(April 8, 2021 Issue)

Belmont Abbey forward Maria Kuhlman has been named the 2020-21 Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the conference office announced today.
To be considered for this award, a student-athlete must have been named all-conference in their sport and also chosen academic all-conference.
Kuhlman finished her career as one of the best 3-point shooters in Division II history. She finished the 2020-21 season as the nation’s leader in 3-point field goals made and third in 3-point field goal percentage. She was named the Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year in the 2017-18 season; was a first team all-conference selection in 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21; and earned all-conference honors as a third team selection in the 2017-18 season. Kuhlman was an all-region selection in the 2019-20 season.
She also excels in the classroom, where she holds a 3.99 GPA as a Theology major, with minors in Sport Management and Psychology.
Earlier this year, Kuhlman was also awarded the conference’s Murphy Osborne Award, which is given to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in the league.

Belmont Middle School soccer defeated Chavis 9-0 last week. Patrick Blee led the scoring with three goals. Brandon Cunningham scored two goals. Zeke Pruitt, Isaac Contreras, Zander Wells, and Brian Shaw had one goal each. Luke Wesolowski and Hunter Gerould combined for the shutout in goal.
Belmont also defeated York Chester 6-0. Isaac Contreras scored two goals. Brandon Cunningham, Zeke Pruitt, Dominic Feduniec, and Ty Cunningham scored one each. Belmont’s defense was led by Aiden Crill, Justin Koehler, Landon King, Bennet Nixon, and Garrett Tidd. Luke Wesolowski recorded the shutout in goals. Belmont ends the season 5-0 and did not give up a goal all season.                                Photo by Norris Pruitt

(March 18, 2021 Issue)

Gaston Christian School recently hosted the NCISAA Winter Track and Field Carnival.  The GCS 4x800 team (pictured) of Garrett Huffman, Thomas Bunko, Ryan Thornburg, and Jake Sosebee placed 2nd overall. Adam Hoyle ran a 4:36 in the 1600, his time qualifies him for the state meet in May and was the top time among 3A runners. Adam also placed top 5 in the 1000 meter run. Luke Hoyle finished in the Top 5 in the 55 meter dash and top ten in the 300 meter dash. Connor Nanney placed in the top 5 in both the 500 and the 1000 Meter runs.
GCS photo
 

(March 18, 2021 Issue)

Maria Kuhlman (pictured #15) went 6-for-8 from three-point range to lead the Belmont Abbey women’s basketball team to a 74-59 win over no. 4 seed Tusculum in NCAA Southeast Regional semifinal action this evening.  The win marks the 19th straight for the Crusaders, who now own a 23-2 record on the year.

How It Happened 
Brittany Autry scored the first basket of the contest, in a first quarter that was back and forth. A layup by Kuhlman with less than a minute to go in the quarter tied the game at 10, though Tusculum had a 13-10 lead when the period expired. A 5-0 run midway through the second pulled The Abbey to within three, at 22-19. The tough Crusader defense did not give up a field goal over the last three and a half minutes of the quarter, and The Abbey pulled to within four, 28-24 at halftime. The Crusader offense exploded in the third.  The team went opened the quarter with a 5-0 run. Autry scored six straight Abbey points.  Kuhlman scored nine points in the last two minutes, and the Crusaders held a 49-44 lead heading into the final period. Two free throws by Keyanna Spivey to start the third made it an 11-2 Abbey run. The Crusaders made their free throws down the stretch to wrap up the 74-59 victory.

(March 11, 2021 Issue)

By SEAN CORCORAN
Gaston County Schools

What is it like to be a three-time state champion?  To find out, we asked Highland School of Technology student Lauren Tolbert.
In January, Tolbert, a junior, captured the 1-A individual cross country state championship, and her time of 19:15.05 set a state record.  Her win makes her the first cross country state champion for Gaston County Schools since South Point’s Glenn Sparrow captured a state title 43 years ago.
Winning state championships is nothing new for Tolbert. As a ninth grader, she won the 400 meters outdoor track and field title, and last year, she won the 1,000 meters indoor track and field title.
Tolbert is a champion in the classroom, too.  She works hard to maintain an A average and wants to graduate with honors.  Her college plans include pursuing a degree in biology or other related field, going to dental school, and specializing in oral surgery.
Here are five questions we asked to learn more about Tolbert’s winning ways.
As a student-athlete, how does it feel to win first place and set a state record? 
It feels really great winning and setting a state record because this year was more challenging than previous ones because of COVID-19.  The season started later than usual so this pushed us to run in much colder weather.  With all that we went through, I am glad to end the season on a high note, knowing that the hard work I put in finally paid off.  It has always been my goal to win a state title in cross country.
Last year, you were an indoor track and field champion.  How does that compare to winning a state championship in cross country? 
The cross country title is a bit more special because my true strength is on the track, not on trails.  As a freshman, I finished third, and as a sophomore I was the runner-up. This year, I am the champion so it really means a lot.
Due to the pandemic, the NCHSAA canceled indoor track and field.  What are your aspirations for outdoor track and field this spring? 
My aspirations during outdoor season is to finally run a sub 2:10 in the 800 meters and around 54.5 seconds or better in the 400 meters.  These were my goals last year, but the season was canceled.  I am aiming to break the state records in both of these events.  If they have the New Balance Nationals this year, which is a big high school meet, I would like to compete there, too. Accomplishing these goals will help continue to build my confidence, and I feel anything is possible if I work hard and I put my mind to it.
What is a typical school day like for you? 
My school day involves taking honors classes both in core subjects and the dental science pathway.  After school, I am involved in training with my track/cross country teams.  I normally run about 16 miles per week to get my endurance up and improve my speed.  On days when I am not running, I work on conditioning and weightlifting.  After my workouts, it is time for homework and getting ready to do it all over again the next day.
 What long-term goals do you have moving forward with either cross country or track and field? 
My goals over the next year and a half are to win more state titles and set new records to leave a good legacy before graduating from Highland.  I have been competing nationally at the Junior Olympics for AAU track and field for seven years, and I have placed third twice.  After high school, I would like to compete at the NCAA Division I level to continue improving my running skills and maybe someday achieving my ultimate dream of trying out for the USA Olympic team.

(March 4, 2021 Issue)

8 ShaCory Foust Freshman SE/DB
10 Ashton Green Freshman QB/DB
11 David Howard Freshman QB/DB
12 Shacory Foust Freshman QB/DB
19 Harrison McKinney Freshman SE/DB
32 Jacob Broome Sophomore RB/DB
33 Dawson Tobin Freshman QB/DB
40 Colby Hamilton Freshman TE/LB
42 Drew Sprinkles Freshman QB/DB
46 Javonte Lowery Freshman TE/LB
50 Camden Ashe Freshman OL/LB
51 Harrison Hendren Freshman OL/DL
52 Brock Wisley Sophomore OL/DL
53 Joseph Risk Freshman OL/DL
60 Alex Hernandez Freshman OL/DL
61 Johnny Armstrong Freshman OL/DL
62 Roman Barker Freshman OL/DL
63 Hudson Spargo Freshman OL/DL
66 Josh Barker Sophomore OL/DL
68 Winter Kincaid Freshman QB/DB
70 Thein Nguyen Freshman QB/DB
71 Spencer Butler Freshman OL/DL
72 Ethan Dellinger Freshman OL/DL
73 Kaleb Toms Freshman QB/DB
75 Aiden Reid Freshman OL/DL
78 Donovan Haley Freshman OL/DL
79 Kameron Adams Freshman QB/DB
80 Logan Jarrell Freshman SE/DB
81 Caiden Mills-Shivert Freshman QB/DB
82 Josh Robinson Freshman SE/DB
84 Cody Williams Freshman SE/DB
86 Justin Rambdeo Freshman SE/DB
87 Charles Birtwistle Freshman SE/DB

(March 4, 2021 Issue)

5 Will Ross Sophomore SE/DB
8 Jaquis Rumph Sophomore DB
9 Frank Vickers Sophomore SE
10 Will Rhinehart Senior QB
11 Javus Davis Senior DB
12 Elijah Phiffer Sophomore QB/DB
14 Joseph O’Neil Junior RB
20 Ben Lunsford Junior DB
21 Mica Stowe Sophomore DB
22 Simon Dellinger Junior DB
23 Lavonte McCorbin Sophomore DB
25 Macario Brandon Junior DB
27 Cam Medlock Sophomore OLB/RB
30 Trevon Jones Senior RB
31 Tyson Riley Junior RB
33 Omari Hunt Senior LB
34 Jack Milford Sophomore RB
35 Jackson Blee Sophomore TE
40 Hunter Hogue Senior RB
41 Ryan Harris Junior LB
42 Garrett Voorhees Senior DL
43 Xavier Johnson Senior LB
44 Matt Hastings Junior LB
45 Josh Crowder Sophomore LB
46 Jackson Risk Senior DL
50 Shane Wilson Junior DL
51 Hunter Bradshaw Senior LS
53 Jaremiah Agyemang Senior DL
54 Elija Baucom Sophomore DL
55 Wyatt Triplett Junior OL
60 Aiden Ramirez Sophomore DL
62 Jacob Humphrey Senior OL
64 Dylan Owenby Sophomore OL
65 Sullivan Absher Sophomore OL
67 Hunter Jackson Sophomore OL/DL
68 Trey Cherry Sophomore OL
71 Robert Raffone Senior OL
72 Xarique Culbreath Junior DL
74 Jacob Patterson Junior OL
76 Ethan Thagard Junior OL
80 Matthew Laney Junior SE
81 Quevon Jackson Senior SE
82 Carson Smith Senior K
84 Ethan Simmons Senior SE
86 Daniel O’Hanlon Senior K
87 Dylan Nicks Junior

(February 25, 2021 Issue)

By Charlotte Sautner

Lincoln Charter High School hosted the 1A/2A Western NCHSAA Regional Championships on Friday, February 5 at the Huntersville Aquatic Center.  South Point’s men’s team finished 6th and the ladies team finished 11th. For the men, sophomore Davis Adcock won the 200 yard IM with a time of 2:02.99 which was 6.87 seconds lower than his seed time.  Davis also finished 2nd in the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 53.53 taking 1.62 seconds off his seed time.  The men’s 200 yard medley relay, composed of Davis Adcock, Luke Smith, Gage Adcock and Luke McMahan finished 4th with a time of 1:50.46 which was 2.87 seconds faster than their seed time.  All of these young men will be representing South Point at the 1A/2A state championship meet.
Other results for South Point:
Women:
200 yard medley relay – 8th – 2:10.55 – Avery Lester, Anna Huffstickler, Kirsten Lynch & Sydney Lester (3.58 seconds faster than seed time)
200 yard freestyle relay – 10th – 1:55.20 – Avery Lester, Arden Pallozzi, Cara Targonski, Kirsten Lynch (2.95 seconds faster than seed time)
400 yard freestyle relay – 8th – 4:25.26 – Avery Lester, Sydney Lester, Arden Pallozzi & Cara Targonski (23.86 seconds faster than seed time)
200 yard freestyle – 7th – Sydney Lester - 2:13.85 (5.58 seconds faster than seed time)
100 yard butterfly – 10th – Kirsten Lynch – 1:18.32 (.15 seconds faster than seed time)
500 yard freestyle – 5th – Sydney Lester – 5:48.75 (19.94 seconds faster than seed time)
100 yard backstroke – 7th – Avery Lester – 1:07.41 (4.19 seconds faster than seed time)
Men:
200 yard freestyle relay – 6th – 1:37.68 – Gage Adcock, Luke McMahan, Luke Smith & Davis Adcock (2.61 seconds faster than seed time)
400 yard freestyle relay – 7th – Gage Adcock, Edwin Gore, Luke McMahan, and Luke Smith - 3:52.34 (17.38 seconds faster than seed time)
200 yard IM – 11th – Edwin Gore – 2:31.92 (1.95 seconds faster than seed time)
50 yard freestyle – 12th - Luke McMahan – 25.56 (.72 seconds faster than seed time)
100 yard butterfly – 11th – Henry Eisenhuth - 1:07.71 (1.25 seconds faster than seed time)
100 yard breaststroke – 11th – Luke Smith – 1:11.60
Overall the women’s team finished 11th and the men’s team finished 6th.
At the 1A/2A state championships held at Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary NC on Friday, February 12th Davis Adcock finished 6th in the 200 yard individual medley with a time of 2:03.95.  In the 100 yard backstroke Davis finished 11th with a time of 57.61.  The 200 yard medley relay of Davis Adcock, Luke Smith, Gage Adcock and Luke McMahan was 10th with a time of 1:50.84.

(February 18, 2021 Issue)

The “short” high school football season is coming up. Covid restrictions will make necessary certain adjustments. Here are the ones that will  be in place for South Point High.
Tickets are pre-sale only based on prioritized allotments to football players, cheerleaders, dance team for their parents/ family members. Games are limited in outdoor venues to 100 spectators (home fans only for football).
No tickets will be purchased at the gate.  Everyone entering will be COVID screened.
All participants, essential personnel, and spectators will wear masks and social distance at all times.
Currently there are no concession sales.
There is no Booster PSL seating or reserved parking for this season.
Games will be video live streamed and broadcast on WGNC 101.1 FM and 1450 AM.

South Point Football Schedule
Feb 24 JV @ Burns 7pm
Feb 25 V vs Burns 7pm
Mar 4 JV vs East Gaston 6:30pm
Mar 5 V @ East Gaston 7pm
Mar 11 JV vs Stuart Cramer 6:30pm
Mar 12 V @ Stuart Cramer 7pm
Mar 18 JV vs East Rutherford 6:30pm
Mar 19 V @ East Rutherford 7pm
Mar 25 JV @ RS Central 6:30pm
Mar 26 V vs RS Central 7pm
Mar 31 JV vs Shelby 6:30pm
Apr 1 V @ Shelby 7pm
Apr 8 JV @ Chase 6:30pm
Apr 9 V vs Chase 7pm

(February 18, 2021 Issue)

Belmont Abbey used a late run to break open a close game last Saturday, winning 67-54 over Mount Olive in Conference Carolinas men’s basketball action.
With the victory, the Crusaders clinch a berth in the league tournament next month, guaranteeing no worse than the No. 7 seed. The Abbey improves to 11-4 overall and 9-3 in league play, while the Trojans stand 5-8, 5-8.
How It Happened 
Sean Halloran (pictured #5) led the Crusaders with 18 points, tallying half of those with a perfect nine of nine effort at the free-throw line. Quest Aldridge added 14 points and a team-high six rebounds, while Charles Solomon chipped in 10 points and five boards. Belmont Abbey shot 48.8 percent from the field overall, making 50.0 percent in the first 20 minutes. The Crusaders held a 29-18 rebounding advantage and committed a season-low 11 turnovers.
Belmont Abbey photo/story

(February 18, 2021 Issue)

Angelina Perrone (pictured) scored four goals, but the Belmont Abbey women’s lacrosse team lost a very competitive season opener last week at Wingate, 18-16.
How It Happened 
In The First Minute of the contest, Perrone scored the season’s first goal, off a pass from Kylie Eastman. Less than a minute later, Sarah Schaefer made it a 2-0 lead with a free position goal. Mackenzie Kaderabek scored two goals in a row for The Abbey, to tie the game at four.  Riley D’Andrea and Alyssa Pearson scored back to back Abbey goals to give the Crusaders a 9-8 lead at the 10:13 mark. At halftime, BAC trailed 11-10, but outshot Wingate 18-15. In the second half, Perrone again got the scoring started for the Crusaders, scoring each of the team’s first three goals of the period. A Kaderabek free position goal, followed by a D’Andrea score just 37 seconds later pulled The Abbey to within three, at 18-15.  D’Andrea finished off the scoring in the game’s final minute, but Wingate held on for the 18-16 win. On the day, Perrone was the Crusaders’ leader, with four goals and an assist. Kaderabek also scored four goals, while Eastman handed out five assists.
Belmont Abbey photo/story

(February 18, 2021 Issue)

Mr. Maney has the BEST attitude toward his work and more importantly toward the staff and students of W.C Friday. The workload of our entire custodial staff has increased tremendously during the pandemic. They have all risen to the occasion. The building looks AMAZING and we can work with confidence that we are as safe as we can be due to their efforts. Mr. Maney is a big part of this. The fact that he has taken on these additional responsibilities, in and of itself, is reason enough for Mr. Maney to be Employee of the Month. The consistent, positive, encouraging attitude with which he has taken on these additional responsibilities makes him even more deserving. Mr. Maney does an excellent job keeping our school clean and always has a positive attitude.

(February 18, 2021 Issue)

The Belmont Abbey Men’s Lacrosse team has been ranked #3 in the nation, in the 2021 Preseason Coaches Poll, the USILA announced. The Abbey returns 44 players from a team that was 7-0 and ranked #4 last year when the Corona virus cut the season short.  Included among the returners are three players who received All-American Honors last season: goalie Bryce Gifford, midfielder Sean Hanrahan, and attacker Noah Haas. The Crusaders opened the 2021 season on Friday, February 12 at Catawba.
Belmont Abbey photo

(February 18, 2021 Issue)

South Point senior, Anna Dunbar, has signed a national letter of intent to play beach volleyball at Jacksonville University, Florida. Anna was the SWC Defensive Player of the Year this past season. Seated from the left are: Jackie Dunbar, Anna’s mother; Anna; Grayson Dunbar, Anna’s brother; and Sam Asis, Anna’s beach volleyball coach.  Standing from the left are: D’Anielle Henslee, Anna’s aunt; Linda Henslee, Anna’s grandmother; Chloe Ratliff, Anna’s teammate on the South Point volleyball team; Bridget Atkinson, South Point head volleyball coach; and Emily Revels, Anna’s teammate on the South Point volleyball team. 
Photo by Charlotte Sautner
 

(February 18, 2021 Issue)

Belmont Abbey forward Allie Downing (pictured) has been named the Conference Carolinas women’s basketball Defensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced. It marks her second time winning the award this season. Last week, the New Madison, Ohio native grabbed 11 defensive rebounds, and added two steals.  She was also the defensive leader of a team that gave up just 53 points per game last week.
Belmont Abbey photo

(February 3, 2021 Issue)

The Gaston College Board of Trustees voted unanimously in November to add athletics to its rich history of academic excellence and leadership. Gaston College has been without athletics for nearly 50 years and when Dr. John Hauser became President last June, he began the process to end that drought.
A national search was officially organized to hire key leaders to lead the program and the first tier of the lineup is now complete with the hiring of: Gene Banks, Athletic Director; Dickey Nutt, Associate Athletic Director/Head Basketball Coach; Shohn Doty, Head Baseball Coach; John Horshok, Director Athletic Program Development and Sports Marketing.
“This is an amazing group who will bring instant credibility and excitement to our college and campus,” Dr. Hauser said, “Our alumni, students, faculty, staff and community deserve a full college experience and athletics will provide both local enthusiasm and national exposure for Gaston College.”
Banks will manage the coaching staff as Athletic Director (AD) and he brings his legendary Duke University credentials to Gaston College along with the management skills he developed playing and coaching in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and internationally.
After being named the top high school player in the country Banks helped launch the Duke dynasty and played on Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s first team before performing for the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls. He later coached the Washington Wizards with Flip Saunders. He has previous experience as an AD at Bennett College and has a popular streaming podcast--”The Bank Shot” and continues to help support youth programs through his long-running namesake foundation.
In addition to his athletic director duties, he will be involved with the College’s new Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as well as work with WSGE 91.7 FM--the College’s award-winning radio station. “I am joining Gaston College to strive to achieve athletics excellence,” Banks said, “This is a truly remarkable opportunity to design a program from scratch and combine top-notch athletics with a unique community partnership approach.”
“I can’t wait! --we want to bring more fun and excitement to Gaston College than they have ever had!”, he added.
Dickey Nutt is a coach in NCAA Division I basketball with 273 wins as well as an award for being “Coach of the Year” at Arkansas State in the Sunbelt Conference.  He is currently a special assistant to the head coach at Cleveland State University, where he plans to finish the season, and is a former head coach at Southeast Missouri State, and former assistant head coach at Oklahoma State, Stetson, and Florida State.
He was recommended to the Gaston Head Coach job by Florida State Head Coach Leonard Hamilton a former player at Gaston College whose team is the current defending ACC Champions. Hamilton has been also been a passionate adviser to this process of building back a sports program with his alma mater.
Shohn Doty brings 25 years of college coaching experience to Gaston College and is known for his significant success as a pitching coach and led UNC-Charlotte 49ers to the lowest ERA in Conference USA.  He started his career at Indiana State and then Old Dominion and was responsible for recruiting and coaching future MLB Hall-of-Fame pitcher Justin Verlander. He stayed at Old Dominion for four years before coaching at UNC-Wilmington and Arkansas-Ft. Smith before moving to the Charlotte assignment.
During his tour with the 49ers his pitchers crafted four wins over Top Ranked Division I teams (Arkansas #4, NC State #6, East Carolina #8 and Wake Forest #17).
  In addition to Banks, Nutt, and Doty--Gaston College has partnered with Horshok’s Gas House Gang, LLC--a creative sports marketing group composed of premier sports professionals (including Banks).
Horshok has a distinctive career representing national and international sports and entertainment business properties and entities to include Coca-Cola USA, Major League Baseball Alumni Association, International Special Olympics, Partners of the Americas/US State Department, USA Rugby, Siemens Corporation, Harmon Killebrew Foundation, and USA Sports Marketing. Horshok will brand and network key relationships for Gaston College and manage the overall sponsorship and community activation targets.
“We are very fortunate to have John (Horshok) as part of our team,” said Dr. Hauser. “His experience with coaching youth and men’s programs combined with his long associations with clubs like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals as well as his many associated properties will be invaluable in developing a successful athletic and community model at Gaston College.”
In addition to the baseball, basketball programs GC are now interviewing coaches to head up their Esports, softball and beach volleyball programs.
 Gaston College will begin to recruit players for the 2021 Fall season beginning March 1 and will be fully eligible for the 2022 championship season in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
For more information, contact John Horshok, Director Athletic Program Development and Sports Marketing at 336 209-2318.

(January 28, 2021 Issue)

LJ McCoy (pictured) tallied 18 points and hit four free throws in the final 1:06, lifting Belmont Abbey to a hard-fought 76-74 victory over Emmanuel in Conference Carolinas men’s basketball action last week at the Wheeler Center. The win was the fifth in a row for the Crusaders, who improve to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in league play.

How It Happened 
Belmont Abbey found itself leading by seven with 56 seconds left, but needed a defensive stop in the final five second to secure the victory. Mario Lacy, Jr. and Charles Solomon also reached double figures at 14 and 12 points, respectively. Lacy added eight rebounds, while Sean Halloran tallied seven boards and a team-best five assists. The Crusaders posted a season-low for shooting percentage at .446 (29-65), but also turned in their best field goal percentage defense number of the campaign at 41.2 percent (21-51). Belmont Abbey won the rebounding battle 37-33 and forced 22 turnovers.  After Emmanuel scored the first five points of the game, Nate Davis hit three straight buckets to give The Abbey a 6-5 lead. With the score tied at 11, McCoy and Emmanuel Hernandez hit baskets and the Crusaders never trailed again. Seven straight points turned a one-point lead into eight, 33-25 with 5:07 left in the half, then margin reached its biggest point, 39-27 at the 2:56 mark. The score was 43-32 at the break. KJ Jones of Emmanuel led all scorers with 26 points.
Belmont Abbey photo/story

(January 28, 2021 Issue)

Mt. Island Charter School played East Wake Academy for the NC 1A state championship last Saturday.
East Wake Academy got their offense rolling early, taking a commanding 2-0 set lead with a pair of 25-15 set wins to set themselves to win the school’s first state championship. The Eagles combination of setter Kristen Seavy and Krista Brantley were a deadly force in the four set win over Mountain Island Charter.
Seavy was selected as M.V.P. of the 1A Championship Match thanks to her 38 assists and four aces. She also contributed five digs and four blocks to a spectacularly well rounded effort. The Eagle attack funneled through Seavy, though she frequently played through Brantley who smashed 28 kills with just 10 attacking errors in the match.
Mountain Island Charter got their attack going in the third set, sparked by ten kills from Lauren Pledger in the set. The Raptors ripped off nine straight points to go up 13-11 in the third. Then, after giving up a 6-0 run to the Eagles, the Raptors tacked on another 9-0 run to go up 22-17, eventually holding off East Wake Academy 25-21 to force a fourth set.
Early in the fourth set, Mountain Island appeared poised to send the match to a decisive fifth set, scoring six straight to take a 12-6 advantage. However, finding themselves down 21-11 in the fourth, the Eagles managed a side out that brought up Eilis Thomas up to the service line. Thomas sent her heavy, diving serves pounding across the net, disrupting the Raptors rhythm and the Eagles scored 12 straight points to go up 24-21, hanging on to close out the match 25-23.
The NCHSAA is committed to recognizing good sportsmanship and has partnered with the North Carolina Farm Bureau to recognize one individual from each of the participating championship teams in volleyball with the 2020-2021 Sportsmanship Awards. The recipients for this year’s 1A awards were Lauren Pledger from Mountain Island and Lexi Brantley from East Wake Academy.

(January 21, 2021 Issue)

Sean Halloran led four players in double figures and Mario Lacy posted his first double-double as a Crusader, lifting Belmont Abbey to a 77-58 victory over Barton in Conference Carolinas men’s basketball action Friday night. Halloran posted a season-high of 21 points, while Lacy tallied 14 points and 13 rebounds, both season bests.
Quest Aldridge chipped in 12 points, while freshman Prince Davies added 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.

How It Happened 
Halloran hit eight of 11 from the field with five three-pointers, while also making three steals and dishing our three assists.  Belmont Abbey trailed 14-8 in the first eight minutes, but posted a pair of 8-0 runs around a Bulldog free throw to lead by nine, 24-15, at the 3:26 mark. An 11-3 spurt over the final 3:06 of the period, pushed the margin to 15, 35-20, at the break. The Crusaders’ lead reach as high as 27 on two occasions near the middle of the second half, before Barton used a 11-0 run to climb to within 18. The Abbey shot 50.8 percent from the field, including 56.7 percent after intermission, while the Bulldogs could only rally to 43.6 percent shooting after a 30.8 percent opener. Belmont Abbey held a 42-25 advantage on the boards and had one fewer turnover. The Crusaders improve to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in league play, while the Bulldogs fall to 0-2, 0-2.

(January 21, 2021 Issue)

Alexis Schulz (#23) scored 16 points and the Belmont Abbey women’s basketball team earned a solid 83-65 victory over Barton this afternoon.  With the win, The Abbey improves to 5-2 on the year, with a 1-1 conference record.  Barton is now 2-1 on the season, with a 2-1 Conference Carolinas mark.

How It Happened 
The teams went back and forth early, until a 10-0 Abbey run put the Crusaders in front 21-14.  At one point during the stretch, the Crusaders scored seven points in less than a minute.  BAC led 23-18 when the period expired . A 4-0 run to open the second put the Crusaders up 27-18. Later in the quarter, the Crusaders defense held the Bulldogs to no field goals over a 4:19 span.  Four straight points by Hannah Roney to close out the quarter gave Belmont Abbey a 42-29 lead at halftime. Barton came to within five early in the third, but then a 9-0 Abbey run put the Crusaders in front 51-37.  Kelli Thomas scored four points during the run. Allie Downing scored five points in a 19-second span, and Belmont Abbey held a commanding 65-48 lead heading into the final period. A jumper by Schulz at the 7:37 mark put BAC up by 20.  She scored 12 of The Abbey’s 18 points in the quarter to help the Crusaders finish off the 83-65 victory. On the day, Downing’s 17 points led the Crusaders.  Schulz scored 16.  Brittany Autry, Maria Kuhlman, and Keyanna Spivey each scored 11.  Spivey also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

(January 14, 2021 Issue)

Brittany Autry scored 19 points and the Belmont Abbey women’s basketball team earned a 84-66 win at Bluefield State last week. With the win, The Abbey moves to 3-1 on the season.
How it Happened:
Belmont Abbey got off to a hot start and never looked back.  Autry scored four points in the opening minute, and the Crusaders jumped out to an early 9-0 lead.  The tough BAC defense did not give up a point in the first four minutes of the contest, and led 21-12 when the opening quarter expired.
In the opening minutes of the second, Belmont Abbey scored seven points in a minute to take a 28-20 lead. A 7-0 Abbey run late in the second put the Crusaders on top by nine, and The Abbey held a 42-31 lead at halftime. In the third, Autry again scored four points in the opening minute.  The rest of the quarter was back and forth.  The Crusaders led 63-51 heading into the final period. The fourth was also very back and forth, with neither team making any big runs.  The Crusaders finished with the 84-66 victory. On the day, Autry was the Crusaders’ leader, with 19 points and five rebounds. Allie Downing scored 13 and pulled down eight boards.  Alexis Schulz added 14 points.
Belmont Abbey story/photo

(January 14, 2021 Issue)

Junior Sean Halloran hit a three-pointer with 10.7 seconds to play, giving Belmont Abbey its only lead of the contest and a 68-67 victory over 22nd-ranked UNC Pembroke last week at the Wheeler Center. The contest was the season-opener for both teams. The shot from the left wing capped a rally that saw the Crusaders down 12-0 at the start of the game and by eight points with 5:16 to play.
How it happened
Charles Solomon, who assisted on the game-winner, led The Abbey with 13 points, five rebounds and one assist. Halloran tallied 12 points, with LJ McCoy also reaching double figures with 10 points. The Crusaders connected on 62.5 percent from the field in the second half to finish the contest at 51.1 percent. The Braves were limited to 33.3 percent after intermission and 42.2 percent overall. After falling behind 12-0 in the first five minutes and 18-4 at its biggest point, Belmont Abbey cut the margin to four, 26-22, at the 4:29 mark, but UNCP was able to stretch the lead back to double figures, 37-27 at the break. The Braves’ lead was still in double figures at 56-46 with 8:30 remaining, before the first Crusader charge. Seven straight points cut the gap to four, 58-54 with 5:43 remaining. UNCP scored four straight but The Abbey again closed to two, 62-60 with 4:14 to play. Solomon hit a pair of free throws with 2:04 for the final points before Halloran’s three. Each team missed a pair of free throws in the final 55 seconds that could have altered the outcome. Both team had an uncharacteristic number of turnovers (22 for the Crusaders and 21 for the Braves), while UNCP held a slim 25-24 rebounding edge. Tyrell Kirk led all scorers with 23 points.

(January 14, 2021 Issue)

South Point senior, Asheton Queen, has signed a national letter of intent to play softball at Gardner Webb University.  Seated from the left are: Barry Queen, Asheton’s grandfather; Kellie Queen, Asheton’s mother; Asheton; and Judy Spicer, Asheton’s grandmother.  Standing from the left are: Blake Queen, Asheton’s brother; Craig Queen, Asheton’s father; Treymane Stephens, trainer-ADS and Grayson Queen, Asheton’s brother. 
 

Maria Kuhlman (pictured above) and Allie Downing each scored 15 points to lead the Belmont Abbey women’s basketball team to a 63-60 win over Division I opponent UNC Greensboro this evening to kick off its 2020-21 season.
BAC led early, and stayed within six points of UNCG the entire opening quarter. Kuhlman made a 3-point shot in the closing seconds of the first to pull The Abbey to within a point, 19-18, at the end of the quarter. The Crusaders took a 24-22 lead early in the second. Later in the half, the defense held the Spartans scoreless for a 4:35 span. Kuhlman made two 3-point shots late in the second to put the Crusaders up 38-34 at halftime. The teams traded leads throughout the third quarter, which was a defensive battle.  BAC held UNCG to a 5:45 span of no field goals near the end of the period. Jo Snow capped off the Crusader scoring in the period with two free throws, and the Spartans held a 52-49 lead heading into the final period. Two quick baskets by Brittany Autry early in the fourth put The Abbey in front 53-52. The Abbey’s defense was again strong in the fourth, giving up just two Spartan points in the first 8:50 of the quarter.  The Abbey won the contest 63-60. Kuhlman and Downing scored 15 points each, while Autry scored 12 and grabbed five rebounds. Keyanna Spivey grabbed seven rebounds, while freshman Shelby Darden pulled down six.
Belmont Abbey story/photo

Five Belmont Abbey women’s basketball players scored in double figures in their 89-72 victory over Wingate last week.  The win puts The Abbey at 2-0 on the year.  The Bulldogs dipped to 0-3. How It Happened - Maria Kuhlman made to early 3-pointers to put The Abbey up 8-0.  The Crusaders never lost the lead. Shelby Darden scored the last five Crusader points of the quarter, giving BAC a 22-13 advantage. In the second, the Crusaders again scored the first eight points of the quarter. Keyanna Spivey scored eight points in the quarter, and Belmont Abbey held a 51-32 lead at halftime. Brittany Autry (pictured) scored four in the third to lead the Crusaders, and BAC led 61-49 heading into the final period. The fourth was the highest-scoring quarter of the game.  Allie Downing scored four points in the opening minute. The Abbey led by as many as 20 in the period, and finished the contest with the 89-72 win. Autry recorded a double-double, with 10 points and 13 rebounds.  Spivey finished with 16 points and six boards, and Darden also had a strong performance, with seven points and eight rebounds.
Belmont Abbey story/photo

 (December 3, 2020 Issue)

Gaston College is taking steps to start a new intercollegiate sports program.
College President Dr. John Hauser laid out plans in a presentation to Gaston College Board of Trustees on Tuesday to launch a college sports program that will offer men’s baseball and basketball, women’s beach volleyball and softball, and Esports. Approximately, 96 athletes, 52 men and 44 women, would participate in the five initial athletic programs.
The Gaston College Board of Trustees enthusiastically voted unanimously for Dr. Hauser to take the necessary steps to contact the National Junior College Athletic Association to establish the new college sports program. With the Board of Trustee’s approval, Dr. Hauser and the College’s administration will need to submit a letter of intent with the NJCAA. Pending approval, a search for an athletic director would be one of the next steps.
Dr. Hauser told the Board, “Community colleges that offer sports regard the athletics program as an integral part of the educational experience.”
“Sports programs have proven to enhance and strengthen student life, diversity, student mental and physical health, and overall college unity. This is something we believe that our Gaston College students and the communities we serve in Gaston and Lincoln counties are looking forward to enjoy and support in many ways.”
Dr. Hauser added, “As we began the process to put this plan and presentation together, one of our former students provided me with tremendous help and moral support. Leonard Hamilton, the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Florida State University and a GC Alum, has graciously provided me with professional insight and advice regarding this new venture that will reignite sports at the College.”
Coach Hamilton, who was born and raised in Gastonia, played basketball for Gaston College back in the early 70s when the College had sports teams. Since then, he has won many awards and accolades including being named the 2020 Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year.
 He plans to keep supporting President Hauser and Trustees with the new sports program and is looking forward to seeing sports back at the College.
“As a first-generation college student, I struggled, but having my teammates, college activities to attend, and a social environment at Gaston College helped sustain me to go on to a four-year university and to complete a master’s degree. I then encouraged others to do the same – those who would have never dreamed they, too, could do it. Kids today are the same as I was then, just looking for an opportunity,” said Hamilton.
Once the NJCAA program membership is approved, Gaston College will join Region 10 which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, and Southwest Virginia. The cost to support the five sports is estimated to be $321,448.
The Gaston College Foundation will work to secure intercollegiate athletic scholarships, engage in community fund raising and events, and work hand-in-hand with the student athletes with community engagement events and activities. President Hauser shared a variety of ideas for revenue generation to support athletics beyond student activity fees, bookstore revenues, and excess fees. This is standard practice for intercollegiate athletic programs at North Carolina Community Colleges.
Future plans include engaging faculty, staff and students regarding sports, including potential names for a mascot.

(December 3, 2020 Issue)

The Belmont Abbey Acrobatics and Tumbling team held their intra-squad meet last Wednesday night inside the Wheeler Center. The Crusaders, led by head coach Emily Powers, split into two teams, Black and White, and competed in all the heats in a typical meet. The two teams combined to perform the team event. The guest judges handed out scores throughout the meet with the White Team earning the victory by 0.05.
Belmont Abbey photo
 

(November 12, 2020 Issue)

Give a shout-out to Stuart W. Cramer High School student Jacob Wootton. Jacob is a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program, giving Gaston County Schools four high school seniors who will compete against other students from across the country to win a prestigious National Merit Scholarship. Jacob transferred to Gaston County Schools recently, and is at Stuart W. Cramer where  the teachers and counselors there will do an excellent job of helping him navigate the National Merit competition. Gaston Schools’ other three semifinalists are Sydney Lester and Grace Nehring of South Point High School and Marshall Pearson of Highland School of Technology.

(November 12, 2020 Issue)

The Belmont Abbey Black team blocked 15 Red attempts and Andrew Kohut tallied 13 kills, leading to a 3-1 (25-19, 25-23, 19-25, 25-20) victory in an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday night at the Wheeler Center. The Halloween night action was the second of two fall sessions for the Crusaders. Kohut hit .152 (13-8-33) for the Black team, while the Red has a pair of players also tally 13 kills - freshmen Justin Kean and Matteo Miselli. William Morris and Kohut dominated the middle, with 14 and nine blocks, respectively. 13 of Morris’ were assists, while Kohut also had one solo with eight helpers. Clayton Zimmerman of the Red team was credited with 37 assists to Brennan Davis’ 26 for the Black. Jake Somers (Red) led all players with eight digs, while Davis had a match high three aces.                                      

Congratulations to Gaston Christian School runners who earned All-Conference honors this season. Adam Hoyle placed first overall in the conference meet earning his second All-Conference honor. Connor Nanney finished 3rd overall earning his 3rd all conference honor. (Tied for most in team history). Jake Sosebee placed 5th overall earning his 2nd All-Conference honor. Ryan Thornburg placed 6th overall earning his 3rd All-Conference honor. (Tied for most in team history). Garrett Huffman placed 8th overall earning his 1st All-Conference Honor. Thomas Bunko placed 9th overall earning his 2nd All-Conference honor. Kate Hoersch placed 9th overall earning her 1st All-Conference honor. 

Isabella Benavente (#3) scored three goals as the Belmont Abbey women’s soccer team earned a 4-3 victory over Spartanburg Methodist. How It Happened: SMC scored first, in the 15th minute, but Mackenzie Lewis evened the score just three minutes later. In the second half, Benavente scored three goals in a row, the first two coming in a 10-minute span. Spartanburg Methodist tried to come back, with two late goals, but it was not enough as the Crusaders held on 4-3. Goalkeepers Cieara Berg and Olivia Egbor saw their first game action of the Fall.
 

Sick and tired of feeling sick and tired in these COVID-19 times? The Gaston County Family YMCA invites all in the community to participate in a free six-week STRONG challenge sponsored by Atrium Health designed to help transform spirit, mind and body.
“Now, more than ever before we need to recharge and refocus,” said CEO Sharon Padgett. “The COVID-19 pandemic has worn us down. It’s isolated us in so many ways. This challenge provides an opportunity to get active and healthier by yourself or as a Strong family.”
Opt-in to the free challenge today. Once you’ve signed up on the YMCA website, they will send you regular motivation, challenges, workouts and more, so be sure to to stay connected. Everyone in the community is invited to participate in the STRONG Challenge. Y membership is not required.
All participants are invited to participate in free YMCA Zoom online classes, receive access to virtual fitness classes from your favorite instructor and participate in pop up classes and events.
Challenge details- The STRONG Challenge officially begins Monday, Oct. 19, and you can participate from anywhere. Registration is open now at gastonymca.org. This free six-week challenge is open to all. You’ll receive regular email messages outlining weekly challenges. The commitment is only 20 minutes a day. There are plenty of ways to participate outside the Y, including outdoor and virtual classes. Complete the challenge and earn a cool T-shirt.
“It’s the perfect time to take back our lives, reenergize, achieve goals, feel better and stronger,” added Padgett.

(October 8, 2020 Issue)

For three high schools in Gaston County Schools, their commitment to outstanding sportsmanship has resulted in a special recognition from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA).
Stuart W. Cramer High School, Forestview High School, and Highland School of Technology earned the “ejection free” school status for the 2019-2020 year.  The status indicates that no student-athlete or coach was ejected from a sport for the year.
“We are pleased to recognize the coaches and student-athletes for their positive attitude on the field and on the court,” said Gaston County Schools athletic director Chad Duncan.  “More important than winning is exhibiting good sportsmanship and good behavior.  This is what we want to see all of the time at our athletic events.”
Here’s a look at what our schools had to say about their “ejection free” status for 2019-2020: 
Stuart W. Cramer High School
Athletic director Mike Patton: “As an athletic director, it feels good when your athletes and coaches are competing at a high level and doing it with good sportsmanship.  We are proud of this recognition for Stuart W. Cramer.”
Forestview High School
Athletic director Alan Stewart:  “Our coaches set a good example and have high expectations for our student-athletes.  We have stressed sportsmanship with our coaches, and they have passed it down to their athletes.”
Highland School of Technology
Principal James Montgomery:  “We are proud of our student-athletes and coaches for being recognized as an ejection-free school.  We strive to demonstrate sportsmanship at all times, and this recognition validates the efforts of our coaches and players.”
Gaston County Schools has had at least one high school to be recognized as “ejection-free” each year since the NCHSAA began tracking coach and student conduct in 1997.
Schools across the state with no ejections for the 2019-2020 year received a certificate of recognition at the recent NCHSAA regional meetings.  Unsportsmanlike acts such as fighting, taunting, profanity, obscene gestures, or disrespectfully addressing or contacting officials are reasons for an ejection, according to the NCHSAA.

Congratulations to the Gaston Christian School Skeet Team, Holy Thunder, on a very successful inaugural season. Corrie Cloninger finished first overall top female shooter in the conference. Corrie also shot a perfect 25 straight in one match. Her sister Josie Cloninger, finished second highest female in the conference. The sisters are pictured with Steve Matolka Skeet Team Coach, NRA – NSSA Coach/Instructor.
Gaston Christian School photo
 

NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker issued the following statement last week regarding the amended 2020-2021 Sport Calendar.
“You all have been waiting patiently for a decision from the NCHSAA relative to an amended sport calendar for the 2020-2021 academic year. Please keep in mind that these proposed dates are dependent on COVID-19 conditions improving across NC. However, last night the Board of Directors approved a framework we believe maximizes the opportunities for students in our membership to participate in athletics at some point during this school year, regardless of what plan is a school and/or school system operates.
The NCHSAA Board approved an amended calendar for the 2020-2021 school year in a special called meeting for this purpose on Tuesday, August 11 via Zoom. This calendar represents the hard work of the NCHSAA Staff, Board of Directors and various committees such as the City/County Athletic Directors, Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and the Sports Ad Hoc Committee. There is still much work to be done on the details of implementing athletic programs and contests during this pandemic, but we thank these committees and individuals for their hard work to bring us to this point.
We recognize that this is a lot of information to digest and drastically different from the way the sport calendar has been aligned for years in North Carolina. However, as we mentioned many weeks ago, “We will play again.” In that mantra we believe, and it is in that spirit that we present this calendar. It is the belief of the Board of Directors and our staff that this calendar provides us the greatest chance of providing interscholastic athletic opportunities to the students of the NCHSAA for the 2020-2021 academic year. We believe that this is the best path forward to a safe return to the field.
Our decision-making process has been careful and calculated, as we work to ensure the health and safety of all student-athletes, coaches and administrators during this unprecedented time. There is still much work to be done in regard to playoff formats, COVID-19 related rules modifications for numerous sports, securing potential playoff facilities and providing the safest possible regular season opportunities for student athletes. We are committed to that work and will continue to lead and govern interscholastic athletic programs across this state that support and enrich the educational experience provided by our member schools in such a manner to maintain the standards of excellence that the NCHSAA has become known for.”

The Conference Carolinas Board of Directors unanimously approved a plan to proceed with intercollegiate competition in conference-sponsored sports in the upcoming fall semester. Intercollegiate competition may begin no earlier than Sept. 18, 2020.
Belmont Abbey College is a Conference Carolinas member.
The decision was made in the best interest of Conference Carolinas student-athletes, coaches and administrators. Conference Carolinas member institutions may begin practicing in their championship/non-championship segments on Sept. 1 or when mandated by NCAA policy, whichever is later.
“During this pandemic, we are working to keep the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and staff as our top priority,” Commissioner Chris Colvin said. “Our goal in Conference Carolinas is always to help our member institutions use intercollegiate athletics to achieve their overall mission. This decision by our Board of Directors, after careful consultation with our Directors of Athletics and local health officials, gives our member institutions time to focus on the resocialization process on each campus during the first few weeks of the semester and then move toward intercollegiate competition. We will continue to work on fine-tuning the safety protocols that will be implemented by all of our institutions.”
Conference Carolinas originally announced in May of 2020 that it would emphasize conference contests in the 2020-21 academic year and that it did not have any plans to reduce league contests in 2020-21. That plan is still in place.
Conference Carolinas institutions are continuing to work daily to create updated policies and procedures surrounding campus life, including intercollegiate athletics, that will allow students and student-athletes to return to campus as safe as possible. The conference is also continuing to work to create safety protocols and precautions around intercollegiate athletics participation.

Alumni Field, home to five Belmont Abbey sports programs, will be enhanced with a premier lighting system this summer, Vice-President and Director of Athletics Stephen Miss announced.

“The fruit of the vision, hard work, and generosity of tremendous donors and contributors, this $400,000 facility enhancement will benefit significantly the students who compete under the lights, the spectators who observe them doing so, and the entire Abbey community for years to come,” Miss said. “We are quite pleased to partner, once again, with Musco Lighting, the premier provider in the industry. The lighting system Musco installed at Abbey Yard was a game-changer for us, and we eagerly anticipate the new LED system at Alumni Field possibly having an even greater impact.”

The project includes Musco’s Light-Structure Green ™ lighting system with Total Light Control - TLC for LED and Green Generation Lighting ® Metal Halide technology on poles located near each corner of the field. The energy-efficient system provides 50% less spill and glare light than Musco’s prior industry-leading technology.

Fall sports schedules will be announced soon, but the lights will be installed and operational for the soccer and field hockey seasons. The lacrosse teams use the facility during the spring.



What They Are Saying About Alumni Field Lights

 John Keating, Head Men’s Soccer Coach: “Over the years, our soccer alumni have always asked if we ever planned to get lights. Many of their most vivid soccer memories from their playing days at The Abbey were of night games at away venues. To be able to create a great atmosphere and great memories at home, is going to add to the rich legacy of Belmont Abbey Soccer.”

Mike Lynch, Head Women’s Soccer Coach: “Lights on Alumni Field will enhance the student-athlete experience in so many ways from less missed class time, cooler temps to compete, and more fans able to attend. We are very excited!”

Meghan Smiga, Head Field Hockey Coach: “The lights allow student-athletes to minimize missed class and lab time and provide more opportunity for family and spectators to attend games on weekends and weekdays.”

Chris Barrett, Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach: “Adding lights to Alumni Field will just add to the student-athlete experience we offer here at the Abbey. It will allow us to get in full academic days on game days during the week, while also adding some excitement to the student body by providing them with more events to attend outside on beautiful Carolina nights!”

Molly Lehman-Lewis, Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach: “We are beyond excited to have the opportunity to compete under the lights. Alumni field has so much energy and this improvement will take that up a notch.”

By Alan Hodge
alan@cfmedia.info

Local athlete 85-year-old David Hostetler, Sr., has been recognized by USA Track & Field for his outstanding accomplishments in a number of Masters Event sports.

The Masters Events are for folks aged 30 to 100+ years in age. Hostetler competes against other athletes of his own age locally and in other places such as Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Yadkinville, and Durham. Sports he competes in includes a variety of track and field events.

Hostetler learned of his rankings after receiving a copy of the April/May issue of National Masters News.


“In 2019 I practiced the games daily,” Hostetler said. “I was well coached by Terry Martin.”

In the Throws Pentathlon Performance category, Hostetler was ranked first in the USA, first in North America, and seventh in the world. The category includes javelin, hammer, #12 weight, discus, and shot put throws. First place equals who obtained the highest point average of five events. The record is not for one game or month but for the entire year.

Another event category that Hostetler took part in is the Super Weight Throw. This event uses a 25-pound steel ball with a triangular handle attached.

When Hostetler’s chance to beat hos own 2019 record came, he gave it all he had.

“I used a centrifugal type throw,” Hostetler said. “My toes and knees felt like they went into the concrete throwing pad. I obtained an excellent lift with my body and my hands went high over my head. That ball went like no other I had ever thrown.”

The throw was a record setter and placed Hostetler number one in the 85-year-old bracket for the USA, North America, and the world.

Hostetler is also ranked in the 50 meter dash, long jump, and high jump categories.

No matter where he goes, Hostetler shows his Gaston County pride.

“I practice on most of the fields in Gaston County,” said Hostetler. “I wear my Gaston County, North Carolina t-shirts to all local, state, and national events. Win or lose, I love to meet athletes  and people, play games, and show the colors of my county. The coronavirus has no effect on me walking, on jogging, and staying in shape outdoors.”