C.B. Aycock awards Vail for service

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on November 29, 2007 1:50 PM

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From staff reports

PIKEVILLE -- Veteran coach Luke Vail was honored for 29 years of service during the fall athletic awards night recently held at Charles B. Aycock.

Vail guided the women's tennis team to an unprecedented 28 consecutive conference titles and 305 straight victories against league opposition. Both streaks were stopped by county archrival Eastern Wayne this season.

Vail, who spins beach music on Sunday afternoons, also spent several seasons as the men's tennis and women's basketball coach. He guided both programs to numerous conference titles, and several postseason appearances.

Four seniors copped the awards for Vail's final team -- Courtney Barnes (MVP), Emilee Quinn (most dedicated), Kristen Bennett (most competitive) and Kristen Prosser (best all-around).

On the JV women's tennis scene, Hollie Baker was named MVP and Nicole Kessler won the coach's award.

Jorge Delgado and Alex Rodriguez shared co-MVP accolades for men's soccer. The duo combined for more than 60 goals as the Golden Falcons claimed their third consecutive Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference crown.

Aycock posted a program-best 18-3-1 record and advanced to the third round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs. Rodriguez was also named player of the year in the ECC.

Tucker Pearson received the coach's player of the year award, while Charles Cranford was tabbed the defensive player of the year. In JV men's soccer, Patrick Roosen (MVP) and Travis Musselman (coach's POY) took home hardware.

ECC champions Caroline Schlaeppi and Nik Fredrick picked up the female and male MVP awards, respectively, in cross country.

Lorena Estrada (most improved) and Megan Hales (coach's award) each drew recognition for their efforts this season. Chayse Brabham (most improved) and Jackson Wooten (coach's award) also received awards for the men's team.

Lauren Larison and Krista Smith earned the most improved and coach's award, respectively, in women's golf.

Senior Emily Jordan received the Jane Tyndall Memorial Award in varsity volleyball. Leigh Smith (coach's award), Beth Carter (hitter award) and Randi Tucker (most improved) were also recognized by veteran head coach Davis Harris.

In JV volleyball, Victoria Benton emerged the team's top hitter and Miranda Aycock was named most consistent by head coach Sandra Overby.