By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Sophomores from Daniel Boone High School in Tennessee ruled the roost — er, 2-mile cross country course — on Aug. 17 at State Farm Intramural Fields.  The Gray, Tenn. school’s student athletes won top honors in both the Boys and Girls divisions in Clash of the Classes.

Ava Nutter of Daniel Boone HS completed the muddy, 2-mile circuit in 12:35.55, about 15 seconds ahead of No. 2 Lily Baugh, from West Forsyth (Clemmons, N.C., a western suburb of Winston-Salem).

A 1-2 finish by Daniel Boone’s Joshua Estes (No. 1, 11:06.45) and Gavin Christian (No. 2, 11:08.39) was just a scant few seconds ahead of Watauga sophomore Grady Gates (No. 3, 11:15.29).

Top Sophomore Girls Finishers

    1   157  Nutter, Ava  10                 Daniel Boone High School     12:35.55
    2   628  Baugh, Lily  10                 West Forsyth                 12:50.25
    3   501  Smith, Lucy  10                 University School of John    13:04.98
    4   637  Snow, Tatum  10                 West Forsyth                 13:09.24
    5   158  Piazza, Savannah  10            Daniel Boone High School     13:13.80
    6   340  Teeter, Olivia  10              Mooresville                  13:29.42
    7   364  Knauer, Addie  10               North Buncombe               13:38.89
    8   202  Mills-Zacapa, Juliana  10       Hough, William A             13:57.85
    9   199  Hoogsteen, Sophia  10           Hough, William A             13:59.56
   10   669  Manuel, Sawyer  10              West Henderson               14:01.44
   11   533  Johnston, Lainey  10            Watauga                      14:08.56
   12   498  Mussard, Sarah  10              University School of John    14:09.06
   13   673  Socha, Bailey  10               West Henderson               14:19.84
   14   189  Ouellette, Caroline  10         Hickory Ridge                14:22.92
   15   365  Stowe, Megan  10                North Buncombe               14:30.36
   16   193  Bamford, Adelyn  10             Hough, William A             14:39.62
   17   194  Beyerle, Jenna  10              Hough, William A             14:40.83
   18   694  Maxwell, Abby  10               West Stokes                  14:44.11
   19    85  Levine, Nadia  10               Ardrey Kell                  14:54.82
   20   551  Rex, Katherine  10              Watauga                      15:16.01
   21   198  Griffith, Rachel  10            Hough, William A             15:16.41
   22   156  Newell, Rachel  10              Daniel Boone High School     15:16.83
   23   309  Foster, Elyse  10               McDowell                     15:19.68
   24   532  Goff, Susanna  10               Watauga                      15:24.16
   25   155  Louter, Elizabeth  10           Daniel Boone High School     15:28.65
   26    74  Aboumoussa, Sara  10            Ardrey Kell                  15:29.17
   27    41  Navarrete Guevara, Lisbeth      A.L. Brown                   15:37.66
   28   547  Parker, Sophie  10              Watauga                      15:38.71
   29   334  Newman, Ava  10                 Mooresville                  15:41.02
   30   333  London, Olivia  10              Mooresville                  16:05.03
   31   258  Self, Kiley  12                 Lake Norman                  16:15.38
   32   594  Garcia, Aracely  10             West Cabarrus                16:16.24
   33   335  Nix, Angela  10                 Mooresville                  16:19.85
   34   491  Gewelke, Rose  10               University School of John    16:23.76
   35   150  Guinn, Hadassah  10             Daniel Boone High School     16:30.58
   36   525  Bradbury, Carrie  10            Watauga                      16:35.54
   37   495  Maylock, Julia  10              University School of John    16:38.12
   38   390  Orazi, Lily  10                 Providence Day School        16:40.07
   39   209  Tucker, Sophia  10              Hough, William A             16:43.04
   40   539  Martin, Jillian  10             Watauga                      16:44.44
   41   246  Cuellar, Marlena  10            Lake Norman                  16:49.00
   42   161  Weber, Sophie  10               Daniel Boone High School     16:50.72
   43    44  Ramirez Barreiro, Melissa       A.L. Brown                   16:52.80
   44    78  Edwards, Jessica  10            Ardrey Kell                  16:55.39
   45   630  Dorman, Sophie  10              West Forsyth                 16:56.50
   46   664  Dunlap, Elianna  10             West Henderson               16:57.47
   47   670  Pickard, Mia  10                West Henderson               17:05.34
   48    76  Blauer, Kayla  10               Ardrey Kell                  17:23.14
   49   667  Kimzy, Isla  10                 West Henderson               17:39.96
   50   696  Pollay, Aaralyn  10             West Stokes                  17:43.44
   51   208  Rutherford, Kayley  10          Hough, William A             17:44.26
   52    11  McCarthy-Arcos, Oakley  10      A.C. Reynolds                18:16.90

Top Sophomore Boys Finishers

    1   170  Estes, Joshua  10               Daniel Boone High School     11:06.45
    2   164  Christian, Gavin  10            Daniel Boone High School     11:08.39
    3   567  Gates, Grady  10                Watauga                      11:15.29
    4   191  Rheinecker, Benjamin  10        Hickory Ridge                11:20.21
    5   174  Kelley, Adam  10                Daniel Boone High School     11:22.87
    6   177  Tate, Ethan  10                 Daniel Boone High School     11:27.28
    7   323  Wardwell, Emmett  10            McDowell                     11:28.46
    8   509  Lawson, Jude  10                University School of John    11:32.23
    9   658  Winsor, Noah  10                West Forsyth                 11:35.04
   10   455  Aguilar, Aaron  10              Surry Central                11:39.58
   11    56  Keasler, Logan  10              A.L. Brown                   11:43.56
   12   176  Quick, Christopher  10          Daniel Boone High School     11:48.19
   13   773  Bostrom, James  10              Watauga                      11:48.54
   14    69  Sirmons, Hunter  10             A.L. Brown                   12:02.04
   15   708  Morrison, Bryan  10             West Stokes                  12:08.51
   16   652  Moran, Edward  10               West Forsyth                 12:10.31
   17   676  Angel, Grant  10                West Henderson               12:10.85
   18   171  Francisco, Atticus  10          Daniel Boone High School     12:14.45
   19   677  Bloomer, Everett  10            West Henderson               12:16.01
   20   580  Roman, Andres  10               Watauga                      12:19.91
   21   346  Byrd, Ahmn  10                  Mooresville                  12:28.41
   22   116  Olander, Brecken  10            Ardrey Kell                  12:31.91
   23   356  Little, Caleb  10               Mooresville                  12:35.43
   24   653  Nagy, Nico  10                  West Forsyth                 12:41.17
   25   712  Watts, Jackson  10              West Stokes                  12:46.19
   26   698  Beasley, Jimmy  10              West Stokes                  12:46.69
   27    51  Craft, Rylan  10                A.L. Brown                   12:47.20
   28   229  Price, Preston  10              Hough, William A             12:50.31
   29   264  Bowie, Jacob  10                Lake Norman                  12:52.10
   30   650  LeGrande, Jonah  10             West Forsyth                 12:56.31
   31   353  Hodges, Hatten  10              Mooresville                  13:00.30
   32   570  James, Isaac  10                Watauga                      13:01.99
   33    70  Stevenson, Savion  10           A.L. Brown                   13:11.78
   34   167  Dillon, Eli  10                 Daniel Boone High School     13:12.40
   35   105  Galliano, Cameron  10           Ardrey Kell                  13:19.04
   36   705  Lee, Harrison  10               West Stokes                  13:21.60
   37   227  Niblack, Preston  10            Hough, William A             13:22.69
   38    59  Logan, Landon  10               A.L. Brown                   13:24.53
   39   469  Bunke, John David  10           Surry Home Educators         13:29.30
   40   324  Waycaster, Elijah  10           McDowell                     13:32.95
   41    54  Guerra, Matias  10              A.L. Brown                   13:41.39
   42   417  Scholl, Evan  10                Providence Day School        13:43.48
   43   165  Cutshall, Sam  10               Daniel Boone High School     13:43.88
   44    24  Mathews, Griffin  10            A.C. Reynolds                13:45.55
   45   317  Faulkner, Elijah  10            McDowell                     13:50.76
   46   216  Bianchi, Matthew  10            Hough, William A             13:54.43
   47   147  Murtland, Tommo  10             Avery County                 14:03.47
   48   700  Butler, Zakary  10              West Stokes                  14:04.68
   49   562  Abrams, Tallon  10              Watauga                      14:07.39
   50   425  Wei, Max  10                    Providence Day School        14:15.83
   51   106  Glover, William  10             Ardrey Kell                  14:29.37
   52   354  Howard, Zachary  10             Mooresville                  14:32.30

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Before the start of the Freshman Girls race in Clash of the Classes, Watauga assistant coach Scott Townsend was asked if his daughter, Cali, was ready.

“She is so ready,” said Townsend. “She missed all of last year’s spring track season because of a lower body injury, so she has been looking forward to this. She says she is ready to fly.”

And fly she did in leading a strong contingent of 9th grade girls from 10 different schools across the finish line, completing the 2-mile course at State Farm Intramural Fields in 12:20.63, almost 19 seconds ahead of the No. 2 harrier, Lake Norman’s Claire Zimmerman (12:39.20).

In the Freshman Boys race, Hough High School’s Grant Collum finished No. 1 (11:53.04), a little more than three seconds ahead of West Henderson’s Obie Greene (11:56.53). The field included a total of 71 student athletes.

Top Freshman Girls Finishers

    1   557  Townsend, Cali   9              Watauga                      12:20.63
    2   263  Zimmerman, Claire   9           Lake Norman                  12:39.20
    3   190  Riley, Isabella   9             Hickory Ridge                13:23.37
    4     3  Cadeau, Audrey   9              A.C. Reynolds                13:23.79
    5   386  Matasic, Aubrey   9             Providence Day School        13:49.66
    6   640  Tonidandel, Celia   9           West Forsyth                 13:55.64
    7   693  Mathis, Piper   9               West Stokes                  13:58.48
    8   160  Vleminckx, Brynna   9           Daniel Boone High School     14:10.92
    9   639  St.Clair, Ellie   9             West Forsyth                 14:19.34
   10   666  Jordan, Pherson   9             West Henderson               14:20.53
   11   604  Seugling, Caleigh   9           West Cabarrus                14:22.02
   12   697  Shiffert, Chloe   9             West Stokes                  14:24.59
   13   674  Taylor, Adley   9               West Henderson               14:25.18
   14   534  Kimbrough, Lillie   9           Watauga                      14:27.06
   15   553  Scantlin, Grace   9             Watauga                      14:33.55
   16    90  Satija, Ahana   9               Ardrey Kell                  14:39.06
   17   396  Zolak, Charlie   9              Providence Day School        14:43.18
   18   332  Herrera, Camila   9             Mooresville                  14:43.51
   19   331  Harryman, Millie   9            Mooresville                  15:03.76
   20    94  Welles, Alivia   9              Ardrey Kell                  15:06.86
   21   210  Weaver, Clara   9               Hough, William A             15:15.22
   22   631  Holabeck, Sydney   9            West Forsyth                 15:29.74
   23   522  Benson, Riley   9               Watauga                      15:35.47
   24   497  McKinney, Darcy   9             University School of John    15:46.77
   25   675  Vanness, Bryn   9               West Henderson               15:47.89
   26   521  Benson, Julia   9               Watauga                      15:48.54
   27   196  Epperson, Maddie   9            Hough, William A             15:52.75
   28     6  Farthing, Kora   9              A.C. Reynolds                15:56.31
   29   632  Hooker, Shelly   9              West Forsyth                 16:10.17
   30   384  Lozier, Emmie   9               Providence Day School        16:22.75
   31   524  Bollman, Noelle   9             Watauga                      16:25.56
   32    14  Gillett-Hockman, Zoe   9        A.C. Reynolds                16:27.50
   33    88  Roldan, Isabela   9             Ardrey Kell                  16:30.04
   34   395  Yancey, Elizabeth   9           Providence Day School        16:34.63
   35   250  Halcomb, Kylie   9              Lake Norman                  16:35.27
   36   596  Gould, Keeley   9               West Cabarrus                16:35.76
   37   327  Bender, Skyler   9              Mooresville                  16:39.84
   38    36  Hall, Raegan   9                A.L. Brown                   16:40.48
   39   545  Nance, Claire   9               Watauga                      16:42.11

Top Freshman Boys Finishers

    1   217  Collum, Grant   9               Hough, William A             11:53.04
    2   682  Greene, Obie   9                West Henderson               11:56.53
    3   273  Lawver, Paxton   9              Lake Norman                  12:09.35
    4   277  Nelson, Oliver   9              Lake Norman                  12:20.17
    5   510  Mathewes, Lucas   9             University School of John    12:23.00
    6    97  Chiang, Lucas   9               Ardrey Kell                  12:30.13
    7   608  Canipe, Cole   9                West Cabarrus                12:31.93
    8   772  Liu, Ethan   9                  Ardrey Kell                  12:37.93
    9   461  Ramirez Romero, Eduardo   9     Surry Central                12:38.54
   10   225  Lucy, Alex   9                  Hough, William A             12:44.95
   11   231  Romano, Tieran   9              Hough, William A             12:52.54
   12   407  Long, Atlas   9                 Providence Day School        13:00.51
   13   344  Anderson, Fischer   9           Mooresville                  13:01.71
   14   679  Cauble, Vance   9               West Henderson               13:03.43
   15   270  Honig, Tyler   9                Lake Norman                  13:06.75
   16   230  Rezutko, Xavier   9             Hough, William A             13:17.19
   17    95  Bangaru, Shourya   9            Ardrey Kell                  13:23.71
   18    29  Stotz, Eli   9                  A.C. Reynolds                13:29.61
   19   283  Scharsu, Benjamin   9           Lake Norman                  13:32.74
   20   507  Cull, Aden   9                  University School of John    13:38.52
   21   222  Handzlik, Ryan  10              Hough, William A             13:42.11
   22   613  Heglar, Charles   9             West Cabarrus                13:46.02
   23   117  Pak-lin, Davis   9              Ardrey Kell                  13:46.50
   24   118  Pak-lin, Elias   9              Ardrey Kell                  13:49.12
   25   711  Wagoner, Matt   9               West Stokes                  13:49.49
   26   125  Studebaker, Mason   9           Ardrey Kell                  13:50.21
   27   422  Tappy, Brannon   9              Providence Day School        13:50.62
   28   403  Hatch, Charlie   9              Providence Day School        13:54.27
   29    96  Bates, Charleston   9           Ardrey Kell                  13:56.37
   30   651  McGlaughon, William   9         West Forsyth                 13:56.89
   31   416  Sadowski, Jack   9              Providence Day School        13:58.45
   32   274  Lee, Landyn   9                 Lake Norman                  14:04.34
   33   287  Smith, Finnegan   9             Lake Norman                  14:09.23
   34    18  Enos, Gabriel   9               A.C. Reynolds                14:15.70
   35   180  Venters, Tyler   9              Daniel Boone High School     14:26.57
   36   123  Scott, Cayden   9               Ardrey Kell                  14:26.85
   37    98  Deister, Lincoln   9            Ardrey Kell                  14:30.72
   38    28  Smith, Brodie   9               A.C. Reynolds                14:32.62
   39   280  Renner, Raiden   9              Lake Norman                  14:32.98
   40    57  Lamb, Porter   9                A.L. Brown                   14:33.59
   41   214  Baldwin, Sawyer   9             Hough, William A             14:40.03
   42   454  Yount, Gabriel   9              South Caldwell               14:40.97
   43   687  Metcalf, Gavin   9              West Henderson               14:41.89
   44   413  Muvezwa, Takudzwa   9           Providence Day School        14:42.52
   45   568  Gray, Cole   9                  Watauga                      14:43.01

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Watauga’s district middle school athletic teams are known as the Wolverines and in both the boys and girls races of the Clash of the Classes, the Wolverines chewed up the competition, at least figuratively.

The Middle School Girls race got things going as the first event, with the starter’s gun going off about as close to 9 a.m. sharp as one my hope with 28 total teams and a few unattached racers among the 773 student athletes registered for the 10 events.

Twenty of the competitors were wearing the Watauga colors among the almost 40 entrants in the Middle School Girls division. A young local star may have emerged in the person of Kate James Moore, still just a seventh grader, who finished the 2-mile course in 13:42.72 to capture the No. 1 title, roughly 38 seconds ahead of Watauga eighth graders Sophia Stull (No. 2, 14:19.42) and Ayla Tunstill (No. 3, 14:26.16).

In the Middle School Boys division, Watauga’s Jonah Pearson ran away from the field to finish No. 1 (12:14.17). Teammate Sean Rea, an eighth grader like Pearson, gave the Wolverines a 1-2 punch as the No. 2 (12:48.37). Keeping it local, Grace Academy of Boone’s Evan Gordon, a seventh grader, surprised the rest of the field as the No. 3 (12:55.51), and sixth grade brother Brandon Gordon finished as the No. 8 harrier in the field of 53 student athletes.

Top Middle School Boys Finishers

    1   759  Pearson, Jonah               8  Watauga Middle               12:14.17      1
    2   761  Rea, Sean                    8  Watauga Middle               12:48.37      2
    3   186  Gordon, Evan                 7  Grace Academy Boone          12:55.51
    4   234  Crews, Liam                  8  Kannapolis Middle School     12:57.93      3
    5   435  Jordan, Nash                 7  Rugby Middle School          13:21.64
    6   294  Bhatt, Micah                 8  Lakeshore Middle School      14:10.02      4
    7   297  Deschenes, Tysen             8  Lakeshore Middle School      14:13.63      5
    8   185  Gordon, Brandon              6  Grace Academy Boone          14:17.02
    9   296  Crawford, Ashton             8  Lakeshore Middle School      14:21.38      6
   10   303  Scott, Brody                 6  Lakeshore Middle School      14:23.59      7
   11   434  Green, Aiden                 8  Rugby Middle School          14:37.34
   12   188  Willingham, Grayson          7  Grace Academy Boone          14:37.63
   13   439  Epperson, Alex               6  Run Cabarrus                 14:44.20
   14   304  Short, Alex                  8  Lakeshore Middle School      14:51.27      8
   15   237  Hudson, Baylen               8  Kannapolis Middle School     14:59.24      9
   16   745  Duvall, Caleb                8  Watauga Middle               15:02.22     10
   17   753  Hodges, Yates                7  Watauga Middle               15:07.76     11
   18   482  Mauser, Levi                 9  Surry Home Educators         15:22.14     12
   19   295  Cook, Colin                  7  Lakeshore Middle School      15:33.88     13
   20   770  Walker, Patrick              7  University School of John    15:39.95
   21   487  Stovall, Milo                6  Surry Home Educators         15:41.66     14
   22   739  Braxton, John                6  Watauga Middle               15:58.34     15
   23   300  Leonard, Paxton              8  Lakeshore Middle School      15:59.15     16
   24   302  Nervegna, Michael            8  Lakeshore Middle School      15:59.39
   25   187  Slagle, Isaac                6  Grace Academy Boone          15:59.87
   26   768  Lizarralde, Christian        8  Lakeshore Middle School      16:19.22
   27   238  Russell, Isaac               8  Kannapolis Middle School     16:47.10     17
   28   305  Wisecup, Jackson             8  Lakeshore Middle School      16:51.55
   29   479  Mauser, Corban               6  Surry Home Educators         16:55.04     18
   30   752  Hannon, Jax                  6  Watauga Middle               17:02.83     19

Top Middle School Girls Finishers

    1   728  Moore, Kate James            7  Watauga Middle               13:42.72      1
    2   735  Stull, Sophia                8  Watauga Middle               14:19.42      2
    3   737  Tunstill, Ayla               8  Watauga Middle               14:26.16      3
    4   433  Saft, Ambrin                 8  Rugby Middle School          14:48.91
    5   733  Reule, Hannah                6  Watauga Middle               15:03.96      4
    6   292  McCracken, Prescilla         8  Lakeshore Middle School      15:53.09      5
    7   431  Kunath, Ella                 8  Rugby Middle School          15:56.97
    8   430  bailey, ella grace           7  Rugby Middle School          16:05.42
    9   183  Willingham, Avery            5  Grace Academy Boone          16:16.89
   10   720  Goodman-Meade, Ella          7  Watauga Middle               16:17.13      6
   11   722  Hannon, Eva                  8  Watauga Middle               16:18.00      7
   12   233  Penaloza, Zulema             8  Kannapolis Middle School     16:55.95
   13   721  Greer, Addie                 7  Watauga Middle               17:00.06      8
   14   769  Walker, Margaret             5  University School of John    17:26.07
   15   732  Resendiz, Liliana            7  Watauga Middle               17:31.20
   16   731  Powell, Merritt              8  Watauga Middle               17:40.90
   17   727  Kelley, Mia                  7  Watauga Middle               17:45.92
   18   723  Hans, Vivian                 8  Watauga Middle               17:56.66
   19   291  Forystek, Lily               8  Lakeshore Middle School      18:22.29      9
   20   293  Volpe, Paige                 8  Lakeshore Middle School      18:24.05     10
   21   724  Heistand, AB                 7  Watauga Middle               18:49.37
   22   730  Olson, Lilly                 8  Watauga Middle               18:55.83
   23   468  Tyler, Caroline              6  Surry Home Educators         19:07.20
   24   767  Scace, Ava                   7  Grace Academy Boone          19:17.18
   25   289  Bauernfeind, Addison         7  Lakeshore Middle School      19:48.52     11
   26   719  Davenport, Estalee           7  Watauga Middle               19:49.90
   27   290  Clark, Catelyn               7  Lakeshore Middle School      19:57.92     12
   28   467  Thomas, Lilyanah             8  Surry Home Educators         20:03.21
   29   466  Gullion, Ivory               8  Surry Home Educators         20:20.56
   30   729  Morgan, Riley                8  Watauga Middle               20:40.75
   31   716  Casco, Bianca                7  Watauga Middle               20:44.18
   32   736  Taylor, Caitlyn              6  Watauga Middle               21:27.34
   33   432  Parks, Payton                8  Rugby Middle School          22:21.66
   34   717  Clough, Elliott              6  Watauga Middle               22:39.56
   35   714  Ainsworth, Finley            6  Watauga Middle               22:40.36
   36   718  Cobb, Ellie                  6  Watauga Middle               33:01.10

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — A muddy course may have slowed down some of the times but not enthusiasm on Aug. 17 at the State Farm Intramural Fields of Appalachian State University. Among the 28 schools with 773 student athletes participating there were a number of early season personal bests, including impressive team and individual performances during the annual, Pioneer ‘Clash of the Classes.’

“It is the only high school cross country event at least in this region, if not in the state where freshman girls run only against other freshman girls, senior boys run only against senior boys, and so on. So in many respects it is an age group peer evaluation,” said Watauga head coach Randy McDonough after the last of the ten races had been run, starting with middle school girls at 9 a.m., followed by middle school boys, freshman girls, freshmen boys, sophomore girls, sophomore boys, junior girls, junior boys, senior girls and senior boys. The gun sounded for the last of the races a little after 1 p.m., making for a long but exciting celebration of all things cross country.

It was a picturesque, festival-like scene as the sun broke intermittently from behind the billowing Cumulus clouds. Sometimes the multi-colored tents surrounding the race course were bathed in glittering sunlight, other times in the clouds’ deep shadows, if only for a couple of minutes. Rain-free weather in the mid-60s to mid-70s might have been “hot” for the many competing harriers from the High Country, but it was a welcome “cool” for the participants from off the mountain — where they might have been running in 90-plus degree heat.

Host Watauga had several notable performances:

• Will Bradbury recorded the fastest time of the day in running away with the Senior Boys title in a sparkling, 10:13.23. The next closest of the 50 runners to cross the finish line was Keegan Saft of West Henderson, in 10:33.35.
• Watauga’s Annabelle Stewart captured the Senior Girls event, crossing the line in 12:22.77, with Hough’s Kaely Patterson (12:28.36) and West Forsyth’s Lulu Serang (12:35.24) following at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
• Pioneer freshman Cali Townsend said before her race she was “ready to fly” — and did she ever, winning the event in 12:20.63, well ahead of Lake Norman’s No. 2 finisher, Claire Zimmerman (12:39.20) out of the large field of 61 girls competing. Only one other female runner posted a faster time for the course, Kasey Dingman of Lake Norman (12:04.58), in the highly competitive, 11th grade girls race.
• In the Middle School Boys race, Watauga went 1-2 with a pair of 8th graders, Jonah Pearson at No. 1 (12:14.17) and Sean Rea at No. 2 (12:48.37). Another Boone area student took No. 3, Evan Gordon of Grace Academy (12:55.51).
• Watauga junior Janie Beach-Verhay ran with the lead pack most of the race, crossing the line No. 6 out of the 63 distaff harriers in the field, including a large contingent of 14 Pioneer juniors.
• It was a 1-2-3 sweep of the top positions in the Middle School Girls division, with seventh grader Kate James Moore racing to the No. 1 finish in 13:42.72, followed by a pair of eighth graders in Sophia Stull (14:19.42) and Ayla Tunstill (14:26.16).
• In a field of over 70 sophomore girls, Watauga’s Lainey Johnston finished in the No. 11 position as the top Pioneer competitor at the grade level, in 14:08.56. Ava Nutter of Daniel Boone High School (Gray, Tenn.) topped the field in 12:35.55.

Among the participating schools were:

• Watauga
• Daniel Boone (Gray, Tenn.)
• West Forsyth (Clemmons, N.C.)
• William A. Hough (Cornelius, N.C.)
• University School of Johnson City (Tenn.)
• West Henderson (Hendersonville, N.C.)
• Hickory Ridge (Harrisburg, N.C.)
• North Buncombe (Weaverville, N.C.)
• West Stokes (King, N.C.)
• Ardrey Kell (Charlotte, N.C.)
• McDowell (Marion, N.C.)
• A.L. Brown (Kannapolis, N.C.)
• Mooresville (N.C.)
• Lake Norman (Mooresville, N.C.)
• West Cabarrus (Concord, N.C.)
• Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.)
• A.C. Reynolds (Asheville, N.C.)
• Surry Central (Dobson, N.C.)
• South Caldwell (Hudson, N.C.)
• Surry Home Educators (Mt. Airy, N.C.)
• Avery County (Newland, N.C.)

Middle school teams included:

• Watauga District Middle Schools
• Grace Academy (Boone, N.C.)
• Kannapolis MS (N.C.)
• Rugby MS (Hendersonville, N.C.)
• Lakeshore MS (Mooresville, N.C.)
• Run Cabarrus (club, Concord, N.C.)
• Surry Home Educators (Mt. Airy, N.C.)
• University School of Johnson City (Tenn.)

There were also several unattached student athletes.

By Bret Strelow. BOONE, N.C. — With the fall semester beginning next week, App State Wrestling head coach JohnMark Bentley announced the addition of six Class of 2024 newcomers.

The six prep standouts combined for 17 individual state championships during their decorated high school careers.

Two members of the class are homegrown talents from North Carolina. The Mountaineers are also adding standouts from New Jersey, New York, South Dakota and Tennessee.

Class of 2024 newcomers (by projected weight class)

133 pounds: Charleston Baglio (Midland, N.C.; Central Cabarrus HS)
133 pounds: Jarvis Little (Spring Hill, Tenn.; Summit HS)
141 pounds: Brayden Fahrbach (Mount Sinai, N.Y.; Mount Sinai HS)
149 pounds: Grant Reece (Elk Park, N.C.; Avery County HS)
157 pounds: Ayson Rice (Harrisburg, S.D.; Canton HS)
Heavyweight: Stephan Monchery (Middletown, N.Y.; Middletown HS)

Full Bios (Alphabetical order)

Charleston Baglio — 133 pounds
Midland, N.C.; Central Cabarrus HS
High School: Three-time state champion in North Carolina in the 3-A classification, winning at 138 pounds as a senior (45-1 record), 126 pounds as a junior (50-2 record) and 106 pounds as a freshman (22-2 record) … Went 25-0 as a sophomore before an injury ended his season before the state championships … Career record of 142-5.

Brayden Fahrbach — 141 pounds
Mount Sinai, N.Y.; Mount Sinai HS
High School: Two-time state champion in New York with a 199-15 career record, winning at 138 pounds as a senior (43-0 record) and 132 pounds as a junior (38-0 record) … State runner-up at 126 pounds as a sophomore (42-3 record) after placing third as a freshman … Newsday’s Long Island Wrestler of the Year as a senior ended his career on a 81-match winning streak.

Jarvis Little — 133 pounds
Spring Hill, Tenn.; Summit HS
High School: Three-time state champion in Tennessee, winning at 132 pounds as a senior, 126 pounds as a junior and 120 pounds as a sophomore … State qualifier at 113 pounds as a freshman … Finished his senior season 55-5 and went 156-11 over his final three seasons, becoming Summit’s first state champion with his 2022 victory.

Stephan Monchery — Heavyweight
Middletown, N.Y.; Middletown HS
High School: State champion in New York as a senior who completed his final prep season with a 42-0 record after being a state runner-up as a junior … Won a national title at the National High School Coaches Association National Championships in Virginia Beach in April 2024 … Three-time Section IX champion and state placewinner, with a fifth-place finish at the state championships as a sophomore … Eastern States champion… Fargo Greco Roman All-American.

Ayson Rice — 157 pounds
Harrisburg, S.D.; Canton HS
High School: Four-time state champion in South Dakota, winning at 150 pounds as a senior (46-1 record), 145 pounds as a junior (52-3 record), 138 pounds as a sophomore and 120 pounds as a freshman (40-0 record) … As a senior, also helped Canton win its seventh straight state title as a team.

Grant Reece — 149 pounds
Elk Park, N.C.; Avery County HS
High School: Four-time state qualifier and two-time state champion in North Carolina at Avery County, winning at 132 pounds as a junior (44-2 record) and 126 pounds as a sophomore (47-10 record) … Career record of 167-22 … Went 49-6 as a senior, when he reached 100 career pins … State runner-up at 120 pounds during a 27-4 season as a freshman.

By Bret Strelow. BOONE, N.C. — App State senior quarterback Joey Aguilar has been named to the preseason watch lists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Manning Award.

Aguilar is one of 29 candidates for the Manning Award, which was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates’ postseason performances in its balloting.

Johnny Unitas, an 18-year veteran of the NFL, played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville before joining the Baltimore Colts in 1958. His career passing figures include 2,830 pass completions for 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns.

Aguilar is also on the watch list for the Maxwell Award, which recognizes the most outstanding player in college football, and the Davey O’Brien Award, which recognizes the nation’s top returning college quarterbacks.

Aguilar’s 33 touchdown passes during the 2023 regular season allowed him to rank fifth nationally for the entire season, which he finished with additional school records of 3,757 passing yards and 4,002 yards of total offense. He’s the nation’s only returning quarterback who had 33-plus touchdown passes and 3,700-plus passing yards in 2023.

By Bret Strelow. BOONE, N.C. — Chan Metts, the reigning Big South Women’s Golf Coach of the Year who led Charleston Southern to an NCAA Regional berth thanks to its 2024 conference title, has been hired as the head coach for App State Women’s Golf, Director of Athletics Doug Gillin announced Thursday.

“We are excited to welcome Chan and his wife, Whitney, to the App State family,” Gillin said. “Chan has coached championship golf teams and individuals. He aligns with our core values of academic integrity, competitive excellence, social responsibility and world-class experience. We’re looking forward to the future of App State Women’s Golf under his leadership.”

A native of Dublin, Georgia, Metts was the head coach for both the women’s program and men’s program at Charleston Southern last season. He served as the head coach of WKU’s men’s program from 2018-23, guiding two individuals to NCAA Regional berths in his first season with the Hilltoppers, after being an assistant coach at Georgia Southern from 2016-18 and a graduate assistant at the University of Sioux Falls from 2015-16.

When Metts led Charleston Southern’s women to the Big South title earlier this year, it was the program’s first conference championship and NCAA team appearance in 14 years. The Buccaneers had the individual medalist at the Big South event and five all-conference performers.

“I want to thank Chancellor Heather Norris, Doug Gillin, Sarah Strickland and the search committee for giving me this exciting opportunity,” Metts said. “App State has a great reputation in college athletics, and I look forward to building on that history with the App State Women’s Golf team. My wife, Whitney, and I feel so blessed to join the App State family and look forward to embracing all that comes with being Mountaineers!”

In addition to placing first in the nine-team Big South field, Charleston Southern took first in a 10-team field at the Pine Tree Intercollegiate in late March. The Buccaneers had nine top-10 finishes in 10 events and five top-five finishes.

In Metts’ two seasons as an assistant coach at Georgia Southern, the Eagles claimed back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Sun Belt Conference Championship, with the 2017 team qualifying for the NCAA Championships. Metts has coached several future professionals, including Korn Ferry members Billy Tom Sargent at WKU and Stephen Fisk at Georgia Southern.

Metts got his start in the coaching world at Sioux Falls after playing collegiately at Georgia College and State University, where he joined the team as a walk-on in 2005 and later earned a scholarship. As a junior, he tied for 20th place at the conference tournament and seventh at the regional, nearly helping the Bobcats to a national tournament appearance.

Metts and his wife, Whitney, have been married 15 years.

What They Are Saying About Chan Metts
“As an alumna, I’m very happy to see Chan Metts take this role. I’m impressed with Chan and his commitment to the future success of App State Women’s Golf. Winning a conference championship is never easy, which shows he is more than capable of bringing the program to new levels.” – Georgia Southern head coach and App State graduate Mimi Burke

By Bret Strelow. BOONE, N.C. — App State pass-rushing standout Nate Johnson has been named to the preseason watch list for the Lombardi Award.

The award goes to the college football offensive or defensive lineman who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame Head Coach Vince Lombardi.

Johnson, who plays outside linebacker in App State’s 3-4 scheme, previously had been named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is awarded to the national defensive player of the year.

Johnson received Freshman All-America recognition in 2023, when he tied for first nationally among true freshmen with 7.5 sacks. He also totaled 43 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble while posting 37 quarterback pressures, according to PFF.

By Katherine Jamtgaard. NEW ORLEANS —App State junior Maya Winterhoff has been named to the 2024 Sun Belt Volleyball Preseason All-Conference team, the league announced Thursday. This is her second consecutive preseason nod after earning the honor in 2023.

Winterhoff, a two-time Second-Team All-SBC selection, led the Sun Belt last season in hitting percentage (.383) and ranked third in the league for total blocks, recording 130 (28 solo, 102 assists) on the season. The Charlottesville, Va. native, who started all 29 matches and appeared in all 109 sets last season, led the Mountaineers in the blocks category and ranked third on the team in kills, slamming down 239 on the year. She also tallied double-figure kills in seven matches, including three consecutive matches from Oct. 14-21. Additionally, Winterhoff served up 25 aces during the 2023 campaign.

In two years at App State, Winterhoff has chalked up 492 career kills, a hitting percentage of .379, and 185 blocks (47 solo, 138 assists). She has landed on five non-conference tournament teams. During the 2023 campaign, Winterhoff recorded a single-match career-high 19 kills in addition to a hitting percentage of .621 against Wake Forest on Sept. 15. Winterhoff recorded a career-high five solo blocks against William & Mary on Aug. 25 and tallied a career-high 11 digs against ULM on Oct. 14.

In the SBC Preseason Volleyball Coaches Poll, App State was picked fifth in the East Division with 45 votes. The Mountaineers went 14-15 last season and posted a 10-4 record in the Holmes Convocation Center. The Black and Gold opened the 2023 campaign with nine consecutive wins and tallied 10 sweeps on the year.

App State fans will have the opportunity to get a preview of the 2024 season with an exhibition match against UNC on Aug. 16 and the Black & Gold Scrimmage on Aug. 23. Both events are set for 6 p.m. serves and are free to the public. The Mountaineers will also host Boonebalaya on Aug. 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Booneshine Brewing Company.

The Mountaineers will open the 2024 season on the road at the Bobcat Invitational in Athens, Ohio on Aug. 30 and 31 before opening play in the Holmes Convocation Center with the Mountaineer Classic (Sept. 6 and 7) and the Black & Gold Invitational (Sept. 12-14). App State will host eight conference matches this fall. Season tickets are on sale now.

2024 Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Preseason Awards

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Jalyn Stout, Coastal Carolina (S, So., Gainesville, Fla.)
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Jade Defraeye, Texas State (MB, Jr., Dunkirk, France)
Preseason Setter of the Year: Janelle Stuempfig, Troy (S, Jr., Sussex, Wisc.)
Preseason Libero of the Year: Mio Yamamoto, Louisiana (L, Sr., Chigasaki, Japan)

Preseason All-Conference

Maya Winterhoff, App State (MB, Jr., Charlottesville, Va.)
Jalyn Stout, Coastal Carolina (S, So., Gainesville, Fla.)
Miëtte Veldman, James Madison (OH, Gr., Daleville, Va.)
Reagan Barth, Georgia Southern (OH, So., Lenexa, Kan.)
Mio Yamamoto, Louisiana (L, Sr., Chigasaki, Japan)
Myah Conway, Old Dominion (RS, Sr., Orwigsburg, Pa.)
Jade Defraeye, Texas State (MB, Jr., Dunkirk, France)
Alyssa Ortega, Texas State (L, Sr., San Antonio, Texas)
Ryann Torres, Texas State (S, Fifth Year, Buda, Texas)
Samantha Wunsch, Texas State (OH, R-So., Austin, Texas)
Tori Hester, Troy (OH, Sr., Salisbury, N.C.)
Janelle Stuempfig, Troy (S, Jr., Sussex, Wisc.)

2024 Sun Belt Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll

East Division

James Madison – 90 (8)
Coastal Carolina – 88 (6)
Georgia Southern – 74
Old Dominion – 48
App State – 45
Marshall – 31
Georgia State – 16

West Division

Texas State – 98 (14)
Troy – 80
South Alabama – 71
Louisiana – 57
Southern Miss – 37
Arkansas State – 35
ULM – 14