AJ-T Sports LIVE FROM...BOSHAMER STADIUM (UNC-NCSU BASEBALL)

We're back and online for the second half of our football/baseball twin bill, as the 20th ranked UNC Diamond Heels (21-11, 5-8 ACC) plays host to the rival NC State Wolfpack (20-11, 5-8 ACC) at Boshamer Stadium.

First things first...if you get a chance to get to a field to watch college baseball and you are any kind of fan, do it. The atmosphere around the stadium for tonight's game is exciting. It's great fun for the entire family.

Carolina handed NC State a 14-7 loss in Chapel Hill last night in the first game of this weekend's three-game set. Right handed pitcher Patrick Johnson, a junior from St. Stephen's High School, takes the mound for the Heels tonight for manager Mike Fox.

NC State strikes first on a leadoff walk and a hit into the gap. A Carolina error in the outfield allowed the leadoff runner to come around to score and spot State the early 1-0 lead. Carolina quelled the threat with a couple of ground outs to close the frame, but a second runner scores in the process. Heels up to bat in the bottom of the first trailing 2-0.

Starting for the Wolfpack is Cory Mazzoni, who is 3-2 on the season with a 4.99 ERA. Also an interesting note: in attendance two boxes over from the press box is Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr.! Again it proves that you never know who you'll bump into at the ballpark.

Update #1: The Heels top two hitters, Cavassini and Coyle, each strike out, but UNC rallies when catcher Wierzbicki singles and advances to second on a poor pick off attempt. The runner is stranded, however, when Brian Goodwin grounds to first to end the frame. One inning in the books: NCSU 2, UNC 0

Update #2: NC State loads the bases with nobody out in the top of the second, but Patrick Johnson induces a strike out, a popout and a ground out to second base to end the threat with no harm done. State leads 2-0 as we enter the bottom of the second inning. Carolina goes down in order in the bottom of the second. State still leads by a pair.

Update #3: State puts a runner on, but Johnson records back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning. Bottom of the third coming up and the Heels are down a pair.

Update #4: Carolina goes down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the third. We're a third of the way through and the Pack holds the 2-0 edge.

Update #5: Johnson again plays with fire on the mound, as he surrenders a base hit and a pair of walks, to load up the bases. State's Drew Poulk grounded to shortstop, but the force at second base was just an eyelash too late, allowing State's Tarran Senay to score from third to build the Wolfpack lead to 3-0. Johnson continued to struggle to find a groove, surrendering a walk to force in Matt Bergquist from third base, giving the Pack a 4-0 lead. Coach Mike Fox pulls Johnson with 86 pitches and trailing 4-0, opting to go with relief pitcher Chris Munnelly.

Another interesting piece of information. Carolina football quarterback Bryn Renner, who played in this afternoon's Blue/White game, is also a player on the UNC baseball roster. He quickly got changed and is now on the bench for baseball. More bad news for the Heels, as Munnelly gives up a grand slam to left field from the first batter he faces, State's Andrew Ciencin. State has put a six-spot in the frame to build an 8-0 bulge. Munnelly had allowed one of the 18 runners he has inherited to score this season before Ciencin's home run.

Following a walk and a hit batsman, Coach Fox opts to pull Munnelly in favor of lefty RC Orlan, who strikes out pinch hitter Russell Wilson to close out the inning. Tough frame for the Heels as they go to the bottom of the fourth trailing 8-0.

Update #6: A capacity crowd of 3,776 turned out to Boshamer Stadium to catch the Triangle rivalry matchup this evening.

In the bottom of the fourth the Heels have struck for three runs, all with two outs in the frame. Carolina cuts the lead to 8-3. A pair of doubles from Jesse Wierzbicki and Ben Bunting brought runs home as the Heels try to claw back into the game.

Update #7: Olman walks a pair of hitters and Manager Mike Fox makes another pitching change, this time calling on right handed pitcher Greg Holt. Holt induces a fielder's choice for a force out at third base for the first out of the inning. State's Drew Poulk walks to re-load the bases as State looks to blow this game open for good. Carolina gets a 3-6 force play but a runner scores from third to up the Wolfpack advantage to 9-3, with two outs in the inning. Holt induces a fly out to end the frame with just the one run given up. State leads Carolina 9-3 as we're halfway home from Boshamer Stadium!

Update #8: Heels go down in order in the fifth. Four innings to play and it's still a six-run bulge for the Pack.

Update #9: The Pack get the leadoff hitter on with a base hit, but the Heels work around the hit to leave the runner stranded at second base. NCSU leads 9-3 going to the bottom of the sixth.
Carolina picks up a run on a hit batsman and an RBI single from Dillon Hazelett. He and teammate Levi Michael made it to 2nd and 3rd with two outs, and a walk issued to Graepel loaded the bases for Stallings. Stallings draws a four-pitch walk, forcing in Michael from third base. NC State now leads by a score of 9-5 with two outs in the sixth. Wolfpack starter Mazzoni is pulled in favor of southpaw reliever Grant Sasser.

Sasser promptly walks Mike Cavasinni on four pitches to force in another UNC run, drawing the Heels to within 9-6. Coyle strikes out to end the inning, but the Heels are now within three runs going into the top of the 7th. Between innings UNC assistant Matt McCay was ejected by the umpire for arguing balls and strikes. According to the press box, each of the top three coaches on staff have been ejected from a game this season. Give McCay credit, as he got his money's worth in debating with the umpire before leaving the field.

Update #10: The first two hitters for the Heels strike out to start the bottom of the 7th, but an error on the second baseman put Levi Michael on first base. Hazelett flies out to left to end the threat, as the Pack maintain its three-run edge.

Update #11: Holt gets one out, but gives up a single and an RBI triple from State's Russell Wilson before Coach Fox again makes the slow walk to the mound to pull his pitcher. The skipper calls on Nate Striz to come on in relief.

Danny Canela pinch hits for State and slaps an RBI single to right, scoring Wilson to give the Pack an 11-6 lead. Leadoff hitter Kyle Wilson flies to center. With Poulk coming on to bat for State, Coach Fox trots back to the mound to replace Striz with southpaw reliever Zach Bernard. State's Dallas Poulk rudely welcomes Bernard with a base hit to left field. Again, Coach Fox wears out a path to the mound with the hook, bringing on reliever Cody Stiles, the seventh Tar Heel pitcher to take the mound tonight.

Stiles uncorks a wild pitch which allows a run to score, but strikes out the batter to close the inning. State gets three in the top of the 8th to extend its lead back to a half-dozen runs at 12-6.

Carolina's Mike Cavasinni and State's Kyle Wilson each entered tonight's contest with a 14-game hitting streak, but it appears both players will see their streaks snapped. Cavasinni walks in his last at-bat, but a flyout to center field strands him on base as the Pack takes a 12-6 lead to the top of the ninth inning.

Update #12: State threatens one last time in the top of the ninth with two runners on base. After a long battle, Wolfpack hitter Russell Wilson serves a base hit into right center field to score a 13th run for the contest. A wild pitch from Stiles allows another runner to score from third, as the Pack has continued to score runs when needed throughout the game. A ground out to short finally ends the top of the ninth, but the Heels have work to do as they trail 14-6 entering the bottom of the ninth.

Update #13: After a flyout to center field, UNC pinch hits with Bryn Renner, the player who started his afternoon on the football field as quarterback at the Blue/White game. Renner grounds out and the Heels are retired in order as the Pack defeats Carolina 14-6 to even the weekend series. Massey gets the save for State.

Thanks for reading and following along during this doubleheader afternoon!

AJ-T Sports LIVE FROM... KENAN MEMORIAL STADIUM

We are coming to you LIVE from Kenan Stadium on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for today's intersquad spring football contest. The Tar Heels are wrapping up spring practices with their annual Blue/White game, which will be seen today nationwide starting at 3 p.m. on ESPN.

The Tar Heels, coming off a heartbreaking loss to Pittsburgh last December in Charlotte at the Meineke Car Care Bowl, is almost certain to be ranked in the preseason Top 25 and returns a number of key players, including starting quarterback TJ Yates and wide receiver Greg Little. Carolina's defense was a team strength last season, with the likes of Deunta Williams, Robert Quinn, and Marvin Austin holding the line.

We'll bring you conversations, updates, and hopefully some photos along the way as we follow this afternoon's football game. We also home, press box room permitting, to provide live Blog coverage of the second half of a great doubleheader of sports action, as the diamond Heels will be hosting North Carolina State at newly rebuilt Boshamer Stadium later this evening.

Special thanks to our college sports correspondent Matt Laws, as well as the UNC Athletics Communications Office for the opportunity to provide this special coverage today. Go Tar Heels!

Update #1: Asheville High School and Carolina running back Johnny White sprained his ankle in yesterday's practice and will not be playing today. That's a bummer, as there have been some buzz during the spring on how he has stepped up in that role. We'll have to wait to see him in September I guess.

They teams are coming out of the tunnel and the game is set to kick off!

Update #2: Heels white team QB Bryn Renner hits WE Greg Little for a nine-yard TD pass. The PAT is good to give the White squad a 7-0 lead. A 13 play, 71 yard drive took 7:21 off the first quarter clock to tally the first points of the game.

Blue team will get its first possession of the game coming up!

Update #3: The Blue squad, led by starting QB Yates, picks up one first down, but is eventually forced to punt. White's second offensive series results in a three-and-out, forcing a punt.

Blue team's second series starting at its own 22-yard line. First quarter in the books, and the White Heels lead the Blue Heels 7-0.

Update #4: Running backs Shaun Draughn and Anthony Elzy have the bulk of the carries at the running back position thus far, and Michael McAdoo has registered three sacks in just over a quarter of action.

Update #5: Renner is replaced at quarterback for the White team by Braden Hanson to open the first offensive drive of the second quarter. Hanson is actually playing at quarterback for both teams during this quarter. Hanson as the Blue quarterback throws an interception to Mywan Jackson. White takes over possession at the Blue 25-yard line. Hanson connects on a pass to the Blue 6-yard line. Elzy pounds the football to the two-yard line. Elzy hurdles the defensive line on the next play for a two-yard score. The point after try is good and the White squad holds a 14-0 lead with 5:09 to play. The drive took three plays to move 25 yards over just 1:23 of game time.

Update #6: Renner has re-entered the game for the White team and throws an interception to give Blue the possession as it looks to cut into the 14-point deficit. Yates returns to the quarterback spot for the Blue to close out the final two and a half minutes of the first half.

Update #7: Yates completes a 49-yard pass play to Zach Pianalto to advance to the White 23-yard line. After a run play the Blue team takes a time out with 58 seconds left, hoping to put some points on the scoreboard before intermission.

White snuffs out another Blue drive when McAdoo adds an interception to his three-sack first half. White decides to run out the remainder of the half as the White leads the Blue 14-0 following two quarters of action.

Update #8: TJ Yates was 7 of 13 in the first half for 77 yards with an interception, while taking three sacks. Bryn Renner was 8 of 11 for 92 yards in the first two quarters with a touchdown pass.

Update #9: Blue was unable to score with its first series, but forced a turnover on an interception to get the football back inside the White 35 yard line. The Blue squad threatened to score but Jackson intercepted a Hanson pass attempt for his second pick of the game. Blue squad is held scoreless again as the White squad takes over with 1:08 to play in the third quarter. 14-0 White leads it.

Update #10: Renner hits Dwight Jones on a 55-yard pass play to march the White players to the Blue 20 yard line as the third period ends. 14-0 White leads and is threatening. Also announced than an estimated 29,500 fans attended this afternoon's scrimmage, a great crowd out to support the Heels.

The White team adds another three points on a 23-yard field goal by Trase Jones to cap a 9-play, 74-yard drive that elapsed 5:57 of possession time. 5:50 remains in the contest and the White leads the Blue 17-0.

Update #11: McAdoo picks up a fourth sack for the White team as the defense has kept the Blue team in check for most of the day. On a 4th and 12 from the White 37, Yates throws deep but overthrows his intended receiver to give the White possession on the turnover on downs. White defeats the Blue 17-0 for the win.

Great effort and many high hopes for the Heels headed into the fall regular season, which opens in Atlanta on September 4th with a matchup against LSU.

That's gonna do it from Kenan Stadium. We may be back from Boshamer for the State/Carolina baseball game, if space permits. Thanks for reading!

Smith resigns as CHS coach

Cloudland's Ned Smith has resigned as head coach of the boy's basketball program. The 'Landers have not named a replacement, but junior varsity head coach Brandon Carpenter is expected to be the leading candidate for the job. The Avery Journal-Times will have updates on this developing story as they become available.

Vikings Hope Off-Season Weight Training Pays Dividends

During the 2009 high school football season, the Avery varsity football team improved from a two-win club to a five-win season with victories over rivals Cloudland and Mitchell.

With much of its nucleus returning from last year’s club, the Avery football program has already dedicated itself to winning a championship months in advance of its first fall practice.

At the start of the spring school semester, several student-athletes enrolled in a weightlifting class offered for the first time as the last period of the school day. Players have been excited about the opportunity to work out while enjoying the benefit of attending class and learning proper technique.

“This class and the time help us to come together as a class and as a team. Lifting helps us not only get stronger, but also get faster and help us in every aspect of the game,” junior Lucas Lecka said during one of the class sessions last week.

From the first step into the weight room during an afternoon school day, it is evident that the group of students is taking seriously the adage that football season starts in the weight room, working together and pushing one another toward a common goal while trying individually to be the best player they can be.

“In years past we never really had anybody in the room, and now it seems we pretty much have the entire team,” Lecka said. A number of teammates taking the weight training course are in agreement.

“Some people say they can’t wait for football season to start, but when we walk through that door our season has already started, so we have to be ready to work hard every day,” Viking running back/defensive lineman Colton Blackburn stated. “We have goals and we’re in here to achieve them. We’re working hard and doing what the coaches tell us.”

As a student during the football off-season, after school hours are often spent as part of another high school team or holding down a job. Having the class available to players during the school day grants players the opportunity to lift while still taking care of their other commitments after school.

“It’s helped me because I have to work after school, so this way I’m able to lift weights and still go to work without having to miss time working out,” Viking linebacker Tyler Buchanan explained. “Being together helps us to build great teamwork and trust, as well as helping us get along better.”

Avery’s coaches have placed added emphasis on the conditioning and weight program to help the Viking program in both the short term and in the long run.

“It is the best thing to ever happen to get this weightlifting class started in the spring semester,” Avery head football coach Darrell Brewer said last week. “We had to work a few schedules around, but it’s been a really good thing. We’re behind because of the winter, but the kids are already starting to grow. You’re seeing that they are working together as a football team encouraging each other. They’re having a good time together and they’re working their butts off together.”

To a person, the Avery high school players who take part in the afternoon weight training class expressed excitement for the middle school athletes lifting at the school two times a week, as well as in some cases disappointment over not having a similar program when they were that age.

“When I was in middle school we didn’t get to lift at the high school. Last year we didn’t have much of a JV program, so I think having those kids able to come and lift will help that group come together and give them a good strong team at that level,” Buchanan said. “Hopefully it will better help them when they move from JV to varsity to know what is going on and have a lot more experience than we did when we moved up and played high school football.”

A number of the veteran players expressed similar sentiments.

“I would have loved to have had the opportunity to come up and lift as a middle school student. It helps you get familiar with the high school, and also it’s good because this is what they will be part of for four years and it will help challenge them and prepare them for what’s expected,” Blackburn stated.

“I would have loved to have had this. When I was in middle school I looked up to the high school players more than anyone,” Avery wide receiver Kody Hughes said. “I figured if I lifted with them I would be a better athlete. If a weight and conditioning program was available then, I definitely would have taken advantage of it.”

The Viking coaching staff is also seeing quick results of the middle school weight program on the numbers of kids coming to the weight room after school each Tuesday and Thursday.

“Unfortunately last season we had to fold the JV team because we didn’t have enough numbers. Right now we’ve had anywhere from 20 to 25 of those kids coming in the weight room two days a week,” Coach Brewer said. “I think they’re walking into a situation you hate to see, but it’s encouraging, as they are going to have to come in and play immediately. They’re excited to be part of it, and I leave the weight room with a smile every day after having worked with these guys.”

Summer workout conditioning program begins June 7^th, and will take place on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Half the team will work out in the weight room while the other half will work on the field, with the groups trading stations midway through each day’s session.

Sixth Inning Rally Lifts Cougars over Vikings

The Avery baseball teams ventured to Burnsville to battle the Mountain Heritage Cougars in Western Highlands Conference action last week.

Junior Varsity:
The JV Vikings grabbed an early lead on Mountain Heritage, but the Cougars quickly bounced back to take control of the game in winning by a 12-2 final score.

Avery scored a run in the top of the first frame when Bennett Sweat singled and later scored on a wild pitch to give the Vikings the early 1-0 lead.

Heritage rallied in the bottom of the inning with a pair of runs to put the Cougars up by a run.

After Avery was retired in order in the second, Mountain Heritage plated a pair of insurance runs to lead by a 4-1 margin. Although trailing, the Big Red managed to make noise in the top of the third when Sweat singled and scored on a sacrifice fly from Tyler Edwards to make the score 4-2.

A three-run third inning bolstered the MHHS advantage to 7-2. After the Vikings were unable to score in the fourth, the Cougars put the game away with a five-run outburst. Avery could not score in the fifth inning and the game was called due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Varsity:
After the junior varsity game, the varsity teams took the diamond on the sunny, warm afternoon. In a game much closer than the score indicated, Mountain Heritage used an eight-run sixth inning to pull away from the Vikings in a 17-9 loss.

The high temperatures must have heated up the Viking offense, as Avery exploded for six runs in the top of the first inning in support of starting pitcher Daniel Huff. The first five hitters in the Avery lineup reached base safely and came around to score runs. Huff laced a two-run double in the frame, while Danny Cole and Dustin Childress each added an RBI base hit to put the Vikings comfortably in front.

Heritage quickly answered by picking up three runs in its half of the opening frame. The top three hitters in the Cougar lineup were potent in the entire game, scoring a total of ten runs with eight hits. Vikings starter Huff worked out of trouble in the inning to maintain a three-run edge.

Avery was retired in order in the second frame and the Cougars completed their comeback with three more runs, scored by the identical top three hitters in the lineup, to tie the contest at 6-6.

The Cougars touched up the Viking defense for another three-run burst in the bottom of the third to take its first lead at 9-6.

The score remained unchanged as reliever Jared Clark took the mound in relief and shut out Heritage for the next two innings. In the top of the fifth Avery narrowed the gap to 9-8. Two-out singles from Joe Buchanan and C.J. Vance was followed by a two-RBI double by Cole, his third hit of the day, to draw the Vikings within a run.

In the top of the next inning Avery tied the game again, this time at 9-9 when Ethan Sluder singled and scored on a 4-6 fielder’s choice.

With the score tied and the outcome in doubt, Avery began to succumb to the pressure of keeping the Cougars offense from breaking out. Twelve hitters came to the plate for Mountain Heritage in the sixth inning, eight of the players scoring runs. The Vikings hurt their cause with defensive miscues, and after issuing both intentional and unintentional walks to keep the force out in play, the Cougars made the moves backfire, replenishing the bases on too many occasions.

Relief pitcher Dustin Childress recorded a strikeout to finally close the inning, but the damage had been done.

With only the top of the seventh inning remaining Avery was unable to answer, as the Vikings were retired in order to close out the game.

“We jumped on them early and hit the ball really well. We hit a little of a cold streak and battled back to get back in it, which was good to see,” Avery head baseball coach Benny Wellborn said following the game. “They just had a big inning. We took a gamble and tried to minimize damage as best we could by keeping a force in play with the heart of their lineup coming to bat, but we took some damage anyway.”

The Vikings will take some time off to work out the kinks and with some good fortune will finally get the opportunity to practice on the baseball field that the bad weather has rendered virtually unusable for much of this season.

“This is a game about making routine plays. If you make the routine plays you minimize damage and win games,” Coach Wellborn said. “Those little things add up over the course of seven innings. We’ll take some time off, and hopefully by the time we get back we can actually have a practice on the field and be able to get work in. Since we’ve gotten into the cages we’re hitting the ball better. It’s been a hard season to improve with not having the ability to get on our field, but hopefully we’ll keep working at the fundamentals of fielding, hitting, and throwing.”

The Vikings return to action on April 13^th for their home opener against Mitchell, and will travel to make up a game at Madison the following day

Lady Cougars Claw Past Avery in WHC Softball Action

Avery’s softball squads are continuing to play “catch up” as they are finally able to take advantage of the warm, dry weather to practice outdoors and improve in areas that need strength.

Last Thursday afternoon, the ladies traveled to Burnsville to take on the Lady Cougars of Mountain Heritage in a JV/varsity doubleheader. The Lady Vikings fell in both contests, by the final score of 15-1 in the varsity game and 11-1 in the junior varsity showdown.

The varsity teams opened play in what began as a close affair. Mountain Heritage took a 3-0 lead in the first two innings of play, but the Lady Vikings bounced back in the third. Brooke Buchanan started the rally with a base hit, and advanced around the bases to score on an RBI single from Amber Clark to make the score 3-1.

Unfortunately for the Big Red, the Lady Cougars quelled the rally, then roared ahead to score 12 runs over the next two innings. A combination of timely hitting and help from the Lady Vikings defense helped Heritage to seize control.

“We made several defensive errors that cost us some runs early on. We need to work on taking the easier out and being poised defensively and not panicking when we have runners on base,” Avery softball coach Stephen Bunger said following the contest. “Overall, we were much improved we've just got to get over the mental hump.”

Despite the defeat, the Lady Vikings continue to display signs of improvement individually and as a team.

A number of Lady Vikings safely reached base in the contest. Kaylea Davis, Justina Rieger, Jessica Banner, and Beth Lewis each provided base runners in the game.

Another factor that may very well played a part in determining the outcome was health. Several Lady Vikings were suffering from flu-like symptoms. Starting catcher Haley Hicks became ill and was replaced during the game by Charley Puckett. The junior varsity standout stepped up for Avery in her first varsity action of the year and made several strong plays, including throwing out a runner at third base and making solid contact while hitting at the plate.

“Overall I thought we played well. We hit the ball a lot better and we fought hard. We got some runners on base and threatened to score, but couldn't quite get them home,” Coach Bunger said. “We were patient at the plate and drew several walks, but we stranded four runners. We hit the ball better and showed signs of improvement, but we made several defensive errors that cost us some runs early on. We need to work on taking the easier out and being poised defensively and not panicking when we have runners on base. But credit Mountain Heritage, because while we played better, they took advantage of the errors that we did make.”

The second half of the twin bill was a matchup pitting the junior varsity teams of both schools. Avery’s junior varsity squad has continued to improve from its early outings on the season, but could not find an answer for the aggressiveness of the Heritage offense.

“The JV played well. We hit the ball and were patient at the plate, but Mountain Heritage was aggressive on the base paths with several steals and we couldn't get our coverage right at first so that put runners in scoring position for them,” Coach Bunger said of the game. “They took advantage of the passed balls and some throwing errors we made.”

Brittney Brewer got the starting nod in the circle for Avery and both she and the team improved steadily as the game transpired. “Brittney got into some trouble early, but settled down in the last three innings with minimal damage. She had three strikeouts on the game,” Bunger stated.

Nikki Wright had the big hit of the day with a double that rolled to the fence, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple.

“We put some runners on base throughout the game but couldn't get many of them home,” Bunger said. “Only one runner, Sarah Carter, scored for the lone run of the game. Mountain Heritage did what they needed to do to score and they are well coached. Overall, I thought we were improved from the last few games, showing determination, patience at the plate, and we brought some runners home. We are improving and we will continue to work hard in practice. We have home games coming up and we will work hard to be ready to play.”

The Lady Vikings have this week off, but return to the diamond to host Mitchell on Tuesday, April 13^th.

Avery Prep Sports Roundup

Track and Field:

The Avery track and field team traveled last week to Mitchell High School for a five-team meet. Pisgah, McDowell, and Mountain Heritage joined Avery and Mitchell for the event, the first one held in Ledger since the school’s outdoor track has been resurfaced.

Avery performed exceedingly well at the meet, much better than the squad’s last outing in which the competitors were unable to wear spikes due to track surface at Owen High School.

“I knew our times would be better with a better track and the ability to wear spikes,” Avery track coach Cary Dominguez said after the meet.

The Vikings took six girls and several boys to participate in several events, with a number of positive outcomes. The 4x100 meter boys relay team qualified for state competition with a time of 45.5 seconds, while Kyle Griewisch qualified for states in the 200 meter dash, shaving over a tenth of a second off his personal best ran at Owen by improving his time from 11.53 seconds to 11.4 seconds.

Junior Dustin Clarke, participating in just his second meet, cleared 5’10” and won the high jump event. He jumped 5’6” in his first event and improved four inches in the time between the Owen meet and the Mitchell meet.

“Dustin is coachable and listens. He did a few jumps and we told him what he needed to do to fix his technique and form, and he fixed them,” Coach Dominguez said of the leaper. “He and his teammates also did phenomenal with the handoff in the 4x100m relay.”

As the season unfolds, the teams are benefiting from the nicer weather and are seeing dividends paying off for the team’s individual and group work.

“This past week, even though the returning kids know their events, we have new kids who are still trying out events. All the kids are working really hard, but now we’re seeing how kids can match up to specific events,” Coach Dominguez explained. “Cody Estes is one who is starting to pop out and showing a lot of speed and pulling forward. We have other kids who are just broadening their scope of events, which is awesome and what track and field is all about.”

Track and field at Avery is a unique sport where athletes are on both individual and team stages. A runner may run individually in a dash, then might join three teammates to participate in a relay a short time later. The dynamic emphasizes the importance of good chemistry and teamwork within the group.

“Teamwork is developing well with this group. We have football players who already have established bonds, but we’re seeing good teamwork and camaraderie between all athletes, whether they are in running or field events,” Coach Dominguez explained. “Track and field is great since it is not all about team, but the athletes are rooting for each other individually while also able at the same time to accumulate team points.”

For the first time in several years, Avery High School has the opportunity to host its own meet at MacDonald Stadium, set for Tuesday, April 20^th. The track and field teams are currently taking advantage of the facilities on campus to improve, and are also looking forward as they prepare for a full-fledged meet as host.

“We’re excited about hosting a meet. Any volunteers who are interested in helping, such as being timers and so on, are needed and welcome to help with the meet,” Coach Dominguez stated. “You don’t have to know a lot about track to be able to come out to a meet and enjoy watching the events. With the youth track program starting next month with the Parks and Recreation program, I think we’re on the right track to building a strong program in Avery County.”

The Viking track and field teams next take part in a meet at Enka High School coming up later this week.

Golf:
The Avery men’s golf team participated in a tournament at Crooked Creek Golf Club in Hendersonville last week, coming in third place out of the four-school event. Polk County won with a team total of 327, followed by Hendersonville, Avery, and Madison.

Polk’s Davis Horne was low individual scorer with a round of 77, while Hendersonville’s Weikus Tolles and John Jackson took second and third lowest honors.

“We didn’t shoot well as a team at Hendersonville. We only took four golfers and the conditions were very difficult,” Avery golf coach Boe Barinowski said after the event.

Last Tuesday Avery and Mitchell’s golf teams came together for an exhibition round of golf, held at the Linville Golf Club. The teams hope to make the get-together an annual format similar to the Ryder Cup, where the schools will compete for its own golf championship.

Avery’s golf team is scheduled to return to action on Monday, April 12^th at Grassy Creek Golf Course in Spruce Pine.