May 2017 archives

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Wednesday, May 31, 2017

SIGNING: Saints' Lopez signs with UMO

DUDLEY -- Need somebody to keep a secret? Look for Elizabeth Lopez. She definitely believes that "mum is the word." The Southern Wayne senior agonized over her future. Should she become a student-athlete at the University of Mount Olive or...

GOLF: Walnut Creek LGA news

Penny Ritt, Evelyn Rose and Charlotte Campbell shared low gross honors during weeky play on the Walnut Creek Country Club links. Mary Morris won low net. Gaye Bryant earned low putts....

GOLF: Lane Tree LGA news

Nan Jarrell earned game-of-the-week honors from the red tees during weekly play at Lane Tree Golf Club. Sue Glover won low net. Debbie Edgerton took low putts. Mary Ann Sutton emerged as the GOW winner from the forward tees. Linda...

ECBL: WCDS opens season with win over Goldsboro

Wayne Country Day launched its 2017 Eastern Carolina Baseball League campaign with a 10-4 victory over Goldsboro on Tuesday evening. Tanner Willman (two RBI), Avery Browning (RBI) and Jaxon Anderson (two RBI) cranked out two hits apiece for WCDS. Caleb...

COLLEGE BASEBALL: Davis helps lead Pitt CC to JUCO World Series

PIKEVILLE -- The decision, made with the support of his family, wasn't dressed up and announced in a dramatic, look-at-me parade of powder blue pomp. It was released on Twitter -- to one reply, 10 retweets and 48 likes --...

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

PREPS -- Spring Creek awards

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek concluded its 2016-17 athletic campaign with an awards ceremony that included the fall, winter and spring seasons. A total of 26 athletes were recognized as all-Carolina 1-A Conference selections in 10 sports. Robert Rogers...

COLLEGE BASEBALL -- In-state teams selected

At Boshamer Stadium Chapel Hill, N.C. Friday, June 2 Game 1 -- Michigan (42-15) vs. Florida Gulf Coast (42-18), 1 p.m. Game 2 -- North Carolina (47-12) vs. Davidson (32-24), 6 p.m. At David F. Couch Ballpark Winston-Salem, N.C. Friday,...

AWARD -- Tina Parks

UMO Media Relations HIGH POINT -- Tina Parks, an administrative assistant at the University of Mount Olive, recently received a Milestone Award during the second annual Conference Carolinas Legends of the Game banquet. This year's ceremony honored three individuals --...

Sunday, May 28, 2017

WCMSAC: Final 2017 spring sports standings

Final standings for baseball, softball and girls' soccer during 2017 Wayne County Middle Schools Athletic Conference play: GIRLS' SOCCER DIVISION I Conf. All W-L-T W-L-T Spring Creek 5-1-0 10-1-0 Norwayne 5-1-0 10-1-0 Dillard 2-4-0 6-4-1 E. Wayne 0-6-0 0-10-1 DIVISION...

COLLEGE BASEBALL: EW grad Mozingo among All-American selections

UMO Media Relations MOUNT OLIVE -- The University of Mount Olive's Austin Hutchison, Zack Mozingo and Drew Ellis have been awarded Division II All-American honors by the National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and D2 Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA). Austin...

SENIOR LEGION: Wayne County almost blows 9-run lead

KINSTON -- Wayne County Post 11 fended off a furious ninth-inning rally and launched its 2017 campaign with an 11-10 conquest of Area I East nemesis Kinston on Friday evening. Wayne County led 11-2 through 81/2 innings. Kinston sent...

COLLEGE BASEBALL: Pirates, Houston square off for AAC title

ECU Media Relations CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Jake Agnos tossed seven scoreless innings and East Carolina advanced to the American Athletic Conference title game with a 4-0 win over top-seeded UCF on Saturday afternoon. It was the eighth-seeded Pirates' second postseason...

1A EAST REGIONAL: Early miscues spell trouble for Eagles

rcoggins@newsargus.com WHITEVILLE -- One by one they stepped into the light shining near first base managed to smile as they held the trophy. Cameras flashed. A moment frozen in time. It wasn't the prize Rosewood's baseball players wanted in their...

1A EAST REGIONAL: BOX -- Rosewood @ Whiteville

Rosewood 000 000 0 -- 0 3 4 Whiteville 410 000 x -- 5 7 1 Leading hitters: Rosewood -- Jonathan Peacock 1-3, 2B; Kolby Harris 1-3; Tanner Bradley 1-2. Whiteville -- Brooks Baldwin 1-3, 3B; Jake Harwood 1-4; MacKenzie...

Friday, May 26, 2017

CHARGER AWARDS: WCDS student-athletes lauded for efforts in winter, spring sports

Back-to-back. For the second straight year, Wayne Country Day has claimed the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A Wells Fargo Cup -- an award that recognizes the top school in each classification with the best overall interscholastic athletic program....

UMO: Dahlke recognized for academic achievement; men's golf team cops award

Dahlke honored MOUNT OLIVE -- University of Mount Olive's Jonathan Dahlke has been named to the 2016-17 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District men's cross country/track and field team. A psychology major, Dahlke captured his first-ever All-America...

EAST 1A REGIONAL: Whiteville turns back Rosewood, 6-5

By JUSTIN HAYES jhayes@newsargus.com Working silence. Such was the tune carried by the Rosewood varsity baseball outfit on Thursday night, moments after dropping a bitterly-contested, 6-5 decision to Whiteville High in the opening game of the N.C. High School Athletic...

ECC ALL-CONFERENCE: Summers, Davis each receive top honor

rcoggins@newsargus.com Surprise and humility. Scott Summers and Charles Davis shared those emotions when they learned that their Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference peers had bestowed coach-of-the-year honors on each in their respective sport. Summers guided Eastern Wayne girls' soccer team to...

COLUMN: Time to make decision on Goldsboro football job

Somebody fumbled the football. And they're still kicking it around. It's been five months since Goldsboro lost its head varsity football coach. Wayne County Public Schools officials didn't post the job vacancy until March. Applications were received and potential candidates...

Thursday, May 25, 2017

COLLEGE LACROSSE: Trojans' Urban named All-American

MOUNT OLIVE -- University of Mount Olive's Will Urban received third-team honors at goalkeeper on the 2017 United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse/Nike All-America Team. A junior, Urban recorded 177 saves in 864 minutes of action between the pipes. He logged...

ALL-ECC 2A: Goldsboro's Nacca named league's soccer POY

rcoggins@newsargus.com One of five seniors who helped lead the Goldsboro High girls' soccer team to its record-setting campaign on the pitch this season, Angelina Nacca received an unexpected -- and well-deserved -- honor from her peers. Nacca is the 2017...

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

EAST 1A BASEBALL: Eagles ready to face MLB prospect MacKenzie Gore

Something wicked this way comes. Such is the reality for Rosewood High's varsity baseball outfit, which begins its quest for the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A state championship series tonight versus Whiteville High -- a team fluent in postseason...

GOLF: Lane Tree LGA news

Jeanette Sasser secured game-of-the-week honors from the red tees during weekly play at Lane Tree Golf Club. Nan Jarrell won low net, while Sue Glover claimed low putts. Linda Watson emerged as the GOW from the forward tees. Betty...

COLLEGE BASEBALL: ECU stuns top-seeded UCF in opening round

ECU Media Relations CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Charlie Yorgen swatted a three-run home run and Evan Kruczynski worked six innings on the mound as eighth-seeded East Carolina hammered top-seeded UCF, 14-3, on opening day of the 2017 American Athletic Conference tournament...

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

STATE CHAMP x 2: Rosewood's Kostelecky wins two wheelchair events

rcoggins@newsargus.com Look past the wheelchair. Take a moment, instead, to gaze into Philip Kostelecky's eyes. You'll see a competitor, a curly-haired talkative individual who wants to succeed and be the absolute best in any task that he tackles. He's draws...

COLLEGE BASEBALL: Heel's McGee selected ACC freshman-of-the-year

rcoggins@newsargus.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Just as the airplane began its descent toward Louisville International Airport on Monday afternoon, a notification popped up on Ashton McGee's cell phone. He sat astonished by the message. The University of North Carolina rookie had...

ECBL: CBA Blue opens season with win

Zack Brewer emerged as the winning pitcher as Charles B. Aycock Blue defeated Eastern Wayne, 3-2, in the Eastern Carolina Baseball League opener for both teams Monday. Blake Dilda earned the save. Clay Matthews batted 3-for-3 for the Golden Falcons....

GOLF: Walnut Creek LGA news

Hiromi Sueki claimed low gross honors during weekly play on the Walnut Creek Country Club links. Gaye Bryant secured low net and Mary Morris seized low putts. The Walnut Creek Ladies Golf Association participated in a two-day tournament contested at...

D2 SOUTHEAST REGIONAL: North Georgia clinches title

UMO Media Relations MOUNT OLIVE -- Andres Perez drove in two runs and No. 6-ranked North Georgia emerged as the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional champion with a 5-4 victory over Catawba at Scarbourgh Field on Monday afternoon. The second-seeded...

Monday, May 22, 2017

PREP TRACK: Rosewood's Kostelecky earns pair of state 1A titles

GREENSBORO -- Rosewood has another outdoor track & field state champion -- Philip Kostelecky. The sophomore emerged victorious in the men's wheelchair shot put and discus competitions during the 2017 N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A championship meet...

D2 SOUTHEAST REGIONAL: Catawba eliminates UMO

MOUNT OLIVE -- Just like that, it's over. The University of Mount Olive, whose No. 1 ranked baseball outfit entertained designs of making a legitimate splash in this month's Division II College World Series, saw its aspiration end abruptly on...

WRESTLING: Edmundson induction into NC Chapter of National Wrestling Hall of Fame

rcoggins@newsargus.com CHAPEL HILL -- Rosewood head wrestling coach Bill Edmundson remains a little fuzzy about his team's first-ever opponent. Did the Eagles grapple against either Eastern Wayne or Southern Wayne? And the outcome? Well, it was a teaching moment. "We...

Sunday, May 21, 2017

PREP SOFTBALL: Whiteville dethrones Princeton

rcoggins@newsargus.com PRINCETON -- Every softball coach in the Three Rivers 1-A/2-A Conference is ready to see Whiteville senior Sage McLelland graduate in June. Princeton probably feels the same way. An East Carolina commit, McLelland smashed three home runs and collected...

PREP SOFTBALL: Orange eliminates CBA from 3A playoffs

rcoggins@newsargus.com HILLSBOROUGH -- Single-elimination games leave little margin for error. And Charles B. Aycock, uncharacteristically, wasn't at the top of its game Saturday afternoon. The Golden Falcons left 11 runners on base in their season-ending, 3-2 loss to Orange High...

HALL OF FAME: Rosewood's Edmundson to receive honor for contribution to wrestling

rcoggins@newsargus.com CHAPEL HILL -- Rosewood penned another historic chapter in wrestling this past winter, but it's not quite done. An extra page will be written today. Eagles head coach Bill Edmundson is slated for enshrinement into the 2017 N.C. Wrestling...

PREP SOFTBALL: BOX -- Whiteville softball @ Princeton

Whiteville 441 60 -- 15 16 1 Princeton 000 11 -- 2 6 4 Leading hitters: Whiteville -- Linda Blair Thompson 1-4, RBI; Kourtney Grainger 4-4, 3 2Bs, 2 RBI; Sage McLelland 3-4, 3 HR, 8 RBI; Ivy Hayes 2-4,...

PREP BASEBALL: BOX --Voyager @ Rosewood

Voyager 130 000 2 -- 6 6 0 Rosewood 010 060 x -- 7 9 4 Leading hitters: Voyager Academy -- Kamayu Neighbors 2-4, RBI; Ethan Blevins 1-3; Kendall Vincent 2-4; Aaron Beasley 1-3. Rosewood -- Chance Howard 2-4, 2...

PREP BASEBALL: Rosewood clinches berth in east 1A regional finals

jhayes@newsargus.com Four gone, two to hold dear. That sentiment could very well function as a promotional tag line for Rosewood High's varsity baseball outfit, who inched closer to its goal of competing for a state title on Friday by outlasting...

D2 SOUTHEAST REGIONAL: North Georgia routs No. 1-ranked UMO

jhayes@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- Connor Hoover and Andres Perez each homered during a seven-run first inning, a duo of hurlers scattered 10 hits and North Georgia remained unbeaten after defeating University of Mount Olive, 13-6, on day three of the...

Friday, May 19, 2017

SIGNING: Golden Falcon's Powell headed to Fayetteville Tech

PIKEVILLE -- Selling an athletic program, regardless of the sport, is a difficult task for any college coach. Eric Tucker made it look easy. Tanika "Mookie" Powell couldn't believe what she heard. "I don't want you, I need you," said...

D2 SOUTHEAST REGIONAL: Pacers stage dramatic comeback

By RUDY COGGINS rcoggins@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- There's nothing like a little drama to get the adrenaline pumping, especially when you're down to your final three outs.Trailing 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning, USC Aiken pushed across three...

FEATURE: Aycock's Graham seeks state championship

PIKEVILLE -- He sets the blocks onto the track, counts out his steps, makes the necessary adjustment and stretches his legs. Once he settles into his starting position, he takes a deep breath. Next comes a short prayer. "God, please...

Thursday, May 18, 2017

1A GIRLS SOCCER: Southwest Onslow ousts Goldsboro

rcoggins@newsargus.com Some Goldsboro players sat and leaned against the fence, took a few long swigs of water and wiped sweat -- or tears -- from their faces. Others sat and picked at the grass. The curtain closed on a historical...

D2 SOUTHEAST REGIONAL: Meet the Trojans' 'Ricky 2.0'

MOUNT OLIVE -- The footage exists, housed on the server of an online prospect database for the world to see in perpetuity. It dates to 2012, when Ricky Surum -- then a rising senior at Riverwood High School in Atlanta...

D2 SOUTHEAST REGIONAL: UMO's Lancaster says there's no clear-cut favorite

rcoggins@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- Grab a pen and cut up six slips of paper. Write down these names -- University of Mount Olive, North Georgia, Georgia College, UNC Pembroke, Catawba, Lincoln Memorial and USC Aiken. Fold the paper. Place the...

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

1A PREP GIRLS SOCCER: Spring Creek blanks Roxboro Community

SEVEN SPRINGS -- What curse? Such is now the case for the Spring Creek varsity girls' soccer program, who on Tuesday survived stifling temperatures and years of playoff heartbreak to reach the fourth round of the N.C. High School Athletic...

1A NCISAA TENNIS: Wayne Country Day falls 5-1

GREENSBORO -- American Hebrew Academy swept the doubles courts and cruised past Wayne Country Day, 5-1, during semifinal-round play in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A dual-team playoffs Tuesday afternoon. Sam Dively earned the Chargers' lone point -- a...

1A NCISAA BASEBALL: Wayne Christian ousted from playoffs

MERRY HILL -- Wayne Christian bolted to a two-run lead after its first at-bat of the game, but unbeaten -- and top-seeded --Lawrence Academy claimed a 5-2 win in the semifinals of the NCISAA 1-A playoffs Tuesday afternoon. Lawrence faces...

1A NCISAA BASEBALL: Chargers' season ends

HENDERSON -- Jon Bryan recorded Wayne Country Day's lone hit in a season-ending, 2-0 loss to Kerr-Vance Academy during semifinal-round action in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A playoffs Tuesday afternoon. The second-seeded Spartans plated two third-inning runs on...

1A PREP SOFTBALL: Pirates rally, top Rebels in extra innings

HERTFORD -- Perquimans constantly pecked away at a five-run deficit and handed North Duplin a 6-5, 10-inning loss in second-round action of the NCHSAA 1-A playoffs Monday evening. Rayanna Koch batted a season-best 5-for-5, including a double, as the Rebels...

1A PREP SOFTBALL: Princeton eliminates East Carteret

BEAUFORT -- Beth Braswell clubbed a home run and emerged as the winning pitcher during Princeton's 2-0 triumph over East Carteret in third-round play of the NCHSAA 1-A playoffs Tuesday evening. Braswell gave up five hits, walked three and sat...

3A PREP SOFTBALL: Waddell belts home run, earns piching win for CBA

PIKEVILLE -- Taylor Waddell swatted a home run as Charles B. Aycock thrashed Western Alamance, 9-3, during their third-round battle in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs Tuesday evening. Waddell ended the night 2-for-3 with three RBI, and...

D2 SOUTHEAST REGIONAL: Trojans' bullpen answers the call

rcoggins@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- It's a start German Reyes will remember for a long time. His teammates won't forget it, either. University of Mount Olive faced elimination from the Conference Carolinas tournament. Its chances of hosting the Southeast Regional precariously...

D2 SOUTHEAST REGIONAL: Trojans' Whitley finally healthy

rcoggins@newsargus.com Brighton Hudson stepped into the press box. He pulled out the radar gun. Batteries. Check. He tested the trigger. Check. The University of Mount Olive media relations staff remained silent, almost stunned when they saw No. 32 take the...

1A PREP BASEBALL: BOX -- Northside @ Rosewood

Northside 001 000 -- 1 10 4 Rosewood 070 301 -- 11 11 1 Leading hitters: Northside -- Reg Bishop 1-4; Matthew Marslendeer 1-4; Parker Boyd 2-4; Tanner Alligood 1-4; Dawson Boyd 1-3; Grant Talbot 2-3, RBI; James Barrow 2-3....

1A PREP BASEBALL: Peacock settles down, Rosewood routs Northside

rcoggins@newsargus.com Jonathan Peacock never flinched. Not when Pinetown Northside loaded the bases in the first inning and put two more on aboard in the second inning. "I told him to command his fastball, throw that thing until they prove that...

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

DIGEST -- Tuesday

Golf Lane Tree LGA * Jeanette Sasser won game-of-the-week honors while playing from the red tees during weekly action at Lane Tree Golf Club. Nan Jarrell and Sue Glover took low net and low putts, respectively. Novella Zambelli claimed GOW...

Monday, May 15, 2017

PREP TRACK: 1A Mideast Regional -- Rosewood boys win another 4x4 relay title

rcoggins@newsargus.com ROCKY POINT -- Despite overcast skies, a little mist and damp temperatures, the show went on during the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A Mideast Regional contested Saturday morning at Heide Trask HS. And -- to no one's...

1A PREP BASEBALL: Perquimans eliminates Spring Creek

PERQUIMANS -- Spring Creek's baseball season ended with a 12-6, second-round loss to Perquimans in the NCHSAA 2-A playoffs Saturday evening. Christian Yarbrough paced the Gators' offense with three hits. Kaden Geelen, Levi Miller, Matt Dupuy, Landon Smothers, Joshua Lebron...

1A GIRLS' SOCCER: Goldsboro knocks out Midway

Goldsboro punched in two first-half goals and its defense did the rest in a 2-1, second-round victory over Midway in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 2-A playoffs Saturday evening. Senior Juanita Cortes-Torres and sophomore Shakia Doctor tallied one...

COLLEGE BASEBALL: UMO will host D-II Southeast Regional

MOUNT OLIVE -- There's no place like home. University of Mount Olive, for the first time since 2013, has been selected to host the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional. The Trojans (47-8 overall) drew the No. 1 seed for the...

Saturday, May 13, 2017

TRACK -- 3A East Regional

SWANSBORO -- Wayne County will be well represented during the season-ending N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A outdoor track and field state championship meet next weekend. Some competitors broke school records, while others qualified in standard measure at...

Story -- Northwood Temple vs. WCDS

Nine days. That's how long Michael Taylor's Wayne Country Day baseball outfit sat idle, waiting for undercard brackets to clear and weather suitable enough to stage its appearance in the quarterfinal round of the 2017 N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association...

SOFTBALL -- Northwood @ C.B. Aycock

jhayes@newsargus.com PIKEVILLE -- The exacting, audobahn-inspired calculus of Aycock softball has returned. Two days removed from a sluggish start to their matchup with Western Harnett, the lady blues appeared as themselves on Friday, executing offensively in a variety of ways...

SOCCER -- Cleveland @ E. Wayne

rcoggins@newsargus.com No score. Time ticking away. Eastern Wayne head girls' soccer coach Scott Summers began to experience his worst fear on a misty Friday evening in New Hope. Whoever scored first on the rain-slickened pitch would probably walk away victorious....

DIGEST -- Weekend

Baseball Rosewood 7, James Kenan 2 * Rosewood pushed across four runs during the first three innings and handed James Kenan a 7-2 loss in second-round action of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A playoffs Friday evening. Kolby...

Friday, May 12, 2017

PREP GIRLS' SOCCER: American Hebrew shocks WCDS in OT

rcoggins@newsargus.com Wayne Country Day's Jada Holloman sprinted from inside the 6-yard box and deflected a shot by American Hebrew's Alexa Leizorek. The ball bounced over the end line. Corner kick. Julianne Schneider placed the ball and flicked a quick, short...

PREP FOOTBALL: WCPS officials close to making decision on Goldsboro football vacancy

rcoggins@newsargus.com Goldsboro has completed the first two phases in its search for a new head varsity football coach. Phase three is on hold. A total of 36 applications were received in March. The list was narrowed to eight finalists, who...

Thursday, May 11, 2017

1A SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS: North Duplin's Brogden hurls perfect game

CALYPSO -- There's nothing better than to open the playoffs in perfect fashion. Just ask Haley Brogden. The North Duplin senior struck out 11 batters and didn't allow a base runner during a 13-0, mercy-rule thrashing of South Creek...

2A GIRLS' SOCCER PLAYOFFS: Goldsboro claims first-ever playoff win

rcoggins@newsargus.com Hannah Williamson couldn't remember the play. "(The ball) just came to me and I started dribbling," she said. One Reidsville defender stabbed at the ball. Williamson did a little side step and sent a through ball to Tziah Kelly,...

3A PREP SOFTBALL: Saints ousted from playoffs

SANFORD -- Southern Wayne's postseason journey ended with a 10-0, opening-round loss to top-seeded Lee County in the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs Wednesday evening. First-year head coach Jamie Williams said pitcher Dawn Anderson "did phenomenal on the mound, hitting her spots,...

1A GIRLS' SOCCER PLAYOFFS: Eagles' Lane scores twice

Payton Lane delivered a two-goal outing as Rosewood ousted Hobbton, 4-0, in first-round action of the NCHSAA 1-A playoffs on Wednesday evening. Jennifer Covarrubbius and Sydney Reiss added one goal apiece for the Eagles. Rosewood travels to top-seeded Franklin Academy...

3A GIRLS' SOCCER PLAYOFFS: Kazar's goal lifts EW

Alana Kazar tallied the game-winning goal in the 60th minute, lifting Eastern Wayne past Rockingham County, 3-2, in opening-round action of the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs Wednesday evening. The third-seeded Warriors entertain Cleveland on Friday. Kazar's goal, off...

NCISAA 1A BOYS' TENNIS: Chargers knock out Warriors in 1A dual-team play

Wayne Country Day seized momentum during doubles play and eliminated Lawrence Academy, 6-3, from the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A dual-team playoffs Wednesday. The No. 1 tandem of Sam Dively-Charlie Dees posted a shutout against the Warriors' Lane Corbett-Jeb...

3A SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS: Puetz delivers key home run for CBA

PIKEVILLE -- Taylor Puetz smashed a home run that unofficially landed near Faro, and Charles B. Aycock throttled Western Harnett, 10-2, in the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs Wednesday evening. Puetz ended the night 3-for-4 with a stolen base and four RBI....

1A BASEBALL PLAYOFFS: Dupuy, Geelen shut down Louisburg

LOUISBURG -- Matt Dupuy scattered eight hits in 52/3 innings of work during Spring Creek's opening-round, 6-3 triumph over Louisburg in the NCHSAA 1-A playoffs Wednesday evening. Dupuy permitted three earned runs, walked one and retired three Louisburg batters on...

COLLEGE TENNIS: Walker helps Methodist return to NCAA Division III playoffs

rcoggins@newsargus.com SEWANEE, Tenn. -- The excitement resonates in Ashton Walker's voice. So does the humility. Pride swells within her heart. The Methodist University sophomore feels blessed not only about her personal achievements on the tennis court, but the opportunity to...

3A BASEBALL PLAYOFFS: BOX -- NE Guilford at C.B. Aycock

NE Guilford 200 000 1 --3 9 5 C.B. Aycock 060 001 X --7 10 0 Leading Hitters: NE Guilford -- Jacob Brown 2-4, HR; Logan Fields 2-4, RBI; Drew Tippett 2-3; Dylan Faucette 2-4; Juan Ramirez 1-4. C.B. Aycock...

1A BASEBALL PLAYOFFS: Rosewood's Peacock dials up 2-hitter

Jonathan Peacock appeared nearly unhittable Wednesday evening. The right-hander surrendered a first-inning run and two hits as Rosewood sank East Carteret, 4-1, in first-round action of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A baseball playoffs Wednesday evening. Peacock walked...

3A BASEBALL PLAYOFFS: CBA battles back

PIKEVILLE -- His team dressing the field in a symphony of post-game double time, Charles B. Aycock skipper Charles Davis succinctly captured the nature of its lightning-in-a-bottle, 7-3 conquest of Northeast Guilford to open the N.C. High School Athletic Association...

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

BOYS' TENNIS: Voyager eliminates Rosewood from postseason

Class 1-A Dual-Team Playoffs (at Rosewood HS) * (5) Voyager 5 (4) Rosewood 1 Singles: Andrew Quick (VA) d. Chase Bartlett 6-3, 6-2; Connor Hollon (VA) d. Collin Pendergraph 6-1, 6-0; Holden Buchanan (VA) d. Marc Lewis 6-1, 6-4; Amith...

GIRLS' SOCCER: Voyager tops Princeton on late goal

rcoggins@newsargus.com PRINCETON -- Tied at 1-all and the clock ticking below the 6-minute mark, Princeton seemed destined for overtime. Until Voyager Academy delivered the dagger. Freshman Audree Caitlin punched in the game-deciding goal in the 75th minute, propelling the Vikings...

PREP GOLF: Klages, Kimble complete respective seasons

PINEHURST -- The 2017 N.C. High School Athletic Association boys' golf championships, which played host to a pair of Wayne County juniors, came to an official close on Tuesday. Cameron Klages of Rosewood High, competing at the famed Country Club...

GOLF: Walnut Creek LGA news

Evelyn Rose emerged as the low gross winner during weekly play on the Walnut Creek Country Club links. Linda Cannon captured low net. Nancy Aichele and Faye Franklin shared low putts....

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

2017 PLAYOFFS: Area teams face 'one-and-done' scenario

Area teams needed the week-long break to recuperate either physically or mentally from a grueling final two weeks of regular-season play. They have 24 more hours. Then 16 schools in the News-Argus readership area begin their respective quests for N.C....

PREP GOLF: Wayne Christian finishes 3rd in CPIC

GREENVILLE -- Darden Bynum shot a team-low, 18-hole round of 93 as Wayne Christian finished third in the season-ending Coastal Plains Independent 1-A Conference tournament conested at Bradford Creek Country Club on Monday. Wayne Country Day claimed the CPIC title...

PREPS DIGEST: Middle school news

Middle schools * Softball: Freedom Christian 7, Wayne Christian 4 -- Abigail Kornegay belted an inside-the-park home and batted 2-for-3 overall during the Eagles' regular-season finale Monday evening. Wayne Christian concluded the year 15-3 overall....

PREP GOLF: Challenging courses bite golfers

PINEHURST -- Demanding. Such were the conditions faced by Wayne County golfers Cameron Klages and Ryan Kimble on Monday, as both waded into 36-hole medal play water at the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A and 2-A championships in famed...

Monday, May 8, 2017

PREP TENNIS: Warriors, Golden Falcons fall in East 3A regionals

ROCKY MOUNT -- Eastern Wayne sophomore Dylan March stumbled during quarterfinal-round play of the NCHSAA Class 3-A east regionals. March cruised past Rocky Mount's Ben Ousterhout 6-1, 6-2 in the opening round. His season ended with a 6-2, 6-2 loss...

PREP TENNIS: Rosewood eliminated in first- and second-round play

GREENVILLE -- Rosewood's Collin Pendergraph-Josh Bartlett captured an opening-round match in the NCHSAA 1-A east regional at River Birch Tennis Center. The duo defeated East Carteret. Their season ended with a second-round loss to Raleigh Charter. The Matthews twins --...

GOLF: Lane Tree LGA news

Sherry Minner seized game-of-the-week honors from the red tees during play on the Lane Tree Golf Club links. Shelley Leder took low net....

PREP TENNIS: Goldsboro's DeAraujo-Pate claim East 2A doubles crown

From staff reports SNOW HILL -- Goldsboro's tandem of Sam DeAraujo-Xan Pate claimed the 2017 N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 2-A eastern regional doubles championship. Seeded second, DeAraujo-Pate opened play with a 6-0, 6-0 decision over Currituck's Kaleb Kight-Josh...

Saturday, May 6, 2017

UMO Briefs

HIGH POINT -- University of Mount Olive captured five top all-Conference Carolinas individual awards after winning the men's and women's outdoor track & field championship meets contested less than a week ago. Freshman Leah Hanle earned the Conference Carolinas' women's...

GIRLS' SOCCER: Chargers claim CPIC tournament title

rcoggins@newsargus.com WILSON -- Tied at 0-0 through 40 minutes of play, Wayne Country Day needed to create a goal-scoring chance. It happened six minutes after the break. The Chargers executed a corner kick that sailed into the box and touched...

SIGNING: Princeton's Hurst to run track at UMO

rcoggins@newsargus.com PRINCETON -- Good talent breeds success. It's a maxim used by coaches to describe athletes who -- over time -- eventually mature and break out of their shell in a particular sport. Brent Hurst is a perfect example. A...

Friday, May 5, 2017

PREP SOFTBALL: CBA quintet combines to no-hit Warriors

PIKEVILLE -- Five Charles B. Aycock pitchers combined for a no-hitter during a 14-0, mercy-rule conquest of county and Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference rival Eastern Wayne on Thursday evening. The Golden Falcons finished 4-0 among their ECC 3-A counterparts and...

GIRLS' SOCCER: Eastern Wayne logs road shutout

PIKEVILLE -- Pace and possession. Those two game-plan elements were the focal point for Eastern Wayne on Thursday, and executed with aplomb en route to a clinical, 4-0 victory over Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A girls' soccer foe Charles B. Aycock at...

BASEBALL: BOX -- E. Wayne @ CBA

at Pikeville Eastern Wayne 020 000 0 --2 3 0 C.B. Aycock 002 012 X --5 6 1 Leading Hitters: Eastern Wayne -- Landon Ginn 1-3; Jacob Ginn 1-3; Keyon Gaines 1-3, RBI; Drew Barnes RBI. C.B. Aycock -- Luke...

BASEBALL: BOX -- Wayne Christian @ WCDS

Coastal Plains Independent 1-A Conference Championship (at Wayne Country Day) * Wayne Christian 000 00 -- 0 2 0 WCDS 022 44 -- 12 15 1 Leading hitters: Wayne Christian -- Addison Johnson 1-3; Holden Foster 1-3. Wayne Country Day...

PREP BASEBALL: WCDS completes CPIC sweep

bcoley@newsargus.com Wayne Country Day and Wayne Christian were both presented with opportunities to drive in runs during the Coastal Plains Independent 1-A Conference tournament title game Thursday afternoon. The difference in the game was simple -- the Chargers made the...

PREP BASEBALL: Frederick, CBA deny Eastern Wayne

PIKEVILLE -- Classic rivalry material. Junior right-hander Luke Frederick tossed 62/3 innings of three-hit quiz trivia, Blake Gipson drove in a pair of powder-blue base runners and Charles B. Aycock overcame an early deficit to turn back Eastern Wayne, 5-2,...

PREP SOFTBALL: Princeton finishes perfect in league play

PRINCETON -- Princeton put the finishing touches on its unbeaten run through Carolina 1-A Conference play with a 7-1 victory over rival Rosewood on Thursday evening. Toree Marak and Macy Tyndall pounded out two hits apiece for the Eagles. Hailey...

PREP SOFTBALL: Rebels' Santos tosses 2-hitter

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Alyssa Santos tossed a two-hitter as North Duplin handed Carolina 1-A Conference rival Spring Creek a season-ending, 13-0 loss on Thursday evening. Santos retired 10 Rebels on strikeouts. Courtney Brock paced the offense with three hits, a...

PREP BASEBALL: Eagles' Harris chains up Bulldogs

PRINCETON -- Kolby Harris hurled a complete-game, two-hitter as Rosewood handed Princeton a 7-1 loss in the Carolina 1-A Conference regular-season finale for both teams Thursday evening. Harris' masterful performance -- one earned run on two hits, two walks and...

PREP BASEBALL: Dupuy, Gators pick up league win

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Matt Dupuy earned a complete-shutout win on the bump, and Spring Creek emerged victorious 5-0 over North Duplin on Thursday evening. It was the Carolina 1-A Conference regular-season finale for both teams. Dupuy provided two hits for...

PREP BASEBALL: Nash Central doubles up SW

DUDLEY -- Nash Central pushed across five second-inning runs and fended off Southern Wayne, 6-3, during non-conference action Thursday evening. Derek Holsinger (RBI), Aryc Chrisman, Braxton Bradshaw, Justin Edwards and Dylan Whitley provided one hit apiece during the Saints' regular-season...

PREP GIRLS' SOCCER: Chargers move in CPIC tourney final

Langley Barnes punched in two goals and Wayne Country Day eliminated Greenfield, 3-1, in semifinal-round play of the Coastal Plains Independent 1-A Conference tournament Thursday. Barnes scored an unassisted goal in the first half and benefited from a Hannah McKeithan...

PREP GIRLS' SOCCER: Cougars dismantle Rams

Goldsboro polished off its unbeaten campaign in Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference play with a 10-1 thrashing of Greene Central. Juanita Cortes-Torres punched in three goals for the Cougars, who improved to 16-2-3 overall and finished 8-0-0 against league opposition this...

PREP GIRLS' SOCCER: Princeton blanks Rosewood

PRINCETON -- Madison Adkins had a senior night to remember -- a hat trick (three goals) during Princeton's 4-0 conquest of Carolina 1-A Conference rival Rosewood at Harvey Brooks Field. Adkins also dished out an assist. Kiana Brewton tallied one...

PREP BOYS' GOLF: Cougars win ECC crown, Kimble headed to states

Goldsboro emerged as the Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference champion and finished eighth in the N.C. High School Athletic Association east regional at Wedgewood GC in Wilson. Ryan Kimble won a sudden-death playoff to qualify for the state meet at Beacon...

GOLF: Walnut Creek LGA news

Betty Holloway, Faye Franklin and Mary Morris combined to win the 3-person Superball contested on the Walnut Creek Country Club links. Six Walnut Creek members -- Holloway, Linda Cannon, Kathy Woodard, Hiromi Sueki, Gaye Bryant and Maureen Prys -- each...

Thursday, May 4, 2017

TRACK AND FIELD: Rosewood boys take first

bcoley@newsargus.com PRINCETON -- The Rosewood boys' track and field team watched intently as the final results were called for the Carolina 1-A Conference track and field championship on Wednesday evening. As soon as Princeton head coach Mark McLamb read, "In...

TRACK AND FIELD: Local 3-A schools compete at conference championship

NEW BERN -- C.B. Aycock and Eastern Wayne both had good showings at the ECC 3-A/4-A Conference championships held at New Bern on Wednesday afternoon. For the boys, EW placed third with 92 points while CBA gathered 91 points. Southern...

JV Digest

Baseball: C.B. Aycock 8, Greene Central 7 -- Blake Dilda went 3-for-4 with one RBI. Tyrie Artis went 2-for-3. Davis Carroll (two RBI), Jakob Prebe (two RBI), Trey Smith and Seth Shephard had one hit apiece. The Golden Falcons...

SOFTBALL: North Duplin takes down Lakewood

CALYPSO -- North Duplin used a five-run sixth inning to push past Lakewood 11-3 on Wednesday. Rayanna Koch went 3-for-4 with a double. Natalie Ramirez, Brook Cottle and Maddie Swinson provided two hits each. Hannah Brogden, Anna Thornton and Alyssa...

SOFTBALL: Eagles blank Warriors

Rosewood dominated Eastern Wayne en route to a 10-0 mercy-rule victory on Wednesday evening. Braylee Butts went 3-for-3, Kiandra Taylor went 3-for-3 with four RBI, Hailey Weeks went 2-for-3, Laine Marak went 1-for-3 with a double and Kaley Hilton went...

BASEBALL: Greene Central downs Goldsboro

Greene Central handed Goldsboro a 10-5 defeat in both team's regular season finale. Justin Hartsfield, Brody Morton, and Nicholas Lewis contributed hits for the Cougars....

BASEBALL: Gators chomp Bulldogs

SEVENG SPRINGS -- Spring Creek tallied an 8-1 victory over Princeton in a game contested at the "Swamp" on Wednesday evening. The Gators' Kaden Geelen went 3-for-4 with three RBI. Jordan Ammons and Landon Smother both went 2-for-3 and had...

CAROLINA 1-A T&F CHAMPIONSHIP: Results

BOYS TEAM SCORES Rosewood 197 Princeton 116 Hobbton 99 Lakewood 85 North Duplin 73 Spring Creek 58 James Kenan 34 Neuse Charter 14 INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS 100 -- Josh Polk (H), 10.70 seconds. 200 -- Josh Polk (H), 22.21. 400 --...

ECC 3-A/4-A T&F CHAMPIONSHIP: Results

Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A track and field championship results BOYS TEAM SCORES South Central 195 D.H. Conley 125 E. Wayne 92 C.B. Aycock 91 Southern Wayne 62 J.H. Rose 45 New Bern 39 INDVIDUAL CHAMPIONS 100 -- Kamarion Graham (CBA), 10.74...

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

BOYS' GOLF: Golfers battle through tough course

FOUR OAKS -- C. B. Aycock head coach Dave Elmore, standing amid a throng of onlookers dressed in the strings of team garb, craned his neck to get a better view of the leaderboard. Around him, a hushed crowd...

GIRLS' SOCCER: Spring Creek wins shootout

bcoley@newsargus.com SEVEN SPRINGS -- After overtime ended against James Kenan, Spring Creek head coach Jared Miller gathered his girls and asked who wanted to participate in penalty kicks. Five girls immediately stepped forward with Tuesday's game on the line --...

GIRLS' SOCCER: Eastern Wayne blanks Southern Wayne

Eastern Wayne recorded a dominant 9-0 victory over county rival Southern Wayne on Tuesday evening. Yessi Gutierrez started the game off with a goal thanks to an assist from Alana Kazar in the first six minutes. Brennan Dove smashed a...

GIRLS' SOCCER: Princeton gets by Lakewood

ROSEBORO -- Princeton pushed past Lakewood and clinched a 2-0 win on Tuesday evening. Veronica Blackman scored both goals for the Bulldogs, who managed 21 shots. Hannah Horne notched nine saves in goal....

BOYS' GOLF: WCS wins two-team match

Wayne Christian picked up a victory over Faith Christian in a match contested at Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course. Wayne Christian posted a team score of 209 while Faith Christian recorded a 246. The Eagles' participants included Micaiah Singletary (48), Drake...

BOYS' TENNIS: WCDS eases past Lawrence Academy

Wayne Country Day cruised to a 6-3 win over Lawrence Academy in the final regular season game of the season. Sam Dively, Alec Fritzinger, Charlie Dees and Gray Langston each picked up singles points for the Chargers. The combos of...

BOYS' TENNIS: Goldsboro cruises to second round

Goldsboro defeated West Stanly 6-0 and advanced to the second round of the NCHSAA 2-A state playoffs. The Cougars won all six singles courts in straight sets....

BOYS' TENNIS: Eastern Wayne falls in first round

Williams handed Eastern Wayne a 6-3 loss and first-round exit out of the NCHSAA playoffs on Tuesday afternoon. Dylan March and Ian Burchett were victorious at the No. 1 and No. 5 flight, respectively. March/Walker Davis picked up the lone...

SOFTBALL: Taylor's pitching leads Cougars

Goldsboro's Marcy Taylor pitched a complete game and shut out Ayden-Grifton in a 6-0 triumph on Tuesday. Taylor allowed five hits, one walk and struck out six batters. Dakota Jones (RBI), Amber Pfennig (RBI) Taylor Lane (RBI) and Grace Tart...

SOFTBALL: Saints crush Warriors

Southern Wayne cruised past Eastern Wayne 15-2 in a county rival battle on Tuesday. Saints' hurler Dawn Anderson struck out 10 batters and allowed just three hits. Rebecca Coor hit her second homer of the season, with a moonshot to...

SOFTBALL: Golden Falcons pile on runs against Rampants

GREENVILLE -- C.B. Aycock eased past J.H. Rose in a 15-1 mercy-rule victory on Tuesday evening. Starter Leah Campbell went five innings and gave up three hits. Connor Vinson went 3-for-3 with two RBI and Allison Shingleton went 3-4 with...

SOFTBALL: WCS maintains hot streak

Wayne Christian continued its winning streak by defeating Community Christian 15-5 in a mercy-rule victory. WCS tallied 10 hits -- six of which were extra base hits. That includes a double by Abbe Harris, two doubles by Bri Verme, a...

BASEBALL: Eastern Wayne walks off against Southern Wayne

Eastern Wayne posted a 4-3 walk-off victory over county rival Southern Wayne on Tuesday night. The winning run came in the eighth inning. EW's Tanner Wells and Jacob Ginn both went 3-for-4 with a RBI. Dylan Whitley led SW...

BASEBALL: Eagles dominate Neuse Charter

SMITHFIELD -- Rosewood put its foot on the gas early and pounded Neuse Charter in a 17-0 mercy-rule victory on Tuesday evening. The Eagles scored 10 runs in the first two innings. As a team, Rosewood recorded 17 hits. Kolby...

BASEBALL: North Duplin takes down Hobbton

CALYPSO -- North Duplin dominated en route to a 10-1 victory over Hobbton on Monday. Dylan Jones pitched a complete game and allowed two hits, no walks and struck out 10 batters. David Price and Colby Bass each posted two...

BASEBALL: Rose overwhelms C.B. Aycock

GREENVILLE -- J.H. Rose dominated C.B. Aycock and picked up a 10-0 mercy-rule victory on Tuesday evening. Carson Smitherman tallied the only hit for the Golden Falcons. Cody Whaley recorded the loss and allowed five runs, five hits and two...

BASEBALL: Cougars lose close match to Jones Senior

Goldsboro dropped a heartbreaking, 9-8 loss to Jones Senior on Monday. The game went nine innings. Josh Hartsfield led the Cougars with a 4-for-5 effort. Michael Eltz went 3-5, Brody Morton went 2-4 and Matthew Lewis went 2-5. Cameron Roux...

BASEBALL: WCDS pushes by Community Christian

Wayne Country Day recorded a 10-5 victory over Community Christian on Tuesday and punched its ticket to the Coastal Plains Independent 1-A Conference tournament title game. John Strickland led the team with three hits, five RBI and a three-run homer....

BASEBALL: James Kenan shuts down Spring Creek

SEVEN SPRINGS -- James Kenan shut down Spring Creek and clinched a 3-0 victory at the Swamp on Tuesday. All three runs were scored in the fourth inning. The Gators' Levi Miller went 2-for-3 while Christian Yarbrough and Kaden Geelen...

BASEBALL: WCS mery rules Greenfield

Wayne Christian used a nine-run third inning to bully its way to a 15-1 mercy-rule victory over Greenfield in Tuesday's Coastal Plains Independent 1-A Conference semifinal matchup. The Eagles also scored five runs in the first inning and one run...

TRACK AND FIELD: Goldsboro boys, girls place sixth at conference championships

Goldsboro's boys and girls track and field team both finished sixth at the Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference track and field championships on Tuesday. The 4x200-meter boys' relay team of Darrius Rodgers, Dorian Rodgers, Jacob Owens and JB Rhodes grabbed third...

JV Digest

Baseball: J.H. Rose 15, C.B. Aycock 10 -- Blake Dilda went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a triple. Davis Carroll (two RBI), Jakob Prebe (three RBI), Guy Crane and Kaleb More all had one hit. CBA (7-11, 3-7 ECC) travels...

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Varsity Baseball -- Gipson propels Aycock past Rosewood

 PIKEVILLE -- Blake Gipson is one of the most feared hitters in C.B. Aycock's lineup. He's in the three-hole for a reason. But there's also a reason why Golden Falcons' head coach Charles Davis put him on the mound against...

Box Score -- Rosewood at Charles B. Aycock

Rosewood    0 0 0 0 1 1 1 --  3 5  1 C.B. Aycock    3 0 1 2 0 1 x --  7 10 2 Leading hitters: Rosewood -- Kolby Harris 1-3, RBI; Tucker Chapin 1-1; Stalen Massengill 1-2; Derek...

Prep Golf -- Klages shines at 1A East Regional

On a day when winds circled perilously and temperatures soared into the mid-80's, Rosewood High's Cameron Klages put local knowledge and savvy to proper use. The junior overcame an awkward stretch of golf on his inward half, birdied his final...

UMO's Lancaster gambles, wins big in Conference Carolinas championship

ELON -- With his team tied at three and middle reliever Ethan Horne embroiled in a tense, 2-2 count versus Belmont Abbey slugger Kennan Stanley on Monday, veteran UMO skipper Carl Lancaster gambled big -- then got paid off big....