Category: High School

  • PLAY BY PLAY: Watauga 56, Avery County 7 in abbreviated football game

    By Zach Smith. NEWLAND, N.C. — Watauga’s Pioneers traveled to Newland on Aug. 30 to play an annual “rivalry game” against Avery County.

    PREGAME NOTES

    • Watauga (1-0) won 14-0 last week vs TC Roberson
    • Pioneers open season on the road for first two games
      • No road games in September
    • Avery County (0-1) coming off a 2-pt loss @ Cherryville last week
    • 52nd meeting between WHS and ACHS
      • Watauga has won 7 straight

    Watauga wins toss, defers

    Q1

    • Avery County ball at their own 35
    • Penalty: Facemask against Watauga, ball on ACHS 35
    • Nic Daniels carries up the middle for 1 yard
    • Logan Brown tackled for loss of 1 yard
    • Kaleb Liner pass complete left to Carlos Garcia for 16 yards
    • Liner pass complete left to Brown for 4 yards
    • Liner carries right for 13 yards
    • Brown carries right for 2 yards
    • Daniels tackled for loss of 1 yard
    • Liner pass incomplete
    • Timeout Avery County (2 remaining)
      • 7:52 left in Q1
    • Kaden Knight misses field goal, turnover on downs

    Watauga ball at their own 20

    • Everett Gryder carries right for 22 yards
    • Penalty: Encroachment against Avery County, ball on WHS 47
    • Maddox Greene carries left for 6 yards
    • Greene pass incomplete
    • Gryder carries right for 2 yards
    • TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
      • #4 Maddox Greene 44-yard rush
      • #41 Jack Wilson PAT is GOOD

    Watauga 7, Avery County 0

    Avery County ball at their own 30

    • Liner carries left for 15 yards
    • Liner tackled for loss of 2 yards
    • Penalty: False start against ACHS, ball on ACHS 38
    • Liner pass incomplete
    • Liner pass incomplete
    • Avery County punts

    Watauga ball at their own 42

    • Greene pass intercepted by Oak Markland

    Avery County ball at WHS 48

    • Daniels tackled for loss of 2 yards
    • Garcia carries up the middle for 3 yards
    • Liner pass intercepted by Nyle Peays

     

    Watauga ball at their own 5

    • Dillon Zaragoza carries left for 21 yards
    • Greene pass complete right to Evan Burroughs for 15 yards
    • Greene pass complete right to Zaragoza for 7 yards
    • Greene pass complete left to Burroughs for 17 yards
    • Injury timeout: ACHS #10 Nic Daniels
        • 0:53 left in Q1
    • TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
      • #4 Maddox Greene 35-yard pass to #5 Matthew Habich
      • #41 Jack Wilson PAT is GOOD

    Watauga 14, Avery County 0

    • Penalty: Kick out of bounds against Watauga, ball on ACHS 35
    • Avery County ball at their own 35
    • Garcia carries up the middle for 3 yards
    • END Q1

    Q2

    • Garcia carries left for 1 yard
    • Liner pass incomplete
    • Avery County punts

    Watauga ball at their own 28

    • Penalty: Offside against Avery County, ball on WHS 33
    • Gryder carries up the middle for 12 yards
    • Gryder carries fup the middle for 1 yard
    • Gryder carries up the middle for 5 yards
    • Gryder carries up the middle for 26 yards
    • Keller pass complete left to Peays for 18 yards
    • TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
      • #44 Everett Gryder 5-yard rush for TD
      • #41 Jack Wilson PAT is GOOD

    Watauga 21, Avery County 0

    Avery County ball at their own 15

    • Liner pass complete left to Markland for 5 yards
    • Liner tackled for no gain
    • Liner sacked for loss of 10 yards
    • Avery County punts

    Watauga ball at their own 47

    • TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
      • #4 Maddox Greene 53-yard pass to #7 Landon Smith
      • #41 Jack Wilson PAT is GOOD

    Watauga 28, Avery County 0

    Avery County ball at their own 23

    • Liner pass incomplete
    • TOUCHDOWN AVERY COUNTY
      • #4 Kaleb Liner 77-yard pass to #1 Oak Markland
      • #17 Kaden Knight PAT is GOOD

    Watauga 28, Avery County 7

    Watauga ball at their own 41

    • Greene pass complete right to Zaragoza for 20 yards
    • Greene pass complete left to Burroughs for 16 yards
    • Greene pass complete right to Gryder for 7 yards
    • TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
      • #44 Everett Gryder 16-yard rush
      • #41 Jack Wilson PAT is GOOD

    Watauga 35, Avery County 7

    Avery County ball at their own 32

    • Liner pass incomplete
    • Liner pass complete left to Daniels for 6 yards
    • Liner pass complete left to Garcia for 1 yard
    • Avery County punts

    Watauga ball at their own 34

    • Leon carries right for 8 yards
    • Penalty: Holding against Watauga, ball on WHS 39
    • Penalty: Offside against Watauga, ball on WHS 34
    • TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
      • #4 Maddox Greene 66-yard pass to #14 Matthew Leon
      • #41 Jack Wilson PAT is GOOD

    Watauga 42, Avery County 7

    Avery County ball at their own 25

    • Liner sacked, fumbles
    • Watauga recovers
    • Carson Gunnell-Beck credited with the forced fumble

     

    Watauga ball at Avery County 20

    • Greene pass incomplete
    • Greene pass complete right to Burroughs for 12 yards
    • TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
      • #4 Maddox Greene 8-yard rush
      • #41 Jack Wilson PAT is GOOD

    Watauga 49, Avery County 7

    Avery County ball at their own 20

    • TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
      • #57 Carson Gunnell-Beck, strip sack (fumble) and 20-yard fumble recovery
      • #41 Jack Wilson PAT is GOOD

    Watauga 56, Avery County 7

    Avery County ball at their own 37

    • Liner takes a knee to end half

    HALFTIME: Both coaches and game officials agree to call game following lightning delay before 2nd half.

    FINAL: Watauga 56, Avery County 7

     

  • Pioneer volleyball records two big non-conference wins in week

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. and ASHEBORO, N.C. — A young Watauga volleyball team that started out losing 3 of its first four non-conference matches in the 2024 season evened their season record at 3-3 with consecutive wins against tough opponents.

    vs. St. Stephens

    The Pioneers have long had a challenging, friendly rivalry relationship with St. Stephens through the years, dating back to when both teams competed in the 3A/4A Northwestern Conference.

    An undefeated, 3-0 Indians team came into Lentz Eggers Gym to face a 1-3 Pioneer team on Aug. 21, but a solid offensive performance combined with gutsy defense allowed Watauga to sweep the Indians, 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-21).

    Key Players

    • WAT – Grace Tillery: 17 kills, 5 total blocks, 4 digs
    • WAT – Kora Knight: 12 kills, 8 total blocks
    • WAT – Ashlyn Smith: 8 kills, 7 serve receives
    • WAT – Carolina Childers: 18 digs, 3 assists, 24 serve receives, 2 service aces
    • WAT – Lainey Gragg: 26 assists, 6 digs
    • WAT – Quinn Haines: 17 assists, 7 digs, 1 service ace
    • SST – Julia Gnida: 27 kills, 15 digs, 22 serve receives
    • SST – Kennedy Blevins: 36 assists
    • SST – Ady Mchenry: 32 serve receives, 1 service ace
    • SST – Delayna Spencer: 15 digs

    vs. Southwestern Randolph

    A year ago, Southwestern Randolph finished the season as the No. 3 ranked 2A team in the state, with an overall record of 25-5 and 12-0 in the 1A/2A Piedmont Athletic Conference, but lost five seniors to graduation coming into the current campaign. Under head coach Darby Kennedy, though, the SW Randolph program has thrived and become one of the 2A levels most dominant programs since she took the helm in 2013, without a losing record either in conference play or overall for any season.

    In hosting Watauga on Aug. 22, it was two young teams going against each other, both wanting to prove something. And the scores reflected the combativeness, with Watauga surviving as a tenacious, five-set winner, 3-2 (25-16, 14-25, 25-20, 17-25, 15-11).

    Although SW Randolph had a size advantage with two players over six feet in height (junior middle blockers Bailey Blackmon, 6-0, and Kinlin Hulin, 6-2), and others approaching that height in sophomore outside hitter Carolina Cagle (5-10) and senior middle blocker Jade Matias (5-10), Watauga’s overall athleticism, quickness and skill won the day in the back-and-forth, 5-set thriller.

    Key Players

    • WAT – Grace Tillery: 14 kills, 8 service aces, 2 total blocks
    • WAT – Ashlyn Smith: 10 kills, 11 digs, 23 serve receives, 1 service ace
    • WAT – Gracyn Phelps: 8 kills,3 service aces, 2 total blocks
    • WAT – Kora Knight: 6 kills, 4 total blocks
    • WAT – Quinn Haines: 15 assists, 2 service aces
    • WAT – Caroline Childers: 25 serve receives, 18 digs, 1 service ace
    • WAT – Hadleigh Windish: 4 total blocks, 2 kills
    • WAT – Lainey Gragg: 20 assists, 14 digs
    • WAT – Kaitlyn Darner: 14 digs, 8 serve receives
    • WAT – Katie Matheson: 12 digs, 12 serve receives, 1 service ace

    • SWR – Grace Hodgin: 14 kills, 14 digs, 9 serve receives
    • SWR – Kinlin Hulin: 12 kills, 8 total blocks
    • SWR – Caroline Cagle: 7 kills, 3 total blocks
    • SWR – Jade Matias: 5 kills, 10 serve receives
    • SWR – Bailey Blackmon: 5 kills, 6 total blocks
    • SWR – Madilyn Baker: 19 assists, 3 service aces, 11 digs
    • SWR – Cheyenne Dixon: 4 service aces, 14 digs, 3 assists, 21 serve receives
    • SWR – Paige Hughes: 3 total blocks
    • SWR – Giannie Small: 14 digs, 26 serve receives
    • SWR – Hailey Kennedy: 16 assists, 8 digs
  • Watauga defense steals Roberson thunder in 14-0 season opening shutout

    By David Rogers. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Two Watauga touchdowns and successful PATs in the first half accounted for all of the scoring on Aug. 23 in TCR-Ensley Stadium as the Pioneers defeated T C Roberson, 14-0, in a gritty season opener for both teams.

    It may well have been a non-conference game but with picture perfect, early fall weather framing the contest and thousands of football-hungry fans in attendance, there was an electric atmosphere on the field for the longtime friendly rivalry game, the grandstands nearly filled on both sides of the field.

    Evan Burroughs (12) looks for space on Aug. 23, at T C Roberson for the 2024 season opener. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports

    For offensive minded spectators, the night was a disappointment, especially among the Rams’ faithful in seeing their favorite sons shutout. After some mid-game and halftime defensive adjustments, Roberson held the Pioneers’ grinding, ball control-oriented option offense mostly in check — just as Watauga’s defense did throughout the game.

    To learn that Watauga was limited to 223 yards of total offense, those not in attendance might have reckoned a Pioneer loss. Look deeper into the team statistics, though, and you learn that the High Country visitors limited their hosts to just 117 yards of total offense while forcing four turnovers, two fumbles and two pass interceptions.

    As he has done for the previous three seasons, Watauga quarterback Maddox Greene rolled up a game-high 126 yards rushing on 20 carries, his longest a 44-yard scamper through the Ram defense, that one play accounting for slightly more than a third of the senior’s rushing total.

    Watauga captains Patrick Mellon (63), Trathan Gragg (6), J T Cook (58) and Maddox Greene (4) prepare to go out for the coin flip on Aug. 23 at T C Roberson. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports

    The game was not without offensive highlights, such as running back Matthew Leon’s 24-yard TD sprint to open the game’s scoring in the first quarter. Head coach Ryan Habich explained later that the play’s success in getting the speedy Leon into space hinged on quarterback Maddox Greene’s “read” of the defensive movements and adjusting accordingly. Also a sprinter in track, Leon was able to capitalize in attacking space.

    “Matthew Leon and Everett Gryder share that running back position,” said head coach Ryan Habich after the game. “Both also play defense. We’ll rotate that running back position and as the year goes on they are both options to play running back and they are both good players. There will be games where we will go with the hot hand, say if one of them is hitting the holes really good…

    “… On that particular play, it was a read (by QB Maddox Greene). Our quarterback reads (the defensive coverage) 90 percent of the time,” said Habich. “It was a shotgun play where we were pulling people and Maddox was reading (the defender) and he came up the field. So Maddox made a nice read with good blocking in to the weak side of that play. It was a big play for us… It was a unique play that we showed them. They hadn’t seen it. We ran it from a ‘trips’ (formation). We did a good job of popping it through. We tried it again in the second half but they did a very good job of defending it.”

    Watauga QB Maddox Greene (4) escapes the clutches of a T C Roberson defender on Aug. 23, in the Pioneers season-opening, 14-0 win. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports

    Habich was candid in talking with reporters after the game about his team’s performance.

    “Even where we win sloppy, we will take the win,” he said. “I told our guys before the game that we have an opportunity to play a very good football team. (TC Roberson) returns everyone except two starting players on defense, so that was a big win. Offensively, we didn’t play (well). Defensively, I thought we played really good. We played assignment football.

    “That’s the big thing about our program. We want to play complimentary football,” Habich added. “We controlled the field position and did a good job with punts, our quick kicks. Maddox Greene did a good job of pinning them back. It is harder for a team to call offensive plays when you pin them back (against their own goal line). I don’t (normally) like to punt the ball, but we (punted well). We made a lot of mistakes and there are a lot of things we have to change if we want to be a top tier team. We have high expectations here at Watauga High School. The last decade has shown that… We have great kids. They are close but now we have to figure out how to be great teammates.”

    Watauga travels to Newland, N.C. next Friday for a High Country rivalry game against Avery County. The Vikings fell to Cherryville in its hard fought season opener, 20-18. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.

    T C Roberson is also on the road Aug. 30, with a tilt hosted by East Rutherford in another non-conference matchup.

    STATISTICAL LEADERS

    Rushing

    • WAT – Maddox Greene: 20 carries, 126 yards, 1 TD
    • WAT – Matthew Leon: 8 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD
    • WAT – Evan Burroughs: 5 carries, 29 yards
    • TCR – Tyrin Credle: 7 carries, 27 yards
    • TCR – Laron Mills: 15 carries, 25 yards
    • TCR – Cohen Bohanon: 6 carries, 22 yards
    • TCR – Zeb Swangim: 4 carries, 20 yards
    • WAT – Everett Gryder: 7 carries, 13 yards

    Receiving

    • TCR – Zeb Swangim: 1 catch, 30 yards
    • WAT – Landon Smith: 1 catch, 12 yards

    Passing

    • TCR – Laron Mills: 2-7-34
    • WAT – Maddox Greene: 1-4-12

    Defensive (Watauga only)

    • Carson Gunnell-Beck: 9 tackles, 1 sack
    • Dillon Zaragoza: 8 tackles
    • Trathan Gragg: 7 tackles, 1 forced fumble
    • Landon Smith: 5 tackles, 1 fumble recovery
    • Caleb Dewey: 1 tackle, 1 fumble recovery
    • Maddox Greene: 2 tackles, 1 interception
    • Evan Burroughs: 3 tackles, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble

     

  • Watauga opens season with shutout victory over TC Roberson

    By Zach Smith. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Gritty, hard-working and “blue collar” have been terms used in the past to describe the mentality of Watauga High School football by head coach Ryan Habich. Those traits were on display Aug. 23, when the Pioneers defeated TC Roberson in a tough, low-scoring contest, 14-0.

    Junior Matthew Leon scored the 2024 edition of Watauga football’s first points late in the first quarter. With the ball on the Rams’ 24-yard line, Leon broke through the offensive line with explosive speed, crossing the goal line without a defender in sight.

    With offensive lineman Carson Gunnell-Beck (57) paving the way, Watauga QB Maddox Greene attacks space at TC Roberson on Aug. 23. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
    Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

    Late in the half, another Habich mantra — “win the middle eight [minutes]” (last four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half) — was reinforced. Senior Landon Smith pounced on a fumble coughed up by TC Roberson quarterback Laron Mills, providing the Pioneers a golden opportunity to extend their lead with a short field. Five plays later, senior Maddox Greene powered his way to a four-yard score with less than 15 seconds on the clock.

    While the Watauga offense was largely stifled, the Pioneer defense was stellar against an athletic Rams team. The Pioneers forced four fumbles, two of which resulted in turnovers, while intercepting two passes to create four Roberson turnovers. 

    Ryan Habich praised his defense for their performance post-game.

    “Defensively, I thought we played really good,” Habich said. “We played assignment football, and that’s a big thing about our program. We want to play complimentary football. I thought we did that.”

    On a keeper, Watauga QB Maddox Greene reaches for the goal line at T C Roberson, Aug. 23. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

    Watauga’s offense was never able to find a groove in their win over TC Roberson. The longest run that didn’t result in a touchdown for the Pioneers was 13 yards, which is uncharacteristic for a Habich-led team. He spoke on the team’s struggles in the run game.

    “We didn’t block very well,” Habich said. “When that happens, it’s not a good situation for us. We’re trying to find different ways that we can pop running backs through [the offensive line], and we’re not blocking.”

    Habich compared his team’s performance to the Pioneers’ previous bout with the Rams in 2023, an even closer game in which Watauga emerged winners of a one-point contest, 13-12. He pointed out that his squad improved drastically in the following weeks.

    “It’s that first game,” Habich said. “It’s like the same thing that happened last year when we played TC Roberson, and we got better. I told the guys at the game, ‘continuous improvement.’”

    Watauga opens the season 1-0 with their victory over TC Roberson. The Pioneers return to action Aug. 30, traveling to Avery County for a High Country rivalry game. Kickoff is slated for 7:30p.m.

  • Watauga MSOC battles to 3-3 draw at West Forsyth

    By David Rogers. CLEMMONS, N.C. — Against one of the highest ranked men’s high school soccer teams in the nation, the No. 9 team in all of North Carolina and the No. 1 ranked team in the North Carolina 4A West division, visiting Watauga battled West Forsyth to a 3-3 draw on Aug. 19.

    “It was a very impressive and gutsy performance by my boys against West Forsyth,” said the Pioneers head coach Josh Honeycutt after the game. I think they made a statement to the state, but must continue to work hard and stay focused.”

    Watauga got goals from Noah Van Werkhoven, Lucas Hamilton and Evan Mawhinney, while Curtis Sevensky and Gavin Lipinski were credited with assists.

    Continuing a strong non-conference schedule while preparing for a challenging Northwestern Conference slate that starts Sept. 25 at South Caldwell, Watauga next faces West Iredell on the road Aug. 21 before a next home match on Monday, Aug. 26 vs. East Lincoln.

  • Clash of the Classes: Team scoring

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It was billed as among the only cross country events where senior high school girls run against other senior high school girls, junior boys run against other junior boys, freshman girls run against other freshman girls, and so on. The Pioneer Clash of the Classes was a sort of peer review — but thanks to some creative mathematics on what amounted to a side sheet type of scorecard, we have a picture of who “won” and how the teams ranked for both the boys and girls divisions.

    Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

    Watauga head coach Randy McDonough did the tallying, assigning numerical scores for first through tenth places in each of the eight high school races.

    In the Girls division, he calculated that Daniel Boone HS (Gray, Tenn.) and Watauga tied with 23 points apiece, the Pioneers getting first place points from Cali Townsend in the freshman girls race, first place points from Annabelle Stewart in the senior girls event, and sixth place points from Janie Beach-Verhay in the junior girls race.

    • T1 – Daniel Boone (23)
    • T1 – Watauga (23)
    • 3 – West Forsyth (22)
    • 4 – Lake Norman (18)
    • T5 – Ardrey Kell (10)
    • T5 – University School of Johnson City
    • T7 – Hough (9)
    • T7 – West Henderson (9)
    • 9 – North Buncombe (8)
    • 10 – Providence Day (7)
    • 11 – Hickory Ridge (6)
    • 12 – A C Reynolds (5)
    • T13 – Mooresville (3)
    • T13 – West Stokes (3)

    In the Boys division, Daniel Boone HS was clear winner, with 38 points, convincingly ahead of No. 2 Watauga (20). Watauga scoring was accounted for by Will Bradbury’s No. 1 finish in the Senior Boys race, Grady Gates No. 3 finish in the Sophomore Boys, and Calvin Zwetsloot’s No. 6 finish in the Junior Boys.

    • 1 – Daniel Boone (38)
    • 2 – Watauga (20)
    • 3 – West Henderson (17)
    • 4 – Lake Norman (15)
    • 5 – Hough (10)
    • T6 – North Buncombe (9)
    • T6 – University School of Johnson City (9)
    • 8 – Providence Day (8)
    • 9 – West Stokes (6)
    • T10 – A C Reynolds (5)
    • T10 – Hickory Ridge (5)
    • T12 – Ardrey Kell (4)
    • T12 – West Cabarrus (4)
    • T14 – McDowell (3)
    • T14 – West Forsyth (3)
  • Clash of the Classes, Seniors: Watauga’s Bradbury crushes field, Stewart brings home gold in Girls race

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Peering from behind hot pink sunglasses, Watauga’s Annabelle Stewart was all smiles following her No. 1 finish in the Senior Girls division of the Clash of the Classes cross country festival. Meanwhile, the Pioneers’ Will Bradbury had little trouble in the Senior Boys race, crushing the field by more than 30 seconds.

    Annabelle Stewart finishes the Senior Girls race No. 1 among the 49 entrants in Clash of the Classes, Aug. 17, 2024. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

    Stewart crossed the finish line of the 2-mile course at the State Farm Intramural Fields in 12:22.77, a little less than six seconds ahead of No. 2 Kaely Patterson of Hough High School. They were followed by top student athletes from West Forsyth, Ardrey Kell, North Buncombe, Providence Day and West Henderson

    The Senior Boys race was the last of the day, finishing at roughly 1:30 p.m. Afterwards, Bradbury spoke with High Country Sports.

    Before every Watauga girls race, the entire team of girls gathers near the start line to pump up their teammates about to compete. ‘It is a great tradition,’ said assistant coach Scott Townsend. Photographic image by David Rogers

    “I felt pretty good today,” said the Watauga senior and veteran distance runner. “I was out there by myself pretty much the whole race but I was able to stay pretty much mentally engaged. It was my first real race this season so there is a lot to be worked on, but overall I am pretty happy to get the season started with this race.”

    Muddy conditions proved a bit of a challenge.

    “I’d say that for about a tenth of a mile on this starting and finishing loop it was (muddy) like you are jogging and there is nothing you could really do about it,” recalled Bradbury. “Even though it is not that long of a section, it definitely takes a lot of momentum out of your running.”

    Watauga’s senior boys, led by Will Bradbury, got to the front early on Aug. 17, in Clash of the Classes. Photographic image by David Rogers

    Bradbury finished No. 5 at the North Carolina state meet a year ago, as a junior, and said of his goals for the year, “Just to get back to compete at the state level again,” he said. “I did pretty well at the state championship last year and I would certainly like to replicate that performance this year, if not do even better. This was a big confidence boost, heading into the season.”

    Watauga’s senior girls team for Clash of the Classes, Aug. 17, 2024. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

    Top Senior Girls Finishers

        1   555  Stewart, Annabelle  12          Watauga                      12:22.77
        2   205  Patterson, Kaely  12            Hough, William A             12:28.36
        3   635  Serang, Lulu  12                West Forsyth                 12:35.24
        4    81  Hohenberger, Reese  12          Ardrey Kell                  13:12.43
        5   361  Banks, Sophia  12               North Buncombe               13:29.45
        6   377  Adams, Ashlyn  12               Providence Day School        13:31.96
        7   665  Houlihan, Noelle  12            West Henderson               13:36.57
        8   662  Clonch, Lauren  12              West Henderson               13:43.19
        9   330  Gschnell, Annika  12            Mooresville                  13:43.69
       10   256  Panichella, Eisabella  12       Lake Norman                  13:46.89
       11   154  Lewis, Kerigan  12              Daniel Boone High School     13:56.39
       12   211  Wiechers, Abigail  12           Hough, William A             14:08.04
       13   636  Siebert, Chloe  12              West Forsyth                 14:11.82
       14    92  Thornton, Evie  12              Ardrey Kell                  14:52.10
       15   668  Madera, Alysia  12              West Henderson               14:59.10
       16   248  Gamble, Isabel  12              Lake Norman                  15:14.83
       17   336  Rockness, Karli  12             Mooresville                  15:23.70
       18   367  Wilson, Brayden  12             North Buncombe               15:27.57
       19    12  Plocica, Anna  12               A.C. Reynolds                15:31.06
       20   537  Llibre, Mia Grace  12           Watauga                      15:34.52
       21   159  Riddle, Rain  12                Daniel Boone High School     15:35.50
       22    34  Fongemy, Megan  12              A.L. Brown                   15:40.43
       23    91  Steh, Kyra  12                  Ardrey Kell                  15:56.18
       24    86  McAnally, Lillian  12           Ardrey Kell                  16:09.14
       25   383  Li, Stephanie  12               Providence Day School        16:25.34
       26   672  Ruzich, Sophie  12              West Henderson               16:41.03
       27   326  Anderson, Linnea  12            Mooresville                  16:50.03
       28   207  Ramaraju, Sonya  12             Hough, William A             16:51.33
       29   590  Benoit, Mona  12                West Cabarrus                16:55.55
       30    84  Labandeira, Christina  12       Ardrey Kell                  17:15.96
       31    89  Saricali, Almina  12            Ardrey Kell                  17:17.09
       32    47  Kuddie, Kahlen  12              A.L. Brown                   17:34.01
       33   499  Ortiz, Lemy  12                 University School of John    17:44.02
       34   192  Baldwin, Valerie  12            Hough, William A             18:04.24
       35    93  Tobon, Samantha  12             Ardrey Kell                  18:08.97
       36   149  Akers, Bailey  12               Daniel Boone High School     18:09.91
       37   544  Mortensen, Laurel  12           Watauga                      18:13.18
       38   526  Carpenter, Hadley  12           Watauga                      18:17.75
       39   493  Lavoie, Addie  12               University School of John    18:21.46
       40    31  Acosta, Yanelli  12             A.L. Brown                   19:27.75
       41   197  Flores, Alejandra  12           Hough, William A             19:44.19
       42   691  Castellano, Riley  12           West Stokes                  19:47.02
       43   203  Ogburn, Abbie  12               Hough, William A             19:49.41
       44    40  Morton, Molly  12               A.L. Brown                   20:34.92
       45    42  Peneloza, Liha  12              A.L. Brown                   20:35.83
       46   204  Ogburn, Caty  12                Hough, William A             20:44.99
       47   464  Gullion, Alie  12               Surry Home Educators         20:52.49
       48    33  Estrada, Ally  12               A.L. Brown                   21:29.24
       49   600  Munene, Erin  12                West Cabarrus                29:02.00
    Watauga High School’s senior boys team prepares for Clash of the Classes on Aug. 17, 2024. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

    Top Senior Boys Finishers

        1   564  Bradbury, Will  12              Watauga                      10:13.23
        2   688  Saft, Keagan  12                West Henderson               10:33.35
        3   707  Mathis, Zeb  12                 West Stokes                  10:49.33
        4   404  Hoody, Max  12                  Providence Day School        10:52.96
        5   279  Rabon, Triston  12              Lake Norman                  10:56.99
        6   420  Smith, Nicholas  12             Providence Day School        10:58.06
        7   624  Williams, Paul (Heath)  12      West Cabarrus                11:00.57
        8   370  Gilliland, Derek  12            North Buncombe               11:02.80
        9   284  Schmidt, Ben  12                Lake Norman                  11:07.18
       10   371  Knauer, Bennett  12             North Buncombe               11:11.77
       11   684  Hamlin, Holden  12              West Henderson               11:14.76
       12   368  Ferguson, Gabe  12              North Buncombe               11:21.31
       13   415  Roemer, Chase  12               Providence Day School        11:24.81
       14   702  Goodman, Chad  12               West Stokes                  11:25.82
       15   649  Harrison, Jack  12              West Forsyth                 11:26.73
       16   683  Greene, Roscoe  12              West Henderson               11:39.31
       17   577  Norris, Jonah  12               Watauga                      11:42.87
       18   579  Rex, Samuel  12                 Watauga                      11:43.53
       19   375  Popchock Moreno, Miguel  12     North Buncombe               11:49.48
       20   569  Heistand, Haines  12            Watauga                      11:52.65
       21   221  Glennon, Sebastian  12          Hough, William A             11:59.59
       22   347  Canas-peralta, Moises  12       Mooresville                  12:00.40
       23   644  Cornett, Shane  12              West Forsyth                 12:01.41
       24   609  Carder, Mateo  12               West Cabarrus                12:08.63
       25   612  Endee, Brandon  12              West Cabarrus                12:09.98
       26   423  Vedantham, Anish  12            Providence Day School        12:24.31
       27   460  Orozco-Flores, Sony  12         Surry Central                12:27.26
       28   288  Troutman, William  12           Lake Norman                  12:29.34
       29   374  Oliver, William  12             North Buncombe               12:37.21
       30   275  Leighton, Nate  12              Lake Norman                  12:39.95
       31   616  Mah, Jameson  12                West Cabarrus                12:42.38
       32    52  Delgado, Johnny  12             A.L. Brown                   12:42.85
       33    53  Fongemy, Ian  12                A.L. Brown                   12:44.64
       34   341  Albaeck, Ben  12                Mooresville                  12:56.56
       35   451  Harris, Samuel  12              South Caldwell               13:02.54
       36   213  Baker, Bennett  12              Hough, William A             13:04.58
       37   642  Cheney, Jackson  12             West Forsyth                 13:09.52
       38   349  Dillon, William  12             Mooresville                  13:30.97
       39    63  Palacios, Anthony  12           A.L. Brown                   13:32.83
       40   583  Tincher, Owen  12               Watauga                      13:38.80
       41   685  Holden, Kian  12                West Henderson               13:39.27
       42   148  Ward, Owen  12                  Avery County                 13:47.76
       43    68  Sinclair, Noah  12              A.L. Brown                   13:55.34
       44   626  wright, Alex  12                West Cabarrus                14:02.68
       45   578  Nystrom, Sam  12                Watauga                      14:03.10
       46   483  Overcash, Caleb  12             Surry Home Educators         14:04.17
       47   572  Langley, Charles  12            Watauga                      14:11.29
       48   701  Cox, Devin  12                  West Stokes                  14:17.27
       49    73  Zapata, Daniel  10              A.L. Brown                   14:19.66
       50   713  Westmoreland, Ryan  12          West Stokes                  14:22.04
       51   459  Hervert, Marco  12              Surry Central                14:22.89
       52   457  Eller, Isaac  12                Surry Central                14:36.67

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Clash of Classes, Juniors: Lake Norman’s Dingman finishes No. 1 among girls, Daniel Boone’s Battel captures boys title

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — With two of the top three finishers in the Junior Boys division of Watauga-hosted Clash of the Classes cross country festival, Daniel Boone High School (Gray, Tenn.) cemented its place atop the team standings on Aug. 17.

    Fisher Battel of Daniel Boone HS crosses the finish line in the Junior Boys race during Clash of the Classes on Aug. 17, at State Farm Intramural Fields. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

    Fisher Battel (10:06.18)of Daniel Boone edged out North Buncombe’s Michael Ferguson (10:07.33) to capture the No. 1 position, then Brock Wilhjelm of Daniel Boone HS overtook a host of runners from other several schools to finish No. 3 (10:55.58).

    The Junior Girls race featured six girls in a lead pack for most of the race before Lake Norman’s Kasey Dingman put her proverbial pedal to the medal and sped away to a convincing No. 1 finish, in 12:04.58.  Watauga’s Janie Beach-Verhay ran among the leaders for the entire race, finishing No. 6 (13:23.22).

    Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

    After the race, Beach-Verhay expressed mixed feelings about her performance.

    “The time wasn’t what I wanted today but we were dealing with a lot of mud on the course so it wasn’t ideal. That said, I competed well so I am happy with my race. I ran with the top six the entire race, so I held my position. At the very end, I tried to pass a couple of the girls ahead of me but they had a kick, too. I closed the gap, but couldn’t quite get them. Maybe if I had started by kick sooner but, overall, I am pretty happy with where I placed,” said Beach-Verhay.

    The junior girls team from Watauga was the largest contingent of any single team or school in Clash of the Classes, Aug. 17. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

    As a sophomore in 2023, Beach-Verhay was the 3A/4A Northwestern Conference cross country champion, leading a Watauga-dominant performance that saw nine of the top 10 finishers wearing the Pioneer colors.

    Watauga’s Calvin Zwetsloot crossed the line in the No. 6 position for the Junior Boys, leading a trio of Pioneers in the top 16 (out of 88 competitors), including classmates Zeke Walker and Elliott Taft.

    Top Finishers in the Junior Girls race

        1   247  Dingman, Kasey  11              Lake Norman                  12:04.58
        2   151  Honeycutt, Sadie  11            Daniel Boone High School     12:37.10
        3   671  Rice, Amron  11                 West Henderson               13:00.40
        4    80  Hastings, Meghan  11            Ardrey Kell                  13:20.28
        5   492  Johnson, Emma  11               University School of John    13:20.57
        6   520  Beach-Verhay, Janie  11         Watauga                      13:23.22
        7   362  Jackson, Chloe  11              North Buncombe               13:51.99
        8   690  Bowles, Ryley  11               West Stokes                  13:58.71
        9   633  Malanowski, Kate  11            West Forsyth                 14:04.18
       10   381  Barron, Libby  11               Providence Day School        14:15.39
       11     8  Homan, Joliene  11              A.C. Reynolds                14:20.84
       12     4  Cochrane, Jill  11              A.C. Reynolds                14:22.98
       13   559  Walker, Josephine  10           Watauga                      14:23.81
       14    82  Karadkar, Radnyi  11            Ardrey Kell                  14:25.07
       15   629  Burgess-Baldi, Dempsey  11      West Forsyth                 14:40.00
       16    87  Peck, Carson  11                Ardrey Kell                  14:47.87
       17   252  Mann, Phoebe  11                Lake Norman                  15:10.15
       18     5  Elliot, Cora  11                A.C. Reynolds                15:14.03
       19     9  Lang, Julia  11                 A.C. Reynolds                15:14.49
       20    77  Campbell, Zephyr  11            Ardrey Kell                  15:14.98
       21   528  Collins, Bailey  11             Watauga                      15:25.51
       22   601  Perkins, Addison  11            West Cabarrus                15:34.87
       23   201  Kraft, Addison  11              Hough, William A             15:38.03
       24   695  McGee, Millie  11               West Stokes                  15:41.66
       25   546  Norris, Anna  11                Watauga                      15:44.29
       26   558  Townsend, Sydney  11            Watauga                      15:48.72
       27   446  Noble, Clara  11                South Caldwell               15:55.84
       28   463  Easter, Lindsay  11             Surry Home Educators         16:03.51
       29   634  Newsome, Hope  11               West Forsyth                 16:11.45
       30   494  Mathewes, Ruth  11              University School of John    16:25.59
       31   391  Picard, Avery  11               Providence Day School        16:29.11
       32    45  Salazar, Jocelyn  11            A.L. Brown                   16:32.80
       33    10  Long, Kate  11                  A.C. Reynolds                16:33.35
       34   244  Clark, Bailey  11               Lake Norman                  16:42.93
       35    83  Khwaja, Yasmeen  11             Ardrey Kell                  16:46.84
       36   385  Marrino, Erin  11               Providence Day School        16:58.07
       37   659  Brown, Sophia  11               West Henderson               16:58.36
       38   310  Jones, Alexis  11               McDowell                     17:04.13
       39   500  Robinson, Kiaya  11             University School of John    17:07.41
       40   200  Iswarienko, Tessa  11           Hough, William A             17:24.96
       41   541  Mckinney, Julia  11             Watauga                      17:41.53
       42   502  Tai, Emily  11                  University School of John    17:56.31
       43   536  Leyendecker, Maja  11           Watauga                      17:57.43
       44   593  Fennell, Ella  11               West Cabarrus                17:58.74
       45   152  Indukuri, Raina  11             Daniel Boone High School     18:08.34
       46   530  Freed, Iyla  11                 Watauga                      18:20.01
       47   554  Smith, Cora  11                 Watauga                      18:21.14
       48   441  Childers, Madison  11           South Caldwell               18:24.67
       49   542  Moretz, Sydney  11              Watauga                      18:27.03
       50   133  Holtsclaw, Addison  11          Avery County                 18:44.84
       51   378  Adams, Claire  11               Providence Day School        18:52.87
       52    46  Watson, Keylan  11              A.L. Brown                   19:00.44
    Watauga’s junior boys team warms up before their Clash of Classes race, Aug. 17, 2024. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

    Top Finishers in the Junior Boys race

        1   163  Battel, Fisher  11              Daniel Boone High School     10:06.18
        2   369  Ferguson, Michael  11           North Buncombe               10:07.33
        3   181  Wilhjelm, Brock  11             Daniel Boone High School     10:55.58
        4   490  Wilson, Kaleb  11               Unattached                   11:01.80
        5    17  Coladonato, Julian  11          A.C. Reynolds                11:06.17
        6   589  Zwetsloot, Calvin  11           Watauga                      11:06.88
        7   506  Harker, Harrison  11            University School of John    11:07.20
        8   646  Douglass, Gunnar  11            West Forsyth                 11:07.60
        9   686  Merrill, Brady  11              West Henderson               11:13.68
       10    23  Lawson, Zach  11                A.C. Reynolds                11:18.20
       11   162  Ard, Nicholas  11               Daniel Boone High School     11:19.73
       12   511  Mussard, Isaac  11              University School of John    11:21.17
       13   172  Guinn, Mikah  11                Daniel Boone High School     11:24.03
       14   450  Corpening, Bryce  11            South Caldwell               11:25.71
       15   585  Walker, Zeke  11                Watauga                      11:27.66
       16   582  Taft, Elliott  11               Watauga                      11:28.96
       17   268  Duraipandi, Tarun  11           Lake Norman                  11:30.84
       18   215  Bennett, Jack  11               Hough, William A             11:31.35
       19   372  Marsden, Jonathan  11           North Buncombe               11:39.37
       20   412  Moore, Owen  12                 Providence Day School        11:43.81
       21   114  Morrow, Brayden  11             Ardrey Kell                  11:47.36
       22    16  Card, Eli  11                   A.C. Reynolds                11:50.05
       23   342  Allen, Jake  11                 Mooresville                  11:51.74
       24   352  Hensley, Hayden  11             Mooresville                  12:03.35
       25    26  Rawlings, Alex  11              A.C. Reynolds                12:06.11
       26   654  Reutinger, John  11             West Forsyth                 12:07.64
       27   400  Eustis, Daniel  11              Providence Day School        12:07.99
       28   169  Dorsey, Mason  11               Daniel Boone High School     12:11.45
       29   480  Mauser, Isaiah  11              Surry Home Educators         12:15.04
       30   343  Allmond, Jake  11               Mooresville                  12:16.08
       31    99  Dreier III, Donald  11          Ardrey Kell                  12:24.77
       32   563  Anderson, Levi  11              Watauga                      12:33.79
       33   376  Quade, Jacob  11                North Buncombe               12:35.09
       34   710  Nickless, Luke  11              West Stokes                  12:37.04
       35   619  Seugling, John  11              West Cabarrus                12:37.81
       36   226  Montie, Nathan  11              Hough, William A             12:38.71
       37   588  Wood, Santino  11               Watauga                      12:39.29
       38   271  Huntz, Deakin  11               Lake Norman                  12:40.03
       39   587  Womak, Holden  11               Watauga                      12:41.19
       40   574  McAulay, AJ  11                 Watauga                      12:45.30
       41   102  Flynn, Brian  11                Ardrey Kell                  12:46.91
       42   405  Kahn, Cooper  11                Providence Day School        12:52.21
       43   228  Patton, Luke  11                Hough, William A             12:52.69
       44   703  Hartgrove, Hunter  11           West Stokes                  12:53.60
       45   656  Way, Matthew  11                West Forsyth                 13:02.35
       46   771  Webster, Carson  11             North Buncombe               13:02.87
       47   456  Doria, Jacob  11                Surry Central                13:09.76
       48    48  Beaver, Myles  11               A.L. Brown                   13:10.94
       49   282  Riggs, Nathan  11               Lake Norman                  13:11.56
       50   269  Goethals, Reston  11            Lake Norman                  13:18.08
       51   232  Weekers, Jack  11               Hough, William A             13:20.40
       52   458  Hernandez-Mata, Hernan  11      Surry Central                13:27.32

     

  • Clash of the Classes, Sophomores: Daniel Boone takes 4 of 6 top spots in Boys race, captures Girls race, too

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Sophomores from Daniel Boone High School in Tennessee ruled the roost — er, 2-mile cross country course — on Aug. 17 at State Farm Intramural Fields.  The Gray, Tenn. school’s student athletes won top honors in both the Boys and Girls divisions in Clash of the Classes.

    Ava Nutter of Daniel Boone HS completed the muddy, 2-mile circuit in 12:35.55, about 15 seconds ahead of No. 2 Lily Baugh, from West Forsyth (Clemmons, N.C., a western suburb of Winston-Salem).

    A 1-2 finish by Daniel Boone’s Joshua Estes (No. 1, 11:06.45) and Gavin Christian (No. 2, 11:08.39) was just a scant few seconds ahead of Watauga sophomore Grady Gates (No. 3, 11:15.29).

     

    Top Sophomore Girls Finishers

        1   157  Nutter, Ava  10                 Daniel Boone High School     12:35.55
        2   628  Baugh, Lily  10                 West Forsyth                 12:50.25
        3   501  Smith, Lucy  10                 University School of John    13:04.98
        4   637  Snow, Tatum  10                 West Forsyth                 13:09.24
        5   158  Piazza, Savannah  10            Daniel Boone High School     13:13.80
        6   340  Teeter, Olivia  10              Mooresville                  13:29.42
        7   364  Knauer, Addie  10               North Buncombe               13:38.89
        8   202  Mills-Zacapa, Juliana  10       Hough, William A             13:57.85
        9   199  Hoogsteen, Sophia  10           Hough, William A             13:59.56
       10   669  Manuel, Sawyer  10              West Henderson               14:01.44
       11   533  Johnston, Lainey  10            Watauga                      14:08.56
       12   498  Mussard, Sarah  10              University School of John    14:09.06
       13   673  Socha, Bailey  10               West Henderson               14:19.84
       14   189  Ouellette, Caroline  10         Hickory Ridge                14:22.92
       15   365  Stowe, Megan  10                North Buncombe               14:30.36
       16   193  Bamford, Adelyn  10             Hough, William A             14:39.62
       17   194  Beyerle, Jenna  10              Hough, William A             14:40.83
       18   694  Maxwell, Abby  10               West Stokes                  14:44.11
       19    85  Levine, Nadia  10               Ardrey Kell                  14:54.82
       20   551  Rex, Katherine  10              Watauga                      15:16.01
       21   198  Griffith, Rachel  10            Hough, William A             15:16.41
       22   156  Newell, Rachel  10              Daniel Boone High School     15:16.83
       23   309  Foster, Elyse  10               McDowell                     15:19.68
       24   532  Goff, Susanna  10               Watauga                      15:24.16
       25   155  Louter, Elizabeth  10           Daniel Boone High School     15:28.65
       26    74  Aboumoussa, Sara  10            Ardrey Kell                  15:29.17
       27    41  Navarrete Guevara, Lisbeth      A.L. Brown                   15:37.66
       28   547  Parker, Sophie  10              Watauga                      15:38.71
       29   334  Newman, Ava  10                 Mooresville                  15:41.02
       30   333  London, Olivia  10              Mooresville                  16:05.03
       31   258  Self, Kiley  12                 Lake Norman                  16:15.38
       32   594  Garcia, Aracely  10             West Cabarrus                16:16.24
       33   335  Nix, Angela  10                 Mooresville                  16:19.85
       34   491  Gewelke, Rose  10               University School of John    16:23.76
       35   150  Guinn, Hadassah  10             Daniel Boone High School     16:30.58
       36   525  Bradbury, Carrie  10            Watauga                      16:35.54
       37   495  Maylock, Julia  10              University School of John    16:38.12
       38   390  Orazi, Lily  10                 Providence Day School        16:40.07
       39   209  Tucker, Sophia  10              Hough, William A             16:43.04
       40   539  Martin, Jillian  10             Watauga                      16:44.44
       41   246  Cuellar, Marlena  10            Lake Norman                  16:49.00
       42   161  Weber, Sophie  10               Daniel Boone High School     16:50.72
       43    44  Ramirez Barreiro, Melissa       A.L. Brown                   16:52.80
       44    78  Edwards, Jessica  10            Ardrey Kell                  16:55.39
       45   630  Dorman, Sophie  10              West Forsyth                 16:56.50
       46   664  Dunlap, Elianna  10             West Henderson               16:57.47
       47   670  Pickard, Mia  10                West Henderson               17:05.34
       48    76  Blauer, Kayla  10               Ardrey Kell                  17:23.14
       49   667  Kimzy, Isla  10                 West Henderson               17:39.96
       50   696  Pollay, Aaralyn  10             West Stokes                  17:43.44
       51   208  Rutherford, Kayley  10          Hough, William A             17:44.26
       52    11  McCarthy-Arcos, Oakley  10      A.C. Reynolds                18:16.90
    Watauga’s sophomore boys team at Clash of Classes, Aug. 17, 2024, at State Farm Intramural Fields. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

    Top Sophomore Boys Finishers

        1   170  Estes, Joshua  10               Daniel Boone High School     11:06.45
        2   164  Christian, Gavin  10            Daniel Boone High School     11:08.39
        3   567  Gates, Grady  10                Watauga                      11:15.29
        4   191  Rheinecker, Benjamin  10        Hickory Ridge                11:20.21
        5   174  Kelley, Adam  10                Daniel Boone High School     11:22.87
        6   177  Tate, Ethan  10                 Daniel Boone High School     11:27.28
        7   323  Wardwell, Emmett  10            McDowell                     11:28.46
        8   509  Lawson, Jude  10                University School of John    11:32.23
        9   658  Winsor, Noah  10                West Forsyth                 11:35.04
       10   455  Aguilar, Aaron  10              Surry Central                11:39.58
       11    56  Keasler, Logan  10              A.L. Brown                   11:43.56
       12   176  Quick, Christopher  10          Daniel Boone High School     11:48.19
       13   773  Bostrom, James  10              Watauga                      11:48.54
       14    69  Sirmons, Hunter  10             A.L. Brown                   12:02.04
       15   708  Morrison, Bryan  10             West Stokes                  12:08.51
       16   652  Moran, Edward  10               West Forsyth                 12:10.31
       17   676  Angel, Grant  10                West Henderson               12:10.85
       18   171  Francisco, Atticus  10          Daniel Boone High School     12:14.45
       19   677  Bloomer, Everett  10            West Henderson               12:16.01
       20   580  Roman, Andres  10               Watauga                      12:19.91
       21   346  Byrd, Ahmn  10                  Mooresville                  12:28.41
       22   116  Olander, Brecken  10            Ardrey Kell                  12:31.91
       23   356  Little, Caleb  10               Mooresville                  12:35.43
       24   653  Nagy, Nico  10                  West Forsyth                 12:41.17
       25   712  Watts, Jackson  10              West Stokes                  12:46.19
       26   698  Beasley, Jimmy  10              West Stokes                  12:46.69
       27    51  Craft, Rylan  10                A.L. Brown                   12:47.20
       28   229  Price, Preston  10              Hough, William A             12:50.31
       29   264  Bowie, Jacob  10                Lake Norman                  12:52.10
       30   650  LeGrande, Jonah  10             West Forsyth                 12:56.31
       31   353  Hodges, Hatten  10              Mooresville                  13:00.30
       32   570  James, Isaac  10                Watauga                      13:01.99
       33    70  Stevenson, Savion  10           A.L. Brown                   13:11.78
       34   167  Dillon, Eli  10                 Daniel Boone High School     13:12.40
       35   105  Galliano, Cameron  10           Ardrey Kell                  13:19.04
       36   705  Lee, Harrison  10               West Stokes                  13:21.60
       37   227  Niblack, Preston  10            Hough, William A             13:22.69
       38    59  Logan, Landon  10               A.L. Brown                   13:24.53
       39   469  Bunke, John David  10           Surry Home Educators         13:29.30
       40   324  Waycaster, Elijah  10           McDowell                     13:32.95
       41    54  Guerra, Matias  10              A.L. Brown                   13:41.39
       42   417  Scholl, Evan  10                Providence Day School        13:43.48
       43   165  Cutshall, Sam  10               Daniel Boone High School     13:43.88
       44    24  Mathews, Griffin  10            A.C. Reynolds                13:45.55
       45   317  Faulkner, Elijah  10            McDowell                     13:50.76
       46   216  Bianchi, Matthew  10            Hough, William A             13:54.43
       47   147  Murtland, Tommo  10             Avery County                 14:03.47
       48   700  Butler, Zakary  10              West Stokes                  14:04.68
       49   562  Abrams, Tallon  10              Watauga                      14:07.39
       50   425  Wei, Max  10                    Providence Day School        14:15.83
       51   106  Glover, William  10             Ardrey Kell                  14:29.37
       52   354  Howard, Zachary  10             Mooresville                  14:32.30

     

  • Clash of the Classes, Freshmen: Cali Townsend ‘flies’, Hough’s Collum leads pack

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Before the start of the Freshman Girls race in Clash of the Classes, Watauga assistant coach Scott Townsend was asked if his daughter, Cali, was ready.

    “She is so ready,” said Townsend. “She missed all of last year’s spring track season because of a lower body injury, so she has been looking forward to this. She says she is ready to fly.”

    Hough High School’s Grant Collum earned No. 1 honors in the Clash of Classes Freshman Boys race on Aug. 17. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

    And fly she did in leading a strong contingent of 9th grade girls from 10 different schools across the finish line, completing the 2-mile course at State Farm Intramural Fields in 12:20.63, almost 19 seconds ahead of the No. 2 harrier, Lake Norman’s Claire Zimmerman (12:39.20).

    In the Freshman Boys race, Hough High School’s Grant Collum finished No. 1 (11:53.04), a little more than three seconds ahead of West Henderson’s Obie Greene (11:56.53). The field included a total of 71 student athletes.

    The Watauga Freshman Girls team for Clash of the Classes. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

    Top Freshman Girls Finishers

        1   557  Townsend, Cali   9              Watauga                      12:20.63
        2   263  Zimmerman, Claire   9           Lake Norman                  12:39.20
        3   190  Riley, Isabella   9             Hickory Ridge                13:23.37
        4     3  Cadeau, Audrey   9              A.C. Reynolds                13:23.79
        5   386  Matasic, Aubrey   9             Providence Day School        13:49.66
        6   640  Tonidandel, Celia   9           West Forsyth                 13:55.64
        7   693  Mathis, Piper   9               West Stokes                  13:58.48
        8   160  Vleminckx, Brynna   9           Daniel Boone High School     14:10.92
        9   639  St.Clair, Ellie   9             West Forsyth                 14:19.34
       10   666  Jordan, Pherson   9             West Henderson               14:20.53
       11   604  Seugling, Caleigh   9           West Cabarrus                14:22.02
       12   697  Shiffert, Chloe   9             West Stokes                  14:24.59
       13   674  Taylor, Adley   9               West Henderson               14:25.18
       14   534  Kimbrough, Lillie   9           Watauga                      14:27.06
       15   553  Scantlin, Grace   9             Watauga                      14:33.55
       16    90  Satija, Ahana   9               Ardrey Kell                  14:39.06
       17   396  Zolak, Charlie   9              Providence Day School        14:43.18
       18   332  Herrera, Camila   9             Mooresville                  14:43.51
       19   331  Harryman, Millie   9            Mooresville                  15:03.76
       20    94  Welles, Alivia   9              Ardrey Kell                  15:06.86
       21   210  Weaver, Clara   9               Hough, William A             15:15.22
       22   631  Holabeck, Sydney   9            West Forsyth                 15:29.74
       23   522  Benson, Riley   9               Watauga                      15:35.47
       24   497  McKinney, Darcy   9             University School of John    15:46.77
       25   675  Vanness, Bryn   9               West Henderson               15:47.89
       26   521  Benson, Julia   9               Watauga                      15:48.54
       27   196  Epperson, Maddie   9            Hough, William A             15:52.75
       28     6  Farthing, Kora   9              A.C. Reynolds                15:56.31
       29   632  Hooker, Shelly   9              West Forsyth                 16:10.17
       30   384  Lozier, Emmie   9               Providence Day School        16:22.75
       31   524  Bollman, Noelle   9             Watauga                      16:25.56
       32    14  Gillett-Hockman, Zoe   9        A.C. Reynolds                16:27.50
       33    88  Roldan, Isabela   9             Ardrey Kell                  16:30.04
       34   395  Yancey, Elizabeth   9           Providence Day School        16:34.63
       35   250  Halcomb, Kylie   9              Lake Norman                  16:35.27
       36   596  Gould, Keeley   9               West Cabarrus                16:35.76
       37   327  Bender, Skyler   9              Mooresville                  16:39.84
       38    36  Hall, Raegan   9                A.L. Brown                   16:40.48
       39   545  Nance, Claire   9               Watauga                      16:42.11

    Top Freshman Boys Finishers

        1   217  Collum, Grant   9               Hough, William A             11:53.04
        2   682  Greene, Obie   9                West Henderson               11:56.53
        3   273  Lawver, Paxton   9              Lake Norman                  12:09.35
        4   277  Nelson, Oliver   9              Lake Norman                  12:20.17
        5   510  Mathewes, Lucas   9             University School of John    12:23.00
        6    97  Chiang, Lucas   9               Ardrey Kell                  12:30.13
        7   608  Canipe, Cole   9                West Cabarrus                12:31.93
        8   772  Liu, Ethan   9                  Ardrey Kell                  12:37.93
        9   461  Ramirez Romero, Eduardo   9     Surry Central                12:38.54
       10   225  Lucy, Alex   9                  Hough, William A             12:44.95
       11   231  Romano, Tieran   9              Hough, William A             12:52.54
       12   407  Long, Atlas   9                 Providence Day School        13:00.51
       13   344  Anderson, Fischer   9           Mooresville                  13:01.71
       14   679  Cauble, Vance   9               West Henderson               13:03.43
       15   270  Honig, Tyler   9                Lake Norman                  13:06.75
       16   230  Rezutko, Xavier   9             Hough, William A             13:17.19
       17    95  Bangaru, Shourya   9            Ardrey Kell                  13:23.71
       18    29  Stotz, Eli   9                  A.C. Reynolds                13:29.61
       19   283  Scharsu, Benjamin   9           Lake Norman                  13:32.74
       20   507  Cull, Aden   9                  University School of John    13:38.52
       21   222  Handzlik, Ryan  10              Hough, William A             13:42.11
       22   613  Heglar, Charles   9             West Cabarrus                13:46.02
       23   117  Pak-lin, Davis   9              Ardrey Kell                  13:46.50
       24   118  Pak-lin, Elias   9              Ardrey Kell                  13:49.12
       25   711  Wagoner, Matt   9               West Stokes                  13:49.49
       26   125  Studebaker, Mason   9           Ardrey Kell                  13:50.21
       27   422  Tappy, Brannon   9              Providence Day School        13:50.62
       28   403  Hatch, Charlie   9              Providence Day School        13:54.27
       29    96  Bates, Charleston   9           Ardrey Kell                  13:56.37
       30   651  McGlaughon, William   9         West Forsyth                 13:56.89
       31   416  Sadowski, Jack   9              Providence Day School        13:58.45
       32   274  Lee, Landyn   9                 Lake Norman                  14:04.34
       33   287  Smith, Finnegan   9             Lake Norman                  14:09.23
       34    18  Enos, Gabriel   9               A.C. Reynolds                14:15.70
       35   180  Venters, Tyler   9              Daniel Boone High School     14:26.57
       36   123  Scott, Cayden   9               Ardrey Kell                  14:26.85
       37    98  Deister, Lincoln   9            Ardrey Kell                  14:30.72
       38    28  Smith, Brodie   9               A.C. Reynolds                14:32.62
       39   280  Renner, Raiden   9              Lake Norman                  14:32.98
       40    57  Lamb, Porter   9                A.L. Brown                   14:33.59
       41   214  Baldwin, Sawyer   9             Hough, William A             14:40.03
       42   454  Yount, Gabriel   9              South Caldwell               14:40.97
       43   687  Metcalf, Gavin   9              West Henderson               14:41.89
       44   413  Muvezwa, Takudzwa   9           Providence Day School        14:42.52
       45   568  Gray, Cole   9                  Watauga                      14:43.01