Sports

Quarterback Brock Thompson carries the ball for the Blue Devils during a recent scrimmage. (File photo)

By Keeli Parkey

The Unicoi County High School football team faced a tough preseason test, one that head coach Drew Rice believes will prepare them for the upcoming 2018 season.

“I was pleased with how physical we played, especially with our first group of guys,” Rice said about the scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 3. Hampton is a very good football team, and I thought we had a good showing against them. … We knew it was going to be a test of our physicality and toughness, and we feel like we passed that test. Hampton is known for a very physical style of play, maybe more physical than anyone on our schedule, and that’s why we wanted to scrimmage them.”

The Blue Devils had success throwing the ball against the Bulldogs.

“I think our passing game really looked good,” Rice said. “We tried to spread the ball around a little more and get some other guys involved and it worked out well.”

With just over a week to go before the season begins, the Blue Devils have a different practice schedule and will be preparing physically for the games – and the weather – ahead.

“Our priority is to take this week to heal up a little bit from the grind and toll of our camp, and also continue to get ourselves into the best physical condition possible,” Rice said. “We will ramp up our running these two weeks to try and prepare for the heat that everyone has to deal with the first couple games. We also want to continue to fine tune our offense and ensure our defensive guys know exactly where they are supposed to be and what their individual assignments are.

“We will get on an afternoon practice schedule beginning this week. It’s always a challenge the first week practicing in the hottest part of the day. We will have to mentally overcome that and continue to prep for South Greene. We have to have two great weeks of practice in our final preparation for the opener at home.”

The season opener will be held at Gentry Stadium against South Greene on Friday, Aug. 17. Blue Devil fans can purchase season tickets in the office at UCHS from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Brett Strother goes up over two Volunteer defenders to catch a pass. (Erwin Record Staff Photo by Keeli Parkey)

By Keeli Parkey

A focused and physical Unicoi County High School football team took to the field in the first scrimmage of the preseason for head coach Drew Rice and his coaching staff.

“I thought we played well,” Rice said. “We saw some things we have to clear up, but overall I was pleased with it. I think our guys really flew around on both sides of the ball and that was great to see.”

The Blue Devils took to the field at the UCHS track against Volunteer on Friday, July 27.

“I liked how focused and locked in we were,” Rice said. “I thought our approach to it was businesslike and that’s something we always preach. We got a lot of guys a lot of quality reps. I thought we had some guys really make the best of their opportunities Friday.”

Their work in the weight room during the offseason showed on the field, according to the head coach.

“I thought we were as physical as we have been since I have been the head coach here,” Rice said. “It was great to see our work in the weight room from the offseason really show up on the field. Coach (Mark) Peterson, our strength and conditioning coordinator, has done a fantastic job with our team and has these guys ready to roll.”

As the first game of the 2018 season nears, the team’s strengths and weaknesses are becoming more clear.

“I think our greatest strengths are our defensive line, our skill guys on the offensive side of the ball and our linebackers,” Rice said. “We are really talented in these positions. I would say the two places we have some room for improvement are our secondary and our offensive line. Even though they both had good showings Friday night against a 5A football team.”

Practice continues this week for the Blue Devils. They will travel to Hampton to scrimmage the Bulldogs on Friday, Aug. 3, beginning at 6 p.m. Following more days of practice, the Blue Devils will host Cosby for a scrimmage on Thursday, Aug. 9.

The season opener will be held at Gentry Stadium against South Greene on Friday, Aug. 17. Blue Devil fans can purchase season tickets in the office at UCHS from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To thank the Erwin Elks Lodge for allowing them to practice there, the members of the Unicoi County High School golf team painted tee boxes at the club. (Photo contributed by Gene Renfro)

By Keeli Parkey

When the coach of the Unicoi County High School golf team went searching for a place to practice, the Erwin Elks Lodge welcomed him and his players with open arms.

“Since Buffalo Valley closed and has not reopened, we needed somewhere to go and the Elks Lodge was gracious to have the team there,” head coach Gene Renfro said. “We can’t thank the Elks enough for having us there.”

For many years, the UCHS golf program practiced and played its home matches at Buffalo Valley Golf Course; however, with the course now closed, Renfro’s squad needed a new place to practice. Thanks to the willingness of the Elks Lodge to make its course available, the Blue Devils have had a place to prepare for their 2018 campaign.

“We have practiced there during the previous two weeks and scrimmaged with David Crockett there,” Renfro said. … “Practice is going well. … We have worked a lot on our short game and hitting to targets. Hopefully, once matches begin we can translate that to the course.”

The Blue Devils recently paid the Elks Lodge back for its generosity. Renfro said during a practice last week, his squad took a break from swinging their clubs to paint the tee boxes at the Erwin course.

“We integrated that into practice,” he added.

The Blue Devils will open the 2018 season at Cattails Golf Course on Monday, July 30, against Dobyns-Bennett and Volunteer. The season will continue through September. The Erwin Record will print its annual golf preview story in an upcoming issue.

• • •

Renfro and his players will be having fundraisers in the coming weeks, including the 2018 Unicoi County Blue Devil Golf Classic on Saturday, Aug. 4. This event will be held at the Erwin Elks Club Golf Course beginning at 9 a.m. and will be an 18-hole select shot format with three-person teams.

The cost to participate in the tournament is $25 for individual players or $75 for a team of three. Hole sponsorships are $75 each; lunch sponsorships are $300; and title sponsorships are available for $500.

The event will include goody bags for every player, a postround meal, prizes and contest, silent auction items and mulligans. All proceeds will go to the Unicoi County High School golf program. For more information, contact Renfro at 335-2076 or renfrog@unicoischools.com.

The team will also have a fundraiser at Petro’s on Aug. 13.

Austin O’Dell catches a pass during an offensive series when the Blue Devils competed at Elizabethton in 7-on-7 competition. (Erwin Record Staff Photo by Keeli Parkey)

By Keeli Parkey

With just over four weeks remaining until the 2018 high school football season kicks off, the Unicoi County High School football team is ramping up its preparations.

Last week, the Blue Devils, under the direction of head coach Drew Rice, competed in two 7-on-7 passing competitions – one at Sullivan North and one at Elizabethton.

“On July 10, we competed with Sullivan South, Sullivan North, Daniel Boone, Trinity Christian and Unaka,” Rice said. “On July 12, we competed with Dobyns Bennett, Elizabethton, David Crockett, Volunteer and Happy Valley.”

As with all preseason preparations, last week showed Rice and his coaching staff where the Blue Devils need to improve.

“At Sullivan North on Tuesday I think we identified some things we needed to get ironed out in our secondary,” Rice said. “We had a couple things that we didn’t like coverage wise and also some guys we were evaluating at different positions. I thought we still showed glimpses of what we can do on both sides of the ball.”

Last week also put the Blue Devils’ strengths on display.

“At Elizabethton on Thursday I thought we looked much better against tougher competition,” Rice said. “So, we really felt good about our showing there. I thought our safeties did a better job of keeping everything in front of them and I thought our offense really started clicking. (Quarterback) Brock Thompson really threw it well Thursday night and so did Robbie O’Dell who we just moved to quarterback this spring. Brett Strother and Austin O’Dell raked in a bunch of catches in just an hour and a half of work.”

Beginning Monday, the Blue Devils were able to put on shoulder pads for the first time.

“We will practice in helmets and shoulder pads all week,” Rice said. “We will really start to focus on our run game this week with our offensive and defensive lines. The following week, we will put on full pads and scrimmage Volunteer on Friday, July 27, at the track. The season is coming in a hurry and we are very excited about the opportunity we have.”

11-12 Year-Old Baseball All-Stars – Pictured from left, back row, coach Paul Green, coach Daniel Engle and coach Jonathan Tipton; middle row, Nicky Satterly, Chris Chavez, Ty Engle, Alex Green, Logan Groom, Chris Rice and Gavin Tipton; front row, Dylan Cerezo, Keilet Rodriguez, Jordan Grindstaff, Matthew Whitson and Eli Tipton; not pictured, Gage Casey. (Contributed photo)

By Keeli Parkey

Three Unicoi County teams represented their community in all-star tournaments last week.

The 11-12 year-old softball all-stars opened their tournament at Daniel Boone on July 2 with an 18-8 victory over Bristol.

The team dropped into the losers’ bracket with a 15-0 loss to the host squad on July 4. They were eliminated from the tournament on July 5 with a 14-4 loss to Bluff City, according to coach Jessica Banner.

• • •

The 11-12 year-old baseball all-stars won their opening game in Bristol with an 8-4 victory over Johnson County on July 7.

These Blue Devils found themselves on the losing end of a close 4-1 game with Johnson City American on July 9, according to coach Paul Green. This loss sent them to the losers’ bracket where they played Bristol on Tuesday, July 10, after The Erwin Record’s press deadline for this issue.

• • •

The 6-8 year-old softball all-star team defeated Jonesborough, 10-8, in Bristol on July 7.

The Lady Devils lost to Bristol, 12-4, on July 9. They were also playing in the losers’ bracket on Tuesday, after the press deadline for this issue.

• • •

Unicoi County’s other all-star teams – 8-10 year-old baseball and softball and the 6-8 year-old baseball squads – were previously eliminated from tournament play.

6-8 Year-Old Baseball All-Stars – Pictured from left, back row, coach Allen Patten, coach Ryan Masters, coach Seth Whitson and coach Aaron Toney; middle row, Braden Honeycutt, Noah English, Michael Hampton, Mason Higgins, Ty Toney and Owen Masters; front row, Mason Blackburn, Reed Carroll, Blake Bennett, Mason Wright, Draven River and Gabe Patten. (Contributed photo)

From Staff Reports

With the heat of summer comes all-star tournament play for the teams of the Unicoi County Little League. Below is information about each team.

6-8 Year-Old Baseball

This squad is coached by Seth Whitson, Allen Patten, Ryan Masters and Aaron Toney.

Their tournament play included a loss to Jonesborough in Johnson County on June 23.

6-8 Year-Old Softball

This team, coached by Lisa Baxter, will play its first game on Saturday, July 7, against Jonesborough. The game is scheduled to begn at 12:30 p.m. at Bristol Western Little League.

8-10 Year-Old Baseball

This squad was coached by Chris Bogart, Ben Evely and Chris Hatcher.

Following their 13-0 victory over Bluff City on June 16 at Bristol Little League, these Blue Devils lost to Johnson City National Little League, 17-7, on June 18.

This loss sent them to the losers’ bracket where they were defeated by Johnson City American Little League, 11-0, and eliminated from tournament play.

8-10 Year-Old Softball

Coached by Terry Higgins, Shane Hummer, Daniel Engle, Aaron Toney and Tanya Chavez, these Lady Devils defeated Bluff City, 17-1, in their first tournament game at Daniel Boone.

A 15-6 loss to Boone sent the team to the losers’ bracket. There, they defeated Bluff City, 15-0, and Jonesborough, 11-0, to make it to the championship round.

In that round, the Lady Devils were defeated by Boone again, this time 11-1. This loss eliminated the team from tournament play.

11-12 Year-Old Baseball

This squad, coached by Paul Green, will open its tournament on Saturday, July 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Holston View Elementary near King College in Bristol.

11-12 Year-Old 

Softball

Led by coach Jessica Banner, this team defeated Bristol, 18-8, on Monday, July 2.

Their next game will be on Wednesday, July 4, at 6 p.m.

Participants in the June 16 triathlon held at the Unicoi County Family YMCA gather for a photo after the competition. The race included a swim in the YMCA pool, a bicycle ride and 2.1-mile run. (Contributed photo)

By Keeli Parkey

The Unicoi County Family YMCA wants the people in the community it serves to be active. In order to promote this mission, the Erwin facility hosts a variety of events – the most recent being a triathlon held on Saturday, June 16.

The race, which was the fourth of its kind hosted by the local YMCA, combined swimming, bicycling and running into one event.

“I have always wanted to have some triathlons in Erwin, so when I became the CEO of the YMCA I felt like it was a good time to start them here,” Frank Cooke told The Erwin Record. “I organized several in South Carolina when I lived there and everybody that participated in them enjoyed them.”

The competitors began the race with a quarter-mile swim in the YMCA pool. Once that segment of the race was completed, racers jumped on their bicycles for an 8.2-mile ride. Cooke said the course for the bicycle ride traveled down Ohio Avenue to Sandy Bottom, traveled around Sandy Bottom, across Temple Hill Road and down to Chestoa Bridge. The bike ride continued up Chestoa Pike to Jackson-Love, Mohawk Drive and Gay Street before returning to their starting point at the YMCA.

The final leg of the race was a 2.1-mile run that took the competitors down Love Street and through downtown Erwin on Main Street before circling back to the YMCA via Elm Avenue and Gay Street.

“The run and the bike distances were based on what we could do here in Erwin, without making it very confusing,” Cooke said.

A total of 24 competitors have competed in the four races hosted by the Unicoi County Family YMCA.

“Many have run in multiple races,” Cooke said. “We need more competitors for future events since the Town of Erwin has passed a requirement that we have at least 30 people in each event.”

Hosting the triathlon is just one way the YMCA hopes to inspire locals to workout and be healthy.

“Our goal with the triathlons, as well as everything we do, is to get people active,” Cooke said. “We try to give children and adults options of fun things to do to help motivate them to get in shape. We also want to bring in people from outside Unicoi County so they can see the beautiful place that we live in and hopefully get them to spend some money in the county.”

One of the people drawn to Erwin for Saturday’s race was Chad Green, a Bristol resident who has participated in all four races hosted by the local YMCA and was the winner of Saturday’s men’s race. The women’s winner was Kelly Mitchell.

“This is a well-organized race,” Green said. “You can tell Frank Cooke takes a lot of pride in the race. He does a great job of getting a group of volunteers for it, making sure everything is laid out clearly and that everyone understands the basics of the course. They do a really good job at that Y.”

Green said he hopes more people will participate in the events hosted by the Unicoi County Family YMCA.

“It is such a well-organized and planned out event that I think people would really enjoy it,” he added. “I hope we can spread the word about it to get more involvement. You can tell Frank and the Y have put a lot into this and it shows.”

• • •

The Unicoi County Family YMCA will host another triathlon on Aug. 11 beginning at 8 a.m. A children’s triathlon will also be held on that day beginning at 10 a.m. Children who are entering first grade through fifth grade are invited to compete in the triathlon.

Also on Aug. 11, the YMCA will host a “mommy or daddy and me” event for younger children.

“The event will be a swim across the shallow end of the pool and back, ride a bike for one mile from the Y to the hospital and back and then run two laps on our track (0.4 miles),” Cooke said. “The ‘mommy or daddy and me’ event will have a parent or guardian with the child at all times.”

For more information, call the YMCA at 743-3361.

Family, friends and coaches celebrated with Madison Harris, seated second from left, as she signed with the Milligan College cheerleading squad. (Erwin Record Staff Photo by Keeli Parkey)

From Staff Reports

For her college career, a Unicoi County High School cheerleader will be trading her blue and white for orange and black.

Madison Harris, who graduated from UCHS last month, signed with the Milligan College Buffaloes cheerleading squad during a ceremony on Thursday, June 14.

“I am extremely excited to be a part of this program,” Harris told The Erwin Record. “It has always been a dream to cheer in college and I am finally here.”

Teresa Parkey, head cheer coach at UCHS, extended her congratulations to Harris.

“I am very happy for Madison,” Parkey said. “She worked hard as a high school cheerleader and she is a great addition to Milligan’s program. They are very lucky to have her.”

Her road to Milligan began about a month ago when she spoke with Milligan cheer coach Chelsea Woodacre.

“She showed much interest in my skills and later informed me she was eager to give me a tryout and hopefully, later on, an offer,” Harris said.

Harris said she decided to attend Milligan College for several reasons.

“I looked at a few schools before Milligan,” she added. “It started off with Clemson, next UT, and then ETSU. Lastly, I chose Milligan. It really stood out to me in ways that no other school did. Milligan showed such interest in me, made sure I knew I would be known as myself and not just a number, and made me feel like my presence at their school was greatly appreciated. That is why I set my heart on Milligan.”

Harris said she is excited for her freshman year with the Buffaloes.

“I believe I am bringing the program a passion for cheer and a drive that will always push me to be the best I can always be,” she added. “I believe I will make my team and school very proud. … I am looking forward to spending my first cheer season in college getting closer to the other cheerleaders and dancers on my team, cheering on the buffs and praising our King while I do so.”

Harris gave credit to her coaches and family for their help on her way to college.

“I would like to thank all of my coaches I have had from EJAA all through high school and especially my family for making me set goals and pushing me to limits that helped make this signing possible,” she said.

Madison is the daughter of Frankie and Teresa Harris.

For the fourth consecutive season, the Lady Devils’ 4×800-meter relay team won the Three Rivers Conference title. The 2018 team includes, pictured from left, Megan Todd, Jillian Taylor, Kaitlyn Tilson and Valeria Ponce. (Photo contributed by Daniela Martinez)

By Keeli Parkey

They ran. They threw. They jumped. They had success.

Several Unicoi County High School track and field athletes won or placed in their respective events during the 2018 Three Rivers Conference meet held at Elizabethton High School on Monday, May 7.

“This meet is a very important day for us, not only to try to claim conference bragging rights, but also to have a final opportunity for our athletes to qualify for the Large Schools Sectionals,” head coach Megan Davis told The Erwin Record.

Among the notable results was a first-place finish by the Lady Devils’ 4×800-meter relay team. This was the fourth consecutive year that a UCHS team has won this event at the conference meet. Running in the event on Monday were Valeria Ponce, Kaitlyn Tilson, Jillian Taylor and Megan Todd.

“I am so incredibly proud of our 4×800 team,” Davis said. “They have worked many years to get to where they are. Their leadership has been seen throughout the entire team and has helped pass the reins over to Valeria, the lone freshman on the relay.”

Blue Devil Kody Lewis turned in a first-place finish in the 200-meter and a second-place finish in the 100-meter.

“Kody stood out big tonight,” Davis said. “He made a name for himself as a new runner in the conference.”

Lady Devil Halie Hawkins took first place in the pole vault.

“Halie is really vaulting well,” Davis said.

Other notable results for the UCHS program at the conference meet included: Kenny Perciful, second in shot put, fourth in discus; Roby Lemmon, sixth in shot put; Megan Todd, second in 3200-meter, third in 1600-meter; Cheyenne Wilson, sixth in 1600-meter; John Campbell, sixth in 1600-meter; Jillian Taylor, sixth in 400-meter; Alexis Harvey and Alex Carter, tied for second place in pole vault; Rachel Altemose, fourth in pole vault; Jadyn Peterson, sixth in pole vault; Sabrina Todd third in 3200-meter; and Kayla Hicks, sixth in 200-meter.

“I couldn’t be more proud of all the performances tonight,” Davis said on Monday. “For many it was their last meet of the season and for some of our seniors this was their last meet for their high school career and they gave it their all. Others knew they still had sectionals on Friday (May 11), yet their performances still left everything out there. They all had one goal in mind and that showed in the results tonight.”

• • •

The Blue Devils and Lady Devils wrapped up the regular season last week with a meet at Science Hill on May 1 and an invitational meet at Dobyns-Bennett on May 4.

Results on May 1 included: Perciful, first place in discus and shot; Lemmon, second place in discus and shot; Lewis, first in 100-meter and 200-meter; Campbell, second place in steeplechase; Natalia Mendoza, second in discus; M. Todd, third in 1600-meter; and Taylor, fourth in 400-meter.

On Friday, May 4, Lewis and Hawkins represented UCHS at the Ballad Health Tri-Cities Relays (formerly the Times News/Tri-Cities Relays) in Kingsport.

“A few UCHS athletes were invited to compete in this prestigious ‘area best’ meet at Dobyns-Bennett,” Davis said. “In order to compete in this meet, athletes must be one of the top 9 competitors in the Tri-Cities area in their event. This not only allows athletes another opportunity to qualify for sectionals, but it’s also a night of bragging rights.”

Hawkins took second place in the pole vault at the event while jumping 10 feet – a personal best and a new school record.

“This was a big night for her to get to feel a whole new level of vaulting,” Davis said. “We are excited to see where this carries her for sectionals.”

Lewis earned fifth place in the 100-meter and ran a new personal best of 11.42.

“Kody has been running very well for us and we are still seeing significant drops in his time as we are just now hitting his optimal training level,” Davis said. “The competition Kody and Halie saw today is the competition they will see on May 12. This night was great for their own successes and good for us coaches to see what we need to prepare for next week.”

The girls 4x800m relay (Ponce, Tilson, Taylor and M. Todd) was invited to this meet, but didn’t compete due to injuries. Lewis was also invited for the 200-meter, but did not compete in this event due to his training schedule.

• • •

Blue Devils and Lady Devils who have qualified will compete in the sectional meet on Saturday, May 12, at Science Hill.

“This year has been a year of change for UCHS track and field,” Davis said. “The changes to the TSSAA track and field system placed Unicoi County in the larger school classification. Despite these changes, our goal at UCHS track and field has not changed – Blue Devil representation at the state meet in Murfreesboro. Part of that new journey for our athletes has been qualifying for the sectional track meet.

The following athletes will compete at sectionals on May 12: Hawkins in pole vault; Harvey in pole vault; Altemose in pole vault; Mendoza in discus; Shane Armstrong in shot put; Perciful in shot put; Lewis in the 100-meter and 200-meter; and M. Todd in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter.

“This is an incredible accomplishment for each of these athletes and a testament to their hard work this season,” Davis said. “We could not be more proud of the way all of our athletes perform each and every day and are excited to see what these qualifiers do as they attempt to qualify for the state meet.”