Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Auburn and Blacksburg high schools are trying to make their marks on the big stage with several regional championships this spring, and when the dust settles later this week, the two could have as many as 10 state titles amongst them.
The Radford High School girls tennis won last week’s Class 2C regional competition and advances to state play this week. Pictured are: (from left) Logan Graham (#1 seed),
Emma Duncan (alternate), Mallory Wood (#2 seed), Keeleigh Cormany (#3 seed), Kathleen Reuwer (#4 seed), Gracie Blackwell (alternate), Harper Minarik (#6 seed) and Sarah Ward (#5 seed).
The success can count toward both Auburn and Blacksburg, bringing home the Virginia High School League’s combined athletic cup, which the two have dominated the past six years.
Additionally, Radford could be on track for another state tennis crown, and the girls soccer team will advance to states, despite losing in the regional finals last week.
The Radford girls have dominated the state tennis rankings but will have to do it this year against new competition as they moved up from Class 1 to 2 because of student enrollment numbers.
The team fell last week in the Region C championship match and will have to gain some momentum to make the state finals.
On the soccer field, this is the last season for longtime Radford girls coach Darrell Gillispie. The bobcats would love to send him out with a state trophy.
Both the boys and girls track teams picked up regional titles but fell short in state competition on Saturday.
Auburn is the defending state Class 1 baseball champion but will have to rebound from two losses to Galax in the Mt. Empire District and regional tournament to hoist another trophy.
Meanwhile the girls’ softball team is hoping to finally pull themselves over the crest of the mountain and bring home a state championship after going 21-0 in regular district play.
The Lady Eagles have been on a roll this season scoring 328 runs. The state record is 348. The Auburn boys’ soccer team also has run in them after beating defending state champion Galax for the regional title. Already both the boys and girls track team have notched two state titles for the Riner school.
But it could be the Auburn girls’ tennis team that makes the most noise. Weather forced the team’s Region C championship contest with Parry McCluer from the Auburn courts to inside the Virginia Tech tennis complex as the visitors pulled out a 5-4 win.
Meanwhile in Blacksburg, both the boys and girls tennis teams are looking strong heading into this week’s action. Haley Freeborn took the singles title on the girls’ side, and then teammates Annie Zhang and Emma Lawless won the doubles title.
Freshman Frank Thompson leads the Bruin boys into action after winning the 4D regional crown. He teams with Ruhan Prasad for a chance for doubles gold. Both the boys and girls tennis teams from Blacksburg are also still in play for the team championship.
The Blacksburg boys won the Class 4 Region D soccer title, defeating Charlottesville 1-0 on Friday night to claim the Virginia 4A Region D title. Alex Mills scored the game’s only goal in the 14th minute to lead Blacksburg to the win. The varsity is now 19-0 on the season.
The Bruins were scheduled to host Region C Runner-Up John Handley High School last night in the opening round of state action.
Here is the schedule for this week (including what was scheduled for after deadline on Tuesday):
Class 4 boys soccer, Tuesday, June 5: Handley at Blacksburg. Semis, June 8 at Salem. Final on June 9 at Roanoke College.
Class 4 girls’ soccer, Tuesday, June 5, Blacksburg at Woodgrove. Semis, June 8 at Salem High School. Final on June 9 at Roanoke College.
Class 4, softball, Tuesday June 5, Blacksburg at Woodgrove. Semis, June 8 at Moyer Complex in Salem. Championship game June 9 at same location.
Class 4 boys’ singles, Semis, Thursday, June 7 at 10 a.m., Roanoke College: Blacksburg’s Frank Thompson versus Dominion’s Chris Huynh. Championship at 1 p.m. same day.
Class 4 boys’ doubles, Semis, Friday, June 8 at 10 a.m., Roanoke College: Blacksburg’s Ruhan Prasad and Frank Thompson versus Handley’s Jack Volinsky and Mercer Love. Finals, June 8, 1 p.m. at Roanoke College.
Class 4 girls’ doubles, Semis, Friday, June 8 at 10 a.m., Roanoke College: Blacksburg’s Annie Zhang and Emma Lawless versus Sherando’s Kathryn Robertson and Alexa Venturato. Finals at 1 p.m. same day.
Class 4, boys’ team, Semis, Tuesday, June 5. Finals Saturday, June 9 at Salem, 10 a.m.
Class 1, girls’ singles, Semis Auburn’s Taylor Reed versus J.I. Burton’s Kira Sturgill, June 7, 9 a.m. at Virginia Tech. Finals Thursday, noon at Virginia Tech.
Class 1 softball, Quarter finals, Tuesday, June 5, Chilhowie at Auburn. Semis, Friday, June 8. Finals Saturday, June 9.
