Jacob Earp, William

Rayner rise to the

top of their fields
By Steve Behr
sports@wataugademocrat.com

Watauga’s winter sports produced two Northwestern 4-A Conference Players of the Year in wrestler Jacob Earp and swimmer William Rayner.

Earp won the NWC tournament and finished second in the state tournament in the 135-pound weight class.

Earp’s teammate, Savva Kostis, was the 145-pound All-NWC wrestler, while Justin Hyatt was All-NWC at 152 pounds. South Caldwell’s Billy Miller was the coach of the year.

Rayner was named co-swimmer of the year with Matt Hodges of East Burke. David Gragg, also of Watauga, was named the coach of the year.

Rayner was part of the Watauga 400-yard freestyle relay that also consisted of Jonathan Edwards, Minori Ohashi and Konrad Kosmala.

The four also was part of the 200 medley relay.

Rayner also was all-league for winning the 50 freestyle and for the 100 backstroke. Ohashi was named all league in the 200 individual medley and for the 100 butterfly. Edwards was named All-NWC for the 200 freestyle and for the 500 freestyle.

Kosmala was named All-NWC for the 100 freestyle and honorable mention for the 100 backstroke. Trevon Jensen was honorable mention for the 100 breaststroke and in the 200 individual medley, while Alden Mast was honorable mention for the 500 freestyle.

In girls’ swimming, Mallie Billing was honorable mention in the 100 freestyle and Elizabeth Brewer was honorable mention in the 100 backstroke.

In boys’ basketball, Zach Greene was the lone Pioneer to be named All-NWC, though Chad Eppley was honorable mention. In girls’ basketball. Emily Pineda was also named All-NWC.