Marty Gordon
The City of Radford is hosting the Virginia High School League’s Spring Jubilee this week, and thousands of visitors are expected to pump money into the local economy.
The city has hosted the spring championships for the 1A and 2A classifications for the past 18 years, and the VHSL has been very pleased with the response and support.
Fields at Radford University and Radford High School will see action in softball, baseball and soccer. The contract does run out this year, but according to Kenny Goodyear with the city’s recreation department, they hope to continue hosting the events.
“The community plans to submit another application this December for another two years of hosting. I have talked with city, university and school staff about doing so and everyone is on board,” he said.
Radford University finished 133rd in last week’s FLW College National Fishing Championship. A team from the University of Louisiana-Monroe took the title with Bethel University finishing second.
Pulaski County High School is looking for a new baseball coach. Former UVA baseball player Jared King is out after five seasons at his high school alma mater. King finishes his PCHS career at 46-56-1.
The latest enrollment numbers are out from the Virginia High School League, and there could be some changes on the horizon.
Blacksburg High School reported 1,191 students, while Christiansburg tallied 1,046 by the end of March. Auburn recorded 422 students, Radford 585 and Eastern Montgomery 279.
None of the Montgomery County/Radford schools saw any major changes, thus keeping them in their current classification. But that may not be true for some other area schools.
The adjusted numbers means a change in classification for several schools in the area. Carroll County will drop from Class 4 to 3.
In one of the biggest changes, two Class 5 state football powerhouses will probably be moving to Class 4. Both Hampton and Warwick high schools have seen decreasing enrollment numbers.
The VHSL will discuss the changes later this month, and the moves could be affective for the 2019-2020 school year.
Abingdon’s Thomas Francisco set a new VHSL record this past week with three hits in a win over Northside in the Region 3D championship. He now has 146 career hits for the new state mark.
There remains no answer to a reported fish kill along Peak Creek in Pulaski this past week. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality said the dead fish seemed to have been washed down stream during high water. No source was identified.
The Christiansburg High School softball program handed its end-of-the-year awards this past week.
The Varsity finished 9-9 and finished fourth in the River Ridge District and qualified for the Region 3D. Awards were given to: Blue Demon Award, Emma O’Dell; Most Offensive Player, Harley Dove; Most Defensive Player, Aaliyah Benson.
JV finished 11-5 and had one of the most successful seasons also in school history.
Special awards were given to the following: Co-offensive players of the year, Casey Kietrys and Baylee Reasor; Defensive player of the year, Madison Lucas; Leadership awards, Madelynn Evans and Madison Lucas; Blue Demon Award, Riley King; CHS Idol Award, Kinsley Wrenn, and CHS Dance Award, Bridget O’Brien.
Radford University-bound track star Ernie Miller stole the show Saturday at the Class 2 state meet. The Wilson Memorial senior finished with five first-places and one second place. She won the 100-meter hurdles, 100-meters, pole vault, 200 meters and triple jump, then finishing second in the long jump.
NBC Sports has released its early, early NCAA Preseason Top 25 basketball poll with the Hokies listed at number 11.
Eight ACC schools are in the top 25 with Duke being the highest at number 4 and UVA at seven.
Congratulations to each of you on your well deserved awards!
Varsity finished 9-9 and had one of the most successful seasons since early, mid 2000’s. Finished 4th in the RRD and qualified for the Region 3D tournament. Congratulations on a great season!
The following players earned a Varsity letter this season:
First Award – Kate Baker, Harley Dove, Ashlyn Poole, Morgan Smith, and Caitlyn Epperly.
Second Award – Madison Thompson and Kyndall Stanley
Fourth Award – Aaliyah Benson, Abby Boyd, Elise Lavine, Emma O’Dell, and Courtney Wright.
Special Awards were given to the following:
Blue Demon Award – Emma O’Dell
Most Offensive Player – Harley Dove
Most Defensive Player – Aaliyah Benson
Offensive Players of the Year – Casey Kietrys & Baylee Reasor
Defensive Player of the Year – Madison Lucas
Leadership Award – Madelynn Evans & Madison Lucas
Blue Demon Award – Riley King
CHS Idol Award (singing) – Kinsley Wrenn
CHS Dance Award – Bridget O’Brien:
Offensive Players of the Year – Casey Kietrys & Baylee Reasor
Defensive Player of the Year – Madison Lucas
Leadership Award – Madelynn Evans & Madison Lucas
Blue Demon Award – Riley King
CHS Idol Award (singing) – Kinsley Wrenn
CHS Dance Award – Bridget O’Brien
