Spring sports good to WHS        Track, soccer yield several all-conference student-athletes

By Bill Cain

bcain@wataugademocrat.com

Between the Northwestern 4-A Conference All-Conference teams and honorable mention squads, 41 Watauga athletes received recognition this spring.

More than half of those Pioneers receiving the honors were girls, with the girls’ track and field team placing 13 different athletes in 29 spots and the girls’ soccer team getting nine nods. The softball team also had three All-Conference selections.

Olivia Ellington was All-Conference in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes and was also named the NWC’s athlete of the year for the girls after she finished the NWC championship meet with 26 points all by herself. Julie Ward turned in as many points and was All-Conference in the 300 hurdles, high jump and pole vault. Sallie Gurganus received honorable mention in the 100 hurdles and was All-Conference in the high jump and pole vault. She went on to win the state title in the pole vault and set a new state record of 12-feet, 1-inch.

Jennifer Callahan was also honored by the conference as the girls’ soccer player of the year. She set Watauga’s all-time scoring and points record this season, leading the Pioneers to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. Helping her to that end were tri-captains Emma Wells and Cassie Rex, who were both also named All-Conference, along with six other Pioneers.

Both players of the year were joined by their coaches, Randy McDonough for track and field and Doug Kidd for soccer, who received coach of the year honors from the NWC. Both teams also won the NWC championship.

On the boys’ side, Jacob Eggers took player of the year honors in boys’ golf, finishing 10 strokes ahead of runner-up Dustin Hudson of East Burke. Darren Cook finished with the fifth-best overall score on the season to join Eggers on the All-Conference team. The boys finished second in the NWC and went to the Western Regional.

Seven boys from the track and field team were honored. Will Beasley was All-Conference in the long jump and received honorable mention in the triple jump while Isaac Smith made the team in the 400 and joined the rest of Watauga’s 3,200 relay team of Jay Weaver, Jordan Trivette and Brooks Forsyth on the squad. Macey Ruble earned honorable mention in the pole vault and 110 hurdles.

Returning to the top of the NWC standings, Watauga’s boys’ tennis team sent their top two singles players to the squad and had two honorable mentions. Graham Battle and Will Barbour were both named All-Conference after each spent half the season at No. 1 singles. Barbour defeated Battle in the finals of the conference tournament to become the NWC singles champion. Alan Herndon and Beau Wilson were given honorable mention. Herndon teamed with Jeffrey Geldmeier to win the NWC doubles title, but since the All-Conference teams are selected before the tournament, Geldmeier, a champion, was left off the list.

Three Pioneer baseball players made the list. Second baseman Devin Presnell made the infield squad along with center fielder Eric Breitenstein made the outfield team and infielder/pitcher Ethan Moyer joined the utility players on the list.

Keelia Trathen made the utility list for the Pioneer softball team and was joined by third baseman Laura Robinson on the infield list and pitcher Nicole Reilly with the hurlers.

All-NWC 4-A 2006 teams:
Baseball:
Infield: Cameron Duckworth, A.C. Reynolds; Devin Presnell, Watauga; Dustin Harrington, Alexander Central; Jon Hinson, A.C. Reynolds; Seth Hines, A.C. Reynolds; Seth Branch, McDowell; Bradley Craig, South Caldwell; Durant Barr, Alexander Central.
Outfield: Jonathon Durner, A.C. Reynolds; Eric Breitenstein, Watauga; Josh Severt, South Caldwell; Blaine Howell, A.C. Reynolds; Brad Hardee, South Caldwell; Tori Conley, Freedom; Davon Gardner, McDowell; Daniel Hall, Alexander Central; Shane Clawson, South Caldwell.
Catchers: Josh Russell, Alexander Central; Chris Vaughn, McDowell.
Pitchers: Sam Runion, A.C. Reynolds; Madison Bumgarner, South Caldwell; Matt Gragg, South Caldwell.
Utility: Cameron Kerley, Alexander Central; Ethan Moyer, Watauga; Austin Attaway, Freedom.
Player of the Year: Blaine Howell, A.C. Reynolds.
Coach of the Year: Bryan Craig, A.C. Reynolds.
Final conference standings:
1, A.C. Reynolds, 11-1; 2, South Caldwell, 10-2; 3, Alexander Central, 7-5; 4, Watauga, 6-6; 5, McDowell, 5-7; 6, Freedom, 2-10; 7, East Burke, 1-11.

Softball:
Infield: Kayla Johnson, Alexander Central; Samantha Haddock; A.C. Reynolds; Kristen Hobbs, South Caldwell; Jessica McKee, Freedom; Laura Robinson, Watauga; Christy Cor, A.C. Reynolds; Meggan Lytle, McDowell; Ashley Harrel, Freedom.
Outfield: Erin Gier, A.C. Reynolds; Olivia Childers, East Burke; Ali Ford, Freedom; Alex Abernathy, East Burke; Lane Harringer, Freedom; Erica Wallace, McDowell.
Catchers: Emily Beck, South Caldwell; Kyla Fields, McDowell.
Pitchers: Emily Pierce, Alexander Central; Salem Bombace, A.C. Reynolds; Kelly Starnes, South Caldwell; Nicole Reilly, Watauga.
Utility: Keelia Trathen, Watauga; Whitney Roper, McDowell; Brittney Nash, East Burke.
Player of the Year: Salem Bombace, A.C. Reynolds.
Coach of the Year: Larry Brow, A.C. Reynolds.
Final conference standings:
1, A.C. Reynolds, 9-3; 2, Alexander Central, 8-4; 2, Freedom, 8-4; 4, McDowell, 6-6; 5, Watauga, 5-7; 6, South Caldwell, 4-8; 7, East Burke, 2-10.

Girls’ soccer:
Jennifer Callahan, Watauga; McKenna Stockhausen, A.C. Reynolds; Emma Wells, Watauga; Cassie Rex, Watauga; Anna Robertson, Watauga; Molly Kuchar, A.C. Reynolds; Elizabeth Hawes, East Burke; Lucy Binning, Watauga; Katy Beeler, A.C. Reynolds; Kristin McDaniel, Freedom; Brandi Witthoft, A.C. Reynolds; Emily Elstrom, A.C. Reynolds; Malorie Myers, Watauga; Jessica Smith, McDowell; Whitney Wade, Freedom; Savannah Frady, East Burke; Kat Lenhart, A.C. Reynolds; Anna Lisa Hart, Watauga; Macy Johnson, Watauga; Julie Bounous, East Burke; Sarah Caldwell (GK), Watauga; Allie Preston (GK), A.C. Reynolds.
Honorable Mention: Rachel Wheeler, McDowell; Danielle Church, South Caldwell; Alyssa Johns, Alexander Central; Lisbeth Flores, East Burke; Marissa Coburn, East Burke; Mandy Lightner, A.C. Reynolds; Kayla Markam, Alexander Central; Prarie Reep (GK), East Burke; Andrea Baldwin (GK), South Caldwell; Saira Aguirre, McDowell; Chelsea Ratzlaff, A.C. Reynolds; Lydia Sturgis, A.C. Reynolds.
Player of the Year: Jennifer Callahan, Watauga.
Coach of the Year: Doug Kidd, Watauga.
Final conference standings:
1, Watauga, 12-0; 2, A.C. Reynolds, 9-3; 3, East Burke, 7-5; 4, Freedom, 6-5-1; 5, McDowell, 5-7; 6, Alexander Central, 3-9; 7, South Caldwell, 0-11-1.

Boys’ tennis:
John Eskridge, Freedom; Graham Battle, Watauga; Paul Limone, McDowell; Will Barbour, Watauga; Brian Sain, Alexander Central; Brock Sales, A.C. Reynolds; Trey Peterson, A.C. Reynolds; Fabio Lemos, McDowell; Len DeBoever, Alexander Central; Pheng Vang, East Burke; Skylar Warren, A.C. Reynolds; Bradley Bassinger, South Caldwell.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Coffey, Freedom; Andrew Boggs, East Burke; Elliott Kittle, McDowell; Derek Jager, A.C. Reynolds; Alan Herndon, Watauga; Alex Shell, South Caldwell; Jimmy Wheeler, McDowell; Beau Wilson, Watauga; Kevin Boggs, Freedom.
Player of the Year: John Eskridge, Freedom.
Coach of the Year: Bruce Peterson, A.C. Reynolds.
Final conference standings:
1, Watauga, 11-1; 2, A.C. Reynolds, 9-3; 3, Freedom, 8-4; 4, East Burke, 5-7; 4, McDowell, 5-7; 6, Alexander Central, 4-8; 7, South Caldwell, 0-12.

Boys’ golf:
Jacob Eggers (424), Watauga; Dustin Hudson (434), East Burke; Walt Stephens (435), Freedom; Devin Baldwin (443), South Caldwell; Darren Cook (444), Watauga; Mitchell McGlamery (451), Freedom; Cory Holland (454), McDowell; Blake George (460); South Caldwell; Chris Mills (462), South Caldwell; Alex Cardwell (463), South Caldwell; Brian Barbour (470), A.C. Reynolds; Landon Pearson (470), Alexander Central.
Player of the Year: Jacob Eggers, Watauga.
Coach of the Year: Barry Mitchell, South Caldwell.
Final conference standings:
1, South Caldwell, 2131; 2, Watauga, 2137; 3, East Burke, 2199; 4, Freedom, 2222; 5, McDowell, 2261; 6, Alexander Central, 2285; 7, A.C. Reynolds, 2317.

Boys’ track and field:
100-meter dash: Justin Felming, Freedom; Nick Zeller, Alexander Central. HR: Brandon Younger, A.C. Reynolds.
200-meter dash: Benny Davis, Freedom; Nick Zeller, Alexander Central. HR: Brandon Younger, A.C. Reynolds.
400-meter dash: Justin Fleming, Freedom; Isaac Smith, Watauga. HR: Sam Shuford, A.C. Reynolds.
800-meter run: Matt Holman, South Caldwell; Joseph Shuford, A.C. Reynolds. HR: Ryan Stultz, South Caldwell.
1,600-meter run: Isaiah Shirlen, McDowell; Ryan Stultz, South Caldwell. HR: Tim Brown, A.C. Reynolds.
3,200-meter run: Isaiah Shirlen, McDowell; Nick Ruiz, McDowell. HR: Christian Webb, South Caldwell.
400-meter relay: A.C. Reynolds (Devin Brewer, Brandon Younger, Kyle Johnson, Willie Harper); Freedom (Jordan Horton, Kele Beam, Benny Davis, Curtis Bristol). HR: Alexander Central (Steven Willis, Trae Johnson, Cody Suddreth, Nick Zeller).
800-meter relay: Freedom (Kele Beam, Justin Fleming, Curtis Bristol, Benny Davis); A.C. Reynolds (Devin Brewer, Brandon Younger, Joel Waldopian, Willie Harper). HR: South Caldwell (Caleb Kincaid, Zach Griffin, Andrew Carswell, Josh Kannup).
1,600-meter relay: South Caldwell (Zach Griffin, Matt Holman, Caleb Kincaid, Ryan Stultz); A.C. Reynolds (Tim Brown, Joseph Shuford, Sam Shuford, Shawn Robinson). HR: Freedom (Justin Fleming, Benny Davis, Steven Mills, Tyler Heath).
3,200-meter relay: South Caldwell (Christian Webb, Matt Holman, Caleb Kincaid, Ryan Stultz); Watauga (Jay Weaver, Jordan Trivette, Brooks Forsyth, Isaac Smith). HR: A.C. Reynolds (Sam Shuford, Ian Layne, Seth Bishop, Steven Jones).
110-meter hurdles: Luke Burton, McDowell; Cory Moore, A.C. Reynolds. HR: Macey Ruble, Watauga.
300-meter hurdles: Luke Barton, McDowell; Joel Wadopian, A.C. Reynolds. HR: Zach, Griffin, South Caldwell.
Pole vault: Mike Wilson, A.C. Reynolds; Erik Russ, Freedom. HR: Macey Ruble, Watauga.
High jump: Matt Evans, McDowell; Mike Wilson, A.C. Reynolds. HR: Albert Anderson, A.C. Reynolds.
Long jump: Will Beasley, Watauga; Matt Evans, McDowell. HR: Jordan Horton, Freedom.
Triple jump: Ismael Swepson, McDowell, Vince Waters, A.C. Reynolds. HR: Will Beasley, Watauga.
Shot put: Dakota Cagle, East Burke; Jacob Howard, A.C. Reynolds. HR: Adam Houk, Freedom.
Discus: Dakota Cagle, East Burke; Adam Banks, A.C. Reynolds. HR: Chad Holby, A.C. Reynolds.
Athlete of the Year: Isaiah Shirlen, McDowell.
Coach of the Year: Buck Buchanan, A.C. Reynolds.
Final conference meet standings:
1, A.C. Reynolds, 161; 2, McDowell, 96; 3, Freedom, 91; 4, South Caldwell, 84; 5, Watauga, 60; 6, East Burke, 39; 7, Alexander Central, 27.

Girls’ track and field:
100-meter dash: Octavia Burgess, Freedom; Olivia Ellington, Watauga. HR: Vonda Harrison, A.C. Reynolds.
200-meter dash: Octavia Burgess, Freedom; Olivia Ellington, Watauga. HR: Brittany Bartle, South Caldwell.
400-meter dash: Olivia Ellington, Watauga; Heather Rudisill, East Burke. HR: Kayla Legg, South Caldwell.
800-meter run: Aly Younce, South Caldwell; Cameo Yurko, East Burke. HR: Miranda Annas, South Caldwell.
1,600-meter run: Tara Wilson, South Caldwell; Cameo Yurko, East Burke. HR: Meaghan Dolan, Watauga.
3,200-meter run: Tara Wilson, South Caldwell; Dolly Dollars, Watauga. HR: Bridgette McLean, Watauga.
400-meter relay: McDowell (Charity Huffman, Kelsea Greene, Kurie Washington, Chaundra Hill); A.C. Reynolds (A.J. Smith, Terron Ward, Whitney Stafford, Vondra Harrison). HR: South Caldwell (Ashlye Breedlove, Adrian Cooke, Taylor Deal, Chelsea Baldwin).
800-meter relay: Freedom (Octavia Burgess, Tiarra Largent, Nikki Evans, Alex Ervin); A.C. Reynolds (A.J. Smith, Terron Ward, Delsy Guiterez, Vondra Harrison). HR: South Caldwell (Aly Younce, Kayla Legg, Miranda Annas, Brittany Bartle).
1,600-meter relay: South Caldwell (Aly Younce, Miranda Annas, Kayla Legg, Brittany Bartle); A.C. Reynolds (Erin McKee, Emily Gothberg, Rebekah McNair, Katie Lorenz). HR: Watauga (Meaghan Dolan, Emily Pineda, Ruth Smith, Anna Romano).
3,200-meter relay: South Caldwell (Tara Wilson, Miranda Annas, Aly Younce, Holly Annas); A.C. Reynolds (Judy Coucell, Emily Gothberg, Tara Matchulat, Katie Lorenz). HR: Watauga (Meaghan Dolan, Emily Pineda, Bridgette McLean, Jessica Kennedy).
100-meter hurdles: Juliana Haile, A.C. Reynolds; Kristen Moody, East Burke. HR: Sallie Gurganus, Watauga.
300-meter hurdles: Whitney Stafford, A.C. Reynolds; Julie Ward, Watauga. HR: Terron Ward, A.C. Reynolds.
Pole vault: Sallie Gurganus, Watauga; Julie Ward, Watauga. HR: Taylor Cook, Watauga.
High jump: Julie Ward, Watauga; Sallie Gurganus, Watauga. HR: Brooke Miller, Watauga.
Long jump: Kristen Pearson, Freedom; Brittany Roberts, Alexander Central. HR: Kristina Tracy, Watauga.
Triple jump: Chaundra Hill, McDowell; Alyssa Smith, A.C. Reynolds. HR: Kristina Tracy, Watauga.
Shot put: Jasmine Wilson, South Caldwell; Whitney Smyre, Alexander Central. HR: Angelica Pearson, Freedom.
Discus: Whitney Smyre, Alexander Central; Kacy Buchanan, A.C. Reynolds. HR: Emily Pineda, Watauga.
Athlete of the Year: Olivia Ellington, Watauga.
Coach of the Year: Randy McDonough, Watauga.
Final conference meet standings:
1, Watauga, 161; 2, South Caldwell, 107; 3, A.C. Reynolds, 102; 4, Freedom, 65.5; 5, Alexander Central, 43.5; 6, McDowell, 40; 7, East Burke, 36.