Marty Gordon
The Christiansburg High School wrestling program will host its annual Big Blue Tournament this weekend, and the state wrestling rankings have been released with the Blue Demons being the overall No. 2 program behind 6A Battlefield, who is expected to attend the Christiansburg tournament.
Other rankings from four to 10 include: Brooke Point (5A), Eastern View (4A), St. Christopher’s (private), Benedictine (private), Robinson (6A), Kellam (6A), Fauquier (4A) and Grundy (1A).
Grundy was the winner of the “black and blue” division at last week’s Virginia Duals.
Individual state rankings include Christiansburg wrestlers:
Brandon Crowder (10th at 106 pounds), Marshall Keller (first, 138 pounds), Xander Whitehurst (third at 145, Nick Giantonio (second at 170), Erik Eva (eighth at 182), and Ty Kwak (sixth at 195).
VHSL discussing spring changes
More games could be on the horizon for high school baseball and softball teams. The Virginia High School League is considering expanding the season from 20 to 30 regular season games.
Other states have adopted the idea as Tennessee schools play 30 and as many as 32 in West Virginia.
The change could mean as many as 10 double headers and additional games on Saturday. Longtime Auburn softball coach David Hurd said he would be very surprised if it actually happened.
“There was a proposal to go to 22 a couple of years ago and it failed. Going to 30 would be quite a leap. I’m not sure it would be entirely positive with the demands on their time kids have. Kids are being pulled in a number of directions and involved in many things. Going to more games would probably lead to more sport specialization, something I think is not a positive development for VHSL athletes,” he said.
But other coaches are the opposite. Eastern Montgomery’s Jonathan Hagee likes the idea, especially when it comes to baseball.
“I think more games are a good thing. Baseball is a game that was meant to be played every day or almost every day once the season begins. Obviously setting up pitching and developing pitching depth will be key. Overall, I think coaches and players alike would be happy to see more games added to the schedule,” he said.
Nate O’Dell, the varsity softball coach at Christiansburg, said he is all for providing athletes more opportunities to compete, but all the impacts of this proposal must be considered.
“Playing double headers would not affect us as much as other schools because we have lighted fields. But, schools will have to consider the impacts, cost of officiating will increase, increase in time out of school for players on road games, increase in transportation costs, season extending past end of school. The consideration needs to be focused on what is best for the student/athlete,” he said.
No selfies at G-town
Georgetown University is taking on the current idea of “selfies” and cell phone usage during ball games. Tonight, they have set aside Section 118 as a “cell phone free” area.
The idea is part of its “Actual Reality” marketing night.
Within the special area, there will be no phones allowed, name tags will be distributed to encourage face-to-face communication, and fans will receive a printed copy of statistics at halftime. In addition, fans will be given a printed ticket and not the normal e-Ticket.
If fans want a picture to remember the game, there will be a Polaroid Camera on hand. Also, a letter writing station will be available for fans.
Gander Mountain back on track
Some great news out of Roanoke for area outdoorsmen as Gander Mountain is set to reopen in the next few months.
After the bankruptcy sale last year of the retailer, there was some concern we would lose a major player in outdoor supplies, but word by the company in the last 10 days is that it will reopen by June.
Camping World Holdings Inc. was the winning bid in bankruptcy court for Gander. Camping World currently operates a site adjacent to the Gander Roanoke location.
