WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2009
STUART, VA
Pictured are the District 3 Patrick County Dixie Youth Major League National All Stars (left to right): row one: Logan Hutchens, Aaron Radford, Kristian Ashburn, Tanner Epperson, Evan Hopkins and Jacob Martin; row two: Seth Scott, Caleb Pendleton, Chase Smith, Josh Jacobson, Brandon Hubbard and Andrew Collins, Manager Sam Ashburn, and Coaches Richard Epperson and Donald Blackard.
Minor League All-stars compete in District 3 tournament
Patrick County's Dixie Youth Minor League All-star team represented the county well in the District 3 AAA Tournament this past weekend.
The youthful team slammed the door on Montgomery County Friday night 11-6. On Saturday, the Patrick County team defeated a strong Pulaski West ballclub 9-5.
The Sunday game had the boys from Patrick County going up against a powerful Christiansburg club and coming away with their first defeat 11-7. In the double elimination tournament, the Patrick County group had to face a potent, big-hitting ball team from Blacksburg and was outgunned 17-7.
The team is to be congratulated for its terrific effort.
Alice Gregory teaches proper diving technique to five-year-old Lainie Hopkins.
Swim team holding practices
The Patrick County swim team currently practices on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturdays. The team currently has 23 members, including seven who have never swam competitively.
The team is coached by Christy Menear and Alice Gregory. Gregory is no stranger to the Patrick County Swim Association, as she has swam on the team for several years.
These swimmers are working hard toward upcoming swim meets.
The league consists of three teams: Patrick County, Fieldale Collinsville, and Forest Grove in Mayodan, N.C.
The first meet will be on July 11 at Fieldale Collinsville. The only home swim meet will be on July 30 at 6 p.m.
Mitchell Coble's car
Teen wins at Rolling Thunder Raceway
By Bobby Bailey
Mitchell Coble, 16-year-old hot shoe from Mount Airy, N.C., grabbed the lead on lap 12 and hung on to win his first Crate Late Model race at Rolling Thunder Raceway last Friday night. Coble fought wily veteran Winky McGee through approximately seven restarts, hitting his marks perfectly and bringing his c4 race car to the checkered flag ahead of McGee, who finished second.
McGee, who had won the previous three races, was required to start at the rear of the field. By lap six, McGee had made his way to seventh place and on the eighth lap had put his No. 12 car into the fifth spot. On lap nine, a five-car pileup in turn three left McGee's wounded machine in second, behind Coble's car. From that point, Coble led the way home.
Jason Moncus, in his No. 01 fought hard to stay in third behind Coble and McGee but was collected in another pileup and finished fifth. Brandon Hall in his 42 machine and Bobby Jones in his No. 77, finished third and fourth, respectively.
The Super Street class saw a large turnout with Joel Bray finding his way to victory over the crowd. Richard Clew was second, followed by Jerry Bray, Kenny Gwynn and Tony Lowe, who rounded out the top five.
Jesse Burton showed the way in the Mini-Sprint division, with Terry Hiatt unable to catch up in second. Barry Belcher of Woolwine finished third. Travis Flippen was fourth and Blake Corum was fifth.
Robbie Brown and Luke Golding battled for the win in the Mini-Stock four-banger division with Brown's No. 33 leading at the flag. Michael Prevette finished third and Gary Hall of Claudville in an evil- handling No. 8 car, finished fourth. Keith Senter finished fifth.
In U-Car action, Travis Turner led most of the way but was disqualified following inspection for improper brakes. Matt Duggins inherited the win in his No. 99 car with Stephine Clew in second. Austin Caudle's 11 car was third followed by Steve Hauser's 29 and Alicia Lowe's N0. 16.
Renegade driver Tony Parsons' No. 20 Camaro collected another win in his class. Joey Witt's No. 1 Nova charged to the second spot. Megan Watson's machine was third and the steadily improving, Rob Priddy was fourth in the rugged, V-8 powered, street tire outfitted division.
Racing will return to Alicia and Gary Nester's Rolling Thunder Raceway on July 10, following a one-week interim for Independence Day vacation.
Blue Ridge tied for first place in Patrick County Recreation Department's sixth and seventh grade girls' softball regular season. Pictured kneeling in front are (left to right): Samantha Smith, Hannah Freeman, Braeton Leftwich and Adrianna Culler; back row: Coach Jessica Leftwich, Anna Hayes, Montana Hodges, Jessica Radford, Jessica Boyd, Paige Carrico and Coach Michael Leftwich. Not pictured: Karen DeNeui and Raven Martin.
Woolwine Lady Warriors took first place in Patrick County Recreation Department's sixth and seventh grade girls' softball tournament and tied for first place in the regular season. Pictured (left to right) are: back row: Coach Rick Worley, Kelly Rorrer, Kelsie Belcher, Anna Salcedo, Kerri Rakes, Allison Horton and Coach Andrew Kahle; kneeling: Amber Elgin, Kaley King, India Kahle, Taylor Worley, Morgan Cockerham, C.J. Worley and Rachel Stone.
Stuart Strykers placed second in Patrick County Recreation Department's sixth and seventh grade girls' softball regular season and tournament. Pictured are: front row (left to right): Ashley Lyon, Molly Hunt, Courtney Campbell, Abi Smith and Harlie Queen; back row: Coach Eddie Hunt, Lauren Smith, Tori Smith, Taylor Massey, Elizabeth Bowman, Rosie Butler, Brittany Hylton and coaches Tim Hylton and Maurice Lyon.