Fleenor ODAC first team
The Emory & Henry College Football Team has seen 12 of its players named to the All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference Teams, ODAC officials announced Tuesday. The teams are voted on by the seven head coaches in the league following the completion of the regular season. The Wasps’ dozen honorees included one first-team pick, eight all-league second-teamers and three who received third-team accolades. Additionally, four players earned recognition for a second year in a row.
E&H’s only representation on the All-ODAC First Team was defensive lineman Josh Fleenor of Christiansburg. The junior led the squad with 13.5 tackles for loss, returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown and broke up five other passes on the year. He was also third on the team in overall tackles with 57.
Chamber honors Yanks
The Pulaski Yankees are the winners of the 2017 Business Excellence Award. The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce named the Yankees this year’s winner at Thursday’s Chamber ceremony.
According to the Chamber, the Business Excellence Award “recognizes a business or organization that has worked during the year toward the completion of the current program of work.”
“We are honored to be given this award – especially in a category with two organizations that have greatly impacted our community. We know that each nominee strives for business excellence, and appreciate the recognition of our commitment to Pulaski,” said Yankees Assistant Manager Christina Edney.
H2Okies third
The Virginia Tech men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams claimed third on Saturday during the final day of the Purdue Invitational.
The H2Okies wrap up the final day of competition at the Purdue Invite with both teams finishing in third place. The women’s final standings were as follows: No. 8 Indiana – 896.5; No. 14 Florida – 663.5; #RV Virginia Tech – 601; No. 20 Purdue – 538; FIU – 331; Missouri State – 208; SIU – 130; UNC (divers) – 84.
On the men’s side, the final standings are: No. 3 Florida – 1009; No. 1 Indiana – 847; No. 24 Virginia Tech – 530; No. RV Purdue – 361; Missouri State –327; SIU – 141; Navy – 122; UNC (divers) – 109.
The Hokies go on hiatus for the winter break and will return to the pool Jan. 12-13, hosting Virginia at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center.
Ockimey Salem rookie of the year
First baseman Josh Ockimey has been named the 2017 Salem Red Sox’s rookie of the year. At Salem this past year, Ockimey posted a .275 batting average with 11 homers and 63 RBIs. He led the Carolina League with nine intentional walks drawn and finished second with a .388 on-base percentage.
Three Mustangs make all-district team
Eastern Montgomery High School had three volleyball players named to the Pioneer All-District team announced Tuesday. Freshman Ellie Underwood was second team setter, while seniors Paige Johnston and Maria Wilson were named to the second team.
Chamber 5K
The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce has released the winners in its recent 5K race, held at Beliveau Estate Winery. The proceeds from the day go to the Chamber Foundation, which supports the Chamber’s educational outreach initiative including Teacher of the Year and provides scholarships.
Male over 40:
Third Place: Dennis Galecki #541
Second Place: Fernando Vissani #540
First Place: Alan Fabian #511
Male under 40:
Third Place: Andrew Smith #533
Second Place: Andrew Tickle #539
First Place: Christopher Neal with a record setting completion time of 29:46 #527
Female over 40:
Third Place: Tracy Price #513
Second Place: Laura Abbot #501
First Place: Brenda Hastings #517
Female under 40:
Third Place: Grace Smith #534
Second Place: Melinda Dunford #509
First Place: Mia Jones #519
Edmunds Butkus finalist
Virginia Tech Junior linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was named one of five finalists for the Butkus Award on Monday. He is seeking to become the first Virginia Tech player to earn this prestigious honor as the nation’s top linebacker. Edmunds leads Tech with 93 tackles (49 solo) and is tied for fifth among all ACC players, averaging 8.5 tackles per game.
A 2016 All-ACC selection, the Danville, Virginia native is tied for sixth in the ACC with 11.0 tackles for loss. He has also registered 3.5 sacks, four QB hurries and two passes defensed. He also wore the honorary Beamer No. 25 jersey against Georgia Tech on Nov. 11 for his prowess on special teams. He has been Tech’s top tackler in four games this season.
The other four finalists for the 2017 Butkus Award include Devin Bush (Michigan), T.J. Edwards (Wisconsin), Dorian O’Daniel (Clemson) and Roquan Smith (Georgia).
Gallo honored for academics
Virginia Tech senior center Eric Gallo has been named CoSIDA Academic first-team All-District. CoSIDA annually honors the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
Gallo gets it done on and off the gridiron, boasting a 3.42 GPA and amassing 40 games played for the Hokies, including 22 consecutive starts at center. The finance major has already completed two internships at the prestigious Wadsworth group at Morgan Stanley, and was tabbed the 2017 Skelton Award, the Virginia Tech athletic department’s highest academic honor.
The Richboro, Pennsylvania native was a part of an offense that set or tied 10 single-season offensive team records in 2016, including points, total touchdowns and total offense.
