Local News and Views From Area Teams
& Athletes
Eagles place three in state track meet
As a result of their performances in the Region I AA meet held Friday, three Braxton County High athletes qualified to compete in the State Track Meet to be held later this month. The top three in each event automatically earn a trip to the state meet. Other athletes sometimes compete as wildcard selections.
In the boys’ division, Bryson Dennison, a sophomore, placed third in the pole vault to earn a trip to the state meet. Dennison’s vault was an even 12’.
Senior Hunter Sodaro qualified in the girls’ long jump. Sodaro placed third with a jump of 15’ 2½”. Sodaro’s teammate, freshman Kristen Bly, who finished fourth at 14’6”, qualified for the state meet as a wildcard pick in the same event. Kate Golinsky, also a freshman, barely missed being a wildcard choice in the 800 meter run.
Other members of the Braxton team who placed in the top six in their events but did not earn a position in the state tournament, included Jesse White and Shelby Helmick. With a time of 24.82, White placed sixth in the boys’ 200 meter dash. Helmick finished fifth in the discus throw at 82’.
As a team, Braxton’s girls finished last in a field of ten. Braxton’s boys ranked ninth out of ten.
Eagles win baseball sectional, head into regional semi-final
Taking both games of the required doubleheader against Webster last week, the Eagles easily won the sectional championship. They are now preparing to take on Fairmont Senior in the Region I AA semi-final game sometime next week.
In game one of the sectional championship games, Trey Fincham, on the mound for the Eagles, allowed only two hits while striking out six in Braxton’s 12-4 win. Braxton’s 12 runs came on 10 hits along with six Highlander errors. Leading the Eagles’ offense were Greg Bly and Fincham. Bly was 3 for 4 at the plate with two doubles and three RBIs. Fincham, who scored three runs, was 2 for 4, including a triple.
Braxton shut out the Highlanders 13-0 in five innings in game two. Pitcher Nathan Shaffer gave up only one hit, which came with two out in the last inning to rob him of a no-hitter. Shaffer, who Coach Tim Farmer said, “threw a good game,” recorded eight strikeouts.
Tony Conrad led Braxton’s hitting with a 3 for 3 performance along with two runs, two RBIs, and a steal. Bly, 2 for 4, also had a good game.
Looking toward next week’s tournament game, Coach Farmer noted, “The two weeks off give us time to go out and actually practice as well as recover from injuries.” Discussing his team’s difficult season, the coach said, “We had a poor start. When you have to practice in the gym and then go directly into the season, you really don’t have an opportunity to prepare properly. That’s why this lull is helping us.” Continuing, he added, “Fairmont Senior is definitely a tough time, but that’s one thing about tournament baseball. Anything can happen in a tournament game. Besides, our team has won three of the last four games. That should definitely be an incentive for us.”
Lady Eagles advance to regional softball finals
With a 7-4 victory over East Fairmont in the semi-regional match, Braxton’s softball team moved into the regional championship game to be played Thursday.
In that game, which will be on Braxton’s field, the Lady Eagles will take on Ritchie County, 28-2, at 6 p.m.
On their way to defeating the Bees, Braxton, now 22-7, collected twelve hits and took advantage of four errors committed by their opponent.
Coach Jerry Frame, in commending his squad on the victory, which brings them one step closer to state-tournament play, said, “East Fairmont did a good job of putting the ball into play. We just fielded well.” He added, “Our players knew going into the game that both teams would be hitting the ball. I told them they just had to be prepared to field well, and they certainly did.” He also commented that the Lady Eagles “hit well.” Taylor Bragg pitched for Braxton.
The game against the Rebels offers a definite challenge.
Braxton split a doubleheader against Ritchie, current LKC champion and always one of the top contenders in AA softball in the state.
BCHS Athletic Director announces free sports physicals for 2013-2014 school year
Braxton County High Athletic Director Lynn Stalnaker recently announced times and dates for free sports physicals which will serve for the entire 2013-2014 school year. Stalnaker emphasized that these dates “will be the only time the physicals will be given free” and reminded athletes interested in all school-sponsored sports that they “must have physicals before they can engage in practice and/or play in scholastic sports.”
Physicals will be given by the Community Care Center at Braxton County High School. Dates for middle school and high school boys are July 17 and 18 from 8 a.m. until noon. For middle school and high school girls, the dates are July 24 and 25 from 8 a.m. until noon.
Stalnaker explained that physical forms can be picked up in the main office of the high school, in the athletic director’s office at the high school, at the Community Care Center or in the main office of the middle school.
He also noted that physical forms and consent forms must be completely filled out and then signed by the athlete and a parent or guardian prior to the physical exam.
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