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Call it a ‘courageous loss,’ Marshall upends Mountaineers, 52-37

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Call it a ‘courageous loss,’ Marshall upends Mountaineers, 52-37

By David Rogers. HUNTINGTON, W.V. — Dominating time of possession in a football game is important — but not as important as keeping your time-deprived opponent out of the end zone.

App State had possession 10-plus minutes more than host Marshall in Joan C. Edwards Stadium but could not contain The Thundering Herd in a 52-37 Sun Belt Conference loss.

Kudos to Marshall University for a pre-game display of human compassion: proceeds from a student car-smashing fundraiser are earmarked for the App State Disaster Relief Fund.

App State QB Joey Aguilar. Photo courtesy of App State Athletics

Hard to Overcome

Two turnovers (both pass interceptions), four quarterback sacks, seven pass breakups, nine quarterback hurries and eight tackles for loss by the Marshall defense were problematic for the visiting Mountaineers, compounded by 15 penalties for 158 yards. Combined, they all but short-circuited App State scoring opportunities.

Without question, the App State offense led by QB Joey Aguilar was able to move the football, the senior signal caller completing 26-of-44 passes for 293 yards but two TDs offset by the two pass interceptions.

In 35:24 time of possession (compared to just 24:26 for Marshall), the Mountaineers rolled up 473 yards of total offense but had a hard time stopping The Thundering Herd’s quick-strike offense led by backup QB, Braylon Braxton, standing in for an injured Cole Pennington.

Braxton didn’t act like a fill-in, serving as Marshall’s leading rusher in carrying the ball 15 times for 140 yards and two TDs. Complimenting his day’s work: completing 8-of-14 pass for 129 yards, three TDs and no INTs.

Kanye Roberts (14) scores App State’s first TD at Marshall on Oct. 5. Photo courtesy of App State Athletics

The Mountaineers were playing for the first time in 16 days after Hurricane Helene struck the western North Carolina mountains a week earlier with massive flooding from torrential rainfall and high winds causing an unprecedented amount of destruction in the High Country and classes being canceled at least for the foreseeable future.

The home game on Sept. 28 vs. Liberty was also canceled and practices cobbled together as best they could under the circumstances as coaches, staff, and players dealt with the storm damage, including loss of power, internet capabilities and significant property damage. To play a college football game at any level while balancing personal needs in a natural disaster with game preparation is nothing short of courageous, even if it helped restore a sense of normalcy for the university and its supporters.

Among the highlights:

  • App State kept the game close in the early going, even going ahead, 10-7, after reserve placekicker Jackson Moore’s 42-yard field goal midway through the first quarter got the Mountaineers on the board, then running back Kanye Roberts capped off a 14-play, 94-yard drive early in the second period with a 10-yard TD run around the left side.
  • A swing pass by Aguilar to Roberts on the left side was, unfortunately, a little behind the running back. In reaching back, Roberts bobbled it in the air where it was gathered in by Marshall linebacker J’Coryan Anderson and returned 13 yards for a “Pick 6” TD. That was the first play from scrimmage after The Herd’s Jordan Houston converted a short pass from Braxton into a 75-yard TD sprint down the left sideline, the two plays not only putting Marshall back on top, but giving the home team a 21-10 lead they would never relinquish.
  • Among the bright spots for the Mountaineers was converting 6-of-6 fourth downs, turning them into first downs and extending drives. One of those was a 4th-and-5 situation on the Marshall 21 yard line, an Aguilar pass to wide receiver Dalton Stroman cutting across the middle for a TD, the first of two TDs thrown to the junior WR. The second TD pass was a 27-yarder in which Stroman drug his right foot in the end zone just after securing the catch.
  • Aguilar helped extend drives with his legs, too, serving as the Mountaineers’ top rusher on the day with 10 carries for 55 yards. Running back Ahmani Marshall also carried the ball 10 times for 48 yards and a pair of TDs, while Roberts toted the pigskin 13 times for 35 yards and the team’s first TD.
  • By midway through the third quarter, Marshall led by three touchdowns, 38-17, but the Mountaineers effectively traded scoring opportunities with their hosts, scoring 20 more points in the last 19 minutes of play.

With reported uncertainty as to where App State will play its remaining home games given the hurricane-related damage to Boone and the surrounding area, the Mountaineers’ next scheduled contest is at Louisiana on Saturday, October 12, 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.

All game statistics compiled and distributed courtesy of StatBroadcast

TEAM STATS

INDIVIDUAL STATS

DEFENSE

 

Switalski’s late goal earns 1-1 draw vs. Georgia State

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Switalski’s late goal earns 1-1 draw vs. Georgia State

By Matt Present. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a hard-fought, sporadic contest that was moved to the campus of Queens University in Charlotte due to the effects of Hurricane Helene, a late App State goal from Kyli Switalski in the 72nd minute of play evened the score at one apiece, forcing a 1-1 draw on Friday night against Georgia State. The goal was the freshman’s second of the year.

The draw allowed App State (5-3-3, 2-0-1 SBC) to remain unbeaten in Sun Belt play, making them one of three teams with an unblemished conference record as of Friday’s games.

Izzi Wood (4) maneuvers the ball past a Georgia State defender on Oct. 4. Photo by Kristin Shaffer, courtesy of App State Athletics

Despite being held scoreless for 72 minutes to start the game, the Mountaineers were not held quiet on offense as they tallied 12 shots, 10 coming in the second half alone, with four being on goal. Izzi Wood generated several scoring chances herself, which included two shots almost consecutively in the 58th minute.

Georgia State (1-6-5, 0-1-3) opened the scoring with a late first-half goal off the left foot of Aaliyah Faddoul, the Panthers’ leading scorer. It was the only goal to get past Mountaineer keeper Sarah Wommack all night.

Mumu Guisasola (22) leads the App State celebration after Kyli Switalski’s goal in the 72nd minute of App State’s match vs. Georgia State on Oct. 4. Photo by Kristin Shaffer, courtesy of App State Athletics

Action picked up significantly in the second half of this high-tempo contest as App State controlled the ball in attacking position for most of the period before Switalski’s goal. Shots came from all over with both Ellie Garrison and Sydney Snowden taking shots at the net, but the score held serve.

It wasn’t until a free kick after a foul on the Panthers did the Mountaineers’ persistence pay off. From just outside the box, Switalski took the free kick chance and rifled a shot to the lower third of the net, finally helping the Mountaineers break through on the scoreboard.

After the equalizer, App State remained aggressive, firing three more shots at the net in the final 18 minutes. A rocket off the foot of Stephanie Barbosa nearly gave the Mountaineers a late lead, but it missed just high.

As part of App State’s 12 shots, nine came from the trio of Wood, Barbosa and Garrison.

The Mountaineers are scheduled to play Thursday, Oct. 10 against Coastal Carolina. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m., tentatively at the Ted Mackeroll Soccer Complex.

Message from App State Athletic Director, Doug Gillin

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Message from App State Athletic Director, Doug Gillin

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and well.

If you have not already, please visit the appstate.edu homepage to read this message from Interim Chancellor Heather Norris published Tuesday, Oct. 1 and for the latest updates from the App State campus.

Our community and many in our region have been impacted by the effects of Hurricane Helene in devastating ways. I echo Chancellor Norris’ heartfelt thanks to emergency responders, volunteers, utility providers and many others for their response to this crisis. We are also deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and assistance we are receiving from individuals, universities and organizations around the country.

As Watauga County Emergency Services Director Will Holt, Town of Boone Mayor Tim Futrelle and Chancellor Norris shared in a press conference yesterday, this is an unprecedented situation for App State and the High Country. Our immediate focus is the well-being of students, staff and our community, as well as recovery efforts, both short-term and long-term.

We are grateful to report that all student-athletes and athletics staff have been accounted for and are safe. Some have lost their homes. Many are without power, water and cell service, and have experienced damage to their property and possessions.

We appreciate everyone keeping our beloved home in your thoughts. Please consider giving to the App State Disaster Relief Fund to support Mountaineer students, faculty and staff.

Below are a few updates from the athletics department in regards to our current operations.

In the midst of the active emergency response in our area, our situation remains fluid as it relates to team practices and scheduling for home and away events.

Fall sport teams have sporadically resumed practice and competition, with schedules being altered as needed to practice or play away from Boone or to reschedule home events for later dates. Stay tuned to AppStateSports.com and individual sports’ social media accounts for timely updates.

Football is preparing for its upcoming trip to Marshall this weekend.

There has been damage sustained at some facilities, most notably Varsity Gym and the Holmes Convocation Center. Damage assessment and cleanup began immediately and are ongoing.

We ask for everyone’s patience regarding football ticket implications from the Liberty game cancellation and other ongoing event ticket implications.

We will continue to provide updates about scheduling, tickets and facility access as the picture becomes clearer.

One of the hallmarks of Mountaineers is our resilient spirit. Together we will get through this. We are Mountain Strong.

Sincerely,

Doug Gillin
Director of Athletics

School’s out, so help is on the way

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School’s out, so help is on the way

By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — For Maggie Cheaves, it was like watching a slow-motion movie. Looking out the kitchen window, she saw a tree slowly begin to fall toward her family’s home. She was powerless to stop the inevitable.

Her brother, Sam Cheaves, was unaware of what was happening outside — until the tree broke through the roof, ceiling and wall of his bedroom, narrowly missing him.

“It was terrifying,” the Blowing Rock School 8th grader recalled of the tree his sister, a Watauga High School senior, saw falling just before it crashed into his bedroom.

With recycled boxes donated by the local ABC Store, the Blowing Rock Cares Food Pantry has food and supplies at the ready thanks to volunteers largely from Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church where the food pantry is based. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News

But even with their own family’s power, internet and TV still not restored, much less having the damage to their home repaired — joining tens of thousands among the region’s victims of Hurricane Helene’s onslaught — these two young people are at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock this week, working alongside other area youth for the Blowing Rock Cares Food Pantry and packing provisions in boxes for first responders.

“Today, we packed 60 boxes of food for U.S. Forest Service employees out working to clean things up and rescue people,” said Janie Beach-Verhay. “We don’t have school this week, so I can’t think of anything better than to help people in our community and in our region who have lost so much. At the same time, we need to support the people out there providing direct help to the folks in need.”

Sam Cheaves and Lindsey Eaton load the Fellowship Hall oven at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church with baked ziti, hot food to be delivered later to families in the area stranded without power to cook. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News

Beach-Verhay, a junior at Watauga High School and one of the Pioneers’ top cross country athletes, said with school not in session the team members are mostly training on their own or in small groups at the high school track. It also gives her time to focus on community service needs, realizing that as disruptive the impact Hurricane Helene was on her life, she and her family are among the “lucky ones” compared to others in the area with homes washed away, severely damaged by mudslides, or without power for several days.

In their young lifetimes, Beach-Verhay and the Cheaves siblings have already endured the worldwide ravages of a pandemic and now a disruptive natural disaster adding to what school administrators are calling, “an education deficit.”

“We are resilient,” said Beach-Verhay.

“We’ll get through this,” said the Cheaves siblings, almost in unison.

Fortunately, stories of compassion in the High Country are abundant in a time of unprecedented, widespread destruction from a natural disaster: Neighbors helping neighbors get out of subdivisions, taking chain saws to clear fallen trees across roadways; companies and individuals showing up on the doorsteps of complete strangers with portable generators; driving a hot meal and bringing along smiles to an elderly couple who are challenged to fend for themselves without electricity and with a car rendered inoperable by a fallen tree; wielding shovels against a torrent of mud and debris.

People helping people without first asking about political or religious views.

Mountaineers defeat Chippewas, 2-1

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Mountaineers defeat Chippewas, 2-1

By Layne McNary. CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The App State Field Hockey team defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas 2-1 on Sunday.

The Mountaineers (5-3) never trailed in the Sept. 29 matchup, with Lise Boekaar and Darby Reyburn finding the back of the cage.

Although the game was moved due to weather from Hurricane Helene, it was still a memorable day for the Mountaineers, as Reyburn found the back of the cage for the first time in her collegiate career.

How it Happened

1st: The Mountaineers dominated the bulk of the offensive possession, tallying 15 shots in the period to Central Michigan’s (3-6) zero. Both teams ended the period scoreless, as App State forced 11 saves from Central Michigan goalkeeper Coletta Beeler in the period.

2nd: It was more of the same in the second, as the Mountaineers forced eight shots in the period to Central Michigan’s one. Lise Boekaar scored the first goal of the game from a penalty stroke, giving the Mountaineers a 1-0 lead in the second. Central Michigan’s Pauline Klep scored late in the period, tying the game at one going into halftime.

3rd: The Mountaineers held firm in the third period, applying offensive pressure to the Chippewas in the period. App State forced seven corners and four saves in the period. Reyburn found the back of the cage from a Boekaar pass, scoring the first goal of her career.

4th: The final period was scoreless for both teams, as neither App nor Central Michigan forced a penalty corner. The Mountaineers still tallied four shots in the period, testing the goalkeeper twice. The Mountaineers finished Sunday’s game defeating Central Michigan 2-1.

Up Next

The Mountaineers travel to Davidson Sept. 30, facing off against Bellarmine at noon. Tomorrow’s matchup is making up Friday’s game that was canceled due to weather.

Obituary: Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Ann Davey Conley (Smith), 96

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Obituary: Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Ann Davey Conley (Smith), 96

BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Mrs. Elizabeth “Betsy” Ann Davey Conley (Smith) of Blowing Rock, died Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, at Glenbridge Nursing Center in Boone. She was 96.

Born Dec. 3, 1927, in Janesville, Wisconsin, Betsy was the eldest of Theodore Daniel and Georgia Devin Davey’s three children.

She married the Honorable Richard “Dick” James Conley in 1948, and soon after, the couple made their way to Florida, where they lived in Daytona Beach, Sarasota, Miami and, in 1958, Homestead. While Dick worked for an automotive dealership the couple would eventually own (Dick Conley Chevrolet), Betsy was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, spending time with their wide circle of friends, playing golf and traveling.

The couple welcomed nine children together.  The family vacationed in Blowing Rock, a town Dick and Betsy discovered in 1960 and where they would later build a second home.

In Florida, Betsy supported her husband when he made his foray into local politics: Dick would serve two terms as Homestead’s mayor. Together, they loved to host gatherings and regularly entertained friends.

Betsy could fit in any setting. She was social, loved to decorate her home, and was a great cook.

Betsy and Dick had been married for 23 years when Dick died in a small-engine plane crash.

In the years that followed, Betsy raised her children, made time for golf, travels and was an avid and exceptional bridge player. She was one of the original Board of Directors, and first woman, for the Community Bank of Homestead, now known as South State Bank.

Betsy moved permanently to Blowing Rock, where she was part of the community for decades. She was a member of Church of the Epiphany in Blowing Rock, and an ardent supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Betsy leaves behind 7 children, Cathy Stevens (Charlie) of Rock Hill; Cyndi King (partner Joe Papa) of Blowing Rock; Christine Conley of Rock Hill; Constance Acosta of Charlotte; Carrie Conley (Tom Roper) of Denver, Colo.; Paul Conley (Darlene) of Atlanta, Ga.; Robert (Chip) Conley of Blowing Rock; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Betsy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son Richard Conley; daughter Elizabeth (Beth) Walrath; her sister, Mary Kennedy, and her brother, Daniel Davey.

A private funeral mass will be held. Hampton Funeral Home is charged with arrangements.

Hardin Park upsets Parkway, 2-1 (24-26, 25-10, 16-14)

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Hardin Park upsets Parkway, 2-1 (24-26, 25-10, 16-14)

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Exacting a measure of revenge after a Sept. 10 loss to Parkway, Hardin Park survived an overtime loss in the first set to rebound and take the next two sets on Sept. 24, defeating the Patriots, 2-1 (24-26, 25-10, 16-14).

SEE BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM (click on any image for Slide Show Mode)

Although Hardin Park seemed to take control in the second set, the third set was another nailbiter in going to overtime, with the Golden Eagles coming out on top, 16-14.

Hardin Park vs. Parkway always draws a big crowd. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

“It was a good night,” Hardin Park head coach Andy Eggers told High Country Sports after the match.

In other tri-team matches at Hardin Park on the day, Parkway rebounded to defeat Cove Creek, 2-0 (25-21, 25-22), then Hardin Park swept by the Raiders, too, 2-0 (25-16, 25-8)

Around the county:

  • Blowing Rock def. Valle Crucis, 2-0 (25-23, 25-18)
  • Green Valley def. Bethel, 2-0 (25-17, 25-7)
  • Mabel def. Bethel, 2-0 (25-12, 25-22)
  • Green Valley def. Mabel, 2-0 (25-21, 25-8)

BONUS PHOTOS FROM HARDIN PARK VS. PARKWAY

All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Most of the world is wrong on energy transition, says Brian Gitt

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Most of the world is wrong on energy transition, says Brian Gitt

By David Rogers. JEFFERSON, N.C. —When it comes to guest speakers to talk about the world’s transition in how energy is produced, Blue Ridge Energy gets the highest marks for featuring Brian Gitt as the keynote presenter at the energy co-op’s Community Leaders Council Fall Meeting hosted at Jefferson Landing, on Sept. 24.

America and most of the rest of the world has it all wrong, says Gitt. Among other things, he told the roughly 150-strong audience of High Country business and government leaders:

    • We should be producing and consuming more energy, not less.
    • Solar and wind energy production is not the best solution. In fact, they even compound the problem from environmental and efficiency standpoints.
    • Don’t give up on oil and gas.
    • Advanced nuclear is much more efficient and more environmentally friendly than solar and wind.
The Blue Ridge Energy ‘Community Leaders Council Fall Meeting’ at Jefferson Landing on Sept. 24 was well-attended. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News

Gitt built his presentation around three basic tenets.

    1. More energy fuels progress.
    2. More energy reduces poverty.
    3. More energy protects nature.

He admitted that some of what he suggests is counterintuitive, at least at first glance, but what made Gitt’s presentation particularly compelling was his use of data from authoritative sources to support his logic and conclusions.

America and most of the rest of the world has it all wrong.

It is hard to argue with his first principle, “More energy fuels progress.” While precursors of what we know today as electricity date back to antiquity, the theoretical understanding of it progressed slowly until the 17th and 18th centuries. Then, energy got jumpstarted in the 19th century with the development of electricity’s industrial and residential applications, according to Jones, D.A. (1991), “Electrical engineering: the backbone of society”, IEE Proceedings A – Science, Measurement and Technology.

Blue Ridge Energy CEO Doug Johnson at the co-op’s ‘Community Leaders Council Fall Meeting’, Sept. 24 at Jefferson Landing in Ashe County. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News

Gitt’s research looked at economic development from 1800 onward, suggesting that the production of energy for commercial, industrial and residential applications had a profound impact on social and economic development. Quantified, he offered in his presentation that 700 times more energy is being produced today than in 1800, and it is more than coincidental with the advances in economic development and technology in the so-called developed countries.

“Energy gives us freedom from famine… freedom from freezing… and freedom from disease,” Gitt offered to his attentive audience, while asking a rhetorical question: “If I gave you $10,000 to go without, how many of you would go without electricity for 24 hours? for a week? for a month?”

Gitt underlined how important energy consumption is intertwined in our daily lives? Without energy, there would be no Internet, cell phones, computers, cars, heat, stoves, refrigerators… any number of things that we have come to depend on to make living more productive or more comfortable.

Brian Gitt, author of In the Dark was the keynote speaker on Sept. 24 for Blue Ridge Energy’s ‘Community Leaders Council Fall Meeting’ at Jefferson Landing. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News

Addressing Energy Poverty

Even in underlining how important energy production and consumption are to the developed nations, Gitt provided some telling facts about what he termed, “energy poverty”:

  • 3.7 billion people in the world live in energy poverty.
  • 5 billion people wear hand-washed clothes.
  • 2.3 billion people cook using wood, dung and charcoal.

He went on to share that energy poverty is responsible for approximately 10 million deaths every year because of indoor air pollution, lack of clean water, and limited healthcare.

“More energy equals less poverty,” said Gitt, citing China as one of the most recent examples. “In 1980, 92 percent of China’s people lived in extreme poverty. Today, less than 0.1 percent of the population lives in extreme poverty.”

Gitt suggested that the dramatic reduction in extreme poverty is not a coincidence, that China today uses 500 percent more energy today than in 1980.

As a result of California’s policies, energy prices have skyrocketed and blackouts have become more common. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News

 

Protecting the Environment

A self-described environmentalist, Gitt said that effectively applied energy also can protect nature, even while fostering economic growth. Showing a chart with data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, he reported that even over a period of time when energy consumption increased 48 percent, Gross Domestic Product increased 248 percent and air pollution declined 77 percent.

The author of “In the Dark,” his 2023 published book (given by Blue Ridge Energy to every audience member) that contains much of the information contained in his presentation, Gitt showed how modern energy production results in less deforestation, showing a dramatic example of the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. There is a stark contrast on each side of the border wall, where Haiti is all but denuded of vegetation because the people use wood for cooking and heating, while the Dominican Republic, with more modern energy production on the other side of the border is rich with vegetation, including trees.

Cement, steel, plastics & petrochemicals, and fertilizer are the four pillars of modern civilization, said Brian Gitt on Sept. 24 at Blue Ridge Energy’s ‘Community Leaders Council Fall Meeting.’ Especially plastics, petrochemicals and fertilizers are highly dependent on fossil fuels, i.e. oil, gas and coal. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News

Increased energy production has also resulted in less land use for agricultural purposes, said Gitt. With data taken from OurWorldData.org, he reported that agricultural land use per capita has declined by some 50 percent since modern agriculture was introduced even while boosting the world’s food supply.

Gitt’s presentation lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes, but his methodically laid out case kept the audience engaged with facts, figures and statements that nurtured critical thinking.

Take electric vehicles, for example. It isn’t such a “clean” alternative for fueling cars, after all, and much less efficient, he pointed out.

Because of the materials comprising EV batteries, electric vehicles are not environmentally friendly and scarce resources make their supply chains inefficient and vulnerable. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News

“An electric car requires six times more minerals than a conventional (gasoline-powered) car,” he said, listing them on a graphic. “A 1,000 lb. electric car battery contains 190 lbs. of graphite, 130 lbs. of nickel, 90 lbs. of copper, 60 lbs. of cobalt, and 30 lbs. of lithium (as well as manganese, rare earths, and other materials.”

He also pointed to the inefficiency of solar and how it repurposes land.

“To produce five gigawatts of power, solar requires 200,000 acres of land,” said Gitt. “Advanced nuclear technology produces the same amount of energy on just 200 acres.”

Gitt was adamant that when financing institutions around the world refuse to provide financing for developing nations needing more affordable energy solutions, such those using fossil fuels. Typically, those countries don’t have the resources to build more expensive solutions, such as advanced nuclear, but discouraging energy production by whatever means is counterproductive if the aim is to get populations out of energy poverty.

RECOMMENDED READING: In the Dark

A link to the digital edition of In the Dark: https://altamira.studio/itd

 

 

 

Watauga crushes Freedom with 3-0 sweep (25-5, 25-4, 25-16)

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Watauga crushes Freedom with 3-0 sweep (25-5, 25-4, 25-16)

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — One of Watauga’s youngest volleyball team’s in recent years survived a rigorous non-conference slate with a 3-6 record — but gained confidence with every encounter. Four dominant sweeps over Northwestern Conference finds the Pioneers “running on all cylinders.”

BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM (click any image for Slide Show mode)

While Watauga’s 3-0 performances against South Caldwell, Alexander Central and Hibriten were all closer, the latest victim was Freedom on Sept. 23, 3-0 (25-5, 25-4, 25-16) — and given the number of Pioneers who saw court time, it could have been even more demoralizing for the Patriots.

Watauga’s Grace Twillery delivers a spike on Sept. 23 vs. Freedom. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

The Pioneers all but emptied their bench on this night and hardly missed a beat with any combination of players. Eight different Pioneers recorded kills on the night, led by Emma Pastusic and Grace Twillery, with 14 and 7, respectively. But the firepower also came from the likes of Kora Knight (5 kills), Gracyn Phelps (3), Sophie Wade (2), Ashlyn Smith (2), Hadleigh Windish (1) and Athena Elliott (1).

While Watauga exhibited some broad-based power at the net, much of the team’s scoring success can be attributed to strategic and aggressive serves, particularly off the arms of senior Addi Parker (14 aces) and freshman Carolina Childers (4). Also contributing service aces were freshman Quinn Haines (1) and Bella Wade (1).

Lainey Gragg sets for Watauga in 3-0 sweep of Freedom. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Watauga faces arguably their stiffest challenge for the Northwestern Conference championship on Sept. 25 when the Pioneers travel north to take on Ashe County to complete round 1 of conference play. The Huskies also lost a couple of seniors to graduation after last season, but nonetheless are sporting a 14-1 overall record and the same 4-0 record against other Northwestern Conference opponents.

On attack, the Huskies are led by a trio of seniors, Lanie Bowers, Abby Sheets and Maylee Bevins. Their assist leader is junior Lorali Overcash and defensive leaders include senior Alexis Rollins (173 digs and 250 serve receptions this season), and Sheets (28 blocks). Blevins has tallied 49 service aces.

SELECTED WATAUGA STATS VS. FREEDOM

  • Addi Parker: 14 service aces, 2 digs
  • Lilli Combs: 5 digs
  • Caroline Childers: 4 service aces, 7 digs, 2 assists
  • Emma Pastusic: 14 kills, 4 digs
  • Grace Twillery: 7 kills, 1 stuff block
  • Kora Knight: 5 kills, 1 assist
  • Lainey Gragg: 20 assists, 3 digs
  • Quinn Haines: 10 assists, 1 service ace
  • Hadleigh Windish: 1 kill, 2 digs
  • Gracyn Phelps: 3 kills
  • Ashlyn Smith: 2 kills, 1 dig
  • Athena Elliott: 1 kill, 1 assist, 1 dig

BONUS PHOTOS (all photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports)

Watauga’s Grace Twillery delivers a spike on Sept. 23 vs. Freedom. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Caroline Childers of Watauga keeps the ball in play vs. Freedom on Sept. 23

Obituary: Gordon Skoog

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Obituary: Gordon Skoog

Gordon Olof Skoog is now in his heavenly home as he departed from his earthly home at 1:00 p.m. on September 21, 2024, at the age of 87. He was born in Sweden (parents Hugo and May Skoog) and came to this country before he was 20 years old. Gordon has two stepchildren, Anne Wade, Bowie, TX, and Mark Ledbetter who lives in the Philippines, and a son, Ken Holmes, Lakeland, FL. Gordon married the love of his life in 1977, Mary Alice Corbett, and they were married for 32 years before she died in 2009. In recent years, Lynne Rees became the love of Gordon’s life until she died in January 2020.

Gordon was an Executive Chef and Club Manager for most of the years he lived in the United States. Gordon has many letters of commendation in his files as to the excellent service he provided at numerous places where he worked. Some of the places where Gordon has worked are the Blowing Rock Country Club, Blowing Rock, NC; The Jockey Club at Rock Springs Center, Greenville, NC; East Carolina University, Greenville, NC; Greenville Golf & Country Club, Greenville, NC; Green Park Inn, Blowing Rock, NC; Rolling Hills Country Club, Monroe, NC; Hidden Creek Country Club, Reston, VA; Xerox Int’l Training Center, Leesburg, VA; Northridge Country Club, Raleigh, NC; Pinehurst Golf and Country Club, Pinehurst, NC; Ford Motor Company Private Clubs, Harsens Island, MI & Key Largo Anglers Club, North Key Largo, FL.

While working as the Executive Chef at the Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock in the early 70’s, Gordon worked with another Chef who was the Pastry Chef, George Myers, who later served as the Executive Chef at the Blowing Rock Country Club for many years. Gordon and George became lifelong friends. George Myers said the greatest thing he learned from Gordon was to “make sure you take good care of your hired help.” George said Gordon would often walk up to where someone was preparing something and he would say, “You are doing such a good job!” Gordon had a way of “picking people up” when they needed it. Before the Pandemic, George hired Gordon to work part-time for him at the Country Club when Gordon was nearing 80 years old. George said Gordon knew all the club members by name. As many of you know, Gordon could talk to anyone about just about any subject and about any place in the world, as he was well read.

Stepdaughter Anne Wade said, “Gordon did more than just shelter me. He loved me and he always introduced me as ‘his daughter’”

Gordon attended Mount Vernon Baptist Church and was a long-time attendee of the Men’s Connection Bible Study Group that meet at Chetola on Tuesday mornings. Gordon always appreciated the men of this group — especially the late Kent Tarbutton and his lovely wife Shelly who would often take a meal over to wherever Gordon lived and share the meal together.

The Foley Center has been Gordon’s home since February 2021, and he has received excellent care while residing there the last 3 plus years. All the staff were wonderful to Gordon.

Gordon set a good example for how we all should live, and he was always appreciative of anything we all would do for him. I often told him if our roles were reversed, he would be doing the same for any of us. In the words of longtime friend George Myers, “Gordon had a lot of friends here on earth, but he will have many more up in heaven.”

Gordon’s funeral will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 27, 2024, at the Hampton Funeral Home located at 683 Blowing Rock Rd, Boone, NC 28607. Viewing/Receiving Friends will begin at 9:30 a.m. prior to the 11:00 service. Burial will be at the Woodlawn Cemetery, 6578 US-321 S, Blowing Rock, NC 28605.

Online condolences may be sent to the Skoog Family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral Service of Boone is in charge of the arrangements.

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