By David Rogers. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — Watauga scored to runs in the top of the 4th inning to take an early, 2-1 lead, but Alexander Central added one more run in each of their half of the 4th and 5th frames to regain their earlier one-run advantage. Back to back singles with one out in the top of the 7th inning by Watauga catcher Chase Gillin and shortstop Evan Burroughs put the potential tying and winning runs on base. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, courtesy runner Miller Hankins was ruled out on the front end of a called double steal when ACHS catcher Graham Hoke made a laser beam throw to nip Hankins sliding into third. Burroughs stole both second and third, but was left stranded when J.J. Everett lofted a fly ball to deep center field to retire the side and preserve the win for the Cougars.
Watauga’s big sophomore righthander, Bryce Scheffler, was at times overpowering as the starter in Round 3 of the state playoffs at Alexander Central on May 23. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News
It was the fourth win of the year for Alexander Central against the Pioneers, this one coming in Round 3 of the NCHSAA 6A state playoffs. The encounters were more hotly contested as the season progressed. The Cougars won at home on March 20, 7-2, then doubled up the Pioneers on April 17, 14-2. But a little more than a week later Watauga was hitting its stride, narrowing the gap in the Northwestern Conference tournament to only a 5-3 loss. The 3-2 deficit on May 12 in Round 3 of the playoffs was a lucky break or two away from advancing to Round 4.
“Having coached at Watauga for all those years before moving here, I know how the weather can delay a baseball team coming together, both in hitting and pitching,” said Alexander Central head coach Pete Hardee after the Round 3 game. “It is hard to beat a team three times in a season, much less four times. That is a very good Watauga team and they are exceptionally well coached. (Bryce) Scheffler was powerful as their starter tonight. In those early innings, he kept us off balance. In the bottom of the 4th inning with Watauga leading, 2-1, we got a couple of guys on base then were really lucky when a ground ball took an unusual bounce over the head of Evan Burroughs, the shortstop. That scored they tying run and gave us some momentum.”
Scheffler pitched 4.2 innings as the starter, but gave way to reliever Brett Vannoy after the Cougars’ Gunnar Johnson ripped a double to the fence, scoring senior outfielder Koa Mikeal, who had walked on batter earlier. For his outing, the tall junior righthander allowed three runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking two. Vannoy came on in relieve, going 1.1 innings, allowing no runs on one hit, striking out two Cougar batters while walking three. For Scheffler, 51 of his 83 pitchers were srikes (61.14 [percent).
For Alexander Central, senior hurler Carter Bowman went the distance, allowing two Pioneer runs on five hits, striking out three batters and walking four.
Watauga first baseman Kwame Carter stretches hard for a low throw to catch the Alexander Central runner, Jude Carter (18), at first base on May 12. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News
Mikeal, the Cougars’ third baseman, had a big night at the plate, going 2-2, scoring one run and collecting one RBI while walking once. Jude Carter, the Cougars’ designated hitter for this game, was 1-for-2 with one run scored. The big slugger was also intentionally walked in the bottom of the 5th inning, putting Cougar runners on first and second after Johnson’s run-scoring double. The move paid off for the Pioneers when Hoke, the next ACHS batter, flied out to centerfield to end the inning.
Watauga’s offensive effort was led by third baseman Eli Bishop (2-3, one run scored), centerfielder Jake Blanton (1-3, one run scored), second baseman Cade Keller (0-1, 1 RBI, one walk) and left fielder Everett Gryder 0-2, 1 RBI, sacrifice fly). While not contributing to the scoring column, catcher Chase Gillin was 1-2with one walk. On the basepaths, as a team Watauga stole four bases to help put runners in scoring position, Burroughs (2), Bishop and Blanton.
With the loss, Watauga’s season comes to an end. The No. 1 seeded Alexander Central moves on to Round 4 to play a familiar foe in No. 4 seed St. Stephens, which like Watauga is a 6A/7A Northwestern Conference rival. The Indians advance with an 8-4 win in Round 3 over No. 5 seeded Asheville.
“This one stings a little bit,” said Watauga head coach Sean Burroughs after the dust had settled, “but when i have a moment to reflect on our season I will realize it was a pretty good one. Because of the weather in the High Country, we don’t get to work outdoors much early in the season, but both are pitching and hitting improve a lot once we get (more reps) outdoors.”
MISCELLANEOUS BONUS IMAGES (Click on any image for larger size and Slide Show mode)
By David Rogers. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — With individual NCHSAA 6A West Regional Championships titles earned by Cali Townsend (1600 Meters), Tessa Buchanan (300m Hurdles), Lily Stough (Long Jump) and Sydney Helms (Pole Vault) and multiple other podium finishes by not only that quartet but several other Pioneers, Watauga added another team title to its resume on May 9. The Regionals were hosted by A.C. Reynolds High School.
By David Rogers. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Senior sprinter Nyle Peays was No. 1 in the men’s 100 meters, No. 1 in the 300m hurdles and No. 4 in the 200 meters, but it was the Pioneers’ roster depth that propelled the Watauga varsity track and field squad to a No. 2 team placing in the NCHSAA 6A West Regional Track & Field Championships, hosted by A.C. Reynolds High School on May 9.
The top 10 team scores:
Phillip O. Berry (100)
Watauga (83.50)
T.C. Roberson (72.50)
A.C. Reynolds (57)
Mount Tabor (54)
Olympic (49)
Ashbrook (48)
Statesville (44)
Asheville (39)
Central Cabarrus (26)
A total of 19 schools had enough athletes qualify for Regionals to earn a team score out of the 20 schools represented.
4×200 Relay (disputed result because of the meet’s photo and timing malfunctions; Watauga believed they were No. 4, but the contested result is not believed to have affected the team standings)
By David Rogers. GREENSBORO, N.C. — What started out as a 7-inning, 1-1 pitchers duel morphed into an extra innings nailbiter on May 8. Watauga manufactured four runs in the 13th inning and throttled Southeast Guilford’s bats with three Pioneer pitchers combining to allow just one run on six hits, striking out 14 Falcons and walking just five.
In the top of the pivotal 13th inning, Pioneer catcher Chase Gillin led off with a single and shortstop Evan Burroughs followed up with another, beating out a well-placed bunt back to the pitcher. Rightfielder J.J. Everett moved the runners to second and third on a sacrificing ground out. The Falcons opted for an intentional walk to the hot-hitting Pioneer centerfielder, Jake Blanton, to load the bases, perhaps looking to execute a double play and minimize any damage.
If so, it didn’t work out that way. Bryce Scheffler, who turned out to be the winning Pioneer pitcher, drew a walk to bring in a run, the Eli Bishop doubled to left, scoring Burroughs and Blanton, with Scheffler taking third, with still only one out. Given that Scheffler was slated to take the mound to pitch the bottom half of the 13th, Miller Hankins was inserted as a courtesy runner for Scheffler on third. Hankins rushed home for the Pioneers’ fifth and final run of the night when leftfielder Everett Gryder lofted what became a sacrifice fly to left for the second out.
But for the host Falcons, their fate was sealed at the hands and arm of Scheffler. The big Pioneer sophomore righthander deftly fielded a leadoff ground ball off the bat of SE Guilford’s Jeffrey Harris for the first out. The Falcons’ senior catcher Aiden Simmons tried to get things going when he rapped a worm burner to the hole at shortstop. Evan Burroughs retrieved it, but the difficult throw to first sailed pas first baseman Kwame Carter, allowing Simmons to take second base, too. But with two consecutive fly balls right field and corralled by the Pioneers’ J.J. Everett, Scheffler & Co. had secured the win for Watauga.
Not enough can be said about the pitching performances of Watauga starter Daniel Jones and shortstop-turned-reliever Evan Burroughs. Jones proved a stalwart, going 7.2 innings, allowing one run in the bottom of the 5th inning. He was touched up for just four hits by the Falcons, hurling 108 pitches, striking out six Falcons and walking just one.
Burroughs came on to get the final batter in the 7th, completing four innings before giving way to Scheffler. He allowed just one hit and no runs while striking out seven batters and walking four.
With the win, Watauga advances to Round 3, where they will face the winner of No. 1 seeded Alexander Central (Taylorsville) and No. 16 seed Scotland (Laurinburg), for which the scores have not yet been reported.
Key Watauga Performers
Pitching
Daniel Jones: 7.2 innings, 108 pitches, 1 run, 4 hits, 6 strikeouts, 1 walk
By David Rogers. CONCORD, N.C. — No. 11 seeded Watauga varsity softball kept pace with No. 6 Central Cabarrus through six and half innings in their May 8 second round 6A state playoffs game, even tying the contest at 8-8 in the top of the 7th inning when Lula Elrod doubled to right, scoring teammate Savana Costner. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, the Vikings were determined to finish the contest without going to extra innings, breaking the tie in the bottom of the 7th inning with a pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt, the final single by Kinley Wood through the middle, plating Wellons O’Neal for the go-ahead run and “walk-off” win.
Watauga edged Central Cabarrus in the number of hits produced, 14-13, but a pair of Pioneer errors and a home run by senior Haley Rezy, as well as a pair of doubles rapped out by senior Chloe Phillips and senior Hayden Johnson may well have proved difference makers for the close outcome. Rezy smashed her dinger in the bottom of the first inning to get the Vikings started.
The Vikings scored seven of their runs early, leading 7-3 after four innings, but the Pioneers responded with a four runs in the top of the 5th inning to tie the game, leveraging a leadoff walk earned by Presli Wood, followed by a 1-out double by Cam Otto. With two outs, Sierra Costner lace a line drive single to center, then advanced to second base when the Vikings shortstop mishandled a sharp ground ball off the bat of sister Savana Costner, who was able to reach first. Lula Elrod then sent a rocket to the left field fence, scoring Sierra Costner, then a throwing error to third base allowed Savana Costner to score. The four-run 5th inning for Watauga tied the game at 7-7.
Both starting pitchers went the distance for their respective teams. The Vikings’ junior Taryn Jenkins gave up 8 runs on 14 hits, striking out nine and walking four. For the Pioneers, freshman Allison Moody gave up 9 runs (7 earned) on 13 hits, striking out two and walking three.
With the Central Cabarrus win, Watauga’s season ends with a respectable 14-12 overall record and the Vikings advance to Round 3, where they will go on the road to face Piedmont.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Unless pitching falters, it’s hard not to lose a baseball game with a .538 batting average, which Watauga posted on May 5 in the first round of the 6A North Carolina state playoffs vs. Dudley. With senior starting hurler Brett Vannoy giving up only two runs on two hits while striking four Panthers and walking only one in three and a half innings — and junior reliever Bryce Scheffler finishing the shortened “mercy rule” contest with three strikeouts — Watauga romped to a convincing, 12-2 win in the first round of the North Carolina 6A state playoffs.
Cade Keller (10) connects on the first of his two double against Dudley in the North Carolina 6A state playoffs. The Pioneers won, 12-2, to advance to Rd. 2, where they will face Southeast Guilford in Greensboro on May 8. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News
With Vannoy shutting out the Panthers’ side in an opening frame that featured a double play by the Pioneer infield, Watauga didn’t waste any time, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Following a leadoff double by Watauga shortstop Evan Burroughs and a full count walk to rightfielder J.J. Everett, senior centerfielder Jake Blanton laced a single to left, loading the bases. Designated hitter Daniel Jones showed why he is in the lineup when not serving as Watauga’s ace pitcher, sending a ball to the right field fence for a double and scoring Burroughs, Everett and Blanton, racing around the bases.
That early offensive output was enough to chase Dudley’s starting pitcher, freshman Xavier Baker. In came senior Brayden Jeffries, who got two quick strikeouts before Pioneer second baseman Cade Keller rapped yet another double to the right field fence, scoring Jones. Jeffries got Watauga leftfielder Everett Gryder to ground out to get out of the inning, but the Pioneers had established momentum — and it would lead to a shortened game with the lead 12-2 after the Panthers’ at bat in the fifth inning.
The Watauga Pioneers baseball varsity had a lot to smile about after a 12-2 win over Dudley in Round 1 of the state playoffs. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News
For the contest, Watauga touched up Jeffries for seven runs on 13 hits. Baker was credited with allowing those first four runs and another Dudley reliever, Cam Wilkerson McAdoo yielded the final Pioneer tally in Watauga’s 5-run fifth inning.
The No. 9 seeded Pioneers will travel to Greensboro on Friday, May 8, to face the No. 8 seed, Southeast Guilford, which was awarded a bye into the second round. The playoffs’ seeding puts Watauga and the NCHSAA 6A West bracket’s No. 1 seed, conference rival Alexander Central in the upper half of the West bracket. If both win in Round 2, they will face each other for a fourth time this season, in Round 3.
Key Watauga Offensive Performers in Round 1
DH Daniel Jones (Jr.): 3-3, 3 runs scored, 4 RBIs, 2B
SS Evan Burroughs (Sr.): 3-3, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, 2 doubles, stolen base
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — After falling behind 1-6 in the first set, Watauga men’s volleyball team rallied behind a strong early service performance by Devon Shook to go on a 10-4 run and take an 11-10 lead they never gave up. The Pioneers used that momentum to take a 25-20, 25-16, 25-18 sweep over St. Stephens on May 5 in Lentz Eggers Gym.
The visiting Indians of St. Stephens didn’t go away quietly, coached by a former middle blocker star of the Pioneer varsity women’s team and current Lenoir-Rhyne graduate student Emma Clark.
Brady Lindenmuth (56) goes up for resounding spike vs. St. Stephens in Rd. 1 of the playoffs on May 5. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News
“Our guys really played well together,” said Watauga head coach Robyn Lindenmuth. “They worked with each other, complementing one another’s skills and using each other.”
Coach Lindenmuth noted exceptional play by setter Noah Brown, middle blocker Colby Whiteside and other offensive stalwarts Jonathan Bouboulis and Brady Lindenmuth.
For Round 2 of the North Carolina men’s volleyball playoffs, Watauga travels to Hendersonville on May 8 (6:30 p.m. first serve) to face North Henderson.
It was a small but enthusiastic student section in Lentz Eggers Gym for Round 1 of the state playoffs on May 5, supporting Watauga’s 3-set sweep over. St. Stephens. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Host Watauga teed off for five doubles and a home run among their 19 hits that scored 19 runs on May 5 vs. Asheville in Round 1 of the 6A state playoffs.
With the win, the No. 11-seeded Pioneers will travel to Concord on May 8 for a Round 2 tilt with No.6-seeded Central Cabarrus, which earned a first round bye in the playoffs.
A pair of freshman Pioneers, Addison Moody and Lula Elrod, allowed only 2 hits and one run on May 5, in Watauga’s 19-1 6A state playoffs win. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News
The Pioneers played error-free ball behind two freshman pitchers. Addison Moody (4 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs and 6 strikeouts) and Eula Elrod (1 inning, 1 hit, 1 run, 2 strikeouts) combined for a dominating performance in the circle for Watauga.
Offensively, it is hard to distinguish a real difference maker with a roster pounding out 19 runs on 19 hits. Charlotte Moretz, still a junior, stands out for her early home run. Fellow junior Presli Wood did plenty of damage, too, going 3-for-4, scoring 3 runs along with 3 RBIs while adding a double to her resume. As a team, the Pioneers suffered zero strikeouts.
Overall key offensive performers for Watauga:
Charlotte Moretz (Jr.): 1-1, 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs, HR, SF, 1 walk, 1 stolen base
Presli Wood (Jr.): 3-4, 3 runs scored, 3 RBIs, 2B
Sierra Costner (Fr.): 2-3, 3 runs scored, 1 RBI, 2B
By David Rogers. CONCORD, N.C. — Kudos to the organizers of the NCRunners Middle School All-State Track and Field Championships on May 2, hosted by Jay M. Robinson High School. One hundred and forty-one (141) North Carolina middle schools were represented, including 25 Watauga District 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Watauga didn’t win any state titles this year, but when you consider that most of the events had upwards of 100 athletes competing — in each event — just qualifying to be there was an accomplishment unto itself.
FLYING HIGH: Watauga’s Johnny Reed earned a No. 19 finish competing against 41 other middle school athletes in the NCRunners middle school state meet on May 2. Photographic image by Jared Everett for Blowing Rock News
Here is a summary of the Watauga performances. The meet did not distinguish between the grade levels, so 6th graders were competing against 7th and 8th graders.
By David Rogers. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — With the NCHSAA 6A Regionals just two Saturdays away, May 9 at Asheville’s A.C. Reynolds High School, the Watauga men’s and women’s track and field teams had quite a “tune-up,” both claiming Northwestern Conference team championships on April 29 at Alexander Central High School — in dominating fashion.
WOMEN’S DIVISION
TEAM STANDINGS
Watauga (278)
Alexander Central (174,5)
South Caldwell (68)
St. Stephens (65)
Freedom (63.5)
McDowell (35)
We have to lead this accounting of the Watauga women’s team performances with a nod to sophomore Cali Townsend and freshman Josie Mayo.
Townsend competed in the 1600 Meters, the 3200 Meters, winning both long distance races. Josie Mayo? All she did was run on the winning 4×800 relay team, come in No. 2 in the 3200 Meters and No. 2 in the 1600 Meters.
“We call Josie’s 3-race performance ‘The Trio of Death’ because of how demanding it is to compete in those three distances in a single track event. The only ones to do it have been Josie (‘our FRESHMAN!’) and Cali,” said Watauga running coach J. Scott Townsend.
The Watauga women won each of the four relays, the 4×200, the 4×100, the 4×800 and the 4×400. In the individual events, the greatest curiosities were when the Pioneers didn’t have all three of their entries in the top five, if not a 1-2-3 sweep. The 4×800 Relay started this off, with Watauga finishing No. 1 (10:46.13), roughly 28 seconds ahead of second place St. Stephens (11:14.38).
Watauga had only two entries in the Women’s 100m Hurdles, going 1-2 with Tessa Buchanan (No. 1, 15.47) and Grace Scantlin (No. 2, 17.70). The Pioneers didn’t make the podium in the Women’s 100 Meters, but all three entries finished in the Top 10, including Charlotte Rosenbalm (No. 5, 13.45), Sophia Kop (No. 7, 13.64) and Gracyn Phelps (No. 9, 13.70). Malayah Adams of Alexander Central won the race with the only time under 13 seconds (12.39), but the rest of the field was tightly bunched with 10 runners between St. Stephens’ Ady McHenry (No. 2, 13.23) and McDowells Azmond Carson (No. 11, 13.97)
It was an exciting start to the afternoon’s competition. The Women’s 4×800 Relay could well have been the most exciting event of the day with No. 1 Watauga (1:49.29) barely edging out No. 2 St. Stephens (1:49.49). When you consider that each athlete on a team ran the equivalent of a half mile and the total distance run by each team was the metric equivalent of two miles, to have the finish come down to two-tenths of a second is a thrilling race. The Watauga foursome was Sydney Townsend, Lainey Johnston, Lily Kimbrough and Josie Mayo.
Cali Townsend continued her season-long excellence in the 1600 Meters event, finishing No. 1 (5:41.29), just over eight seconds ahead of the Pioneers’ Josie Mayo (No. 2, 5:50.23) and another three seconds ahead of teammate Lily Kimbrough (No 3, 5:53.73). The Pioneers’ 1-2-3 sweep was a statement as the only athletes under six minutes. No. 4 went to McDowell’s Elyse Foster (6:32.97).
In the 100m Hurdles, the first individual event, Tessa Buchanan and Grace Scantlin got Watauga off to a promising start with a 1-2 sweep of the event, Buchanan at No. 1 (15.47) and Scantlin at No. 2 (17.7).
The Pioneers may not have had any sprinters among the leaders in the individual 100 Meters sprint race, but apparently they have greater roster depth than the rest of the conference because they took the 4×100 Meters Relay (51.41), again by an eyelash over the runner up team, Alexander Central (51.63) for an exciting finish. Watauga’s quartet was comprised of Gracyn Phelps, Tessa Buchanan, Sophia Kop and Charlotte Rosenbalm.
Watauga’s Charlotte Rosenbalm brings home the baton on the final leg of the Women’s 4×400 Relay on April 29 in the 6A/7A Northwestern Conference meet. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News
All three of Watauga’s entries in the Women’s 400 Meters finished in the Top 10, capped by Lily Stough’s No. 1 victory (58.61), the only runner in the event to eclipse the 1-minute mark. South Caldwell’s Sarah Franklin took the No. 2 spot (1:01.37), followed by No. 3 Ava Cooke of Freedom (1:01.39). Watauga’s Vivian Hans (No.6, 1:04.35) and freshman Ember Honeycutt (No. 7, 1:04.49) picked up valuable team points with their finishes.
The Women’s 300m Hurdles was another 1-2-3 sweep for the Pioneers, with Tessa Buchanan (No. 1, 46.32). Grace Scantlin (No. 2, 52.28) and Hannah Kop (No. 3, 52.90). The figured as role models for the Pioneers’ entries in the 800 Meters, with Cali Townsend (No. 1, 2:20.46), Lainey Johnston (No. 2, 2:24.34) and Lily Kimbrough (No. 3, 2:33.55) following suit for yet another 1-2-3 sweep for the Pioneers.
Although Watauga didn’t have anyone place on the podium in the earlier 100 Meters, the 200 Meters sprint race was a different story. Alexander Central’s Malayah Adams won the event (No. 1, 26.28), but Watauga had the next two finishing spots, both within about a half-second of the winner: Mackenzy Cheek (No. 2, 26.78) and Tessa Buchanan (No. 3, 26.92). Merritt Powell also made the top 10, finishing No. 7 (28.39).
The final individual running event of the evening was arguably the Pioneers’ most dominating: the 3200-Meter Run. Cali Townsend (No. 1, 12:05.09), Josie Mayo (No. 2, 12:20.53) and Susanna Goff (No. 3, 12:23.03) lapped the field in taking the 1-2-3 sweep and demonstrating Watauga’s long distance superiority, at least in the 6A/7A Northwestern Conference. South Caldwell’s Kaylee Teague ran a respectable 15:44.09 at No. 4, well ahead of her No. 5 rival, Hope Cox (16:00.75), representing Alexander Central, but put in perspective, all three of Watauga’s athletes were more than three minutes ahead of the field, running near or under their personal bests.
In the final women’s relay, the iconic 4×400, Watauga (No. 1, 4:19.64), held off a game performance by Alexander Central’s quartet (No. 2, 4:29.40), as well as St. Stephens (No. 3, 4:36.66). The Watauga relay team members: Vivian Hans, Hannah Kop, Mackenzy Cheek and Eden Krenzin.
In the field events, Watauga continued its domination with most of the teams’ athletes finishing in the top five, if not winning. The Pioneers took a 1-2-3 sweep of the Pole Vault behind Sydney Helms (No. 1, 10-09), Sophie Robbins (No. 2, 9-06), and Carrie Bradbury (No. 3, 9-00).
The Pioneers’ Lily Stough (No. 1, 19-02) captured the Long Jump conference title, with Ember Honeycutt (No. 4, 15-11.50) and Eden Krenzin (No. 5, 15-10) rounding out the top five and capturing valuable team points.
Stough also showed well in the High Jump, placing No. 2 (5-02) behind Alexander Central’s Kay’ona Connor (No. 1, 5-04). Ashlyn Smith was Watauga’ only other entrant in the event, in the mix at No. 4 (5-00).
In the demanding Triple Jump, Stough again led a trio of Pioneers, all placing in the top five of the event. Stough captured the conference title with a leap of 40-04, more than four feet further than No. 2, Alexander Central’s Carly Hendren (35-10.25). Watauga’s Eden Krenzin (No. 4, 34-03) and Sophie Kop (No. 5, 33-08.25) rounded out the top five. Alexander Central also had the No. 3 jumper in Cadence (“Cadee”) Rollins (35-00).
Alexander Central’s Ali Lewis was a double winner in capturing the Shot Put and Discus titles, going 31-07 in the Shot Put and 198-04 in the Discus. While the Pioneers didn’t place anyone in the top five of the Shot Put, two Watauga athletes made it to the top five list in the Discus: Ellie Helms (No. 2, 96-03) and Maggie Smith (No. 5, 84-05).
Mars Hill University bound Matthew Leon (to play football) of Watauga was a double gold medal winner on April 29 in the 6A/7A Northwestern Conference track meet. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News
MEN’S DIVISION
TEAM STANDINGS
Watauga (218)
Alexander Central (151)
St. Stephens (122)
Freedom (66)
South Caldwell (63)
McDowell (58)
Watauga won three of the four relay events, capturing the 4×100, 4×200 and 4×800. A lane violation in the 4×400 resulted in a disqualification.
The 4×800 team of Grady Gates, Levi Anderson, Brian Newmark and Calvin Zwetsloot got the Watauga men’s team started on the right foot, capturing the conference title with an 8:54.07 performance, a little more than 11 seconds ahead of No. 2 Alexander Central (9:05.62).
The 110m High Hurdles event was won by St. Stephens’ Kion-nie Banks (15.66), followed by the Pioneers’ Eli Reed (No. 2, 16.42)
.Watauga’s Nyle Peays led a 1-2 sweep of the 100 Meters, sprinting the distance in 10.66 seconds. He was followed by No. 2 Riley Ellison (10.93), the only two competitors under 11 seconds.
In the 4×200 Relay, the Pioneer quartet of Matthew Leon, Lucas Cash, Mason Harris and Riley Ellison were crowned conference champions, winning the event in 1:30.27.
James Bostrom of Watauga clocked a 4:37.14 time to secure the 1600 Meters title. Teammates Jonah Pearson (No. 3, 4:38.68) and Zeke Walker (No. 4, 4:45.04) were not far behind No. 2, Bryce Corpening of South Caldwell (4:38.06).
Watauga similarly showed off its sprint prowess in the 4×100, with the quartet of Mason Harris, Riley Ellison, Lucas Cash and Nyle Peays completing the one-lap circuit in 43.37 seconds, with Alexander Central No. 2 (44.11).
Pioneer senior Matthew Leon was the only Northwestern Conference performer to run under 50 seconds in the grueling 400 Meters sprint. His No. 1 time of 49.42, a personal best, allowed him to cross the finish line ahead of Alexander Central’s Aidan Batty (No. 2, 50.24) and Kevin Hinson (No. 3, 51.32). Leon revealed to Blowing Rock News that he has committed to play football next year for Mars Hill University, north of Asheville.
Far right, Bryce Corpening of South Caldwell has the inside edge at the start of the Men’s 3200. Corpening won, closely follwed by a 2-3-4 finish for Watauga’s Parker Williams, Calvin Zwetsloot and Isaac James. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News
Nyle Peays and Eli Reed completed a 1-2 sweep in the Men’s 300m Hurdles. Peays was No. 1 (39.38) and Reed was No. 2 (40.74).
Watauga’s entries in the Men’s 800 Meters took another 1-2-3 sweep to the podium, with Levi Anderson (No. 1, 2:04.72), Zeke Walker (No. 2, 2:05.40) and Brian Newmark (No. 3, 2:06.20) taking the honors.
The Pioneers followed that up with 1-2 sweep of the Men’s 200 Meters, with Nyle Peays again leading the way at No. 1 (21.69), followed by Riley Ellison (No. 2, 22.35). Mason Harris (No.4, 23.53) was also among the leaders.
South Caldwell’s cross country and long distance star Bryce Corpening showed his stuff again in the Men 3200 Meters, going No. 1 in 10:11.39. He was followed by a trio of Watauga runners: Parker Williams (No. 2, 19:16.49), Isaac James (No. 3, 10:21.77) and Calvin Zwetsloot (No. 4, 10:30.93).
In the final event of the day, the Men’s 4×400 relay, Watauga was represented by Silas Powell, Sawyer Blackburn, Derek Nix, and Eli Reed, but was disqualified for a lane violation on one of the baton exchanges.
