Marty Gordon
Calfee Park will play host to a special doubleheader between the Radford University Highlanders and the WVU Potomac State Catamounts on Friday, Oct. 18 with the first of two seven inning tilts slated to begin at 5 p.m.
Calfee Park is partnering with the United Way of Southwest Virginia to make Hurricane Helene recovery efforts the focal point of Friday’s baseball games. Many communities throughout the New River Valley are still reeling in the aftermath of the destructive tropical system, including the Highlanders, who have been displaced after severe flooding devastated Sherman Carter Memorial Stadium on the campus of Radford University.
Acknowledging the need, Calfee Park and the United Way will solicit material and monetary donations throughout the event, with all donations benefitting those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m., and donations will be collected at the main gate.
“We have been blessed with the ability to assist our baseball community during a very challenging time,” explains Calfee Park and Pulaski River Turtles general manager JW Martin. “We’re excited to be helping Coach Guerra and the Highlanders during their time of need by hosting this event, and we hope that baseball fans will help us use this event to impact our local communities in need through donations and fundraising.”
Game two is anticipated to begin at approximately 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.
All attendees are encouraged to participate in the donation drive. Requested donation items include new personal hygiene items, household cleaning supplies and non-perishable food items.
A QR code will be displayed in the ballpark Friday for attendees who prefer to make a monetary donation.
Successful weekend in the pool
The Hokies had a successful weekend at the SMU Classic, with the men taking third place (303) and the women taking fifth place (253). Back at home, the Hokies swept Carson-Newman with the men winning 143-108 and the women winning 144-104.
Carmen Weiler Sastre earned the Swimmer of the Meet award on the women’s side for her outstanding performance at the SMU Classic. She set the SMU pool record in the 200 back with a 1:52.55, placed first in the 100 back (52.17), earned fourth in the 100 free (48.75) and took third in the 200 free (1:46.07).
Emma Atkinson, Chiara Klein, Emily Claesson, and Athena Meneses Kovacs placed fourth in the 800 free relay with a time of 7:18.02. Emily Santos placed second with a 2:14.45 in the 200 breast.
Back home, Esther Park dominated the breaststroke against Carson-Newman, placing first in the 100 breast (1:04.32) and the 200 breast (2:19.95). The Hokies dominated the freestyle events as well, with Maddy Grafmiller taking first in the 1000 free with a 10:31.83, followed by a first-place finish from Fanni Gyurinovics in the 200 free (1:52.54) and 100 free (51.21). Kate Anderson placed first in the 500 free (5:00.68) and Anna Summers took first place in the 50 free (23.95).
Former VHSL official dies
The VHSL is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Earl Gillespie, a member of the Virginia High School League (VHSL) staff for 34 years and executive director from 1986 until his retirement in 1994, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Gillespie devoted a lifetime to the Virginia High School League as a high school athlete, educator, coach, athletic director, and a basketball and football official.
Born on August 19, 1929, in Wildwood, Tennessee, Gillespie graduated from Coeburn High School in 1948. After a tour of duty in the United States Air Force, he graduated from Washington & Lee University and earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Virginia. He then returned to Coeburn to coach football, baseball and basketball and serve as the school’s athletic director. In 1961 Gillespie assumed duties as the first assistant executive secretary of the VHSL, a post he held until being named the League’s executive director in 1986. He was also the state’s first supervisor of officials.
Trout stockings suspended
Due to the recent devastation resulting from Hurricane Helene, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will suspend trout stocking in most streams in Grayson and Washington counties until further notice. These two counties were the most heavily impacted in the region, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. The decision to suspend trout stocking was made with public safety in mind and to allow recovery efforts to continue unimpeded.
Additionally, due to the closures within the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, DWR will not be stocking trout in any streams located on USDA Forest Service land in Grayson, Scott, Smyth, Washington, Wise, and Wythe counties.
