.

She is from Upland, Calif., where she helped lead her high school team to a pair of league championships and was a three-time all-league selection.

What they’re saying about Whitney Jones

HEATHER TARR
University of Washington softball head coach

“Coach Whit is one of Husky Softball’s brightest coaching stars. What she brings tactically as a coach will immediately help App State softball, but what she brings as far as human development will last forever. We are proud to see one of our own leading a program as a head coach. She is more than ready for this opportunity, and the community and student-athletes will love her.”

JT D’AMICO
University of Georgia softball assistant coach

“Whitney has shown a very strong and consistent work ethic over all the years I’ve known and worked with her. She has worked her way up and is more than ready to lead a program. I’m so happy for her and the App State program.”

Mountaineers strand 11, lose to Troy, 6-5, in Sun Belt opener

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Mountaineers strand 11, lose to Troy, 6-5, in Sun Belt opener

By Matt Present. MONTGOMERY, Ala. — CJ Boyd set the App State career home runs record as a part of a two-homer ballgame, but the No. 6-seeded Mountaineers were unable to overcome one bad inning in a 6-5 loss to No. 3 Troy in the Sun Belt Conference tournament on May 22, at Riverwalk Stadium.

Boyd hit his 34th and 35th career home runs, breaking a tie with Andre Crawford for most all-time at 33.

Photo courtesy of App State Athletics

Boyd’s first blast came just four batters into the contest. Banks Tolley worked a two-out walk and Boyd followed with a line drive shot over the left field fence to give App State (31-20-1) a 2-0 lead.

His second home run came in nearly identical fashion. With two outs in the third, Tolley was hit by a pitch, setting the stage for a majestic blast to left from Boyd that sailed out of the stadium.

Early on the mound, Dante Chirico was equally impressive. The righty delivered four perfect innings to begin his outing, striking out seven of the first 12 batters he faced.

Photo courtesy of App State Athletics

Troy (37-20) scored all six of their runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, sending 11 men to the plate in the frame. The rally began with a solo home run from Books Bryan to begin the fifth inning; the first batter that reached base in the game against Chirico.

Each of the first five reached in the frame with Shane Lewis drawing a bases loaded walk to cut the lead in half. Later in the inning, Kole Myers ripped a game-tying two-run double to center field and Ethan Kavanaugh followed with a go-ahead single to left.

Still trailing 6-4 in the eighth, App State mounted a one-out rally. Adam Quintero singled to right and after a walk to Hunter Wilder, Joseph Zamora ripped an RBI single through the right side. A dropped fly ball, on a collision in center field, off the bat of Austin St. Laurent loaded the bases, but the Mountaineers were unable to do any further damage, stranding the tying and go-ahead runners in scoring position.

Photo courtesy of App State Athletics

Collin Welch kept the Mountaineers in the ballgame with 3.2 scoreless innings in relief, striking out four, while allowing just one hit.

App State finished the game going just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, stranding 11 men on base.

The Mountaineers will look to stave off elimination on Thursday, when they face the loser of No. 2 Southern Miss and No. 7 Coastal Carolina at 10 a.m. ET.

Tolley, St. Laurent earn postseason Sun Belt honors

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Tolley, St. Laurent earn postseason Sun Belt honors

By Matt Present. NEW ORLEANS, La. — App State senior outfielder Banks Tolley has been named the Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year, while Tolley and infielder Austin St. Laurent have earned first-team all-conference honors, the league announced Monday.

Tolley has enjoyed one of the most impressive seasons of any player in college baseball in 2024. Entering the Sun Belt tournament, Tolley is one of just six players nationally to boast at least 25 home runs with a batting average of at least .385, along with Georgia’s Charlie Condon, Florida’s Jac Caglianone, Oregon State’s Travis Bazzana, Tennessee’s Christian Moore and Austin Peay’s Lyle Miller-Green.

Tolley finished the regular season as the Sun Belt leader in home runs (25), slugging (.798), OPS (1.288) and batting average (.385) while ranking among the league leaders in RBIs (71 – 2nd), total bases (166 – 2nd), runs scored (66 – 4th), on-base (.490 – 4th) and hits (80 – T-5th). Tolley set the App State single-season home run record this season and became the second player in program history to enjoy a three-homer game, including blasting a walk-off against Georgia Southern on May 16.

The Madison, Miss., native who transferred from Ole Miss prior to this season finished the regular season with 25 multi-hit games and five multi-home run games, registering hits in 43 of 51 outings on the year, highlighted by an 11-game hitting streak. Eighteen of his 25 home runs came in conference play where he posted marks of .875 slugging and 1.358 OPS against Sun Belt foes.

Tolley also stole six bases and committed just three errors defensively, while starting every game in center field. He was ranked as the No. 14 outfielder in the nation in D1Baseball’s Week 12 positional rankings.

He is the first player in program history to earn Newcomer of the Year honors.

St. Laurent showcased his ability to hit to all fields in a career year at the plate. He ranked among league leaders in triples (4 – T-1st), hits (85 – 2nd), runs scored (74 – 3rd), batting average (.371 – T-6th), OPS (1.061 – 10th) and RBIs (57 – 10th), while splitting time between third base (33 games) and shortstop (18 games). He also paced the conference in hits and runs scored during league play.

Austin St. Laurent slides home for App State in 19-2 win over Marshall on March 30.Photographic image by David Rogers

The redshirt junior from Elon, N.C., started every game for the Mountaineers, hitting safely in 41 of 51 games including 28 of his final 31 contests. St. Laurent tallied 28 multi-hit efforts, led by a career-high five hits against Coastal Carolina on March 24, helping the Mountaineers take two of three from the No. 13 Chanticleers.

St. Laurent’s 14 home runs on the season ranked tied for 11th in the conference and more than doubled his home run production (6) from his first two years combined. He compiled an 11-game hitting streak midway through the season and reached base safely in each of his final 17 regular-season games. St. Laurent was ranked as the 28th-best third baseman in the nation in D1Baseball’s Week 12 positional rankings.

The duo led App State to 31 wins this season, marking the most victories since joining the Sun Belt Conference and most overall since the record-setting 2012 squad won 41 games.

The sixth-seeded Mountaineers have earned a bye into the double-elimination portion of the 2024 Guardian Credit Union Sun Belt Conference Baseball Championship presented by Troy University, where they will open play on Wednesday against third-seeded Troy at 10 a.m. ET in Montgomery, Ala.

2024 Sun Belt Postseason Honors

Player of the Year: Kyle DeBarge, Louisiana (Jr., SS – Kinder, La.)

Pitcher of the Year: LP Langevin, Louisiana (Jr., RHP – Quebec City, Quebec, Canada)

Newcomer of the Year: Banks Tolley, App State (Sr., OF – Madison, Miss.)

Freshman of the Year: Chase Morgan, Louisiana (Fr., LHP – Cypress, Texas)

Tony Robichaux Leadership Award: Sam Blancato, Georgia Southern (RS Sr., OF – Marietta, Ga.)

Ron Maestri Coach of the Year: Matt Deggs, Louisiana

All-Sun Belt First Team

  • P Chase Morgan, Louisiana (Fr., LHP – Cypress, Texas)
  • P Bryce Blevins, Marshall (So., LHP – Louisa, Ky.)
  • P Billy Oldham, Southern Miss (Sr., RHP – Brookfield, Conn.)
  • RP LP Langevin, Louisiana (Jr., RHP – Quebec City, Quebec, Canada)
  • C Brooks Bryan, Troy (So., C – Opelika, Ala.)
  • 1B Trey LaFleur, Louisiana (Sr., 1B – Pensacola, Fla.)
  • 2B Blake Barthol, Coastal Carolina (So., 2B – Allentown, Pa.)
  • SS Kyle DeBarge, Louisiana (Jr., SS – Kinder, La.)
  • 3B Sam Antonacci, Coastal Carolina (Jr., 3B – Springfield, Ill.)
  • OF Banks Tolley, App State (Sr., OF – Madison, Miss.)
  • OF Graham Brown, Coastal Carolina (Super Sr., OF – Middletown, Md.)
  • OF Fenwick Trimble, James Madison (Jr., OF – Virginia Beach, Va.)
  • DH Slade Wilks, Southern Miss (Sr., DH – Columbia, Miss.)
  • UT Austin St. Laurent, App State (RS Jr., UT – Elon, N.C.)

All-Sun Belt Second Team

  • P Andrew Hermann, Louisiana (Jr., LHP – Kennesaw, Ga.)
  • P Niko Mazza, Southern Miss (Jr., RHP – Madison, Miss.)
  • P Luke Lyon, Troy (Jr., RHP – Hattiesburg, Miss.)
  • RP Grant Wood, South Alabama (RS Jr., RHP – Georgetown, Texas)
  • C Caden Bodine, Coastal Carolina (So., C – Haddon Heights, N.J.)
  • 1B Will Butcher, Troy (Sr., 1B – Arden, N.C.)
  • 2B Ethan Kavanagh, Troy (Sr., 2B – Cincinnati, Ohio)
  • SS Ozzie Pratt, Southern Miss (Jr., SS – Oxford, Miss.)
  • 3B Will Mize, Georgia State (Sr., 3B – Snellville, Ga.)
  • OF Luke Waters, Old Dominion (Jr., OF – Laurel, Del.)
  • OF Dalton McIntyre, Southern Miss (Jr., OF – Jackson, Tenn.)
  • OF Kole Myers, Troy (Sr., OF – Lafayette, La.)
  • DH Kyle Mock, Troy (Sr., DH – Orlando, Fla.)
  • UT Josh Tate, Georgia Southern (So., UT – Peachtree City, Ga.)

It takes three OTs, but Mooresville gets by Watauga WSOC in first sudden death period, 1-0

David
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It takes three OTs, but Mooresville gets by Watauga WSOC in first sudden death period, 1-0

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — For a soccer match featuring teams with almost identical regular season records, the May 20 match between Watauga and Mooresville in Round 3 of the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs was a fitting celebration of both teams’ accomplishments. Tied at 0-0 at the end of regulation and still tied that way at the end of two overtime periods, a defensive battle that saw only a handful of meaningful attacks on goal was thrust into sudden death OT.

BONUS PHOTOS at bottom of article. For best viewing on desktop monitors or laptops, please click on any image for Slide Show mode.

Incidental contact inside the Watauga-defended penalty box sent players from each team sprawling to the turf, but the referee decided the Watauga defender was overly aggressive on the play, issued a yellow card, and awarded a penalty kick to Mooresville, midway into the first sudden death period. It is not the way you expect a match of this character and magnitude to end — and it almost wasn’t.

With Watauga’s Sydnee Bryant (18) looking on in the background, sophomore defender Ali Bertrand (10) pressures Mooresville’s Siena Peruc (15) on May 20. Photographic image by David Rogers

The visiting Blue Devils’ junior midfielder Cameron Cline pummeled the PK ball toward the Watauga net, where goalkeeper Rylee Mitchell at first turned away the shot. In the mayhem that followed around the deflected ball in front of the Watauga goal, Cline found it again and pushed what had been an elusive orb toward and into the Pioneers’ goal for what turned out to be the game decider. The Mooresville sideline erupted, rushing in celebration to surround Cline. One by one, with intermixed hugs and sobs, the Pioneers drifted to the Watauga bench, a highlight-reel season’s end.

It was another one of those games where you hated that someone had to lose. Mooresville dominated possession in their attacking half of the field for much of regulation time, repeatedly turned away by a disruptive Watauga defense, including close to a dozen saves by Mitchell. Watauga’s normally dominant offense didn’t have many opportunities this time out, but had arguably some of the most dramatic attacks on goal — saved by the Blue Devils’ goalkeeper, senior Briton Warham.

Watauga’s ‘almost goal’ sequence during OT. Off a corner kick by Mattie Durham, Katie Durham spots up in front of the Mooresville goal for a header.

Header delivered, aimed for the upper reaches of the net…

Ball strikes the upper crossbar, caroms off and is cleared by a Mooresville defender.

“Mooresville is a solid team,” said Watauga head coach Chris Tarnowski after the game. “They have had an historic season, winning their conference for the first time in 20-something years.

“And you saw it tonight,” he added. “They possessed the ball well. They worked the ball around well. What kept us in the game was heart and character. Even if we’re not getting the ball and not able to play our game, we have players throwing themselves in front of crosses, clearing the ball, making that one last run. (Mooresville) walks away with the win but I walk away really proud of our heart and character, all the way through almost two hours of soccer.”

Watauga’s trademark attacking style includes one- and two-touch short passes, keeping possession and working the ball methodically downfield. Against Mooresville, it was hard to implement.

“I think you have to credit Mooresville,” Tarnowski conceded. “They closed down space far faster than what we are used to seeing. They were nullifying any chances that we were getting to move the ball. They came out with a lot of energy and a good game plan.”

Tarnowski had some additional high praise for his roster depth, particularly Elyse Rea.

“My gosh, we didn’t have any dropoff at all,” said the Pioneers’ chief mentor. “Sammy Morgan came out with some calf cramps and we were basically trading freshman for freshman. Elyse comes off the bench and we don’t skip a beat — and she plays 60 full minutes, blending in with four seniors on defense like she has been there all the time. We lose a really strong senior class but we have some really strong underclassmen, too. As coaches, it may be hard tonight but we are already looking forward to next year!”

Georgia Parker (9) sprints upfield with the ball, on attack vs. Mooresville in Round 3 on May 20 at Jack Groce Stadium. Photographic image by David Rogers

Reflecting back on the season, Tarnowski had a lot of praise for his seniors.

“We’ve had great senior classes before, but this may be the most impactful we have ever had. We are going to have young girls coming up through these programs and new players next year and I guarantee they will be saying, ‘Hey, I want to be scoring goals like Katie Durham and Georgia Parker.’ Or, ‘I want to be running through people like Sam Bertrand, Syd Bryant and Lucy Willis.’ Or, ‘I want to be controlling the midfield like Charlotte Cuthbert.’ We have had Olivia Foskey doing the high jump in track one day and blocking shots for us the next. When I look back, it is going to be with a special appreciation for our seniors. They need to know that they will have a (significant) impact on young female athletes in our community.”

Mooresville head coach Susie Hudson was, of course, pleased with her team’s performance on the night, as well as had high praise for Watauga.

“This was a hard, hard-fought match,” said Hudson. “Our girls dug deep. This is something that they have wanted. They played with heart, soul and determination tonight. Watauga plays tough, hard-working soccer up here. They are very tough to beat. They have speed and they have skills. They play really hard.”

With win, No. 8 Mooresville advances to face No. 5-seeded Asheville (a 2-1 winner over No. 13 Charlotte Catholic) on May 23.

In the other 4A West bracket Round 3 games, No. 6 Marvin Ridge defeated No. 3 West Forsyth, 4-2, and No. 26 Myers Park upset No. 2 Hough, 3-1

BONUS PHOTOS

Mooresville goalkeeper Briton Warham dives to save a potential goal off the foot of Watauga’s Katie Durham, early in the Round 3 playoff game on May 20. Photographic image by David Rogers

Stories galore at North Wilkesboro Speedway for All-Star Race (and before)

David
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Stories galore at North Wilkesboro Speedway for All-Star Race (and before)

By David Rogers. NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — It was a night of storylines — and were there ever stories to tell at North Wilkesboro Speedway for the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race.

For best viewing of photos on a laptop or desktop monitor, please click on any image for Slide Show mode.

The NASCAR, Speedway Motorsports and Wilkes communities — and catching up with Mother (Nature)

Road & Track magazine described the May 18 weather event the day before the All-Star Race as a “massive downpour.” FOX Weather reported that the flooding turned the North Wilkesboro Speedway into a swimming pool for NASCAR crew members. Weather bulletins reported more than four inches of rain fell on North Wilkesboro Speedway in just two hours, causing flash flooding in and around the track as creeks in the area rose to overflowing.

Chris Myers, Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer, left to right, appeared in Victory Lane atop the North Wilkesboro Speedway media center before the 2024 All Star Race on May 19. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

To say that Speedway Motorsports, North Wilkesboro Speedway, and NASCAR did yeoman’s work in collaborating with the Wilkes County community to get things ready for Sunday morning’s delayed Truck Series race as well as the All-Star Open and All-Star Race in the evening would be an understatement.

Scott Cooper, Senior VP and Director of Communications for Speedway Motorsports explained to media representatives on Sunday that NWS had lost 40 percent of its race parking. Wilkes Community College pitched in to provide parking and other community interests like the Wilkes County Boy Scouts contributed buses and other vehicles to use as shuttles to and from the racetrack. For the parking areas next to the Speedway (hilly pastureland), the organizing team got a rock quarry to open in the wee hours of Saturday night and Sunday morning, with delivery of some 900 tons of gravel to spread on parking lot roadways.

Then, of course, there was pumping water out of the infield and off the track.

Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Driver reactions to the NWS track repaving

Universally, we heard nothing but rave reviews from every driver interviewed, as well as crew chiefs. Several noted that the multiple grooves around the track were exceptional for a repaving on any track. Among others, Joey Logano said that those involved with the repaving had kept some of the track’s personality, such as the flatter corners in Turn 1 and Turn 2 as well as a “bump” on the inside of Turn 1. The most common reaction, “This was fun.”

From this start of the 2024 NASCAR All Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway to the finish, Joey Logano (No. 22) led 199 of the 200 laps. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

The Tire ‘Option’

For the All-Star Race, NASCAR and Goodyear collaborated on providing the race teams with three tire options: [1] the “yellow” or Prime tire; [2] the “red” or Option tire; and [3] the “white,” a tire for Wet conditions, if needed.

The softer Option tire was advertised to drivers and media representatives before the race as “providing more grip” facilitating higher speeds, but that it “fell off faster,” meaning that it lost traction much quicker than the Primary tire. The default tire selection was the Prime, ostensibly giving drivers a more durable tire in dry conditions.

Seeing how Joey Logano and others who stuck with the Option tire performed without experiencing much in the way of falloff, by Stage Two just about everyone was running their softer tires.

Tire options for the All-Star Race made for interesting strategy decisions on May 19. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

The Fisticuffs

The softer Option tire actually played a role in the middle of the second lap as Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. stuck his car in the 3-wide middle between Denny Hamlin on the inside and Kyle Busch, Jr. on the outside. Although video replays from Ty Gibbs’ car seemed to indicate that Stenhouse gave Busch plenty of room, the Las Vegas native seemed to think Stenhouse’s move to pass him on the inside ran Busch up into the wall. Less than a lap later, Busch clearly retaliated by bumping Stenhouse’s left rear quarter-panel, ultimately turning him to crash into the outside wall and out of the race.

Before going to the care center for his mandatory, post-crash medical evaluation, Stenhouse parked his car in Busch’s pit box and climbed a ladder to have a few words with the No. 8’s crew chief, Randall Burnett and Richard Childress Racing’s Vice President of Competition, Andy Petree.

After the race, Stenhouse confronted Busch on Pit Row. The two seemed to be exchanging explanations as to what happened, when suddenly Stenhouse took a big swing and appeared to connect before the onlooking pit crews joined the fray, some trying to separate the combatants, others seeming bent on a fight.

Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Kyle Larson

With a lot of media resources committed to whether or not Kyle Larson would make it to North Wilkesboro for the All-Star Race after qualifying for the Indianapolis 500, the Hendrick Motorsports driver was helicoptered to the venue from the Wilkesboro airport with roughly 30 minutes to spare. It was enough time for him to even get a TV interview in before the race, up on Victory Lane atop the Media Center.

After setting a rookie record in Indianapolis and qualifying an astonishing fifth fastest time, Larson started at the rear of the All-Star field (@ No. 20) because of a driver change. Kevin Harvick piloted the No. 5 car in qualifying to the No. 12 position.

Larson still has to worry about the Memorial Day Double, driving the Indianapolis 500 early in the day then trying to make it to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 in the early evening. Perhaps the biggest concern is if the Indianapolis race runs long because of weather delays.

Kyle Larson driving the No. 5 car at the start of the All-Star Race on May 19. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

The Winner

Oh, yeah, there was a dominating winner in Joey Logano, who along with William Byron and Ty Gibbs participated in a Goodyear and NASCAR administered “tire test” over two days in mid-March. He stated that the three of them tested as many as 60 different compounds over the two days. After the “red” tire was decided on as the Option tire, Logano reportedly ran a significant number of laps, apparently concluding that after a small “fall off” the tire performance seemed to flatten out, providing adequate traction.

Logano hasn’t won a points race so far in the 2024 season, so his winning the All-Star Race was a welcome respite for his winning drought. As he was interviewed in the Media Center after the race, Logano was candid in saying, “One of my first thoughts was that this wasn’t a points race. But then, I have a million reasons to smile!” (referring to the million dollar prize for the race winner)

Joey Logano speaks to reporters in the Media Center after winning the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Media Treat: Hall of Famers’ Interviews

In the mid-afternoon on May 19, before the All-Star Race, NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports brought Hall of Famers Richard Childress and Chad Knaus into the Media Center to field questions about their careers, as well as their perceptions of the “new” North Wilkesboro Speedway venue.

Childress, who started as a driver in 1969 and became a team owner in 1981, installing Dale Earnhardt as the driver of his No. 3 car and a year later hired Ricky Rudd. In answer to a reporter’s question, Childress identified Rudd as having a particular significant impact on his life and career in racing.

Knaus, who rose from rear tire changer to crew chief for Jimmie Johnson’s seven Cup Series championships driving for Hendrick Motorsports, provided observations as to how the crew chief role has changed, especially with technology. In Knaus’ new role with Hendrick as Vice President of Competition, he said as an organization they try to evaluate every individual crew chief’s strengths and weaknesses and surround him with professional with the skillsets that are most needed.

Chad Knaus, now Vice President of Competition for Hendrick Motorsports, is a NASCAR Hall of Famer and discussed the changing roles of crew chiefs before the 2024 All Star Race on May 19. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Richard Childress is an iconic name in NASCAR as an owner, but got his start as a ‘replacement’ driver in 1969 at Talladega during a drivers’ strike. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Just before the start of the 2024 All Star Race on May 19, along pit row. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
A frequent fan favorite who grew from iRacing to the Cup Series, William Byron (No. 24) got left behind early in the All Star Race because of a flat tire and finished No. 19, several laps down. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

 

 

 

 

 

Sasquatchers rally in 11th hour to tie Apotheos, 2-2

David
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Sasquatchers rally in 11th hour to tie Apotheos, 2-2

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It is why they play the WHOLE 90 minutes. Down 2-0 to Apotheos in the 80th minute, Appalachian FC’s Elie Bokota found the back of the net in the 81st minute to shrink the deficit, then teammate Ken Raghoebar blistered a goal in the 88th minute to tie the score, 2-2.

BONUS PHOTOS at bottom of article. For best viewing of photography on desktop monitor or laptop, please click on any image for Slide Show mode.

While Appalachian FC displayed its offensive power in the first half with several of the most exciting and dramatic attack opportunities, they all flew just wide or were saved just as dramatically by the Apotheos goalkeeper, Newsha Mirfendereski, either leaping high to corral an attempt or diving to smother a “worm burner” skipping toward the net.

Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Meanwhile, Apotheos — the Atlanta-based team that was runner-up to Tulsa Athletic in the 2023 National Premier Soccer League Championship Game (losing on penalty kicks) — was able to capitalize on one of the few opportunities it had in the opening half on a long goal from outside the box. Appalachian FC’s defense and midfield play limited Apotheos’ opportunities, but the Locomotives took a 1-0 lead into intermission and added a penalty kick in the second half to increase their advantage, 2-0.

Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

And that led to Appalachian FC’s late comeback to tie the game.

Next up for Appalachian FC is a road test on May 25 in Knoxville, Tenn., against 865 Alliance. The Sasquatch crew returns home on June 1 to face the Bristol Rhythm AFC at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.

BONUS PHOTOS

Blowing Rock’s Vestri, Ford have ‘massive’ performances at 10K in London

David
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Blowing Rock’s Vestri, Ford have ‘massive’ performances at 10K in London

By David Rogers. LONDON — In what can only be described as an “awesome” trip across the pond, two Blowing Rock-based athletes clipped significant time off their respective personal bests at the 10,000 meters’ distance.

Vestri finishes No. 3 in elite international field

Both members of the ZAP Endurance professional running team, Amanda Vestri bettered her previous personal best by 44 seconds in claiming the No. 3 finishing spot (31:10.52) in the Night of 10,000 Meters PBs premier women’s division race, hosted at the Parliament Hill Fields Athletic Track in north London.  Vestri, a former star collegiate performer at Syracuse University, joined the ZAP team last September and has been making steady progress as she aims for the U.S. Olympic Team qualifying races in June.  According to World Athletics, Vestri’s previous personal best was as a collegian in March 2023, 32:08.26, in Palo Alto, Calif. World Athletics also lists her May 18 race in London as the 8th-best American at the 10,000 meters distance.

Vestri was one of two Americans to finish in the top three of the elite international field of 31 runners. Fiona O’Keefe of the U.S finished No. 2, her time of 31:03.46 within a half-second of Great Britain’s Megan Keith at No. 1 (31:03.02).

Ryan Ford earns ‘Top 10’

Blowing Rock’s Ryan Ford also took considerable time off his previous personal best on the Parliament Hill track, finishing No. 10 in the elite international field of 39 male runners, crossing the line in 27:40.80.  World Athletics lists his previous best as 28:09.53, in a Walnut, Calif. race in May 2023.

Ford was just 18 seconds behind the No. 1 runner, Mohamed Ismael of Djibouti. Ford was the second U.S. runner to cross the finish line, the first being Paul Chelimo at No. 3, just over six seconds ahead.

“It was a great night,” said ZAP Endurance head coach Pete Rea after the two races were completed. “These were massive personal bests for Amanda and Ryan as they prepare for June’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Ore. Lowering a personal best gets harder and harder as you go faster and faster.”

Vestri’s performance in London is just the latest in a series of accomplishments since joining ZAP Endurance. In September 2023, she placed No. 4 in the USATF 10 Championships in Northport, N.Y., then followed that up on Dec. 3 by placing No. 8 out of 200 top-ranked collegiate and professional runners in Boston at 5,000 meters. A week later she captured the USATF National Cross Country title in Tallahassee, Fla., then won the Oskar Blues 4-Miler in Brevard, N.C. before winning “The Ten” (10,000 meters) as part of a stacked field in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., this past March. Just over a month ago, Vestri, placed No. 3 in an elite international field at 5,000 meters in Azusa Pacific, Calif., qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials at that distance in the process.

Ford and ZAP teammate Dan Schaffer finished 1-2 last November in the Richmond Half Marathon, with Ford just 18 seconds off the U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying standard for the marathon. The former collegiate runner at Iowa State and Tennessee-Martin is transitioning from middle and shorter distance races to the marathon, but for the 2024 Olympics, he will be trying to qualify for the U.S. team in Eugene at the 5,000 meters or 10,000 meters distances.

Flash and Grind: Watauga WSOC gets by South Mecklenburg in Round 2, 1-0

David
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Flash and Grind: Watauga WSOC gets by South Mecklenburg in Round 2, 1-0

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — A flashy goal in the first 90 seconds was all the offense No. 1- seeded Watauga needed at Jack Groce Stadium against No. 17 South Mecklenburg on May 16, thanks to the grittiest defensive performance of the season.

For best photography viewing on a desktop monitor or laptop, please click on any image for Slide Show mode.

Driving up the center of the field into the open, Katie Durham poked a pass downfield between two Sabre defenders and in front of a racing Morgan Flynt. The junior forward settled the ball ahead once, then quickly angled the ball across the face of the goal, past a surprised South Meck goalkeeper, and inside the opposite post for the game’s first and only score by either team.

Watauga midfielder Charlotte Cuthbert zeroes in on the ball played by South Mecklenburg on May 16, in the Pioneers 1-0, Round 2 win on May 16. Photographic image by David Rogers

Afterwards, Durham explained,”Morgan is always out there. I knew without looking that she would be there.”

Inasmuch as the Sabres kept possession of the ball for a majority of the rest of the match in their attacking third of the field, Flynt was understandably excited about making good on her opportunity.

“I may have only touched the ball 10 times the entire game,” said Flynt. “That one of those touches was a goal is pretty special.”

With Watauga’s Katie Durham applying the pressure, the South Mecklenburg goalkeeper Lilly Heaslet dives for the save. Photographic image by David Rogers

To be sure, while the Pioneers were pretty quiet offensively, their defense won the night, headlined by goalkeeper Rylee Mitchell and the core four defensive athletes, Ali Bertrand, Sammy Morgan, Lucy Willis and Sydnee Bryant, along with midfielder Sam Bertrand. Because of Watauga’s frequent dominance in the attacking third of the field in most matches this season, Mitchell was relatively untested until South Meck came along. She came up with 12 saves on the night, including defending against multiple Sabre corner kicks.

“I love our defensive players,” Mitchell said later. “They are so, so good.”

“We knew that South Meck is very good with some particularly fast players,” said Bryant, a senior, after the game. “I think the difference tonight was our team’s heart. We were determined not to let them score.”

Watauga head coach Chris Tarnowski was candid when all was said and done.

“Sometimes soccer is a funny game. Offensively, we were arguably outplayed tonight but I am so proud of our defensive performance. It was gritty and it came against a very good South Meck team that is among the best in the state,” said Tarnowski.

With the win, Watauga advances to Round 3 vs. No. 9 Mooresville on Monday, May 20. Kickoff is set tentatively for 6 p.m. at Jack Groce Stadium.

ROUND 2 RESULTS FOR THE NCHSAA 4A WEST BRACKET:

  • No. 1 Watauga def. No. 17 South Mecklenburg, 1-0
  • No. 9 Mooresville def. No. 9 Providence, 1-0
  • No. 5 Asheville def. No. 12 Reagan, 1-0
  • No. 13 Charlotte Catholic def. No. 4 Ardrey Kell, 6-0
  • No. 3 West Forsyth def. No. 14 Cuthbertson, 2-1
  • No. 6 Marvin Ridge def. No. 11 T C Roberson, 2-1
  • No. 26 Myers Park def. No. 10 Weddington, 1-0
  • No. 2 Hough def. No. 15 East Forsyth, 6-0

OTHER GAMES OF INTEREST:

  • 3A: No. 1 Hibriten def. No. 16 Crest, 7-0
  • 3A: No. 5 Hickory def. No. 12 Asheboro, 7-0
  • 2A: No. 3 Wilkes Central def. No. 14 Forbush, 2-1

 

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