The Gaston College Athletics Department has added two new members to its baseball coaching staff. Jacob Rand and Kenneth “KJ” McAllister, Jr., will join Head Baseball Coach Shohn Doty in the Gaston College’s athletics program that officially begins this fall.
Rand is the Recruiting Coordinator and an Assistant Coach for the Baseball team. He graduated in 2015 from Mars Hill University in North Carolina, where he was a four-year starter on their baseball team, playing in three positions: Catcher, Second Baseman, and Third Baseman. Prior to Gaston College, he was assistant Baseball Coach and Director of Operations at Wingate University in N.C. Wingate averaged more than 30 wins per season and appeared in two NCAA Regionals during Rand’s tenure there, and in April won the 2021 South Atlantic Conference tournament title.
He has worked with several traveling baseball organizations, including the Charlotte Megastars and the Pineville Pioneers/Southern Collegiate summer team, and was the Head Coach of the On Deck O’s inaugural senior team.
“This is an unprecedented time for Gaston College, and I am excited to be a part of the bright future of this athletics department,” said Rand. “I look forward to working with Coach Doty and Coach McAllister as we build a program in an always competitive Region 10.”
“Jacob is a relentless recruiter and is on the cutting edge with his hitting philosophies,” said Doty. “We are extremely excited to add him to our staff. He is coming from a program that has a tradition of winning and he will bring that culture with him.”
McAllister, who was the 2018 3A High School Baseball Coach of the Year at Jacksonville High School in N.C., is also an Assistant Coach at Gaston College. He is a graduate of Limestone University in Gaffney, South Carolina, where he had the all-time sixth highest batting average, and was an All-Conference player.
In 2013, McAllister was an All-Star in the Coastal Plain League, the nation’s premier collegiate summer baseball league, and he played professionally for the San Angelo (Texas) Colts in 2014. He served as Assistant Baseball Coach at North Carolina Central University prior to joining Gaston College.
“I’m excited to be able to work with a great coaching staff and help mold a great group of student athletes,” said McAllister. “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity and I am ready to get to work!”
“KJ has a unique presence and energy around him that I believe will translate to our players,” said Doty. “He will be a quality coach and his knowledge of infield play will be a huge asset.”
Gaston College has several players already committed to join the baseball team this fall. New recruits include several Division I transfers as well as high school graduates from various areas, including Canada. With the high level of baseball talent in the area more local commits are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

By Art Shoemaker

As July 4th is a day of celebration it was fitting that the Gaston Braves also celebrated with an opening game victory in a win over Post 29 from Caldwell County.
In a best three wins in a possible five game series the Braves opened with a win at Raider Field by the score of 12-9.
Ethan Simmons picked up the win on the hill for the G-Braves.  Greyson Thomas, Jake Bidoglio and Drew Wofford all worked in relief in this opening contest.
The Braves posted a run in the first frame and added two in the second and surged ahead in the sixth inning with six runners crossing the dish.  The team added three additional runs in the sixth inning.
A South Pointer, Jackson Risk, continued to shine on offense for the Braves.  Risk enjoyed a 2 for 3 night that produced five RBI’S for the Braves.  Liam Brady also enjoyed a productive night on offense in gathering three hits in his three plate appearances.  Jackson Risk, Caleb Burr and Daniel McClellan each racked up multiple hits for the Braves.
The Braves followed up this opening game win with another victory in game two in defeating Caldwell Co. by a 9-5 score.
After scoring two tallies in the fourth inning the Braves put the game away in the fifth frame with a four spot.  The Braves out hit the visitors by a 9 to 5 count.
Liam Brady was the winning pitcher for the Braves in relief.  Parker Agosta started on the mound giving way to Brady in the third inning.  Jake Bidoglio also pitched in relief.
Drew Wofford and Logan Agosta both had two hits for the Braves.  The Braves played errorless baseball in the game.
Caldwell Co. rebounded in a big way in game three.  Post 29 recorded a 15-6 victory in this contest.  Caldwell Co. led 10-6 after five innings of play but broke the game open by scoring five runs in the seventh inning.
Grayson Guy took the loss for the Braves.  Parker Agosta, Daniel McClellan, Logan Agosta, Caleb Burr and Drew Wofford all had hits in the game for the Braves.
The Braves traveled to Lenoir Wednesday to play game four.  In a rain delayed game the G-Braves closed out the series in winning by a 9-8 score.  The Braves could only muster five hits in the game but were aided by four Caldwell Co. errors.
The Braves posted five runs in the fifth inning and added four more in the sixth.
Ethan Simmons started on the hill for the Braves.  He was relieved by Cameron Cook who picked up the win.  Jake Bidoglio also worked in relief for the Braves.
Dylan Owensby had two of the Braves five hits in the game.  Ayden Ledford, Caleb Burr and Daniel McClellan each collected important RBI’s in the game.
The Braves will now play Rutherford County in their next play-off series.  Rutherford Co. advanced by defeating Gastonia Post 23.

Belmont Abbey women’s basketball players Maria Kuhlman and Allie Downing have been named Academic All-America by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the organization announced. Kuhlman was a first-team selection, while Downing earned second-team honors. Belmont Abbey was the only school with multiple selections on the 15-player team.
The players are only the fifth and sixth overall -- and first two females -- to earn CoSIDA Academic All-America honors in school history.
Kuhlman, a May graduate from Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., played in 107 career games at The Abbey, averaging 14.0 points, 4.2 rebound and 2.0 assists during that span. She was named Conference Carolinas Scholar-Athlete of the Year for women’s basketball and was the winner of the conference’s Murphy Osborne Award, significant of the top graduating senior in the league. She was a three-time first-team all-conference selection and finished the season as Division II’s active career leader in three-pointers made. She holds Belmont Abbey’s career threes record for both men and women and was on the 2021 Conference Carolinas and the NCAA Southeast Regional all-tournament teams, the latter as the Most Valuable Player. She finished with a 3.99 GPA in Theology.
Downing, from New Madison, Ohio, also graduated in May with a 3.98 grade-point average in accounting and business management. She appeared in 116 games for the Crusaders, averaging 13.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists during her career. A three-time All-Conference Carolinas selection, she was named to the all-tournament teams for the conference tournament and NCAA Southeast Regional.
Ten of the 15 members of the 2020-21 CoSIDA Academic All-America® Division II Women’s Basketball teams have at least a 3.90 G.P.A., with four student-athletes maintaining a perfect 4.00 GPA. The five members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.98.

If you have your eyes on this summer’s Olympics, you might want to be on the lookout for Kyndal Knight. She is competing  in the Olympic diving trials that are happening in Indianapolis. How awesome would it be to have an East Gaston High School graduate in Tokyo representing Team USA! While at East Gaston, Kyndal was a swimming and diving sensation, winning two regional titles and the 1A/2A state diving championship. She graduated in 2018 and went on to the University of Kentucky on a full-ride scholarship. Kyndal certainly knows what it takes to be a champion, and it is good to see that she is continuing to put forth a winning effort in everything she does! 

Belmont Abbey Athletics overcame unprecedented obstacles to enjoy unparalleled success during the 2020-21 academic year. The College’s motto of Excellence and Virtue played out in competitions, classrooms and with community service.
Crusader sport programs won six Conference Carolinas Tournament championships and three regular-season titles with several teams advancing to regional and national tournaments. Previously, the highest number of championship wins was seven. A record number of athletes were also recognized individually with conference, regional and national awards.
After limited competition during the fall semester, the winter sports seasons kicked off the year with a bang. Women’s Basketball repeated as regular-season champions and earned the right to host all rounds of the Conference Carolinas Tournament. A win over Barton in the final sent the team to the Southeast Regional as the top seed, where they again defeated Barton for the rights to cut down the nets and a spot in their first-ever Elite Eight. Men’s Basketball earned the No. 2 seed for the conference tournament, and after a pair of home wins, traveled to Emmanuel, where it upset the top-seeded Lions for an automatic bid to the Southeast Regional. The Crusaders then earned the No. 1 seed -- another program first -- but they bowed out in the regional semifinal.
Wrestling sent a pair of Crusaders to the national tournament with Mitch Dean winning the regional title and earning All-America honors after placing sixth. Benjamin Fielding finished second at the regional tournament earning his first NCAA national qualifier accolade.
Men’s Volleyball earned its first-ever conference tournament title and automatic bid, facing Penn State in the opening round of the NCAA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Championship. The men’s lacrosse team also won the conference tournament as the No. 2 seed, but finished just outside the region’s top five. On the women’s side, the golf team captured its second Conference Carolinas Championship and participated in the NCAA South Regional.
The men’s tennis team captured a share of the league’s regular-season championship, advancing to the tournament final, while men’s soccer -- playing in the spring -- surprised everyone by upsetting its way to the tournament title as the No. 6 seed.
Cheerleading competed at the Can-Am Nationals in March and won the championship for the second time in three years.
Individually, women’s basketball player Maria Kuhlman earned the conference’s highest honor, the Murphy Osborne Award. It is given annually to the senior who is the most well-rounded in terms of athletics, academics and community service. Softball’s Payton Whitley and women’s lacrosse’s Kylie Eastman were named Player of the Year for their respective sports, while Chandler Baker (men’s basketball) and Andres Golindano (men’s tennis) were deemed best freshman in the league. A pair of coaches -- Jason Williams and Jason Gault were each honored by their peers as Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year.
A total of 76 athletes earned all-conference honors -- second-most in the league -- while 58 were named Player of the Week. The latter total is more than 50 percent higher than the next closest competitor.
Off the court, Belmont Abbey was chosen as Conference Carolinas representative and national runner-up for the NCAA Award of Excellence for its work on the Mr. Crusader Pageant. The annual event raised a record-total in donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, NCAA Division II’s national charity. More than 2,800 hours of community service were performed and recorded through Helper Helper, third-most among Division II schools.
Five programs (men’s and women’s cross country, men’s indoor track, acrobatics and tumbling and men’s volleyball) were recognized by the league with individual sport Messick Awards, significant of outstanding sportsmanship during their seasons.
In the classroom, 239 students were on the Conference Carolinas honor roll with 101 earning Academic All-Conference recognition. 28 student-athletes were on the President’s List with 258 earning a spot on the Dean’s List.

Registration is in person only at the C.B. Huss Recreation Complex - 8 Julian Street; Cramerton, NC 28032. The Recreation Center is open Monday - Friday from 8am - 5pm.  Due to the limited spots in these camps, registration forms are only available at the C.B. Huss Recreation Center.

EDUCATIONAL CAMPS
Nature Explorer Day- If getting messy and finding crawling things is your child’s jam, be sure to register for Nature Explorer camp.  Campers will explore our parks and streams learning about the local ecology.  Campers should wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty, bring a water bottle, sunscreen and bug spray.
Dates:  June 7-10
Ages: 8-13 years old
Time:  9am-12pm
Cost: $60 for Cramerton resident / $80 for non Cramerton resident
Art Camp- During this workshop we will be discussing the basics of acrylic paint and how to use it in a fun and creative way. We will be learning how to paint with a brush, a palette knife, and even just pouring it straight on to the canvas! This will be a great time for your child to learn in a creative environment while having a blast.
Dates:  July 19-22
Ages: 8-12 years old
Time:  9am-12pm
Cost: $60 for Cramerton resident / $80 for non Cramerton resident
Coding Camp- Chase boredom away – learn to code! Campers will create a “Chase” game or an animated story (their choice) during this session. Campers will need to bring a device with a keyboard (laptop, Chromebook, etc.). Scratch programming software will need to be installed on the device prior to the first class (installation instructions will be emailed the Friday before camp starts).
Dates:  July 26-29
Ages: Rising 4th graders - Rising 6th graders
Time: 6pm-7:30pm
Cost: $30 for Cramerton residents / $40 for non Cramerton residents
Race Day Camp- Build, race, break and fix.  Kids will build things that roll, fly or float, test them out and take them home!  Races will be indoor or outdoors so be sure to dress for the weather.  Bring water and sunscreen.
Dates:  August 2-5
Ages: 8 years old-12 years old
Time: 9am-12pm
Cost: $60 for Cramerton resident / $80 for non Cramerton resident

SPORTS CAMPS
Boys Basketball Camp
Dates: June 14-17
Ages: 8 years old-12 years old
Time: 8am-12pm
Cost: $60 for Cramerton residents / $80 for non Cramerton residents
Baseball Camp
Dates:  June 21-24
Ages: 8 years old-12 years old
Time: 9am-12pm
Cost: $60 for Cramerton resident / $80 for non Cramerton resident
Soccer Camp
Dates: June 28-July 1
Time: 9am-12pm
Cost: $60 for Cramerton residents / $80 for non Cramerton residents
Basketball Camp-
Girls Basketball Camp
Dates: July 5-8
Time: 9am-12pm
Cost: $60 for Cramerton residents / $80 for non Cramerton residents
Volleyball Camp- Dates & Ages:
7-9 years old: TBD in August
10-12 years old: TBD in August
13-15 years old: TBD in August
Time: 9am-12pm
Cost: $60 for Cramerton residents / $80 for non Cramerton residents

LIL’ SQUIRTS CAMPS
Lil Astronauts Day- Future astronauts will complete crafts and activities relating to space including making cosmic playdough, their own planet suncatchers and launching stomp rockets sky high! We will be both indoors and outdoors during this fun day of space play.
Date: June 19
Ages: 4-7 years old
Time:  9am-12pm
Cost: $20 for Cramerton resident / $30 for non Cramerton resident
Dino Day- Our paleontologists will explore dinosaurs hands on!  We will make molds of footprints, excavate fossils and do some din-inspired art too.  Campers should wear clothes that can get dirty along with their sense of adventure!
Date: June 26
Ages: 4-7 years old
Time:  9am-12pm
Cost: $20 for Cramerton resident / $30 for non Cramerton resident
Superhero Day- Engage your camper’s imagination as they transform into a superhero!  Supers will create their own costumes or wear one from home, complete feats of valor and solve crimes together!  While superhero knowledge is appreciated, it is definitely not required!
Date: July 24
Age: 4-7 years old
Time: 9am-12pm
Cost: $20 for Cramerton residents / $30 for non Cramerton residents
H2O Outdoors Day- Beat the heat at Cramerton Parks and Rec!  We will play a variety of games and activities involving water to stay cool.  Campers should wear bathing suits and shoes that they can run in and can get wet.  No crocs or flip flops and don’t forget a towel!
Date: July 31
Age: 4-7 years old
Time: 9am-12pm
Cost: $20 for Cramerton resident / $30 for non Cramerton resident

(April 22, 2021 Issue)

It’s time for kindergarten and pre-kindergarten registration in Gaston County Schools. Parents may complete the registration process online, and they are encouraged to go ahead and register their child now.
Kindergarten Registration: gaston.k12.nc.us/kindergartenregistration
Pre-Kindergarten Registration: gaston.k12.nc.us/prekindergarten
For more information and assistance, call the Student Assignment Office, (704) 810-7284.

(April 15, 2021 Issue)

Belmont Abbey softball ran its winning streak to nine games last week with a doubleheader sweep of Conference Carolinas foe Converse at Crusader Field. The Crusaders won the opener 13-4 in five innings, then took the nightcap 2-1.
The wins passed a 2015 run of eight games without a loss as the second-longest in school history. The record is 12 games, set in 2004.
The Opener- Hailey Gass went 3-for-3 with three runs scored, while Payton Whitley was 2-for-2 with three runs driven in. The Crusaders posted an 11-hit attack, including a pair of triples from Whitley and Cameron Cooper. Annabeth Watkins (7-6) pitched a complete-game four-hitter with only two of the runs allowed being earned. She struck out three. Converse opened the scoring with two runs in the first, but the Crusaders exploded for two in the first, three in the second and four in both the third and fourth innings. Cooper’s triple tied the game in the first; Whitley had a two-run single in the second and her run-scoring triple in the third.
The nightcap- Mackenzie Allison tallied two of the Crusaders’ five hits. Gass had her fourth hit of the day, a single in the second. She tied the game when she came home on an error. The second run, on a sacrifice fly by Melissa Neyhouse, also came unearned in the second. Allanah Browne scattered eight hits, allowing just a single run. She struck out two in the complete-game effort to improve to 5-4.

(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.