Brevard’s Will Byrd.

Results from a Western North Carolina Junior Golf Association tournament held Tuesday and Wednesday at Links O’ Tryon:

The Asheville American Legion Post 70 baseball team improved to 6-0 on Wednesday night in Waynesville.

WAYNESVILLE – Haywood County coach Mitchell Whitner has heard it, felt it and seen it — there is a real buzz around Asheville Post 70.

“Everybody is talking about them,” Whitner said.

All the talk is warranted.

Asheville (6-0, 6-0) remains the only undefeated American Legion baseball team in the western half of the state after Wednesday night’s 13-3 win at Lake Junaluska Elementary School.

The abbreviated game between the current Western Division leader and last year’s champ (Haywood Post 47) only went seven innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Post 70 is averaging 14.8 runs per game, and after falling behind 2-11 after the second inning, did not relent Wednesday night.

Trenton Davis was 3-for-4, while Nate Fore, Jared Patterson and Alejandro Banegas had two hits apiece. Banegas didn’t start, but led the way in RBIs (three), followed by Davis (two) and Devin Mangum (two).

Fore (1-0) was the winning pitcher, scattering three runs, five hits and a pair of walks. Kyle Cagle then came out of the bullpen to throw five scoreless innings with eight strikeouts. The left-hander from Reynolds allowed just one hit and a single walk.

Asheville was not at full strength for Wednesday’s game. Infielder/pitcher Garrett Blaylock, a Roberson junior who has committed to Vanderbilt, was in Florida for a national showcase. Several other players are in Raleigh for the State Games of North Carolina tournament.

“It really shows the talent that this team has when we can pull together without some of our best guys,” Cagle said.

“Right now, we believe we can beat anybody.”

Asheville took the lead for good with four runs in the top of the third inning. Banegas, Davis and Jared Rogers all banged out doubles.

Tyler Leek was 2-for-4 to lead Haywood County (3-4, 3-4). Gray McCurry and Tyler Waliezer were both 1-3.

Shane Galloway has yet to lose a game in his first year as coach of the Cardinals. They are back home Friday for a 7 p.m. game against Burke County at Roberson’s Holmes-Smith Field.

“All 24 players on our roster can contribute. It’s a credit to these guys because I don’t look at anyone as a reserve,” Galloway said.

“I was fully confident in the team we had tonight. I knew that everyone was going to battle. (Haywood County starting pitcher/N.C. State recruit Cole Hooper) is by far the best arm we’ve faced all year. We knew he was going to make us work for everything we got.”

Through six games, the leading hitters for Asheville are Jacob McCarthy (.474), Fore (.467), Blaylock (.450), Davis (.438), Patterson (.435), Mangum (.423) and Aaron McKeithan (.316).

Cagle (2-0) now has an 0.54 earned-run average and 24 strikeouts in 16.2 innings pitched. He has signed to play college baseball for Carson-Newman (Tenn.).

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Smoky Mountain graduate Cal Raleigh has been named to the roster for the Cape Cod League’s Harwich (Mass.) Mariners.

Smoky Mountain graduate Cal Raleigh has been named to the roster for the Cape Cod League’s Harwich (Mass.) Mariners.

Raleigh recently completed his first season of college baseball at Florida State.

Raleigh was named a freshman All-American by Louisville Slugger and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Raleigh made the ACC’s All-Freshman team.

The 2015 Mustangs grad hit .301 with 50 RBIs, 16 doubles, 10 home runs and a triple for the Seminoles (41-22).

North Buncombe alum Alex Destino is also playing in the Cape Cod League this summer for the Wareham (Mass.) Gatemen. Destino is a rising junior infielder/ outfielder/pitcher at South Carolina.

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Rosman girls basketball coach Ashton Hughes has resigned.

Rosman girls basketball coach Ashton Hughes has resigned.

Hughes had compiled a 103-77 record since 2009 and never had a losing season at her alma mater. The Tigers went 16-11 last winter.

Hughes, whose maiden name is Barton, scored a school-record 2,581 career points before graduating from Rosman in 2004. She continued her career at UNC Asheville where Hughes was named the Bulldogs’ female athlete of the year in 2008.

Candidates for the Rosman coaching job are asked to contact Principal Jason Ormsby at (828) 862-4284 or e-mail athletic director Todd Anderson at tanderson@tcsnc.org.

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Haywood County’s Cole Hooper.

American Legion 2016

   (Through June 15)

   Area IV standings
   Eastern Division         Division    Overall
   Gaston Post 144-266        8-1        8-1
   Union County Post 535     7-1        7-1
   Queen City Mustangs        5-2        5-2
   Huntersville Post 321    5-3        5-3
   Kings Mountain Post 155    3-4        4-5
   Shelby Post 82        3-4        3-7
   Gastonia Post 23        4-7        4-8
   Lincoln County Post 455    3-6        3-8
   Mint Hill            2-5        4-5
   Maiden Post 240        1-8        1-9

   Western Division        Division    Overall
   Asheville Post 70        6-0        6-0
   Caldwell County Post 29    6-2        8-2
   Hickory Post 48        6-3        7-5
   Taylorsville Post 170     5-3        5-5
   Cherryville Post 100        2-2        4-7
   Haywood County Post 47    3-4        3-4
   Rutherford County Post 423    3-5        3-5
   Burke County Post 21        1-5        1-5
   Henderson County Post 77    0-8        1-8

   S.C. League V        Division    Overall
   Rock Hill Post 34        4-1        —
   York Post 66            3-1        —
   Lancaster Post 31        2-2        —
   Fort Mill Post 43        2-4        —
   Clover Post 38        2-5        2-5

   Regular-season games:
   x-non-division games
   (All games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted)

   Monday, June 13
   Clover, S.C. at Rock Hill, S.C. (R 1-0, R 9-2)
   Kings Mountain at Queen City (Q 5-4)
   x-Shelby at Florence, S.C. (F 6-5)

   Tuesday, June 14
   Kings Mountain at Mint Hill (ppd., no date)
   x-Shelby at Conway, S.C. (C 6-3)

 Wednesday, June 15
   Asheville at Haywood (A 13-3 in 7)
   Clover, S.C. at York, S.C. (no report)
   Kings Mountain at Lincoln (L 5-4)
   x-Mint Hill at Cherryville (M 9-2)
   x-Shelby at Murrells Inlet, S.C. (ccd., rain)

Thursday, June 16
   Fort Mill, S.C. at Clover, S.C.
   Lincoln at Huntersville
   Mint Hill at Kings Mountain

Friday, June 17
   Burke at Asheville
   x-Cherryville at Gastonia
   x-Lincoln at Hickory (ccd.)
   x-Shelby at Camden, S.C.

 Saturday, June 18
   Burke at Hickory
   Haywood at Cherryville, 6 p.m. DH
   Huntersville at Mint Hill
   Lincoln at Maiden
   Queen City at G-Braves (Cramer)

Sunday, June 19
   Asheville at Hickory
   Henderson at Burke
   Kings Mountain at Cherryville
   Lincoln at Maiden
   Maiden at Huntersville
   Mint Hill at Gastonia
   Queen City at Union
   Shelby at G-Braves (SP)

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Roberson rising senior Garrett Blaylock is the reigning Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year as well as a key cog for the undefeated Asheville American Legion team.

Summer plans for Roberson’s Garrett Blaylock?

They can be found somewhere between the foul lines of any given ballpark.

Blaylock took part in two big-time national baseball showcases this week. He was in Chapel Hill for the East Coast Pro before going down to Florida for a Perfect Game exhibition.

Blaylock is one of 108 high school players in the country who have been invited to the USA Baseball Tournament of the Stars event.

It runs from June 21 to June 26 at the national team’s training complex in Cary. Tournament of the Stars invitees are eligible to represent the United States at September’s Confederaciòn Panamericana de Béisbol Pan American Championships in Monterrey, Mexico.

Blaylock is a rising senior infielder/pitcher for the Mountain Athletic Conference 4-A champions Rams who has committed to play college ball for Vanderbilt.

More on this story to come…

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Asheville High seniors, from left to right, Terry Young (Western Carolina University), Noah Shore (North Carolina) and Naomi Cartier (Boston College) have signed to run college cross country and track.

ASHEVILLE – Bigger and better things are in store for three Asheville High seniors.

And what about Thursday’s meaning?

“Make no mistake, the medals these three have won are interesting,” Cougars cross country/track coach Chris Stroup said.

“But what they have accomplished has come with thousands and thousands of miles. Lots of hard work. I am going to miss them all as individuals, not just as athletes. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Naomi Cartier (Boston College), Noah Shore (North Carolina) and Terry Young (Western Carolina University) signed with Division I cross country and track programs at their high school. Since classes are out for the summer, Thursday’s event was fairly intimate.

Cartier and Shore are both individual state champions going onto ACC programs.

“(Boston College) is one of the best programs in the ACC for women and the coaches really believed in me,” Cartier said.

“It meant a lot to me.”

Cartier was third in the 800-meter run with a school-record time of 2 minutes, 14.89 seconds at last month’s NCHSAA 3-A outdoor track meet in Greensboro. As a junior, she won the 1,000-meter run at the NCISAA 3-A indoor meet.

Shore ran the state’s-fastest 1,600-meter time (4:14.48) regardless of classification this spring. In addition, he was the NCHSAA champion in the 800-meter run (1:56.23) on May 20 at North Carolina A&T.

Young ran personal records of 52.45 for the 400-meter dash and 1:58.77 for the 800-meter run.

He also has a state-championship pedigree. Young was part of the first-place 3,200-meter relay (8:01.84) at February’s NCHSAA 3-A indoor meet along with Shore, Davis Turner and Haven Honeycutt.

Asheville High assistant coach Rocky Cunningham has been battling cancer which caused him to miss the 3-A Western Regional and state meets. Cunningham was in attendance and in good spirits for Thursday’s signings.

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Roberson’s Sam Schmidt is the 4-A pitcher of the year for District 8.

The N.C. Softball Coaches Association has announced its all-district team for Region 8 which includes most Western North Carolina schools:

District 8
Counties: Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon,
Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Yancey
1A
Maci Sena Hiwassee Dam 2017 P/1B
Allisha Floyd Hiwassee Dam 2017 C
Kameron Forrister Hiwassee Dam 2016 2B/SS
Haylie Shoupe Hiwassee Dam 2016 P/1B
Sydeny Call Swain County 2017 2B/SS
Shayne Catolster Swain County 2018 1B
Bryar Buchanan Swain County 2017 CF
Grace Cabe Swain County 2018 SS
Avery Satterfield Murphy 2016 SS
Elesha Rider Murphy 2016 OF
Lauren Allen Murphy 2016 3B
Cassie Coker Murphy 2018 CF
Lexy Allison Murphy 2017 2B
Shelby Twiddy Mitchell 2018 UT
Marissa Henson Rosman 2017 C/3B
Alex McNeely Rosman 2016 SS/3B
Christa Galloway Rosman 2018 3B/SS
Alicia Guinn Rosman 2018 2B
Alicia Lewis Rosman 2017 CF
Lauren McGuire Robbinsville 2017 3B/OF
Haley Kennedy Robbinsville 2016 OF
Jacey Underwood Robbinsville 2018 C
Jerri Anna Roper Robbinsville 2019 P
Abigail Knight Robbinsville 2019 SS
1A Player of the Year:
Kameron Forrister Hiwassee Dam
1A Pitcher of the Year:
Haylie Shoupe Hiwassee Dam

2A
Hayley Kropp Polk County 2016 SS
Autumn Owen Polk County 2018 C
Haley Fowler Polk County 2018 3B/P
Maranda Gosnell Polk County 2018 2B
Haley White R.S. Central 2018 P
Madison Crain R.S. Central 2018 P/3B
Taylor Koon R.S. Central 2017 C
Katie McEntire R.S. Central 2016 CF
Brooke Moore R.S. Central 2017 SS
Kyonna McEntyre R.S. Central 2017 1B
Jori Whiteside Chase 2017 OF/1B
Ciera Hardin Chase 2018 1B/P
Samantha Craft Chase 2018 2B/C
Brianna Harrill Chase 2016 P
Haeli Bryson Franklin 2018 P/LF/UT
Caitlyn Ledford Owen 2018 P/UT
Bria Compton Owen 2017 UT
Casey Gilbert Brevard 2016 P
Brooke Nanney Brevard 2018 3B
Makayla McNeill Brevard 2016 2B
Callie Green Brevard 2016 1B
Hannah Jennings Madison 2018 1B/P
Brooke Vilcinskas Madison 2017 2B/C
Samantha Gosnell Madison 2016 P/1B
2A Player of the Year:
Hannah Jennings Madison
2A Pitcher of the Year:
Haley White R.S. Central

3A
Kloyee Anderson Enka 2018 2B
Courtney Pearson Enka 2016 P
Brittany Fletcher Enka 2017 CF
Mariah Foxworth Enka 2017 RF/P
Addison Harris Enka 2016 1B
Danielle Harris Enka 2017 LF
Dayton Trantham Enka 2017 3B
Claire Crout Enka 2019 SS
Allison Plafean Tuscola 2017 3B/SS
Savannah Buchanan Tuscola 2018 2B
Melody Hannah Tuscola 2018 P
Shelby Neighbors Erwin 2016 CF/2B
Hannah Gregg Erwin 2016 P/2B
Madison Wolfe Erwin 2016 3B/1B
Samantha Case Erwin 2018 SS
Alexandra Parker Erwin 2017 C/OF
Teagan Bullock North Henderson 2017 3B/CF
Alex Oates North Henderson 2016 SS
Makayla Wesley North Henderson 2017 LF
Averi Arrowood A.C. Reynolds 2016 C
Cami McLaughlin A.C. Reynolds 2016 SS
Kenzie Duncan A.C. Reynolds 2016 2B
Josie Harris A.C. Reynolds 2018 P
Madison Whitted Pisgah 2018 P
Jordan Taylor Pisgah 2018 1B
Brooklyn Allen Pisgah 2016 SS
Becca Rhea Pisgah 2016 2B
3A Player of the Year:
Kloyee Anderson Enka
3A Pitcher of the Year:
Courtney Pearson Enka

4A
Samantha Schmidt T.C. Roberson 2016 P
Caitlin Hodges T.C. Roberson 2018 OF
Gracie McCurry T.C. Roberson 2017 1B
Dariann McCurry T.C. Roberson 2017 OF
Mikki Shelton McDowell 2016 2B
Aly Woody McDowell 2016 LF/P
Haley Gowan McDowell 2016 C
Michalyn Bingham McDowell 2016 OF/P
Liana Elliott McDowell 2016 3B
4A Player of the Year:
Mikki Shelton McDowell
4A Pitcher of the Year:
Samantha Schmidt T.C. Roberson

The statewide list of all-district teams can be viewed at this link.

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American Legion baseball.

Friday night’s American Legion baseball game between Asheville Post 70 and Burke County has been postponed.

It will be made up June 25 at Roberson’s Holmes-Smith Field with a 4 p.m. doubleheader between the undefeated Cardinals (6-0, 6-0) and Burke.

The postponement means that the next game for Asheville is Sunday at Hickory. The first pitch is at 7 p.m.

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Chris Barnwell and Roberson won the MAC 4-A baseball championship this past season.

Roberson baseball has accepted a return invitation to the IMG National Classic tournament in 2017.

Twenty-four teams from 10 different states were part of the 2016 event in Bradenton, Fla. The Rams (24-4) were 2-2 in their four games played at IMG. Nate Fore and Garrett Blaylock were named to the all-tournament team.

Roberson went on to win the Mountain Athletic Conference 4-A regular-season championship and the MAC 4-A tournament. The Rams were undefeated in all their conference games.

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Enka will host a youth football camp in July.

CAMPS, CLINICS AND TRYOUTS

To submit a sports camp, clinic or tryout listing with the Citizen-Times, please e-mail the information to apearson@citizen-times.com.

BASEBALL

D-BAT BEGINNER PITCHING CLINIC: June 19-July 10 (on Sundays) at D-BAT Asheville. Four-week clinic will last each day from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $169.99 for non-members, $135.99 for gold members and $101.99 for platinum members. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact D-BAT at (828) 412-5050.

UNC ASHEVILLE CAMP: June 20-24 at UNCA. Camp is open to players ages 6-12 and will last each day from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $325 and includes lunch and a t-shirt. Online registration is available at http://baseball.uncasportsacademy.com. For more information, contact Tyler Hinchliffe at baseball@unca.edu.

MARS HILL CAMP: June 20-23 at Mars Hill University. Camp is open to players ages 6-12. Camp will each day from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $100. For more information, contact Lions assistant coach Matt Henson at (706) 455-0703.

NORTH BUNCOMBE CAMP: June 20-23 and Aug. 8-11 at North Buncombe HS. Camp is open to players in the first through the eighth grade and will last each day from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $80 for pre-registered campers and $90 for first-day registrants. The cost is $150 for both sessions. A t-shirt is included and there are sibling discounts available. Players should bring all their needed equipment. For more information, contact Black Hawks coach Matt Landreth at matthew.landreth@bcsemail.org.

REYNOLDS CAMP: June 20-23 at Reynolds HS. Camp is open to players in kindergarten through the eighth grade and will last each day from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $60 and includes a t-shirt. Registration forms are available at http://www.acreynoldsathletics.org/main/filesLinks.

WEST HENDERSON CAMP: June 20-23 at West Henderson HS. Camp is open to players in the first through the eighth grade and will last each day from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is $80 for the complete camp or $20 per day. Players should bring all their needed equipment. For more information, contact Falcons coach Brandon Ball at wbball@hcpsnc.org.

PISGAH FUTURE BEARS CAMP: June 20-24 at Pisgah baseball field. Camp will last each day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $120 and there is a $10 discount for siblings. Instructors will include Frank Gregory, a professional hitting instructor and owner of Cam Wood Bats. For more information, contact Black Bears coach Harold Shepard at hshepard@haywood.k12.nc.us.

D-BAT ADVANCED FIELDING CLINIC: June 22-July 13 (on Wednesdays) at D-BAT Asheville. Four-week clinic will last each day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The cost is $169.99 for non-members, $135.99 for gold members and $101.99 for platinum members. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact D-BAT at (828) 412-5050.

ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY CAMP: June 27-30 at ACA. Camp is open to players in the second through the sixth grade and will last each day from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $80. Pre-registration is required and forms are available at http://www.acacademy.org. For more information, contact Torri Render at (828) 581-2202 or torri.render@acalion.org.

NORTH HENDERSON CAMP: June 27-30 at North Henderson. Camp is open to players ages 5-14 and will last each day from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is $80 or $70 if campers pre-register by e-mail and includes a t-shirt. Players may attend one day of camp for $20. Online registration is available athttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PgHCaakmml6GYdUPG-rz2dITArcEphzo5SU-6XS-iqo/viewform. For more information, contact Knights coach Justin King at jbking@hcpsnc.org.

D-BAT SPEED AND AGILITY CLASSES: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at D-BAT Asheville. The cost is $20 per session. Online registration is available at http://www.dbatasheville.com. For more information, call (828) 412-5050.

BASKETBALL

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY GIRLS CAMPS: June 17-19 (elite camp) and Aug. 1-4 (day camp) at Western Carolina University. For more information, contact Stacy Cantley, (828) 227-2031 or swmcdonald1@scantley@email.wcu.edu.

UNC ASHEVILLE BOYS CAMP: June 20-23 at UNCA. Camp is open to boys ages 6 and up. Morning camp will last each day from 8:30 a.m. to noon and the cost is $200. Full-day camp will last each day from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the cost is $350. A $50 discount for full-day camp is available for campers who register by June 1, siblings or those who attend both camps. For more information or to register, log onto http://mensbasketball.uncasportsacademy.com.

CROSSFIRE CAMPS: June 20-23 (at Cool Springs Gym, Forest City for boys and girls ages 6-14) and June 27-July 1 (at Asheville Christian Academy for boys and girls ages 6-17) are half-day camps. July 18-21 at Mars Hill University is a full-day camp and July 17-21 is an overnight camp for boys and girls ages 9-18. Half-day camp lasts from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost for the ACA camp is $100. The cost for the Forest City camp is $80. Full-day camp at Mars Hill lasts from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $250 and includes lunch. The cost for the overnight camp is $375 and includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Online registration is available at https://crossfireministry.com. For more information, contact Crossfire at (828) 255-9111.

HOOP LAB SUMMER TRAINING ACADEMY – DAY PROJECT: Seven different weeks are being offered at the Fairview Community Center – June 20-24, June 27-July 1, July 11-15, July 18-22, July 25-29, Aug. 1-5 and Aug. 8-12. Camp is open to boys and girls ages 9-15 and will last each day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $65 per week. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. For more information or to register, log onto www.hooplabo.com.

HOOP LAB SUMMER TRAINING ACADEMY – NIGHT PROJECT: Six different weeks are being offered at Carolina Day – June 20-24, June 27-July 1, July 11-15, July 18-22, July 25-29 and Aug. 1-5. Camp is open to male and female players ages 14-21 and will last each day from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $35. For more information or to register, log onto www.hooplabo.com.

ERWIN BOYS CAMP: June 20-22 at Erwin HS. Camp is open to boys in the first through the eighth grade. The cost is $30 in advance or $40 on the first day of camp. For more information or to register, contact Warriors coach David Rhoney at david.rhoney@bcsemail.org.

MITCHELL BOYS CAMP: June 20-22 at Mitchell HS. Camp is open to second through ninth grade players. The first day of camp starts at 8:30 a.m. and lasts until 12:30 p.m., the second and third days will last from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $40 and there is a $10 discount for siblings. For more information or to register, contact Mountaineers coach Daron Williams at dwilliams@mhslive.net.

REYNOLDS GIRLS CAMP: June 20-22 at Reynolds HS. Camp is open to players in kindergarten through the eighth grade and will last each day from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $45 and includes a t-shirt. Registration forms are available at http://www.acreynoldsathletics.org/main/filesLinks.

ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY BOYS CAMP: June 20-23 at ACA. Camp is open to players in the second through the eighth grade and will last each day from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $80. Pre-registration is required and forms are available at http://www.acacademy.org. For more information, contact Torri Render at (828) 581-2202 or torri.render@acalion.org.

MOUNTAIN HERITAGE BOYS CAMP: June 20-23 at Mountain Heritage HS. Camp is open to first through eighth-grade players and will last each day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $50 and includes a t-shirt. There will be daily prizes and skill competitions. For more information or to register, contact Cougars coach Hank Newson at hnewson@yanceync.netor (828) 208-2755.

ROBERSON BOYS CAMP: June 20-23 at Roberson HS. Camp is open to players in the second through the ninth grade. There will be a morning session (8:30 a.m. to noon) and an afternoon session (1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) offered as well as an all-day option (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). The cost for the morning or afternoon sessions is $65 and all-day camp is $140 including lunch. A t-shirt and insurance is included with all options. For more information, contact Rams coach Adam Ballard at adam.ballard@bcsemail.org,

ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY GIRLS CAMP: June 27-30 at ACA. Camp is open to players in the second through the eighth grade and will last each day from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $80. Pre-registration is required and forms are available at http://www.acacademy.org. For more information, contact Torri Render at (828) 581-2202 or torri.render@acalion.org.

CAROLINA FUNDAMENTALS CAMP: June 27-July 1 at Murphy HS. Camp is open to boys and girls ages 6-17 and will last each day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $165 and includes lunch and a t-shirt. Former UNC basketball standout J.R. Reid is once again heading up the camp. Campers may register online at www.hrbcjrreid.wordpress.com.

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY BOYS CAMPS: June 29-31 (team camp) and June 27-29 (individual day camp) at Western Carolina University. The team camp is for high school players and the cost is $210 for overnight camp, including meals or $150 for commuters and includes lunch on the 20th. Teams may attend for one day at a cost of $240. The day camp is open to boys in the third through 12th grade. The cost is $225 or $200 for children of WCU employees. Registration forms are available to print out at http://www.catamountsports.com/camps/wcar-camps.html. For more information, contact Stephen McDonald at (828) 227-2562 or swmcdonald1@catamount.wcu.edu.

UNC ASHEVILLE GIRLS BASKETBALL CAMPS: June 23-24 (high intensity camp), June 24-25 (team camp) and June 27-30 (individual day camp) at UNCA. High intensity and team camps are open to high school players. The cost for high intensity camp is $143.25 and includes a t-shirt and June 25 lunch. There is also pricing for individual days.  The cost for team camp is $450 per team (five-game guarantee) or $270 per team (three-game guarantee) and includes a t-shirt for each coach and player. Day camp is open to girls ages 6-14. Full-day camp costs $270 and will last each day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Half-day camp costs $135 and will last each day from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The price includes a t-shirt and camp ball. Registration is available online at http://abcsportscamps.com/ashevillewbb?&DB_OEM_ID=19200. For more information, contact Josh Petersen at (828) 251-6906 or jpeterse@unca.edu.

NORTH BUNCOMBE GIRLS CAMP: June 28-30 at North Buncombe HS. Camp is open to players in the first through eighth grade. Camp will last each day from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $50 and includes a t-shirt. Registration forms are available at http://www.buncombe.k12.nc.us/Domain/2308. For more information, contact Black Hawks coach Tami Ramsey at tami.ramsey@bcsemail.org.

ASHEVILLE HIGH CAMP: July 11-14 at Asheville HS. Camp is open to boys and girls ages 6-12. There are half-day and full-day options available. For more information, contact the Cougars at ashevillebball@gmail.com.

MADISON BOYS CAMP: July 25-28 at Madison HS. Camp is open to second through ninth-grade players and will last each day from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is $55 and includes a t-shirt. For more information, contact Patriots coach Jonathan McDevitt  at mcdevittjonathan@gmail.commcdevittjonathan@gmail.com.

NIKE BASKETBALL CAMP: Aug. 1-5 at Asheville School. Camp is open to boys and girls ages 8-15. Camp will last each day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $295 and does not include lunch. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Group discounts are available. For more information, call 1-800-NIKE-CAMP.

CROSS COUNTRY 

ALL-AMERICAN CAMP: July 17-22 and July 24-29 at Christ School. Camp is open to boys and girls of all ages and headed up by N.C. State coach Rollie Geiger. The cost is $600 for overnight campers and $450 for day campers (meals are provided). There are team discounts. Online registration is available at http://www.crosscountrycamp.com. The deadline to register is July 1. For more information, send an e-mail to raleightrackclub@gmail.com or call (919) 332-6863.

FOOTBALL

MITCHELL CAMP: June 13 and 15, June 20 and 22 and June 27 and June 29 at Mitchell HS. Camp is open to second through eighth grade players and will last each day from noon to 2 p.m. The camp is free. More camp information is available by calling (828) 766-3400.

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY CAMPS: June 17-18 (Hawg camp), June 24 (One-day elite camp) and June 25 (One-day elite camp) at WCU). The hawg camp is open to first through 12 grade players who are linemen, fullbacks or right ends. The cost is $200 and there are overnight and day options with meal plans for each. There are discounts for teams who register five or more campers. Registration is available online at http://www.loffootballcamp.com/index.cfm. The one-day elite camps are for high school players at all positions will last from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (June 24) and 9 a.m. to noon (June 25). The cost is $40 and includes a t-shirt and meal. For more information, contact Catamounts assistant coach John Holt at (828) 227-2037 or jnholt@email.wcu.edu.

NORTH HENDERSON CAMP: June 20-23 at North Henderson HS. Camp is open to players in the third through the eighth grade. Camp will last each day from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information or to register, contact Knights coach Justin Clark at jyclark@hcpsnc.org.

CHRIST SCHOOL SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT CAMP: July 5-8 at Christ School. Camp is open to boys ages 12-15. The cost is $200 for day camp and $250 for overnight camp. Online registration is available by logging onto https://www.christschool.org/page.cfm?p=873. For more information, contact Greenies coach Mark Moroz at (336) 608-7758 or mmoroz@christschool.org.

REYNOLDS CAMP: July 11-13 at Reynolds HS. Camp is open to players in kindergarten through the eighth grade and will last each day from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The cost is $45 and includes a t-shirt. Registration forms are available at http://www.acreynoldsathletics.org/main/filesLinks.

ENKA CAMP: July 11-14 at Enka HS. Camp is open to first through eight-grade players and will last each day from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $40 and includes a t-shirt. For more information, contact Jets coach Jeff Frady at (828) 670-5000 or jeffrey.frady@bcsemail.org.

OWEN CAMP: July 18 and 19 at Black Mountain Veterans Park. Camp is open to players and cheerleaders in the kindergarten through eighth grade and will last each day from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is no cost to participate. For more information, call (828) 734-1635.

LACROSSE

CAROLINA GLADIATOR CLINICS: June 17 at Biltmore Baptist Church, July 15 at Asheville Christian Academy and July 22 at TBA. There is no cost. For more information, e-mail Gladiators coach Mario Moraga at Mariojmoraga@gmail.com.

REVOLUTION LACROSSE CAMP: July 5-9 at Christ School. Camp is open to players ages 9-17. The cost is $395 for day camp and $465 for overnight camp. Team discounts are available. Online registration is available at http://www.revolutionlaxcamp.com/NCSummerLacrosseCamp/reservations. For more information, contact Christ School coach Jeff Miles at laxcamp@christschool.org or (828) 684-6232 ext. 107.

SOCCER

ABYSA FUNDAMENTALS CAMPS: The Asheville-Buncombe Youth Soccer Association is offering eight weeks of camp for ages 5-14 this summer. Half-day camp for 5 and 6 year olds lasts from 9 a.m. to noon and full-day camp for ages 7-14 lasts each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Early bird dropoff and lunch options are available. Online registration is available at www.abysa.org or by contacting the camp director at (828) 299-7277 (ext. 304).

CAROLINA MOUNTAINS SOCCER CLUB CAMPS, TRYOUTS AND ACADEMY EVALUATIONS: Haywood County club offers junior academy, academy and classic level options for boys and girls ages 5-1 Online registration for evaluations and tryouts is available at http://www.cmsoccerclub.org/Default.aspx?tabid=865769. Information regarding summer camps can be found at http://www.cmsoccerclub.org/Default.aspx?tabid=865780. CSMC is an international partner of Scotland’s Celtic Soccer Academy. For more information, log onto www.cmsoccerclub.org.

MITCHELL BOYS CAMP: June 15-17 at Mitchell HS.  The first day of camp (from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and final day of camp (from 9 a.m. to noon) is open only to middle school and high school players. Third through 12th grade players may attend the second day (from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). The cost is $40. More camp information is available by calling (828) 766-3400.

UNC ASHEVILLE GIRLS CAMPS: June 18 (college I.D. camp), June 20-24 (Jr. premier academy), July 11-15 (indoor technical skills), July 16 (college I.D. camp), July 18-12 (day camp) at Asheville. The 4-on-4 tournament and skills is open to girls ages 6-14. Camp will last from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the cost is $40. Each of the two college I.D. camps are open to high school players and will last from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $125. The technical skills camp is open to girls 6-14 and will last from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $175. Day camp is open to girls ages 6-14 and will last from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $225. For more information or to register online, log onto http://jscachet.wix.com/michelledemkosoccer.

MURPHY CAMP: June 27-29 at field behind the Lowes in Murphy. Camp is open to boys and girls ages 5-13 and will last each day from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $40 if campers register by June 18. Registration forms are available at the Cherokee County Schools website. For more information, contact Bulldogs coach Kim Brownlee at (828) 361-7989 or kim.brownlee@cherokee.k12.nc.us.

ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY CAMP: July 11-14 at ACA. Camp is open to boys and girls in the third through the eighth grade and will last each day from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $80. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Torri Render at (828) 581-2202 or torri.render@acalion.org.

ROBERSON CAMP: July 11-14 at Roberson HS. Two age-group options are available – camp for boys and girls in kindergarten through sixth grade will last each day from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and camp for boys and girls in seventh through the 12th grade will last each day from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $60 and includes insurance and a t-shirt. For more information or to register, contact Roberson assistant coach Josh Martin at joshua.martin@bcsemail.org.

MITCHELL GIRLS CAMP: July 12-14 at Mitchell HS. Camp is open to second through 12th grade players and will last each day from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $25. More camp information is available by calling (828) 766-3400.

REYNOLDS CAMP: Aug. 1-4 at Reynolds HS. Camp is open to players in kindergarten through the eighth grade and will last each day from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $60 and includes a t-shirt. Registration forms are available at http://www.acreynoldsathletics.org/main/filesLinks.

UNC ASHEVILLE BOYS HIGH SCHOOL CAMP: Aug. 6 at UNCA. Camp is open to players in the ninth grade and up and will last each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $140 and includes lunch. Online registration is available at http://menssoccer.uncasportsacademy.com. For more information, contact Mick Gorodano at mgiordan@unca.edu.

SOFTBALL

ROBERSON CAMP: June 20-23 at Roberson HS. Camp is open to players in the first through the ninth grade and lasts each day from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $65 and includes t-shirt and insurance. For more information or to register, contact Rams coach Ryan Klinger at Thomas.klinger@bcsemail.org.

TWN FUTURE STARS CAMP: June 20-23 at Konahetta Park Field 2 in Murphy. Camp is open to players ages 7-17. Camp will last each day from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $50 and includes a t-shirt. For more information or to register, contact Thomas Nelson at twnelson11@gmail.com.

TENNIS

ASHEVILLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION SUMMER CLINICS: Eight-week program for ages 5-13 begins the week of June 6. There are 10 different sessions being offered at various locations at a cost of $20 to $40. Rackets are also available for purchase. For more information or to register, log onto www.avltennis.com.

ASTON PARK CAMPS: June 20-23, June 27-30, July 18-21, July 25-28, Aug. 1-4 and Aug. 8-11 at Aston Park Tennis Center. Camp will last each day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and is open to players ages 7-14. The cost is $100 for Asheville residents and $125 for non-city residents. Registration is only available online. Log onto www.ashevillenc.gov and click on Online Services. Then click on Recreation Program Registration. The tennis camps are listed under the activity type: Sports and Games. For more information, contact Laura Loftis at 828-251-4074 or lloftis@ashevillenc.gov.

REYNOLDS CAMP: July 11-14 at Reynolds HS. Camp is open to players in kindergarten through the eighth grade and will last each day from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $60 and includes a t-shirt. Registration forms are available at http://www.acreynoldsathletics.org/main/filesLinks.

VOLLEYBALL

MITCHELL CAMP: June 16-17 at MItchell HS. Camp is open to players in the fifth through 12th grade and will last each day from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The cost is $40 and sibling discounts are available. More camp information is available by calling (828) 766-3400.

REYNOLDS CAMP: June 25-28 at Reynolds HS. Camp is open to players in kindergarten through the eighth grade and will last each day from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $60 and includes a t-shirt. Registration forms are available at http://www.acreynoldsathletics.org/main/filesLinks.

ROBERSON CAMP: June 25-28 at Roberson HS. Camp is open to players in the first through ninth grade and will last each day from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The cost is $65. For more information or to register, contact Rams coach Michelle Wagaman at michelle.cadavid@bcsemail.org.

ERWIN CAMP: July 11-13 at Erwin HS. Camp is open to boys and girls in the fourth through the ninth grade. Camp will last each day from 9 a.m. to noon and the cost is $50. For more information or to register, contact Rachel Miller at rachel.wells@bcsemail.org.

WEST HENDERSON CAMP: July 11-13 at West Henderson HS. Camp is open to girls in kindergarten through the ninth grade and will last each day from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $65 and includes a t-shirt. Registration forms are available in the main office. Parents are asked to either RSVP by July 10 by sending an e-mail to tiffanylowrance@me.com or arrive 30 minutes early for the first day of camp to register. For more information, contact Falcons coach Tiffany Lowrance at (828) 458-1895.

UNC ASHEVILLE CAMPS: July 28-20 and Aug. 1-3 at UNCA. Camp is open to girls ages 10-18. Full-day camp lasts each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the cost is $315. Overnight camp lasts from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the cost is $450. Online registration is available at http://volleyball.uncasportsacademy.com/?DB_OEM_ID=19200. For more information, contact Frederico Santos at (828) 232-5659 or fsantos@unca.edu.

ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY CAMP: Aug. 1-4 at ACA. Camp is open to girls in the third through the eighth grade and will last each day from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $80. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Torri Render at (828) 581-2202 or torri.render@acalion.org.

WRESTLING

REYNOLDS CAMP: June 27-30 at Reynolds HS (auxiliary gym). Camp is open to wrestlers in kindergarten through the eighth grade and will last each day from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $60 and includes a t-shirt. Registration forms are available at http://www.acreynoldsathletics.org/main/filesLinks.

ENKA CAMP: June 27 to July 1 at Enka HS. Camp is open to all ages and there are half-day and full-day options. A morning snack will be provided for all campers and lunch will be provided for full-day campers only. For more information or to register, contact Jets coach Mark Harris at (828) 231-7933 or mark.harris@bcsemail.org.

NORTH BUNCOMBE SUMMER CLINIC: June 29-July 1 at North Buncombe HS. The clinic is open to wrestlers in the fourth through 12th grade and will last each day from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $90 and includes a t-shirt. Pizza and snacks will be available for purchase. Clinicians include Joe Kemmerer of Hammer Wrestling. For more information, contact Black Hawks coach Lance Robinson at Lance.Robinson@bcsemail.org.

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Former Owen wrestling coach Kyle Higgins.

Owen is now accepting applications for a new wrestling coach.

Former coach Kyle Higgins has resigned after one year to focus on his duties at Invest Collegiate Imagine.

Candidates for the Owen job may contact Warhorses athletic director Anthony Lee at anthony.lee@bcsemail.org.

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Roberson junior Garrett Blaylock (24) is the Citizen-Times All-WNC Baseball Player of the Year.

SKYLAND – Garrett Blaylock committed to Vanderbilt 18 months ago, which seems like an eternity.

Since then, Blaylock was developed into exactly what the Commodores knew he could be – an elite high school baseball talent.

The Roberson junior shortstop/pitcher is the Citizen-Times All-WNC Player of the Year. The complete All-WNC baseball team will be in Saturday’s print edition of the Citizen-Times.

“When he committed to Vanderbilt, it felt like it was a big load off for Garrett. A big relief,” Rams coach Eric Filipek said.

“What you don’t realize is it puts so much pressure on you. People look at you and expect you to come through in every situation and baseball is not organized that way. Garrett has matured so much, especially in the past year, and I expect that to continue. One thing he has learned and continues to learn is that sometimes it’s OK to not come through. That’s baseball.”

Blaylock was a reliable superstar, and then some, this spring for the Mountain Athletic Conference 4-A champions.

He hit .471 with 31 RBIs, nine doubles, four triples and four home runs. Blaylock scored 31 runs for Roberson (24-4), which was undefeated against Western North Carolina competition.

Blaylock was often the starting pitcher in the Rams’ biggest games. He was 7-1 with a 1.45 earned run average and 50 strikeouts in 33.2 innings.

Coaches in the 3-A/4-A league voted to make Blaylock the MAC Player of the Year for the first time.

He is playing this summer for the Asheville American Legion Post 70 team as well as the Impact Baseball Dirtbags organization.

Blaylock took part in two big-time national showcases this week. He was in Chapel Hill for the East Coast Pro before heading to Florida for a Perfect Game exhibition.

Blaylock is one of 108 high school players in the country who have been invited to the USA Baseball Tournament of the Stars event.

It runs from June 21 to June 26 at the national team’s training complex in Cary. Tournament of the Stars invitees are eligible to represent the United States at September’s Confederaciòn Panamericana de Béisbol Pan American Championships in Monterrey, Mexico.

“I’ve been fortunate to coach an elite player every year I’ve been here at Roberson with (2014 Atlanta Braves draft pick Braxton Davidson) and now Garrett,” Filipek said.

“Those kind of kids challenge you as a coach. You have to be at your best every day to challenge them. It’s an unbelievable experience.”

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Reynolds senior Christina Shimshock is the Citizen-Times All-WNC Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

REYNOLDS – Christina Shimshock covered every square inch of the field for Reynolds the past four years.

She was a defender as a freshman and sophomore, only to successfully make the transition to forward.

Shimshock is the Citizen-Times All-WNC Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

The Rockets striker was also the Mountain Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year this spring after scoring 38 goals to go along with 20 assists.

“Christina really became a fearless goal-scorer for us,” Reynolds coach Patrick Gladys said.

“She can finish, but she doesn’t shy away from tackles either. She spent a lot of time on the ground. Christina was exactly what you hope for. She showed a lot of humility and good leadership qualities. She was unconcerned about statistics. When she was on her game, good things happened for us.”

Shimshock was one of only two N.C. Soccer Coaches Association all-state selections for Western North Carolina – the other was Asheville High junior forward Kenzie McDowell.

Shimshock also received all-region honors from the NCSCA and will play in two all-star games this summer.

The East-West All-Star game is July 19 in Greensboro, a week and a half after the Clash of the Carolinas  on July 9 in Raleigh.

Shimshock signed to play college soccer for Lenoir-Rhyne in March.

Five of her teammates were part of the ceremony in their own right. Those fellow seniors were Celine Jacobi Barham (Cape Fear), defender Kaley Cross (Lenoir-Rhyne), midfielder Karissa Grooms (Chowan), midfielder Jordan Melvin (Tusculum) and defender Ashlyn Perkins (Mars Hill).

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Papers

Representing the best high school sports community in North Carolina is not something that I take for granted.

Thank you to everyone for your contributions and support for the Huddle throughout the 2015-16 school year.

I am taking a small break from work to recharge so we can do even more for you guys moving forward. And we will.

Updates to the High School Huddle will resume on June 27.

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Enka softball coach Jennifer Kruk congratulates Addison Harris after her walkoff home run in last month’s NCHSAA 3-A championship series played in Greensboro.

Note: The All-WNC softball team is in Saturday’s print edition of the Citizen-Times.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Jennifer Kruk

Enka

Kruk is a repeat selection as the All-WNC Coach of the Year award after she and the Sugar Jets (26-3) became Western North Carolina’s first repeat state champion in NCHSAA softball since Owen in 1999 and 2000. They outscored opponents, 248-66, and were No. 2 in the final MaxPreps all-classifications state rankings. Kruk has now been part of three state championships for Enka – one as a player (1996) and two as a coach (2015 and 2016). Sophomore infielder Kloyee Anderson was named the Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year and senior Courtney Pearson was crowned the league’s top pitcher. The Sugar Jets, who only lost to one in-state opponent this season (Greenville’s D.H. Conley), put six other players on the All-MAC team. They were Mariah Foxworth, Brittany Fletcher, Addison Harris, Payton Trantham, Danielle Harris and Claire Crout.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Courtney Pearson

Enka

Pitcher

Pearson (21-1) is a first-time winner of the All-WNC Player of the Year award, but a four-time member of the Citizen-Times All-WNC team. The right-hander was named the Mountain Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year for a third consecutive season after maintaining a 1.51 earned-run average with 110 strikeouts in 143.2 innings pitched. Pearson pitched every game of the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs for the Sugar Jets, including a sweep of C.B. Aycock (8-6 and 5-3) in the state-championship series played June 3-4 at UNC Greensboro. She was named the Co-West Pitcher of the Year by the N.C. Softball Coaches Association in addition to NCSCA all-state and all-district honors. Her career record was 68-12 with the wins total representing a school record. Pearson has signed to play college softball for Queens.

PITCHERS

Haylie Shope

Hiwassee Dam

Senior

Shope (17-1) was named the Smoky Mountain Conference Pitcher of the Year after maintaining a 0.79 earned-run average with 168 strikeouts in 97.2 innings pitched. At the plate, Shope hit .560 with 50 RBIs, 11 home runs, seven doubles and two triples. She received all-state and all-district honors from the N.C. Softball Coaches Association. Shope has signed to play college softball for Kennesaw State (Ga.).

Jaiden Tweed

Owen

Sophomore

Tweed (11-5) was named the Western Highlands Conference Pitcher of the Year after maintaining a 1.58 earned-run average with 174 strikeouts in 106 innings pitched. She had a fielding percentage of .982. Tweed also batted .500 with 25 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and three home runs. Tweed received all-state and all-district honors from the N.C. Softball Coaches Association. She has committed to play college softball for Presbyterian.

Madison Whitted

Pisgah

Sophomore

Whitted (13-4) was named the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year after maintaining a 1.17 earned-run average with 163 strikeouts in 112 innings pitched. At the plate, she hit .325 with 13 RBIs. Whitted received all-state and all-district honors from the N.C. Softball Coaches Association.

INFIELDERS

Kloyee Anderson

Enka

Sophomore

Anderson was named the Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year after batting .544 with 27 RBIs, five doubles, three home runs and two triples. She scored 45 runs out of the leadoff position for the two-time defending NCHSAA 3-A champion Sugar Jets. Anderson received all-state and all-district honors from the N.C. Softball Coaches Association. She has committed to play college softball for Alabama.

Kameron Forrister

Hiwassee Dam

Senior

Forrister was named the Smoky Mountain Conference Player of the Year after batting .607 with 25 RBIs, 14 doubles, seven triples and a home run. She stole 29 bases. Forrister received all-state and all-district honors from the N.C. Softball Coaches Association.

Hannah Jennings

Madison

Sophomore

Jennings was named the Western Highlands Conference Player of the Year after batting .589 with 33 RBIs. She was also 10-1 as a pitcher with a 1.57 earned-run average and 78 strikeouts in 58 innings. Jennings received all-state and all-district honors from the N.C. Softball Coaches Association.

Addison Harris

Enka

Senior

Harris earned All-Mountain Athletic Conference honors after batting .465 with 40 RBIs, 10 home runs, seven doubles and a triple. She had a .992 fielding percentage. Harris hit .615 with 17 RBIs, five home runs and two doubles in the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs. She was named the most valuable player of the state-championship series after clinching back-to-back titles for Enka with a three-run walkoff homer on June 4 at UNC Greensboro. Harris received all-state and all-district honors from the N.C. Softball Coaches Association. She has signed to play college softball for Mars Hill.

CATCHER

Averi Arrowood

Reynolds

Senior

Arrowood earned All-Mountain Athletic Conference honors after batting .462 with 22 RBIs, three home runs and three doubles. She only had one throwing error. Arrowood received all-state and all-district honors from the N.C. Softball Coaches Association.

OUTFIELDERS

Teegan Bullock

North Henderson

Junior

Bullock earned All-Western North Carolina Athletic Conference honors after batting .583 with 14 RBIs, four doubles and one home run. She only struck out twice and had a fielding percentage of .926 while playing both outfield and third base. Bullock received all-state and all-district honors from the N.C. Softball Coaches Association.

Mariah Foxworth

Enka

Junior

Foxworth earned All-Mountain Athletic Conference honors after batting .400 with 24 RBIs, nine doubles and 23 runs scored. She had a .952 fielding percentage. Foxworth was also 3-1 as a pitcher with a 2.59 earned run average and 31 strikeouts. She received all-state and all-district honors from the N.C. Softball Coaches Association.

Aly Woody

McDowell

Senior

Woody earned All-Mountain Athletic Conference honors after batting .435 with 13 RBIs. She had a 2.08 earned-run average in her pitching appearances for the MAC 4-A champion Titans. Woody received all-state and all-district honors from the N.C. Softball Coaches Association. She has signed to play college softball for Montreat.

UTLITY PLAYERS

Halei Bryson

Franklin

Infielder/pitcher

Bryson was named the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference Player of the Year after batting .537 with 14 RBIs, 10 doubles, three home runs and two triples. She was 6-4 as a pitcher with a 2.16 earned-run average and 60 strikeouts in 68 innings. Bryson received all-state and all-district honors from the N.C. Softball Coaches Association.

Samantha Schmidt

Roberson

Senior

Schmidt earned All-Mountain Athletic Conference honors after going 12-6 as a pitcher with a 2.14 earned-run average and 188 strikeouts in 131 innings. She was responsible for every one of the wins for the Rams (12-11). Schmidt also batted .408 with team-high totals for RBIs (19) and home runs (five). She received all-state and all-district honors from the N.C. Softball Coaches Association.

DESIGNATED PLAYER

Abigail Knight

Robbinsville

Freshman

Knight earned All-Smoky Mountain Conference honors after batting .610 with 19 RBIs, six doubles, three triples and a home run. She had a 22-game hitting streak during her first season at the high school level and stole 25 bases. Knight received all-state and all-district honors from the N.C. Softball Coaches Association. She has committed to play college softball for Virginia Tech.

SECOND TEAM

PITCHERS

Casey Gilbert, Brevard senior

Josie Harris, Reynolds senior

Micayla McCoy, Smoky Mountain senior

INFIELDERS

Savannah Buchanan, Tuscola sophomore

Claire Crout, Enka freshman

Hayley Kropp, Polk County senior

Cami McLaughlin, Reynolds senior

CATCHER

Brooke Vilcinskas, Madison junior

OUTFIELDERS

Brittany Fletcher, Enka junior

Danielle Harris, Enka junior

Caitlin Hodges, Roberson sophomore

UTLITY PLAYERS

Amelia Gabriel, Asheville senior

Allison Plafcan, Tuscola junior

DESIGNATED PLAYER

Michaela Morris, West Henderson senior

HONORABLE MENTION

Asheville: Caroline Penland.

Brevard: Brooke Nanney.

East Henderson: Kierra Delozier and Tiffany Dorn.

Enka: Payton Trantham.

Hayesville: Kaitlyn Edwards and Maddie Payne.

McDowell: Mikki Shelton, Haley Gowan, Michalyn Bingham and Liana Elliott.

North Henderson: Alex Oates

Owen: Ashley Valencia, Caitlyn Ledford, Anissa Avila, Natalie Stewart, Livie Presley, Bria Crompton, Ari Pridmore and Alivia Brigman.

Pisgah: Brooklyn Allen, Becca Rhea, Kalei Mull, Miranda Connor and Jordan Taylor.

Polk County: Autumn Owen and Maranda Gosnell.

Roberson: Gracie McCurry, Dariann McCurry, Haley Morrow and Alexis Pike.

Robbinsville: Lauren McGuire, Jacey Underwood, Jerri Anna Roper, Mikayla Morgan, Haley Kennedy and Kinsley Orr.

Rosman: Marissa Henson, Alex McNeely, Christa Galloway, Alicia Guinn and Alicia Lewis.

Smoky Mountain: Claudia Crowe and Rachel Matthews.

Swain County: Sydney Call.

Tuscola: Melody Hannah.

ABOUT THE ALL-WNC TEAMS

The Citizen-Times All-WNC teams are compiled by staff writer Andrew Pearson after nominations are requested from area coaches.

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Holden Upright and Asheville Post 70 have a 14-2 record in American Legion baseball after Friday’s 20-10 win at Henderson County Post 77.

EAST FLAT ROCK – Remarkable nights like Friday have been the norm for Asheville Post 70.

Nine of the 10 Cardinals who made a plate appearance came up with a hit of some kind. And a committee of five different pitchers got the job done in a 20-10 mercy-rule win at Henderson County Post 77.

This regular season was unlike any other for Asheville (14-2, 14-2) which set a record for wins. Now the team will look to build on its first district championship since 1947 in the American Legion state playoffs.

Post 70 is home at Roberson’s Holmes-Smith Field for Sunday’s 5 p.m. doubleheader against Gastonia. The format for the first-round series is best-of-five and Game 3 and Game 4 (if necessary) are Wednesday at Gastonia.

“We’re 14-2 and that’s quite an accomplishment,” Cardinals coach Shane Galloway said.

“Now it’s time to focus on the playoffs and everybody is 0-0, so what we did in the regular season doesn’t matter. Every team you play is going to bring a tremendous effort. If this group continues to have fun, I like our chances. And (homefield advantage) is big. We have a nice facility at Roberson and we’ve played pretty good ball there.”

Indeed, the Cardinals have.

They are undefeated in Skyland this year. Home and away, the team is averaging 11.4 runs per game in Galloway’s first season as coach.

Asheville jumped out to a 6-0 lead on Friday and kept pouring it on with six more runs in the fifth and eight in the sixth. The game was stopped after seven innings for the 10-run mercy rule.

Holden Upright and Danny Trizano paced the Post 70 offense with three hits each. Jared Patterson, Jacob McCarthy and Alejandro Banegas added two apiece. Patterson drove in four runs. McCarthy, Trizano and Trenton Davis all had two RBIs.

Winning pitcher Ryan Maynor threw the first inning before giving way to relievers Robert Rogers, Noah Cook, Langston Haden and Upright.

“We really swung it well (Friday) and it’s a lot of fun when everybody is hitting like that,” Patterson said.

“We definitely need to stay focused for the playoffs. It’s going to be nice to not have to travel a whole lot.”

Elijah Fiveash went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Henderson County (2-14, 1-14). Post 77 got two hits from three different players – Beau Shealy, Austin Vanhoy and David Bumgarner.

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Anna Vess

BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR

Dan Jystad

North Henderson

Jystad and the Knights won the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference meet by more than 30 points and were also the Henderson County and Western Carolina University Invitational champs. Trevor Craft was an individual All-WNCAC selection and North Henderson had a pair of first-place relay teams at the conference meet (400 and 3,200 meters).

BOYS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Noah Shore

Asheville

Senior

Shore was the NCHSAA 3-A, 3-A Western Regional, Mountain Athletic Conference and Buncombe County champion in the 800-meter run and 1,600-meter run. He was named the 3-A state meet’s most valuable performer. Shore’s personal-record in the 1,600 (4 minutes, 14.48 seconds) was the best by any runner in any NCHSAA or NCISAA classification this spring. His PR in the 800 meters is 1:53. Shore has signed to run college cross-country and track for North Carolina.

ALL-WNC TEAM

SPRINTERS

Kokayi Cobb

Christ School

Junior

Cobb was the Buncombe County runner-up in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. He ran the area’s fastest time in the 400-meter dash (50.22 seconds).

James McGee

Reynolds

Junior

McGee was the Buncombe County and Mountain Athletic Conference champion in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. His best times for those two races were 10.95 seconds and 21.91, respectively. McGee led all area sprinters in the 200 and placed fourth at the 3-A Western Regional meet.

Brian Smith

Hayesville

Sophomore

Smith was the Smoky Mountain Conference champion in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. He was the runner-up in the 100 meters at the 1-A Western Regional meet and recorded WNC’s fastest time in that sprint (10.84 seconds).

HURDLERS

Grant Lindsay

Murphy

Junior

Lindsay was the 1-A Western Regional and Smoky Mountain Conference champion in the 300-meter hurdles and recorded a WNC-best time of 40.38 seconds. Lindsay won his conference and regional titles by more than two seconds. He placed eighth at the NCHSAA 1-A meet, even after stumbling over the last hurdle.

Connor Moore

Smoky Mountain

Junior

Moore was the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference champion in the 110-meter hurdles and ran a school record of 15.23 seconds. It was the fastest reported time in WNC. He placed fourth at the 2-A Western Regional meet and fifth at the NCHSAA 2-A meet.

MIDDLE DISTANCE, DISTANCE

Samuel Goldstein

Asheville School

Senior

Goldstein was the NCISAA 3-A champion in the 800-meter run and 1,600-meter run with personal-record times of 1 minute, 56.46 seconds and 4:19.65, respectively. He was also a leg on the Blues’ second-place team in the 1,600-meter relay (3:28.75).

Noah Graham

Brevard

Junior

Graham was the NCHSAA 2-A champion in the 1,600-meter run and 3,200-meter run. His personal-best times were school records of 4:25.94 and 9:31.44, respectively. Graham improved on his 1,600-meter run performance with a 4:17.43 race at the postseason NCRunners Elite Tune-Up. Graham recorded a season-best time of 1:57.20 and came in third at the NCHSAA 2-A meet. Graham was the WNC Athletic Conference champion in the 800-meter run and 1,600-meter run.

THROWERS

Cameron Debty

Andrews

Senior

Debty was the 1-A Western Regional and Smoky Mountain Conference champion in the shot put after going undefeated in all his regular-season meets. He placed third at the NCHSAA 1-A meet with a personal-record and WNC-best throw of 48-3.25.

Pete Szelwach

Roberson

Junior

Szelwach was the Mountain Athletic Conference champion in the discus and shot put. He was the Buncombe County champ in the discus and threw an area-best 160 feet, 10 inches.

JUMPERS

Sean Jones

Reynolds

Junior

Jones was the 3-A Western Regional champion in the long jump and placed fourth in the high jump at the NCHSAA 3-A meet. His best high jump was 6-2, and Jones’ top performance in the long jump was 22-1.5.

Jacob Lewis

Robbinsville

Senior

Lewis won the NCHSAA 1-A championship with a personal-best height of 6 feet, 4 inches on the heels of other titles at the 1-A Western Regional, Smoky Mountain Conference and Blue Ridge Classic meets. Lewis was undefeated in regular-season meets for the Black Knights, as well.

Satorrius Uddyback

Asheville

Senior

Uddyback was the 3-A Western Regional, Mountain Athletic Conference and Buncombe County champion in the triple jump. His season-best performance was 44 feet, 10 inches.

POLE VAULTER

Jacob Davis

Roberson

Senior

Davis was the Mountain Athletic Conference champion in the pole vault and finished tied for the best height in WNC (14 feet). He has signed with Charlotte.

HONORABLE MENTION

Asheville: Haven Honeycutt, Terry Young and Davis Turner.

Asheville School: Elliott Schenker, Moss Rerkpattanapipat, Nathan Alleyne and Austin Letson.

Avery County: Steven Sanchez, Van McCollum, Jaxon Roberts and James Eury.

Brevard: Andrew Robinson.

Christ School: Kevin Snyder, Noah Gminski and Payton Lange.

East Henderson: Nick Lyons, Josh Glynn and Drew Winn.

Hendersonville: Ethan Berry, Michael Cook, Joseph DeLuca, Luke Hollingsworth, Hakeem Jenkins, Justin Starnes and Fletcher Talley.

Mitchell: Myles Heavlin.

Murphy: Ethan Murray and Dalton Kent.

North Henderson: Hunter White, Kalin Ensley, Miquel Lammons, Trevor Craft, Darien Pachacos, Jose Robles, Raul Ortiz and Hunter King.

Owen: Garret Welsh, Brandon Kilgo, Jacob Robinson and Sidney Gibbs.

Polk County: Sean Doyle, Jacob Wolfe, Mitchell Brown, Nate Smart, Troy Lieberman and Jake Justice.

Reynolds: Patrick Johnston, Garrett Fentzlaff and Spencer Shade.

Roberson: E.J. King, Blake Mead, Philip Schehtman, Cole Draper, Sean McDowell and Matt Smith.

Smoky Mountain: Josh Logan, Montrel Turner, Jared Hughes and Bradley Parker.

Swain County: Cooper Reinert and Caleb Woodard.

Tuscola: Joe Napert, Caleb Ferguson and Jacob Franklin.

West Henderson: Dylan Shamburger and Bradley Barham.

GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR

Ian Roper

Swain County

Roper and the Maroon Devils captured their first state championship on May 20, winning the NCHSAA 1-A meet in Greensboro with 65 points. Across all sports, it is only the second female team state championship in Swain County history. Sarah Hyatt (pole vault) and Emma Pindur (800-meter run) won their individual events, and the Maroon Devils had the first-place 1,600-meter relay team, which consisted of Pindur, Lynsey Hicks, Maleeah Langstaff and Maggie Burns. Swain County also won the 1-A Western Regional and Smoky Mountain Conference meets.

GIRLS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Anna Vess

Reynolds

Senior

Vess is the All-WNC Girls Athlete of the Year for the third consecutive year and graduated as an 11-time state champion in cross-country, indoor and outdoor track. That number of NCHSAA championships is a Reynolds record in all sports. Vess was named the NCHSAA 3-A meet’s most valuable performer after winning the 800-meter run, 1,600-meter run and 3,200-meter run as well as anchoring the fifth-place team in the 3,200-meter relay. Vess recorded WNC’s fastest times this spring in the 800 (2:13.28), 1,600 (5:00.09) and 3,200 (10:56.48). Vess has signed to run cross-country and track for N.C. State.

SPRINTERS

Maleeah Langstaff

Swain County

Junior

Langstaff was the 1-A Western Regional champion and named a most valuable performer following the Smoky Mountain Conference meet. She ran a season-best time of 58.85 seconds in the 400-meter dash. Langstaff was part of two state-championship relays at the NCHSAA 1-A meet. Those teams were the 1,600 and 3,200-meter relays.

Callie Rhea

North Buncombe

Junior

Rhea was the Mountain Athletic Conference champion in the 100-meter dash and her WNC-best time of 12.67 seconds was a school record. She was also a leg on the Black Hawks’ school-record team in the 400-meter relay (51.54).

Melena Robinson

West Henderson

Junior

Robinson was the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference champion in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. She ran a season-best time of 12.81 seconds in the 100-meter dash and was a leg on the 400-meter relay that came in ninth at the NCHSAA 3-A meet with a school record of 50.70.

HURDLERS

Gabi Davis

Asheville School

Senior

Davis was the Buncombe County and Carolinas Athletic Association champion in the 100-meter hurdles and ran the fastest time in WNC (15.69 seconds). She was the NCISAA 3-A runner-up. Davis won the CAA championship in the long jump and came in fourth at the state meet. She jumped a school record of 16 feet, 9.25 inches. Davis has signed with Emory (Ga.).

Rylee Williamson

Pisgah

Sophomore

Williamson was the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference champion in the 300-meter hurdles and came in second at the 3-A Western Regional meet with an area-best time of 48.58 seconds. She was also the WNCAC runner-up in the pole vault and a leg on the second-place team in the 1,600-meter relay.

MIDDLE DISTANCE, DISTANCE

Naomi Cartier

Asheville

Senior

Cartier placed third in the 800-meter run at the NCHSAA 3-A meet and ran a season-best time of 2 minutes, 14.89 seconds. She has signed to run cross-country and track for Boston College.

Brooke Turner

Tuscola

Senior

Turner placed fourth in the 800-meter run and the 1,600-meter run at the NCHSAA 3-A meet with season-best times of 2 minutes, 15.65 seconds and 5:01.52, respectively. She was the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference champion in both events and the meet’s most valuable performer for track events. Turner was the runner-up in the 800 and 1,600 at the 3-A Western Regional meet. She has signed to run cross-country and track for Liberty.

THROWERS

Halei Gillis

Carolina Day

Junior

Gillis was the NCISAA 2-A champion and Carolinas Athletic Association champion in the discus. She recorded an area-best throw of 124 feet, 6 inches. She was also the runner-up to teammate Mikayla Ray in the shot put (36-3) at their state meet.

LesLeigh Tabor

Franklin

Junior

Tabor was the NCHSAA 2-A, Western North Carolina Athletic Conference champion and Blue Ridge Classic champion in the shot put. Her best throw was 40 feet, 9 inches.

JUMPERS

Michelle Cobb

Roberson

Junior

Cobb was the NCHSAA 4-A champion in the triple jump and also won the field event at the 4-A Western Regional and Mountain Athletic Conference meets. She recorded a personal best of 38 feet, 8 inches. Cobb placed eighth in the long jump at the 4-A state meet. She was named the most valuable performer for field events at the Buncombe County and MAC meets.

Elyse King

Roberson

Junior

King was the Buncombe County and Mountain Athletic Conference champion in the long jump. Her personal best is a Roberson record. King placed third in the long jump and eighth in the triple jump at the NCHSAA 4-A meet.

Rebecca Schlotterbeck

Reynolds

Senior

Schlotterbeck was the 3-A Western Regional champion in the triple jump and placed fifth in the long jump and the triple jump at the NCHSAA 3-A meet. Her personal-best jumps were 36 feet, 6.25 inches (triple jump) and 17-10 (long jump).

POLE VAULTER

Chesley Krug

Roberson

Senior

Krug was the 4-A Western Regional and Mountain Athletic Conference champion and placed third in the pole vault at the NCHSAA 4-A meet. Her personal-best height of 11 feet, 6 inches is a school record. Krug also ran a leg on the Rams’ fifth-place 3,200-meter relay team at the 4-A state meet. She has signed with Navy.

HONORABLE MENTION

Andrews: Tiffany Holloway, Erika Griggs and Morgan Mashburn.

Asheville Christian Academy: Brittainy Crisp.

Asheville School: Alex Blom, Azana Green and Nicole Alleyne.

Brevard: Eliza Witherspoon.

Carolina Day: Ralene Kwiatkowski, Kathleen Norton, Olivia Sutter, Mikayla Ray and Tess Harris.

East Henderson: Samantha Ward, Sydney Morgan and Lilly Blankenship.

Franklin: Kennedy Conner.

Hendersonville: Kaelah Avery, Keayla Beddingfield, Gina Clayton, Micaiah Darity, Natesha Evans, Evan Goff, Samantha Hess, Emma Laughter, Avion Williams and Amy Yarborough.

Murphy: Emma Stroup, Elizabeth Cambranis, Cameron Rice, Taryn Farmer, Peyton Wood, Le-Ann Wheaton, Kaitlynn Wheaton, Katlyn Stiles, Kelsey Fulgham and Emily Reid.

North Henderson: Odyssey Gaines.

Owen: Chesney Gardner, Anissa Avila, Lindsey Banks, Grace Drummond and Kristyl Keeter.

Pisgah: Colbie Williamson and Taylor Osborne.

Polk County: Emma Wagoner, Savannah Robbins, India Godlock, Mariah Overholt and Michaela Nelon.

Reynolds: Anu Frempong, Samantha Boeshore, Emma Himelein-Wachowiak, Marjani Smith and Shelby Voss.

Smoky Mountain: Shay Tisho, Madison Polyasko, Rebecca Fox, Kaitlyn Wood, Deojanae Shoate, Xzavia Shoate and Shea Sutton.

Swain County: Emma Pindur, Sarah Hyatt, Kathryn Brown, Lynsey Hicks, Ashley Winchester and Grace Cabe.

West Henderson: Taylor Meadows, Gracie Tate, Madison Connor, Rylee Dean, Kendall Gilliam and Olivia Hogan.

ABOUT THE ALL-WNC TEAMS

The Citizen-Times All-WNC teams are compiled by staff writer Andrew Pearson after nominations are requested from area coaches.

Reynolds’ Anna Vess is the All-WNC Girls Track Athlete of the Year.

Over the years, Western North Carolina distance running has almost seen it all.

Almost.

No matter how much tradition the mountains has when it comes to endurance athletes, two the caliber of Asheville High’s Noah Shore and Reynolds’ Anna Vess don’t come around very often.

Shore and Vess are the Citizen-Times All-WNC Track Athletes of the Year..

Both ended their high school careers May 20 as state champions at the NCHSAA 3-A track meet.

In fact, Vess won 11 total state championships in cross-country, indoor and outdoor track. That is more than any other Reynolds athlete in any sport.

“It probably still hasn’t sank in for any of us,” Rockets coach David Honea said. “You always started out with a big advantage with her on the team. Anna was willing to do whenever, whatever for our team. I’m really looking forward to seeing her step up to the next level.”

Vess is moving on to Raleigh.

The N.C. State recruit was also the All-WNC Girls Athlete of the Year as a sophomore and junior.

Vess posted WNC’s fastest times this spring in the 800-meter run (2 minutes, 13.28 seconds), 1,600-meter run (5:00.09) and 3,200-meter run (10:56.48). She blew away the competition at Greensboro’s North Carolina A&T to win all three events at the NCHSAA 3-A meet.

She was named the 3-A meet’s most valuable performer, and Shore brought home the boys MVP award.

Asheville High senior Noah Shore is the All-WNC Boys Track Athlete of the Year.

His personal record in the 1,600 (4:14.48 seconds) was the best by any public or private school runner in the state. It attracted the attention of North Carolina – the Tar Heels signed Shore shortly after his breakthrough race.

“He was always genuinely surprised when he ran well,” Cougars coach Chris Stroup said.

“I think Noah had trouble for a long time believing how good he was. And in the end, I don’t know if he anticipated how good he could be. He is truly one of the best athletes we’ve had here. It’s always rewarding when you see someone like him perform at such a tremendous level and then go off to college.”

Asheville High’s Noah Shore is the Citizen-Times All-WNC Boys Track Athlete of the Year.

The All-WNC track team is in Sunday’s print edition of the Citizen-Times.

BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR

Dan Jystad

North Henderson

Jystad and the Knights won the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference meet by more than 30 points and were also the Henderson County and Western Carolina University Invitational champs. Trevor Craft was an individual All-WNCAC selection and North Henderson had a pair of first-place relay teams at the conference meet (400 and 3,200 meters).

BOYS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Noah Shore

Asheville

Senior

Shore was the NCHSAA 3-A, 3-A Western Regional, Mountain Athletic Conference and Buncombe County champion in the 800-meter run and 1,600-meter run. He was named the 3-A state meet’s most valuable performer. Shore’s personal-record in the 1,600 (4 minutes, 14.48 seconds) was the best by any runner in any NCHSAA or NCISAA classification this spring. His PR in the 800 meters is 1:53. Shore has signed to run college cross country and track for North Carolina.

ALL-WNC TEAM

SPRINTERS

Kokayi Cobb

Christ School

Junior

Cobb was the Buncombe County runner-up in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. He ran the area’s fastest time in the 400-meter dash (50.22 seconds).

James McGee

Reynolds

Junior

McGee was the Buncombe County and Mountain Athletic Conference champion in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. His best times for those two races were 10.95 seconds and 21.91, respectively. McGee led all area sprinters in the 200 and placed fourth at the 3-A Western Regional meet.

Brian Smith

Hayesville

Sophomore

Smith was the Smoky Mountain Conference champion in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. He was the runner-up in the 100 meters at the 1-A Western Regional meet and recorded WNC’s fastest time in that sprint (10.84 seconds).

HURDLERS

Grant Lindsay

Murphy

Junior

Lindsay was the 1-A Western Regional and Smoky Mountain Conference champion in the 300-meter hurdles and recorded a WNC-best time of 40.38 seconds. Lindsay won his conference and regional titles by more than two seconds. He placed eighth at the NCHSAA 1-A meet, even after stumbling over the last hurdle.

Connor Moore

Smoky Mountain

Junior

Moore was the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference champion in the 110-meter hurdles and ran a school record of 15.23 seconds. It was the fastest reported time in WNC. He placed fourth at the 2-A Western Regional meet and fifth at the NCHSAA 2-A meet.

MIDDLE DISTANCE, DISTANCE

Samuel Goldstein

Asheville School

Senior

Goldstein was the NCISAA 3-A champion in the 800-meter run and 1,600-meter run with personal-record times of 1 minute, 56.46 seconds and 4:19.65, respectively. He was also a leg on the Blues’ second-place team in the 1,600-meter relay (3:28.75).

Noah Graham

Brevard

Junior

Graham was the NCHSAA 2-A champion in the 1,600-meter run and 3,200-meter run. His personal-best times were school records of 4:25.94 and 9:31.44, respectively. Graham improved on his 1,600-meter run performance with a 4:17.43 race at the postseason NCRunners Elite Tune-Up. Graham recorded a season-best time of 1:57.20 and came in third at the NCHSAA 2-A meet. Graham was the WNC Athletic Conference champion in the 800-meter run and 1,600-meter run.

THROWERS

Cameron Debty

Andrews

Senior

Debty was the 1-A Western Regional and Smoky Mountain Conference champion in the shot put after going undefeated in all his regular-season meets. He placed third at the NCHSAA 1-A meet with a personal-record and WNC-best throw of 48-3.25.

Pete Szelwach

Roberson

Junior

Szelwach was the Mountain Athletic Conference champion in the discus and shot put. He was the Buncombe County champ in the discus and threw an area-best 160 feet, 10 inches.

JUMPERS

Sean Jones

Reynolds

Junior

Jones was the 3-A Western Regional champion in the long jump and placed fourth in the high jump at the NCHSAA 3-A meet. His best high jump was 6-2, and Jones’ top performance in the long jump was 22-1.5.

Jacob Lewis

Robbinsville

Senior

Lewis won the NCHSAA 1-A championship with a personal-best height of 6 feet, 4 inches on the heels of other titles at the 1-A Western Regional, Smoky Mountain Conference and Blue Ridge Classic meets. Lewis was undefeated in regular-season meets for the Black Knights, as well.

Satorrius Uddyback

Asheville

Senior

Uddyback was the 3-A Western Regional, Mountain Athletic Conference and Buncombe County champion in the triple jump. His season-best performance was 44 feet, 10 inches.

POLE VAULTER

Jacob Davis

Roberson

Senior

Davis was the Mountain Athletic Conference champion in the pole vault and finished tied for the best height in WNC (14 feet). He has signed with Charlotte.

HONORABLE MENTION

Asheville: Haven Honeycutt, Terry Young and Davis Turner.

Asheville School: Elliott Schenker, Moss Rerkpattanapipat, Nathan Alleyne and Austin Letson.

Avery County: Steven Sanchez, Van McCollum, Jaxon Roberts and James Eury.

Brevard: Andrew Robinson.

Christ School: Kevin Snyder, Noah Gminski and Payton Lange.

East Henderson: Nick Lyons, Josh Glynn and Drew Winn.

Hendersonville: Ethan Berry, Michael Cook, Joseph DeLuca, Luke Hollingsworth, Hakeem Jenkins, Justin Starnes and Fletcher Talley.

Mitchell: Myles Heavlin.

Murphy: Ethan Murray and Dalton Kent.

North Henderson: Hunter White, Kalin Ensley, Miquel Lammons, Trevor Craft, Darien Pachacos, Jose Robles, Raul Ortiz and Hunter King.

Owen: Garret Welsh, Brandon Kilgo, Jacob Robinson and Sidney Gibbs.

Polk County: Sean Doyle, Jacob Wolfe, Mitchell Brown, Nate Smart, Troy Lieberman and Jake Justice.

Reynolds: Patrick Johnston, Garrett Fentzlaff and Spencer Shade.

Roberson: E.J. King, Blake Mead, Philip Schehtman, Cole Draper, Sean McDowell and Matt Smith.

Smoky Mountain: Josh Logan, Montrel Turner, Jared Hughes and Bradley Parker.

Swain County: Cooper Reinert and Caleb Woodard.

Tuscola: Joe Napert, Caleb Ferguson and Jacob Franklin.

West Henderson: Dylan Shamburger and Bradley Barham.

GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR

Ian Roper

Swain County

Roper and the Maroon Devils captured their first state championship on May 20, winning the NCHSAA 1-A meet in Greensboro with 65 points. Across all sports, it is only the second female team state championship in Swain County history. Sarah Hyatt (pole vault) and Emma Pindur (800-meter run) won their individual events, and the Maroon Devils had the first-place 1,600-meter relay team, which consisted of Pindur, Lynsey Hicks, Maleeah Langstaff and Maggie Burns. Swain County also won the 1-A Western Regional and Smoky Mountain Conference meets.

GIRLS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Anna Vess

Reynolds

Senior

Vess is the All-WNC Girls Athlete of the Year for the third consecutive year and graduated as an 11-time state champion in cross-country, indoor and outdoor track. That number of NCHSAA championships is a Reynolds record in all sports. Vess was named the NCHSAA 3-A meet’s most valuable performer after winning the 800-meter run, 1,600-meter run and 3,200-meter run as well as anchoring the fifth-place team in the 3,200-meter relay. Vess recorded WNC’s fastest times this spring in the 800 (2:13.28), 1,600 (5:00.09) and 3,200 (10:56.48). Vess has signed to run cross country and track for N.C. State.

SPRINTERS

Maleeah Langstaff

Swain County

Junior

Langstaff was the 1-A Western Regional champion and named a most valuable performer following the Smoky Mountain Conference meet. She ran a season-best time of 58.85 seconds in the 400-meter dash. Langstaff was part of two state-championship relays at the NCHSAA 1-A meet. Those teams were the 1,600 and 3,200-meter relays.

Callie Rhea

North Buncombe

Junior

Rhea was the Mountain Athletic Conference champion in the 100-meter dash and her WNC-best time of 12.67 seconds was a school record. She was also a leg on the Black Hawks’ school-record team in the 400-meter relay (51.54).

Melena Robinson

West Henderson

Junior

Robinson was the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference champion in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. She ran a season-best time of 12.81 seconds in the 100-meter dash and was a leg on the 400-meter relay that came in ninth at the NCHSAA 3-A meet with a school record of 50.70.

HURDLERS

Gabi Davis

Asheville School

Senior

Davis was the Buncombe County and Carolinas Athletic Association champion in the 100-meter hurdles and ran the fastest time in WNC (15.69 seconds). She was the NCISAA 3-A runner-up. Davis won the CAA championship in the long jump and came in fourth at the state meet. She jumped a school record of 16 feet, 9.25 inches. Davis has signed with Emory (Ga.).

Rylee Williamson

Pisgah

Sophomore

Williamson was the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference champion in the 300-meter hurdles and came in second at the 3-A Western Regional meet with an area-best time of 48.58 seconds. She was also the WNCAC runner-up in the pole vault and a leg on the second-place team in the 1,600-meter relay.

MIDDLE DISTANCE, DISTANCE

Naomi Cartier

Asheville

Senior

Cartier placed third in the 800-meter run at the NCHSAA 3-A meet and ran a season-best time of 2 minutes, 14.89 seconds. She has signed to run cross country and track for Boston College.

Brooke Turner

Tuscola

Senior

Turner placed fourth in the 800-meter run and the 1,600-meter run at the NCHSAA 3-A meet with season-best times of 2 minutes, 15.65 seconds and 5:01.52, respectively. She was the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference champion in both events and the meet’s most valuable performer for track events. Turner was the runner-up in the 800 and 1,600 at the 3-A Western Regional meet. She has signed to run cross country and track for Liberty.

THROWERS

Halei Gillis

Carolina Day

Junior

Gillis was the NCISAA 2-A champion and Carolinas Athletic Association champion in the discus. She recorded an area-best throw of 124 feet, 6 inches. She was also the runner-up to teammate Mikayla Ray in the shot put (36-3) at their state meet.

LesLeigh Tabor

Franklin

Junior

Tabor was the NCHSAA 2-A, Western North Carolina Athletic Conference champion and Blue Ridge Classic champion in the shot put. Her best throw was 40 feet, 9 inches.

JUMPERS

Michelle Cobb

Roberson

Junior

Cobb was the NCHSAA 4-A champion in the triple jump and also won the field event at the 4-A Western Regional and Mountain Athletic Conference meets. She recorded a personal best of 38 feet, 8 inches. Cobb placed eighth in the long jump at the 4-A state meet. She was named the most valuable performer for field events at the Buncombe County and MAC meets.

Elyse King

Roberson

Junior

King was the Buncombe County and Mountain Athletic Conference champion in the long jump. Her personal best is a Roberson record. King placed third in the long jump and eighth in the triple jump at the NCHSAA 4-A meet.

Rebecca Schlotterbeck

Reynolds

Senior

Schlotterbeck was the 3-A Western Regional champion in the triple jump and placed fifth in the long jump and the triple jump at the NCHSAA 3-A meet. Her personal-best jumps were 36 feet, 6.25 inches (triple jump) and 17-10 (long jump).

POLE VAULTER

Chesley Krug

Roberson

Senior

Krug was the 4-A Western Regional and Mountain Athletic Conference champion and placed third in the pole vault at the NCHSAA 4-A meet. Her personal-best height of 11 feet, 6 inches is a school record. Krug also ran a leg on the Rams’ fifth-place 3,200-meter relay team at the 4-A state meet. She has signed with Navy.

HONORABLE MENTION

Andrews: Tiffany Holloway, Erika Griggs and Morgan Mashburn.

Asheville Christian Academy: Brittainy Crisp.

Asheville School: Alex Blom, Azana Green and Nicole Alleyne.

Brevard: Eliza Witherspoon.

Carolina Day: Ralene Kwiatkowski, Kathleen Norton, Olivia Sutter, Mikayla Ray and Tess Harris.

East Henderson: Samantha Ward, Sydney Morgan and Lilly Blankenship.

Franklin: Kennedy Conner.

Hendersonville: Kaelah Avery, Keayla Beddingfield, Gina Clayton, Micaiah Darity, Natesha Evans, Evan Goff, Samantha Hess, Emma Laughter, Avion Williams and Amy Yarborough.

Murphy: Emma Stroup, Elizabeth Cambranis, Cameron Rice, Taryn Farmer, Peyton Wood, Le-Ann Wheaton, Kaitlynn Wheaton, Katlyn Stiles, Kelsey Fulgham and Emily Reid.

North Henderson: Odyssey Gaines.

Owen: Chesney Gardner, Anissa Avila, Lindsey Banks, Grace Drummond and Kristyl Keeter.

Pisgah: Colbie Williamson and Taylor Osborne.

Polk County: Emma Wagoner, Savannah Robbins, India Godlock, Mariah Overholt and Michaela Nelon.

Reynolds: Anu Frempong, Samantha Boeshore, Emma Himelein-Wachowiak, Marjani Smith and Shelby Voss.

Smoky Mountain: Shay Tisho, Madison Polyasko, Rebecca Fox, Kaitlyn Wood, Deojanae Shoate, Xzavia Shoate and Shea Sutton.

Swain County: Emma Pindur, Sarah Hyatt, Kathryn Brown, Lynsey Hicks, Ashley Winchester and Grace Cabe.

West Henderson: Taylor Meadows, Gracie Tate, Madison Connor, Rylee Dean, Kendall Gilliam and Olivia Hogan.

ABOUT THE ALL-WNC TEAMS

The Citizen-Times All-WNC teams are compiled by staff writer Andrew Pearson after nominations are requested from area coaches.

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