Raising man’s best friend for a cause
Union County
Yearick’s Year page 20
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Serving Indian Trail, Marvin, Stallings, Waxhaw, Weddington and Wesley Chapel Photo courtesy of Kelley Zorn
Volume 9, Number 38 • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014
hometown heroes
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Union County resident receives new Habitat for Humanity home by Ryan Pitkin ryan@unioncountyweekly.com
The Housing Opportunity Foundation (HOF) presented 10 local nonprofits and nine area Habitat for Humanity stores with a total of $33,500 in donations last week to help fight unmet housing needs in the Charlotte area. For six years, the HOF, which is the charitable arm of the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association (CRRA), has been donating money annually to nonprofits, addressing housing needs in Mecklenburg and Iredell counties through a community grants program. For eight years, the HOF also has donated to local Habitat for Humanity stores. This year, the foundation (see Housing on page 10)
Sardis Elementary School salutes heroes Sept. 11 parade pays tribute to police officers, firefighters by Josh Whitener josh@unioncountyweekly.com
INDIAN TRAIL – If you ask students at Sardis Elementary School, they’ll tell you “hometown heroes” are pretty cool. Sardis Elementary recently hosted a school-wide salute to local police officers and firefighters as school staff worked to put a positive spin on
commemorating 9/11. “9/11 is such a sad day, and our students were not even born when (the terrorist attacks) happened, so I wanted to put a positive spin on it and have the children focus on our own hometown heroes right here in our community,” Sardis Elementary Principal Theresa Benson said. “So, we didn’t focus on the tragedy – we focused on the heroes.” Benson sent out a word to parents encouraging them to dress their
children in red, white and blue on Thursday, Sept. 11, and planned a parade to salute the “hometown heroes” – local police officers and firefighters. In addition to encouraging parents to attend the event, Benson reached out to the Porter Ridge cluster’s school resource officers and the Hemby Bridge Fire Department, inviting the officers and firefighters to the afternoon parade. Students in art classes created a patriotic banner bearing stars, stripes
and red, white and blue handprints. Teachers developed age-appropriate lessons in which they discussed how police officers and firefighters protect the community and, for some of the older kids, touched on the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the personnel who risked or gave their lives to help others that day. “Students made cards and flags and talked about bravery, heroism, courage and community,” Benson said. “We (see Hometown heroes on page 15)
INDEX: Crime Blotter, 5; News Briefs, 6; Restaurant Scores, 8; Education, 11; Faith, 17; Rev. Tony, 18; Calendar, 19; Sports, 20; Classifieds, 27
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News
Raising man’s best friend for a cause Nonprofit breeding “best Labs” for service dog organizations by Josh Whitener josh@unioncountyweekly.com
WAXHAW – Charlie Petrizzo and his wife, Sandy, had no idea they would eventually become one of the top suppliers of Labrador retriever service dogs in the U.S. when they sat at their kitchen table in 2005 and discussed how they could use their gifts to help others. Their Waxhaw-based nonprofit, Project 2 Heal, will host its second-annual Putt for Pups Golf Outing and Fundraiser on Sept. 26, a Friday, at Stonebridge Golf Club, located at 2721 Swilcan Burn Drive in Monroe. Registration begins at noon, with a teeoff at 1:30 p.m. A dinner, silent auction and raffle giveaways will follow the tournament, which costs $90 per golfer or $335 for a foursome. The Petrizzos have always loved dogs and consider their passion for canines to be a gift from God they can use to help others. The couple adopted the mission of breeding the “best Labs” and donating them to service dog organizations, to reduce costs and time delays when placing service dogs in homes. “The reason this was important was because a study had just come out about using shelter dogs” as service dogs, Charlie Petrizzo said. “The study revealed that only about 8 percent of dogs pulled out of
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a shelter were able to make it through the rigors of training.” The Petrizzos started Circle of Life Labradors in 2005 with the goal of breeding Labrador retrievers “of the best health, temperament and intelligence,” according to the organization’s website, with the purpose of donating them to be trained to help children with disabilities. The organization was renamed “Project 2 Heal” in 2011, when it became an official nonprofit. All dogs bred through Project 2 Heal go through an extensive process that tests things like genetics and physical health to ensure the organization is supplying the best dogs possible. Project 2 Heal also works with a contract trainer and a full-time volunteer, who work with each puppy individually during its first weeks. The trainers focus on neurological stimulation first, followed by searching for food, crawling through tunnels, how to sit or come and walk on a leash. “A dog is a reflection of the nature-nurture paradigm,” Petrizzo said. “The first (one)third of what a dog will be is determined by genetics. Two-thirds is determined by the environment it’s reared in during that critical time, those first 12 weeks.” Project 2 Heal provides dogs to service dog organizations throughout the U.S., including the East and West coasts, the Midwest and the Southeast. The organization also trains dogs specifically for local children and allows
occupational therapists to engage their clients with canine assisted therapy at no cost. “Children who have autism, Down syndrome or other (conditions) that a therapist may believe a dog can help to mitigate, we allow them to come here,” Petrizzos said. “We have puppies to dogs (that are) 5 years old, so there’s always some kind of personality or behavior that we can partner with a child.” Petrizzo said Project 2 Heal, based in Waxhaw, is “very close” to purchasing a 54-acre piece of property just across the state line in Lancaster County, South Carolina, which will provide space for research, as well as opportunities for children and Wounded Warriors suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder to receive canine therapy. “We want to have cabins built so people can stay (overnight) to do therapy,” Petrizzo said. Project 2 Heal has received increasing attention and support over the past few years, but Pu said funding is an ongoing issue, as breeding and training costs thousands of dollars per dog. That’s why he’s encouraging the community to support the organization through Putt for Pups, something he’s designed to be a family affair. “It’s simply an outing where people can play golf, enjoy dinner … the puppies will be there, (and) kids can meet the dogs and play with the dogs,” Petrizzo said. “A lot of times, it’s mostly the men who play the golf (tournament), but the wives can bring the children
Photo courtesy of Charlie Petrizzo
to see what our organization is and, if they like, stay for dinner.” Petrizzo also welcomes volunteers throughout the year, especially those with a knack for photography, videography or blogging to help spread the word about the organization and its mission. “This will be one of the most enjoyable volunteer experiences someone can have,” he said. Find more information including golf tournament registration details at www. project2heal.org.
Union County Weekly • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Page 3
News
County hears from residents regarding the future of area parks by Ryan Pitkin ryan@unioncountyweekly.com
The Union County Parks & Recreation Department held one of three public outreach meetings on Tuesday, Sept. 16, as it prepares to develop a comprehensive master plan regarding the growth of parks and recreational opportunities for county residents over the next 10 years. About 50 people attended the Union County Agricultural Center’s meeting to offer feedback about what’s important to them recreationally. Attendees were asked to share thoughts about their goals and priorities by sticking post-it notes and specially designed “playing cards” to display boards asking their wants and likes. The meeting was part of a larger effort by the department, working with Charlotte-based consulting firm LandDesign, to gather information from as many residents as possible before starting on a plan. Other efforts include an online survey that has already been answered by over 2,000 people and a steering committee of about a dozen citizens and representatives of local parks and recreation departments throughout the county. Meg Nealon, partner and senior planner at LandDesign, said the process is expected to take about one year, and planners won’t start to put all of their information together until the online survey is finished at the end of September. They will be developing drafts of the new plan through the spring and holding the last of their public meetings in March 2015. “Only after we’ve compiled all of the information and started looking at it comprehensively will we start to put some ideas down on paper,” Nealon said. “When we come back we’ll have some ideas that we can show folks, based on what we think they want. The next meeting will be more of a workshop based on those ideas.” The next meeting is scheduled for November. Bill Whitley, director of the Union County Parks and Recreation Department, hopes to get at least 600 more responses for the online survey before it is taken off of the Union County website on Sept. 30. “We’re doing all we can to try to get the public comment because parks and rec is all about the public,” Whitley said. “Some people overlook the benefit of a good parks and rec Page 4 • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Union County Weekly
department, but we don’t want to overlook it.” Also in attendance was Natalie Jackson, serving only her second day as director of Waxhaw’s Parks and Recreation Department. Waxhaw has now joined local municipalities such as Indian Trail and Stallings, which has recently created formalized parks and recreation departments. Jackson has served on the steering committee for the Union County master plan since before she became the director in Waxhaw. The steering committee meets with LandDesign planners and Union County Parks and Recreation representatives once a month to share feedback from their local municipalities. “What Bill is doing is not only partnering with communities but also doing a great job of getting communities to partner with each other,” Jackson said. “Citizens of one municipality are usually going to visit parks in another municipality, so the fact that they are fostering increased dialogue between towns is good.” Jackson said that, along with the increased need for athletic fields and the ever-present desire for more park development, a popular request in the Waxhaw area is to develop more trails. Tracy Porter, who lives between Monroe and Wesley Chapel, moved into the county less than a year ago. She came to the meeting to see where the plan stood and said a system of nature trails is something that’s important to her. “You want something that’s really accessible to people,” Porter said. “Greenways and nature trails are something that people of all ages can enjoy, and they’re free.” Heisey George, a Stallings resident who works on the town’s Parks and Recreation Committee, was there to advocate for more handicap-accessible areas within the county’s parks. He said he has been impressed with Whitley’s leadership in gathering feedback for the master plan. “More people are getting involved. A lot of people in the past would sit back without realizing that their input could make a difference,” George said. “Now with Bill, he’s come out and asked people to say something. If you come to these meetings you can see that he’s got a lot of people participating, and it’s making things real interesting.” The online survey will run through the end of September and can be found at http://co.union.nc.us/ Divisions/ParksRecreation.aspx. www.unioncountyweekly.com
News Union County Weekly
Crime Blotter The following people were arrested in western Union County between Sept. 11 and 17, according to the Union County Sherriff’s Office:
Hemby Bridge • Calhoune Davis, 8000 block of Idlewild Road: Misuse of 911. Sept. 11
Indian Trail • Christina Bowman, 6700 block of Old Monroe Road: Misuse of 911. Sept. 13 • Marquavis Collins, 5500 block of West Highway 74: Possession of a schedule VI controlled substance. Sept. 13 • Leo Farr, 600 block of Kelly Drive: Felony breakingand-entering. Sept. 13 • Nicholas Estevez, Flagstone Lane at Faith Church Road: Simple assault. Sept. 14 • Luis Rios, 3300 block of Gumtree Lane: Failure to appear. Sept. 14 • Shawn Bonnell, 2800 block of Faircroft Way: Communicating threats. Sept. 14 • David Hartis, 2800 block of Unionville Indian Trail Road: Failure to appear. Sept. 15 • Christopher Romo, 5500 block of West Highway 74: Driving while license revoked. Sept. 15 • Don Briningstool, 3000 block of Twilight Lane: Fugitive. Sept. 16 • Christy Worthy-Culbreath, 2000 block of Younts
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Road: Trespassing. Sept. 16 • Melissa Benckert, 3600 block of Brookstone Trail: Driving while license revoked. Sept. 16
Stallings • Robert Bierzynski, 200 block of Springhill Drive: Felony breaking-and-entering. Sept. 13 • Megan Sealey, 3500 block of Stallings Road: Possession with marijuana. Sept. 14 • Lauren Dunagan, 4000 block of Daylilly Road: Driving while impaired. Sept. 17
Waxhaw • Ricky Gladden, 4700 block of Red Tail Hawk Lane: Assault on a female. Sept. 11 • Patricia Fleischer-Temple, 200 block of Montrose Drive: Driving while impaired. Sept. 12 • Joyce Price, 2000 block of Madeira Circle: Simple assault. Sept. 13 • Dezmon Doster, 400 block of Jackson Avenue: Failure to appear. Sept. 14 • Jason Patterson, 400 block of Arbor Drive: Probation violation. Sept. 14 • Daniel Bentzen, 400 block of Palmerston Lane: Communicating threats. Sept. 14 • Montrel Herron, 8200 block of Pine Oak Road: Resisting/delaying/obstructing an officer. Sept. 15 • Hunter Radke, 5700 block of Verrazano Drive: Resisting/delaying/obstructing an officer. Sept. 16 • Ricky Gladden, 4700 block of Red Tail Hawk Lane: Communicating threats. Sept. 17 (see Crime Blotter on page 7)
Union County Weekly • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Page 5
News
Union County Weekly
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News Briefs Lower Providence Community House hosts fall festival The Union County Women’s Club is hosting its fall festival on Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lower Providence Community House in Charlotte. The festival is the club’s largest fundraiser of the year. More than 30 vendors will be on hand including artisans displaying their crafts, jewelry, candles, pottery and more. A BBQ lunch and hot dogs will be available and there will be an old-fashioned bake sale. An ice cream truck and a petting zoo will be on site for the kids, and as a service to the community, the Presbyterian Breast Center mobile mammography unit will be on site to perform routine screening mammograms. Proceeds benefit the preservation and restoration of the Lower Providence Log Cabin, which was established in 1938. The Lower Providence Community House, located across from Community House Middle School, is located at 9735 Community House Road in Charlotte. Visit www.lowerprovidencelogcabin.org for more information.
Wesley UMC opens pumpkin patch Oct. 4 Wesley United Methodist Church will officially open its pumpkin patch on Oct. 4, a Saturday, featuring more than 1,300
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pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. The patch will be open every day through Halloween, and proceeds will support a variety of local missions including the Betlehem Center, Community Christmas Shoppe, Charlotte Rescue Mission, Dove’s Nest and more. In addition, on Oct. 11 the Wesley UMC will host its fall festival form 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A service for blessing the animals will be held at 10 a.m. on the church grounds, and many activities including a bounce house, yard games and a dance party will be provided as will prizes, hot dogs and baked goods. Wesley UMC is located at 3715 Rea Road in Charlotte.
Weddington Festival calling all bakers WEDDINGTON– The Weddington Country Festival which is being held Saturday, Sept. 20, is hosting a baking contest in the following categories: -Pies (fruit or pumpkin) -Cakes (layered, bundt or angel food) -Candy -Cookies -Brownies -Bread (yeast, quick, muffins, pastry and coffee cake) The contest is open to Union County residents for all ages, but commercial, industrial for professional bakers, home economists, anyone selling bakery products for profit are not eligible to enter.
The contest will take place at the Weddington town hall. Each entry must be accompanied by an event registration form and submitted by noon. Entry rules, guidelines and registration forms will be available at town hall and on Weddington’s website, www.townofweddington. com.
Outdoor women’s skills competition coming to Cane Creek Park
WAXHAW– On Oct. 11, a Saturday, Cane Creek Park is hosting an outdoor women’s skill competition. The free, one-day event is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will offer instruction on archery, compass orienteering, fundamentals of fishing and basic camping skills. The competition is open to women 10 years and older and the class size will be capped at 40. Pre-registration is required. Call Lindsey Fowler at 704-843-3919, ext. 23, or email lindseyfowler@co.union. nc.us to register or for more information. Cane Creek Park is located at 5213 Harkey Rd. in Waxhaw.
Holiday Craft Show coming to Monroe MONROE– The 15th annual Holiday Craft Show returns to the Monroe Aquatics and Fitness Center on Oct. 4, a Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show is free and open to the public and offers everything from original stain glass, one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry, pottery, baked goods and holiday décor. Call Leann Broome at 704-282-4685 or email lbroome@monroenc.org for general or vendor information. The Monroe Aquatics and Fitness Center is located at 2325 Hanover Drive.
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News
Crime Blotter (continued from page 5)
The following crimes were committed in western Union County between Sept. 11 and 17, according to the Union County Sherriff’s Office:
Indian Trail Home/Business Break-Ins • 4800 block of Shea Court: Felony breaking-and-entering. Sept. 13 • 2600 block of Unionville Indian Trail Road: $1,595 in cash and jewelry stolen and $400 damage done during home break-in. Sept. 16
• 5000 block of Katherine Antoon Circle: Video games, flat screen television, safe, pistol, shotgun and collector coins worth $6,020 total, stolen and $1,580 in damage done during home break-in. Sept. 11 • 7900 block of Fairmont Drive: $130 worth of jewelry and cash stolen during home break-in. Sept. 13 • 1300 block of Churchill Downs Drive: $675 weedeater and car key stolen. Sept. 14
stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 15 • 2700 block of Occaneechi Court: $1,000 golf clubs stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 15
Property Theft
• 1300 block of Churchill Downs Drive: $715 in computer and cash stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 14 • 8800 block of Kentucky Derby Lane: $800 car radio stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 14 • 2700 block of Occaneechi Court: $1,950 golf clubs
Weddington Home/Business Break-Ins
• 2800 block of Crane Road: License plate stolen from vehicle. Sept. 15
Financial Crimes/Fraud Vehicle Break-Ins
controlled substance. Sept. 14
• 7400 block of Davis Road: Credit card fraud. Sept. 11
Drugs • 4600 block of Red Tail Hawk Lane: Possession of a schedule VI controlled substance. Sept. 12 • 9600 block of Pensive Lane: Possession of a schedule VI
• 2900 block of Michelle Drive: $250 power tools stolen during home break-in. Sept. 14 • 100 block of Amanda Drive: $20 gas can stolen during home break-in. Sept. 14
Wesley Chapel Vehicle Break-Ins • 5300 block of Ravenglass Court: $775 in a purse and cash stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 12
Vehicle Break-Ins • 1300 block of Chestnut Lane: Handguns, worth $500 total, stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 13 • 500 block of South Fork Road: Auxiliary cord, cash, iPod and prescription pills, worth $34 total, stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 14
Property Theft • 2100 block of Younts Road: $65 in cash stolen. Sept. 13 • 2800 block of Faircroft Way: Video games, money, dog and cat, worth $280, stolen. Sept. 13
Shoplifting • Lowe’s Home Improvement, 5711 W. Hwy 74: $99 in tools stolen. Sept. 11 • CVS, 4300 Old Monroe Road: $11 in household goods stolen. Sept. 14 • Walmart, 2101 Younts Road: Stolen property not listed. Sept. 16
Vandalism/Hit-and-Run • 200 block of Education Trail: $500 in damage done to Lexus in vandalism incident. Sept. 11 • 3000 block of Clover Hill Road: $50 in damage done to mailbox in vandalism incident. Sept. 13 • 600 block of South Indian Trail Road: Damage done to two cars in hit-and-run incident. Sept. 16
Financial Crimes/Fraud • 1100 block of Hunters Trail Drive: Social security number stolen. Sept. 11 • 1000 block of Coral Bell Court: Credit card fraud. Sept. 13 • 5800 block of West Highway 74: Credit card fraud. Sept. 16
Drugs • 600 block of North Catawba Circle: Possession of marijuana. Sept. 12 • 1000 block of Loudon Road: Possession of a schedule VI controlled substance. Sept. 16
Weapons • Sun Valley Middle School, 1409 Wesley Chapel School Road: Possession of a weapon on school property. Sept. 11 • 4800 block of Old Charlotte Highway: Carrying a concealed handgun. Sept. 13
Marvin Property Theft • 1200 block of Meadowlark Lane: Obtaining property by false pretenses. Sept. 12
Waxhaw Home/Business Break-Ins www.unioncountyweekly.com
Union County Weekly • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Page 7
News Union County Weekly
Restaurant Scores The Union County Health Department inspected the following dining locations from Sept. 10 to 16: Worst Scores: • Grand Asia Market, 4400 Potter Road, 28104 – 86.5 Violations included: No certified food protection manager; dirty ice machine; rice cooked day before in walk-in cold hold unit; pans not dried before stacking; cold, potentially hazardous foods not held at proper temperature; drying raw ducks not stored to protect from contamination. • Thai Viet Noodles House, 14015-I E. Independence Blvd., 28079 – 90 Violations included: Person in charge did not have approved food safety manager training certificate available; cooked shrimp in summer roll not at proper temperature; employee began adding ice to foods at time for disposition; open containers of milk and shrimp sauce without date marking; sanitizing solution stored in bottles previously containing poisonous or toxic materials; bottle labeled glass cleaner contained sanitizer; several buckets of sauces on the floor at time of inspection; employee filled water pitcher at the hand sink; general cleaning needed; pipe under front hand sink needs repair. All Scores: 28110 • Bi-Lo Deli, 1642 Dickerson Blvd. – 94 • Canteen at Tyson Foods, 2023 Hasty St. P.O. – 93
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• Cici’s Pizza, 1951 Dickerson Blvd., suite A – 95 • Goodtimes Bar and Grill, 1905 Dickerson Blvd. – 94.5 • Little County Kitchen, 2526 Old Charlotte Hwy. – 97 • McDonald’s, 2406 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 93 • On The Road, 812 N. Charlotte Ave. – 93 • Popeyes, 1302 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 93 • Red Bowl Asian Kitchen, 2115-716 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 97 • Takara Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, 2515 W. Roosevelt Blvd., suite D & E, – 94 • Taqueria Veracuz Mexico, 1228-A W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 95.5 • Wendy’s, 1245 Roosevelt Blvd. – 95.5 • Victorian Crow’s Nest, 1710 W. Franklin St. – 100 28173 • The Club at Longview, 8801 Longview Club Drive – 95.5 28104 • Bisonte Pizza, 1381 Chesnut Lane – 96 • Brooklyn Pizza Parlor, 6400 Weddington-Monroe Road, suite A – 93 • Burger King, 4390 Potter Road – 98 • Grand Asia Market, 4400 Potter Road – 86.5 • Harris Teeter, 1351 Chestnut Lane – 96 • Kami, 5922 Weddington-Monroe Road, suite A12 – 95.5 28079 • Hardee’s, 13731 E. Independence Blvd. – 94 • Sun Valley Café, 6751 Old Monroe Road, suite 106 – 96.5 • Thai Viet Noodles House, 14015-I E. Independence Blvd. – 90
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Union County Weekly • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Page 9
News
Housing (continued from page 1)
donated a total of $20,000 to nonprofits such as The Men’s Shelter of Charlotte and Bed for Kids, Inc., and donated $13,500 to Habitat for Humanity stores throughout the region, spanning over multiple counties. Union-Anson County Habitat for Humanity received $1,000 to use toward the construction of a new home for Misty Covington, a single mother of four who has been renting homes while living paycheck to paycheck. Covington lives in Union County while working as a certified medical assistant in Charlotte. Covington said she never thought she would qualify for a home from Habitat for Humanity, but never quite qualified for a mortgage, either. “I tried the whole traditional loan process, but couldn’t get one. I always was just stuck in that in-between state,” Covington said. “I’ve been on the brink of middle class, but not fully there yet.” Less than two years ago, a friend told Covington she could apply to Habitat for Humanity for a home of her own. The friend explained the application process, and Covington gave it a try. “I’m no stranger to hard work, so I told her, ‘Tell me whatever I need to do,’” Covington said. “Then I stepped out on faith.” Covington was approved for a home, but the process has been a long one. She said she has been on a waiting list for over a year while
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Habitat for Humanity workers looked for a lot in the Waxhaw area. Her daughter is a senior at Cuthbertson High School and was grandfathered in to finish her high school career there. Covington said she did not want to tear her daughter away from her friends and just before she began college. About four months ago, volunteers were able to secure a lot on South Rocky River Road to build a home for Covington and her family. The house’s location allows Covington to continue driving her daughter to school while her son, who attends Parkwood Middle School three miles away, takes a bus. “When I got that call, it was shock and elation at the same time,” Covington said. “I’m not sure I can put the feeling into words, to be able to walk into a place that is my own, that I can afford and not have to piece things together and wonder, ‘What about next month?’” The concrete foundation for Misty Covington’s home is already set and drying by Union County Weekly’s press deadline. She plans to be at the lot on Saturday, Sept. 20, to help Habitat volunteers raise the walls of the home. The funding provided by the HOF will pay for the windows and doors, which will complete the home sometime in fall said Michel Reece, executive director at Union-Anson County Habitat for Humanity. The work the HOF has done for local affiliates of his company shows a local passion for charitable work, he said. “It just speaks to the quality of people in North Carolina. They give back,” Reece said. “It
speaks to the heart of people here.” Terry Marshall, executive director for HOF, calls her organization’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity a natural one. She places credit for the annual donations on the shoulders of the realtors in the association. Applicants for donations through the Community Grants Program must include a letter of recommendation from a realtor who works with the charity. It’s a way for realtors to gain support for nonprofits they work with on a personal level. “One of the reasons our realtors love this so much is that it lets them address the grassroots efforts that may not receive support through other, more traditional programs,” Marshall said. Benefactors of this year’s Community Grants Program include some well-known charities such as The YWCA Central Carolinas and some lesser-known organizations such as Changed Choices, which helps women afford housing on return from prison or jail. Not many realtor associations across the country have charitable foundations like HOF, Marshall said, and that’s made the CRRA one of the strongest, proudest associations there is. “These people live in the community, they are out there selling the community,” she said. “In Charlotte, I think it’s a part of our culture to give back and to meet people’s needs. This is important to them both personally and professionally.”
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Education
Students at Union Academy congratulate Lyndsey Simpson (left) as the school’s 2014-15 Teacher of the Year. Photo courtesy of Amanda Housand
Union County Weekly
Education
News & Notes
UA announces 2014-15 Teacher of the Year MONROE – Union Academy Charter School recently announced third-grade teacher Lyndsey Simpson as its 2014-15 Teacher of the Year. Simpson has taught third grade for seven years at Union Academy. She is a nationally board-certified teacher and holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. “She loves working and watching young children grow into strong independent learners. Mrs. Simpson believes that it takes a school and family to help a child be successful. Her favorite part of teaching is being around children and them wanting to learn,” the school said in a news release. Find more information about Union Academy at its website, www. unionacademy.org. Committee meeting to discuss school building size, capacity MONROE – The Union County Public Schools Strategic Planning and Technology Committee will meet Sept. 25, a Thursday, at 8 a.m. in Room 220 at the UCPS Professional Development Center. The committee will discuss school building size and capacity, according to a news release. Find more information at www.ucps.k12.nc.us, or call 704-2969898. The UCPS Professional Development Center is located at 721 Brewer Drive. Autobell awards scholarships to 11 Union County students Autobell Car Wash, Inc. recently awarded 2014 academic scholarships to 132 student employees in four states, including 11 employees from Union County who work for Autobell. The company awarded a total of $154,000 in scholarships this year, which employees can apply to the college or university of their choice. The Autobell www.unioncountyweekly.com
Scholarship Program has awarded more than $750,000 in academic funds to employees since its inception. Union County recipients and their respective schools, according to a news release, include: • Daniel Brock, of Waxhaw – East Carolina University • Shaun Foster, of Waxhaw – University of North Carolina at Charlotte • Carter Harris, of Waxhaw – University of North Carolina at Wilmington • Tyler Herbert, of Waxhaw – University of North Carolina at Wilmington • Andrew Karam, of Waxhaw – University of North Carolina at Charlotte • Alden Kessenich, of Waxhaw – University of Virginia • Fred “Benn” Leggett, of Waxhaw – The Citadel • Aubrey Meyer, of Monroe – Western Carolina University • Dallas Meyer, of Monroe – Western Carolina University • Spencer Nunn, of Indian Trail – University of North Carolina at Charlotte • John Walker III, of Waxhaw – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Find more information about the scholarship program at www.autobell. com. Congratulations to the National Merit Scholarship semifinalists in Union County: Cuthbertson High School: Justin D. Aufderheide Caitlin N. Geiger Marvin Ridge High School: Olivia M. Gartz Nicole T. Guglielmo Natalie C. Huffman Prakash Mishra Laura Rouse Benjamin H. Sagmoe Kayla N. Thompson Weddington High School: Lucy E. Hansen Connor S. King Timothy C. Meade Maxwell C. Robbins
(see Education Notes on page 12)
Union County Weekly • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Page 11
Education
Fifth-grade teacher Kristine Barberio and her students celebrate after Barberio was named the first Hometown Hero by Charlotte-based law firm Charles G. Monnett III & Associates. Photo courtesy of UCPS
Education Notes (continued from page 11)
Law firm selects Indian Trail teacher as first ‘Hometown Hero’ INDIAN TRAIL – Kristine Barberio, a fifth-grade teacher at Indian Trail Elementary School, was announced last week as the first Union County Public Schools Hometown Hero. Barberio was recognized by the Charlotte-based law firm, Charles G. Monnett III & Associates, which founded the Hometown Heroes program to recognize and reward teachers for their commitment to their students, according to a news release. The firm will choose one teacher each month in Mecklenburg, Lincoln, Catawba, Iredell, Cabarrus and Union counties as a Hometown Hero, the release said.
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Barberio said in the news release there is no place she would rather be than in the classroom. “I love teaching and I love coming to school every day,” she said in the release. Charles G. Monnett III & Associates will accept nominations for the Hometown Hero Teacher Appreciation Award throughout the school year. Winners are chosen based on the number of votes they receive after being nominated on the firm’s website. Winners receive a $250 Visa gift card for classroom supplies, a Domino’s Pizza party for 30 people and a commemorative Hometown Hero crystal apple. Find more information and nominate and vote for teachers at www.carolinalaw. com/hometown-hero-teacherappreciation-program.shtml.
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Union County Weekly • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Page 13
Education
Reading above all by Courtney Schultz courtney@unioncountyweekly.com
INDIAN TRAIL – While some kids were splashing in the pool this summer, Sun Valley Elementary School students were getting a head start by jumping into their books. Sun Valley Elementary retained its second-place standing this year in the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge, clocking in 7,440,363 minutes of summer reading. More than 7,000 schools from across all 50 states and 29 countries participated in setting a new summer reading world record by completing 304,749,681 reading minutes in the eighth-annual competition, nearly doubling the 2013 world record of 176,438,473 minutes. The challenge encourages children to read in order to prevent “summer slide,” in which children can lose up to three months of learning during the summer months. Sun Valley, along with the other 19 top finishers, will be in “2015 Scholastic Book of World Records” for the most minutes read. The book will be available through the Scholastic Reading Club, Scholastic Book Fairs, and bookstores nationwide. “Congratulations to all the students who made summer reading a top priority and rallied together to help set a new reading world record for summer 2014,” Francie Alexander,
chief academic officer at Scholastic, said in a news release. “Summer is a great time for children to discover the power and joy of independent reading and help prepare them for the new school year ahead. We continue to encourage children to continue reading all year long and open a world of possibilities through books.” Each of the top 20 schools will receive a personalized plaque to commemorate their success this year. Also, the school in each state that logged the most reading minutes will receive a plaque acknowledging its students’ summer reading achievements. Sun Valley Elementary was the top finisher for North Carolina. Scholastic also recognized the top five states with the most minutes reading, which ranked North Carolina third-highest in reading minutes. “I was extremely proud of our students, said Sun Valley Elementary library media coordinator Kevin Vickers. “It’s always been a community building opportunity for me (and the school).” Involvement in the program started even before school dismissal in June, Vickers added. Students practiced logging hours into the program in the media center to prepare for the summer. Vickers said he saw parents over the summer and discussed the school’s program, but
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he wanted to give students ownership of the program and their reading. Literacy is a major part of what Sun Valley Elementary believes in, Vickers added. Students record minutes in nightly reading logs, and the school hired a literacy specialist to support literacy in the classroom. “Well I know that for our school because we are constantly building on the previous year academically through their test scores at the end of the year,” Vickers said, adding that the school saw growth in reading.
Vickers said he’s grateful for the resources Scholastic provides media centers and teachers, such as virtual fieldtrips where students can go on video adventures all over the world. Scholastic has also challenged schools to take on a new feat: Read 100,000. The initiative encourages schools to clock in at least 100,000 reading minutes by June 26, 2015. Go to www.scholastic.com/ ups/campaigns/minutes-2014 for more information about the challenge.
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Education
Assistant principal Kelley Zorn (left) and Principal Theresa Benson (right) display the students’ patriotic banner along with the attending “hometown heroes.” Photo courtesy of Kelley Zorn
Sardis Elementary students line the halls for the Hometown Heroes Parade on Sept. 11. Photo courtesy of Kelley Zorn
Hometown heroes (continued from page 1)
just kind of frontloaded that kind of vocabulary.” The parade began at 1:15 p.m., as students lined the hallways with their flags and red, white and blue garb. The “hometown heroes” paraded throughout the building to patriotic music, while students chanted, “USA!” as they gave high-fives to the officers and firefighters. Sardis Elementary assistant principal Kelley Zorn saw first hand how the parade affected students, as her son is a kindergartener at the school. “He came home and shared it with his dad,” Zorn said. “His face lit up, and he said, ‘I got to high-five a fireman, and I saw a policeman!’ We were just thrilled to have them in our building.” The students weren’t the only ones at Sardis inspired by the parade – teachers and faculty also were moved by the experience. “It was more of a positive spin (for) adults who remember 9/11 – I remember exactly where I was,” Zorn said. “A lot of adults and staff members in the school gave us feedback that it was a wonderful way to remember (those who died on 9/11) and honor those (heroes) today.” Benson and Zorn said they received www.unioncountyweekly.com
overwhelming appreciation from the attending police officers and firefighters, who gave comments like, “That was the coolest thing,” or, “You made my week.” Officer Debbie Mollison serves as a school resource officer for the Porter Ridge cluster, dividing her time between Porter Ridge middle and high schools and Sardis, Porter Ridge, Hemby Bridge and Poplin elementary schools. Mollison helped spread the word about Sardis’ Hometown Heroes Parade and attended the event. “It was an amazing endeavor,” Mollison said. “It truly made me feel like a hero, and I think it did for the other officers and personnel that were there … We get asked a lot of times to be part of various community endeavors, and very rarely are they actually for us. I thought it was an amazing experience.” Zorn said she hopes the efforts of the students and staff at Sardis show others the importance and simplicity of giving thanks to police officers and firefighters who risk their lives daily to protect citizens. “It was simple – we spent no money, integrated this into art (classes), made a couple of phone calls, taught words that symbolize heroism,” Zorn said. “I want the community to know that this is important to us.”
Union County Weekly • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Page 15
Education Area children to receive new threads for Halloween by Courtney Schultz courtney@unioncountyweekly.com
WAXHAW – Rain and lightning washed away the opportunity for parents to exchange children’s costumes on Sept. 13, but parents will still have the chance to receive a refreshed costume for the upcoming Halloween season. The Macaroni Kid Family Day and Costume Swap was scheduled to allow parents to bring old costumes, in exchange for a ticket for the number of costumes they provided. All the costumes would be cleaned and re-distributed at the Macaroni Kid Fall Festival in Waxhaw on Sept. 27, a Saturday. Parents will receive new costumes for as many tickets as they receive, on a firstcome-first-serve basis. Despite the weather, Melisa Canizales, a mother and publisher of Waxhaw Union Macaroni Kid, said parents still have the opportunity to drop-off costumes at the Waxhaw festival. Parents can drop off costumes until Tuesday, Sept. 23, at various locations, including Carolinas Chiropractic and Spinal Rehab, located at 101 Waxhaw Professional Park Drive, and Sweet Repeats of Waxhaw, located at 615 W South Main St. More locations can be found at www.waxhaw. macaronikid.com. Canisales said the event was created because she notices how costumes are
typically expensive, but children only wear them once. “You get a closet full of wonderful costumes that your kids can never wear again,” she said. Canisales said the collection is the first time the organization has taken on a large collection, but she is still hopeful the event will be a success. She added there is still an opportunity for families who don’t have costumes to exchange for a new costume. Any costumes left over after the Waxhaw festival will be available during the last hour by any family, on a first-come-first-serve basis. “If you don’t have one, whatever we have left you are welcome to,” Canizales said. Canizales feels this component is special because it allows families who may not have been able to afford a costume a chance to obtain one for their child. A weekly newsletter and website, the foundation of Macaroni Kid is two fold, Canizales said. “One point is to get families in the know about what’s going on in the town. We want to be a one-stop spot for all activities around town,” she added. The second point is to integrate the community with local businesses to encourage “shopping local.” The drop-off locations will provide community connections to area businesses while also helping parents receive new costumes.
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Around Town Union County Weekly
faith & Religion
News & Notes
Chicken & Pork Barbecue returning to Siler Presbyterian this Saturday WESLEY CHAPEL – The Men of the Church at Siler Presbyterian Church will host the 36th annual Pork & Chicken Barbecue on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Prices include: all-you-can-eat, $9; senior citizens, $7; children 12 years old and younger, $4; one sandwich, $3; three barbecue pork sandwiches, $8; and take-out orders, $8. Proceeds from the event will support the Max Pfister Scholarship and other men’s ministry projects at Siler. Find more information at www.silerchurch.org. Siler Presbyterian is located at 6301 Weddington-Monroe Road. Kids’ consignment sale at First Baptist next weekend INDIAN TRAIL – First Baptist Church of Indian Trail will host its Fall/Winter Kids’ Consignment Sale next weekend. The sale takes place Sept. 26, a Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m., followed by a half-price sale on Sept. 27, a Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the church’s preschool and children’s ministry. People can sign up online as a volunteer or consigner, though consigner spots are limited. Find more information at www.fbcit.org/children. First Baptist Indian Trail is located at 732 Indian Trail Fairview Road. Waxhaw Bible to host September Missions Dinner this Thursday WAXHAW – The September Missions Dinner at Waxhaw Bible Church will take place Thursday, Sept. 18, at 6 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Surya Rao Mulaparthi will serve as the event’s guest speaker, sharing his testimony about his work with church planting. People are invited to bring “a dish or two to share,” according to a church announcement. Find more information at www.waxhawbible.org. Waxhaw Bible Church is located at 6810 Pleasant Grove Road. Workshop for parents of preschoolers WEDDINGTON – Parents of preschoolers are invited to the “Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline” workshop at Weddington United Methodist Church next week. The workshop will take place Tuesday, Sept. 23, from 9:15 to 11 a.m. Amber Drye, inclusion specialist with Thompson Child and Family Focus, will present at the event. “It’s easy to love our children, but www.unioncountyweekly.com
implementing appropriate and effective discipline can be tricky. This workshop will discuss specific ways to support social/emotional development while maintaining developmentally appropriate expectations as we manage children’s ever-changing behaviors,” the church said in its newsletter. Attendees should enter at the main Weddington Christian Preschool entrance, near the playground. Call 704-849-7628 or email wcp@ weddingtonchurch.org to R.S.V.P. Weddington UMC is located at 13901 Providence Road. St. Luke to host ‘Moving Movies’ film festival series MINT HILL – St. Luke Catholic Church will host an Adult Ed Fall Film Festival, “Moving Movies,” on Friday evenings through Oct. 3. The series will feature three “entertaining and thought-provoking evenings with stimulating conversation and social justice awareness,” according to a news release from the church. Popcorn, coffee, candy and soft drinks will be available at the event. The series schedule includes: • “Hotel Rwanda,” rated PG-13 – Sept. 19 • “Simon Birch,” rated PG – Sept. 26 • “Philomena,” rated PG-13 – Oct. 3 Showings take place from 7 to 9 p.m. in the church’s worship center. Email adulated@stlukechurch.net for more information. St. Luke Catholic is located at 13700 Lawyers Road in Mint Hill, near Stallings. Blood drive at Team Church to benefit Red Cross MATTHEWS – Team Church will join forces with the American Red Cross for a blood drive next week. The drive takes place Sept. 25, a Thursday, from 3 to 7:30 p.m. in the church’s upstairs children’s auditorium. Walk-in donations are welcome, but people also can register for an appointment at www.teamchurch. com/2014/08/20/go. Call 704-4695642 for more information. Team Church is located at 2301 Stevens Mill Road in Matthews, near the Union-Mecklenburg County line. Send us your faith news! Have a church yard sale coming up? Is your youth group hosting a fundraiser car wash for missions? Will your performance team be presenting a fall concert or stage production? Well, let us know! Send an email with your news or announcement to josh@unioncountyweekly.com. Be sure to include dates and times for special events, as well as any cost associated. Announcements should be sent two weeks in advance. Union County Weekly • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Page 17
Around Town
guest column
Real Help
for Real Living
The day my car took my wife hostage by Rev. Tony Marciano news@unioncountyweekly.com
My wife and I needed an escape from the “drama” of my family (but that’s another story) and planned a long overdue weekend getaway. Just before we were to leave, I received a call Rev. Tony that a friend’s Marciano son had been injured and was at the hospital. I needed to go. I explained to my wife that we would go to the hospital, I would visit with
the family and then we would head out of town. En route to the hospital, she fell asleep in the car. Not wanting to wake her, I quietly exited the car, rolled up all the windows so she would be safe and locked the door before heading inside the hospital. I was glad I went. I had a chance to minister the parents who were deeply concerned about their son. We talked for some time and then prayed before I left. After leaving the family, I came down the elevator. As I got in the lobby, I received a text from my wife, which said, “Where are you? I can’t get out of the car, the alarm keeps going off and I need to use the bathroom.” Being smug (as I sometimes can be), I replied, “Just unlock the door and you
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can exit the car.” She replied, “I tried that but the alarm keeps going off.” By this time, I arrived at the car and unlocked the door with the key fob before she gave me that look that said, “I really have to use the bathroom.” For a moment, I was confused as to why she couldn’t just unlock and open the door, but then I figured out what happened. The car has no key. It has a push-to-start button that ties back to the key fob. When the fob is closed, it starts the car. If the doors are locked and someone breaks a window and tries to open the door, the alarm will go off if the key fob is not nearby. By design, it is good protection for your car – it makes total sense from a security perspective. Unfortunately, no one ever told me that. Had I known, I would have left the key fob with my wife when I locked the car. This way, if she needed to leave, the alarm would not go off. Without that key fob, my wife was taken hostage by my car, and there was no way she could get out without the alarm going off. The older I am getting, the more I see that, just like the key fob connects me to my car, I need a connection, not to things but to significant relationships to help me navigate this journey called “life.”
As I look at my life, that “key fob” is family, faith and friends. My faith is not my “religious activity.” It’s not my service as executive director of Charlotte Rescue Mission – that’s not faith. It’s about a relationship to God through Christ. My faith continues to be pared down to the basics: That God incredibly loves me, and not for anything I will do. But He loves me for me, and demonstrated that love on a cross. Family – after 33 years of marriage, I am more in love with my wife than the day I married her. There is the joy I receive through spending time with my children and my daughter-in-law. Friends – I am blessed with some incredible friends who bring out the best in me. When I leave their presence, I find that I am a better person. What is your key fob? Who are the people that help you navigate this journey called “life?” I’ll be back in two weeks. Until then, live well my friend.
Rev. Tony Marciano is the executive director of the Charlotte Rescue Mission. He is available to speak to your group. Find more information at www.charlotterescuemission. org.
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Around Town
Union County Weekly
Calendar 9.19.14 Friday
Blackbeard: The Carolinas’ Most Wanted, 4:30 p.m. Learn about Edward Teach and why being a pirate might have been good for North Carolina’s business. The event is for children ages 8 years old and up and registration is not required. Call 704-821-7475 for more information. Union West Regional Library, 123 Unionville Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
9.20.14 Saturday
Waterfowl Rescue Volunteer Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The nonprofit Carolina Waterfowl Rescue will host its monthly Volunteer Work Day, which includes tasks for all ages and skill levels. Students ages 16 and older are welcome to serve on their own, but younger students must be accompanied by an adult. Free lunch will be provided. Volunteers should dress for the weather, wearing old clothing and shoes and bring work gloves or boots, if possible. To register, email volunteer@cwrescue.org. Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, 5403 Poplin Road, Indian Trail
9.20.14 Saturday
Ladies Auxiliary Benefit Breakfast, 8 to 10 a.m. The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 2423, located in Indian Trail, is sponsoring a benefit breakfast in order for the Post Honor Guard to purchase a van. The cost is $5 per plate, and the breakfast menu will feature grits, sausage, bacon, pancakes, toast, biscuits, juice and coffee. Call 704-821-9753 for more information. VFW Post 2423, 100 VFW Lane, Indian Trail
9.23.14 Tuesday
Union Republican Women’s Meeting, 6:30 p.m. The Union County Sweet Union Republican women’s meeting will discuss the Republican candidates for the Union County Board of Education seats for each of the districts and the at-large bids. A dinner at 6:30 p.m. will precede the meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. Email Diane Pomykacz at jpomykacz@aol. com or call her at 704-843-7224 for more information. Golden Corral, 2507 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe
9.27.14 Saturday
Taste of Union, 5-8 p.m.
9.20.14 Saturday
Weddington Country Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Old-fashioned family fun for all ages will be at the annual Weddington Country Festival. The day will feature local Weddington artists from the Union County Arts Council who will display paintings, poetry, jewelry, hand-painted clothing and sculptures for sale. There will also be a kids corner, which will feature a bounce house, arts and crafts area, face painting, hulahoop and limbo contests, and a trackless train. A baking contest will award prizes and the Hinson Girls will provide entertainment. For more information, visit www.townofweddington. com Town Hall, 1924 Weddington Road
9.20.14 Saturday
Community Blood Drive, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hillcrest Baptist Church will hold a blood drive to support Sickle Cell Awareness Month and benefit the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas. Donor must be at least 16 years old and weigh at least 120 pounds. Call Lauren Bailey at 704-972-4700 for more information. Hillcrest Baptist Church, 4316 Hillcrest Church Road, Monroe
sept. 9 www.unioncountyweekly.com
Restaurants and caterers from across Union County will serve up sample-sized portions of their specialty dishes, providing a unique Taste of Union. The event will provide attendees an evening of food, music, silent auction and a 50/50 raffle and will benefit Operation Reach Out, an organization which provides food, clothing, emergency medical supplies and daily Bible study and lunches to those struggling in the county. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Children ages 10 and under are $10. More information can be found at www.opreachout.org or by emailing tasteofunion@gmail.com or by calling 704-289-4237. Union County Agricultural Center, 3230 Presson Road, Monroe
Ongoing 9.18, 9.19, 9.25 and 9.26.14 Thursday and Friday
MakerBot Lab Times Registration is required to use the 3D printer and print an item of your choice. For more information and to register, call 704624-2828. Lois Morgan Edwards Memorial Library, 414 Hasty St., Marshville
Send us your stuff!
Have an event going on in Union County that people should know about? Well, let us know! Send us an email listing a bit about your event, including when and where it is, any cost involved and how people can learn more or get involved. Email us at news@unioncountyweekly.com.
Union County Weekly • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Page 19
Sports by Hannah Dockery hannah@unioncountyweekly.com
Hannah Dockery/UCW photo
In their fourth year as a varsity program, the high-flying Metrolina Christian offense is making some serious noise, helping the Warriors make a statement that they’re not to be overlooked anymore. And most of the Warriors success to begin the 2014 season can be traced to dual-threat junior quarterback Rud Yearick. In the season-opening win against Concord First Assembly on Aug. 22, Yearick completed 11 of 18 attempts for 202 yards and five touchdowns before being pulled in the fourth quarter of 61-0 blowout win where the Warrior defense limited Concord First Assembly to a mere 117 total yards. The next week, Yearick and Co. proved that the performance wasn’t a fluke as they blasted Trinity Christian, 42-0. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Yearick passed for 141 yards, four touchdowns and added 108 yards and a touchdown on the ground. “I think people are starting to take notice,” Yearick said. “It’s a lot of hard work that’s paying off from year’s past and it’s guys who are on board with the same thing. It’s guys who have been here since the winter all working for the same goal, and we wouldn’t be near where we are if it weren’t for those guys who want it.” The Warriors now sit at 3-0 after a win against Central Academy, and have outscored opponents 130-12. And it doesn’t look like they plan on letting off the gas pedal anytime soon.
Yearick said he knew going into the season that the Warriors had a lot of returning talent on both sides of the ball in playmakers like receiver Logan Shumate, running back Christian Yarborough and linebackers Ashton Thomas and Aaron Stewart, but it wasn’t until destroying their first two opponents and leaving them scoreless that he fully realized their potential. “I would say that we surprised ourselves a little,” he said. “We knew we were good, but I don’t think we knew just how good we actually were. There was definitely a little bit of surprise in the way we played but we’ve worked hard for it.” Yearick played on the varsity team as a freshman at Blue Ridge High School in Greer, S.C. There he helped lead the Fighting Tigers to a 10-2 record before moving to the Charlotte area at the beginning of his sophomore year. He quickly made an impact on the Warrior team last season, passing for 1,471 yards and 16 touchdowns as their starting sophomore quarterback, adding 600 yards on the ground and completing a county-high 58.8 percent of passes. With Yarborough (699 yards) in the backfield and Shumate (654 yards) and Grayson Nolen hauling in passes, the Warriors finished the season 6-5 – their best record in three seasons. “I came here because I knew coach (Thomas) Langley from my old school at Blue Ridge,” he said. “Last year was phen o m e n a l . The way I’ve been accepted here and put into a leadership role
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and given a chance to play has been more than I expected and I really love it here. We’ve got a great program and last year was just the start of that.” With those guys all returning and Yearick more comfortable controlling the offense, he said the sky is the limit on their potential this season. “We’ve got some big names returning and those guys have carried over good chemistry from last year,” Yearick said. “I know them really well know and the receivers know how to run good routes and they know their part well in the system. We’ve really clicked over the last couple of months.” The Warriors are even more dangerous this season with a pair of basketball players turned football guys who have the 3-0 Warriors laying the groundwork for what could be their best season yet. Senior wide receiver Hakeem Rowe joined Shumate and Nolen and quickly made a name for himself. In the Warriors first game, Rowe had two receptions for 105 yards and a score. Senior Chandler Rivers had two receptions for 55 yards and two touchdowns and the next week he had five receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. In the Warriors’ win against CATA, Shumate caught a touchdown pass and returned a punt 67-yards for a touchdown. Yearick said having capable receivers like that make his job easy. “The new guys we have in Chandler and some of those guys have picked it up really fast,” Yearick said. “And then we’ve got veteran talent in guys like Logan. I had no idea
they’d mesh so quickly but we’ve really gotten into a groove and our offense is running really well.” The Warriors are now one of three undefeated teams remaining in Union County, alongside Weddington (4-0) and the Carolina Pride (3-0). Yearick said that though the Warriors have been overlooked in prior years, they’re starting to get some attention, but they’re not getting distracted by the hype and remained focus on winning games week by week. And with the dynamic Yearick leading the way, many more wins could be coming their way. “There’s a whole lot of hype around the big public schools but we know what we’re doing and cancel out all the other noise,” he said. “We know that we’re doing something big here and that’s all that matters.” With their solid aerial attack, experienced slew of receivers and a defense that’s only given up two touchdowns so far, the Warriors will be ready to compete for a title when Metrolina Athletic Conference play begins on Oct. 10. “We have to stay focused and not get big heads from winning games,” Yearick said. “We know that we’re going to play some games that’ll be battles and if we can stay healthy and keep our minds right, I think we’ll do well. “I think we have a very good chance to win the conference, make playoffs and hopefully do well in them. We have big expectations for ourselves.”
Yearick’s Year
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Sports
Week ly game Picks guest picker
by Hannah Dockery hannah@unioncountyweekly.com
Last Friday night was a disappointment as an intimidating lightening storm came through and forced games to be delayed or rescheduled. With some games being rescheduled for Saturday and others for Monday, it threw everyone for a loop. We’re hoping the weather fares better this week as there are several good games on tap. Undefeated Weddington hosts an up-and-coming Parkwood team while Cuthbertson could desperately use a win against Forest Hills and Monroe faces an always-good Charlotte Christian team. I struggled a bit last week with my picks but I’m ready to get back on track and won’t let Andrew beat me again. Central Academy of Technology and Arts athletics director and soccer coach Jay Niessner is up against us. We know he can win on the soccer field but we’ll see how well he knows Union County football.
weekly game schedule:
Monroe at Charlotte Christian Marvin Ridge at Rocky River Forest Hills at Cuthbertson South Stanly at Central Academy Sun Valley at Porter Ridge Parkwood at Weddington Rabun Gap at Metrolina Union Academy at East Montgomery
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andrew stark
hannah dockery
Jay Niessner
Charlotte Christian Rocky River Forest Hills CATA Sun Valley Weddington Metrolina Union Academy
Charlotte Christian Rocky River Cuthbertson CATA Sun Valley Weddington Metrolina Union Academy
Charlotte Christian Rocky River Forest Hills CATA Sun Valley Weddington Metrolina East Montgomery
Last week (7-1) Overall (23-12)
Last week (5-3) Overall (24-11)
Last week (5-3) Overall (24-11)
Union County Weekly • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Page 21
Sports
Game previews big and too physical, but a Mav win would look really good. – Andrew Stark
with his six TD passes, but this team brings waves of runners at opponents. Morrison, Jack Heda and Sergio Gomez have all topped 200 yards and key the run-first attack. Defensively CATA has a chance to be really good and should present South Stanly with a huge obstacle to cross. – Andrew Stark
Forest Hills at Cuthbertson
SUN VALLEY at PORTER RIDGE
All you need to know for this week’s games Monroe at Charlotte Christian
Game time: Friday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. 2014 records: Monroe is 3-1; Charlotte Christian is 1-1 Last meeting: Charlotte Christian won, 42-12, on Sept. 20, 2013 Players to watch: Monroe: running back Chase Byrum, quarterback Zephaniah Wall, linebackers Dontaviaus Cunningham and Eric Heath, defensive end Jaqueis Alsbrooks; Charlotte Christian: quarterback John Turley, running back Elijah Deveaux, safety Trey Linton, offensive linemen Brian Chaffin and Philip Walton, defensive back Jaylon McClinton The Skinny: Monroe came back to earth a little with a close loss to Weddington last week, but this team is for real. Byrum and Wall are more than adequate on the ground to run coach Johnny Sowell’s pounding rushing attack and Alsbrooks, who has five sacks, and Heath and Cunningham lead a stacked defensive effort. The Redhawks were soundly beaten in this matchup last year and have revenge on their mind. To do so, they must stop Deveaux first and foremost. Turley has filled in at quarterback nicely, too, but the two-time defending champs haven’t played a full game in three weeks. If rust isn’t an issue, this will be a hard-hitting slugfest that both teams would love to win. – Andrew Stark
Marvin Ridge at Rocky River
Game time: Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. 2014 records: Marvin Ridge is 0-2; Rocky River is 2-2 Last meeting: Rocky River won, 28-0, on Sept. 20, 2013 Players to watch: Marvin Ridge: quarterback Drew Swoope, running back Devin Adkins, receiver Emeka Emezie, linebacker Turner Schwartz, defensive end John Wells; Rocky River: receiver/defensive back Jaire Alexander, running back Elijah Jett linebacker John Henderson, quarterback Naiil Ramadan, lineman Brandon Luallen The Skinny: Even though it’s four weeks into the season, the Mavs are still somewhat of an unknown. They’ve been in both of their losses – both were decided by six points or less – but they haven’t been able to pull either out. Plus, they’ve already had a bye week and won’t make up last week’s rainout against upstart Carolina Pride. While the Mavs are in flux, so too are the Ravens, but they’re heading in the opposite direction. Rocky River began the season with a pair of tough losses, but got on track the last two weeks and will look to keep it going. Jett, Ramadan and Alexander will control the offensive production, but the Ravens need to tighten up their defense if they are to make a run similar to last year, where they won the Southwestern 4A crown. The bottom line is the Ravens may be too
Game time: Friday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. 2014 records: Forest Hills is 2-2; Cuthbertson is 1-3
Last meeting: Forest Hills won, 57-28, on Sept. 20, 2013
Players to watch: Forest Hills: quarterback Zaccheuis Rorie, running back Jayshawn McLaughlin, receiver Tyler White, linebackers Tyrese Marsh and A.J. Allen, defensive back Montel Tillman; Cuthbertson: quarterback Austin Kendall, receivers J.T. Cauthen and B.J. Muckelvene, linebackers Connor Gerlits and Jack Generoso, defensive end Nick Karas; The Skinny: It’s not looking good for Cuthbertson, a team that entered the season with so much hype. Since winning their opener the Cavs have dropped three straight games despite having one of the best passing attacks in the county with Kendall lighting up the night sky with passes to Cauthen and Muckelvene. As good as they’ve been on offense, the Cavs have been inconsistent on defense and haven’t looked good of late. That’s bad, but worse is they’re 0-5 all time against the Yellow Jackets, a team that snapped a two-game slide with a gritty win over Piedmont. The Jackets are sound on offense, well coached and poised to get above .500 with a win. The Cavs can ill afford another defeat, but may be headed in that direction. – Andrew Stark
South Stanly at CATA
Game time: Friday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. 2014 records: South Stanly is 0-3; CATA is 2-2 Last meeting: CATA won, 35-3, on Sept. 20, 2013 Players to watch: South Stanly: running back/ defensive back Dashun Holt, quarterback Luke Burris, defensive back Malachi Johnson, linebacker Joston Horton; CATA: running back/linebacker DeShawn Morison, quarterback Clemson Allen, receiver/defensive end Naim Donaldson, receiver/defensive back Quay Threatt, defensive end Lee Davis The Skinny: South Stanly has dropped seven consecutive games dating back to last season, and this year has struggled on defense, where the Rowdy Rebel Bulls are allowing 31 points per game. However, they showed signs of life last week in a fourpoint defeat to North Moore and could be a dangerous team, especially with the memory of last season’s beat down fresh on their minds. CATA had posted consecutive shutouts before falling to a very good Metrolina Christian team last week. Allen has taken some pressure off the run game
Page 22 • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Union County Weekly
Game time: Friday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. 2014 records: Sun Valley is 2-2; Porter Ridge is 0-4 Last meeting: Sun Valley won, 42-28, on Sept. 20, 2013 Players to watch: Sun Valley: running back/ safety Albert Funderburke, cornerback Fabrice Funderburke, linebackers Thomas Mobley and Roy Artolozaga, long snapper/ defensive back Tyler Griffiths; Porter Ridge: receiver A.J. Barrett, quarterback Tyrek Huntley, guard Matt Donohue The Skinny: The Pirates are on a downward spiral. Their offense is young and inexperienced and their defense can’t seem to keep their opponents out of the end zone as they’re giving up 33 points per game. The Spartans, on the other hand, are coming off a big win over East Bladen where superstar Funderburke had 262 rushing yards, four touchdowns on 28 carries, five tackles and a fumble recovery on the other side of the ball. With Funderburke playing like that and a defense that’s improving each week, the Spartans shouldn’t have any problem decimating the Pirates to get another win and some confidence going into next week’s battle with Monroe. We expect Funderburke and Co. to light up the scoreboard in the first half and wouldn’t be surprised if they pulled a lot of their starters after halftime. – Hannah Dockery
PARKWOOD at WEDDINGTON
Game time: Friday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. 2014 records: Weddington is 4-0; Parkwood is 3-1 Last meeting: Weddington won, 37-0, on Sept. 20, 2013 Players to watch: Weddington: quarterback David Bayha, linebackers Joey Hobbs, Lance Moore and Jack Jenkins, receivers Joe Bensch and Chris Trevisan; Parkwood: quarterback Josh Coble, receiver Max Robinson, running back Tre Butler, lineman Drew Hause The Skinny: The Warriors made a huge statement in a win over Monroe to keep their undefeated streak rolling. David Bayha is young, but has a rocket for an arm and more than enough targets with receivers like Trevisan, Bensch and Zach Goins making the Warriors’ aerial attack one of the best around. Their defense is the real deal and they held Monroe to just 20 points when the Redhawks had been averaging 42. With big-play weapons in each phase of the game, we don’t expect them to have a problem with Parkwood, but it won’t be as easy as last year. Butler has no problem controlling the ground game and Robinson caught four balls for 133 yards and a TD last week with two
interceptions to beat Jordan-Matthews, so they’ve got guys that are playmakers. A Rebel win would be a big upset but it’s not out of reach.– Hannah Dockery
RABUN GAP at METROLINA CHRISTIAN
Game time: Friday, Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m. 2014 records: Rabun Gap is 3-1; Metrolina is 3-0 Last meeting: This is the first meeting Players to watch: Rabun Gap: lineman Kevin Graham, linebacker Aaron Appleton, running backs Niko Harrell and Michael Bullard, quarterback Dallas Earnhardt, tight end Leo Tomaden; Metrolina: quarterback Rud Yearick, receivers Logan Shumate and Chandler Rivers, linebackers Ashton Thomas and Aaron Stewart, defensive back Andy Austin The Skinny: The Eagles dropped their season opener to Robbinsville but they’ve looked tough ever since, winning their next three games. Usually a passing team, they switched it up in their 41-26 win over Cherokee and it paid off as a talented line opened holes for Bullard, who rushed for 196 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries. Expect more of the same this week but the Warrior defense is no joke. They left opponents scoreless in their first two games and only allowed 12 against CATA behind a hard-nosed linebacking core of Thomas, Stewart and Luke Bricken. They’ll look to limit Bullard’s production on the ground and if they can do that they should be able to continue their undefeated run especially as Yearick and Co. are playing their best of late. This game could go either way but the Warriors are clicking on all the right cylinders. – Hannah Dockery
UNION ACADEMY at EAST MONTGOMERY
Game time: Friday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. 2014 records: Union Academy is 1-3; East Montgomery is 0-4 Last meeting: East Montgomery won, 14-13, on Sept. 20, 2013 Players to watch: Union Academy: quarterback Jake Cadle, running back Christian Almedia, linebackers Zach Zupetz and Jeremy Miller; East Montgomery: linemen Colby Robinson and Alex Rodriguez, quarterback Colby Maynor, running back Cam Watkins, receiver Nick Wall The Skinny: After scoring just 20 total points in three games, the Cardinals got a much-needed win last week with a 56-0 dismantling of South Davidson. This could be their chance to win two in a row as East Montgomery has yet to win a game and they’re a small team without a lot of depth or experienced talent. Their defense is giving up 40 points per game and after a 55-6 loss to a mediocre Albemarle last week it looks like they’re headed nowhere but down, so Almedia shouldn’t have a problem exploiting holes in their line. Expect Zupetz and Miller to take advantage of their weaknesses and limit the Eagles ability to move the ball on the ground as the Cardinals are thirsty for another win and looking for a chance to get back to .500. This could be a step in the right direction. – Hannah Dockery www.unioncountyweekly.com
Sports
W e e kly gam e stats s u p e r pas sin g NAME Austin Kendall Bruce Dixon Cameron Tripp David Bayha Josh Coble Rud Yearick Zephaniah Wall Drew Swoope Isaiah Hicklin Clemson Allen Jake Cadle Kevin Dobos Manasseh Missick Zaccheus Rorie Greysen Nolen Demarco Reaves Quay Threatt
1) Weddington (4-0)
Previous ranking: No. 2 Just like last year, the Warriors are back atop our Super 7 rankings after a big win over Monroe. David Bayha has no problem controlling their high-flying offense but the Warriors are in mid-season form in each phase of the game with big playmakers like Jack Jenkins, Joey Hobbs and Zach Goins. The list goes on and if these guys keep it up, they’ll make some noise when conference play begins.
Games Team Comp Att Yards TD Int 4 Cuthbertson 91 151 1268 12 5 3 Carolina Pride 32 73 699 13 4 4 Piedmont 53 99 677 7 3 4 Weddington 42 73 640 11 6 4 Parkwood 25 45 568 7 1 4 Metrolina 32 56 488 10 3 3 Monroe 18 35 408 4 2 2 Marvin Ridge 20 41 294 3 0 4 Sun Valley 24 51 268 1 2 4 CATA 10 21 205 6 2 4 Union Academy 7 19 174 1 1 2 Marvin Ridge 14 25 155 1 2 4 Union Academy 5 12 120 2 1 3 Forest Hills 9 26 109 1 1 3 Metrolina 2 3 96 1 0 4 Sun Valley 3 9 73 1 0 1 CATA 2 4 51 0 0
defense Name
Games
Cade Vela
4 Cuthbertson
Jack Jenkins
4
Zach Carver
sacks
2) Monroe (3-1)
Previous ranking: No. 1 The Redhawks fall a spot after a tough loss to an always-good Weddington team. The same thing happened last year though and the Redhawks ended up in the state championship game, so we’re not punishing them too much, especially with Chase Byrum controlling the ground game and quarterback Zephaniah Wall getting more comfortable with his arm. They’ll need to have their best game yet against a loaded Charlotte Christian team that beat them up last year.
3) Sun Valley (2-2)
Name
Games Team
67
Drew Hause
4 Parkwood
8
47
Connor Gerlits
4 Cuthbertson
7.5
4 Cuthbertson
42
Lee Davis
4 CATA
5.5
Tyrese Marsh
4
Forest Hills
42
Jaqueius Alsbrooks 3 Monroe
5
Joey Hobbs
4
Weddington
42
Dom Ventura
4 Sun Valley
4
Connor Gerlits
4 Cuthbertson
41
Kenneth Davis
4 Sun Valley
4
Timmy Howard
4
37
Cade Vela
4 Cuthbertson
4
Zach Zupetz
4 Union Academy
36
Izaiah Thomas
3 Monroe
4
DeShawn Morrison 4 CATA Thomas Mobley 4 Sun Valley
36
Naim Donaldson
4 CATA
4
34
Howard Lowery
4 Cuthbertson
3
Andy Austin
3 Metrolina
32
Deandre Staton
3 Monroe
3
Naim Donaldson
4 CATA
32
Evan Whiteside
4 CATA
3
Howard Lowery
4 Cuthbertson
30
Alex Miles
4 CATA
2.5
R u s hing
r ec eiving
Tackles
Weddington
Forest Hills
NAME Albert Funderburke Tre Butler Chase Byrum Aaron Braswell Christian Almedia DeShawn Morrison Christian Yarborough Mitchell Carson Jack Heda NAME B.J. Muckelvene Max Robinson J.T. Cauthen Zach Goins Jaylen Erwin Aaron Braswell Jeremiah Miller Casey Stamper
Team
Games Team Att Yards TD
4 4 3 4 4 4 3 4 4
Sun Valley Parkwood Monroe Piedmont Union Academy CATA Metrolina Weddington CATA
96 62 73 57 44 36 37 73 33
807 503 423 395 386 312 288 254 254
8 5 4 5 0 3 1 2 2
Games Team Att Yards TDs
4 Cuthbertson 4 Parkwood 4 Cuthbertson 4 Weddington 3 Carolina Pride 3 Piedmont 4 Sun Valley 1 Cuthbertson
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46 17 26 18 8 10 6 15
481 430 416 274 232 180 177 170
7 7 3 5 4 2 2 1
7
Sacks
SEND US YOUR STATS! Attention coaches and team statisticians: As we do each football season, this fall we will publish weekly statistical leaders. To have players from your team included, please send the information by Monday morning following each game to hannah@ unioncountyweekly. com.
Previous ranking: No. 3 The Spartans got a big win against East Bladen and should have another one this Friday against Porter Ridge. Albert Funderburke has already rushed for 800 yards this season, but he can’t do it all. The Spartans need to continue playing well on both sides of the ball if they want to make some noise and prove that they’re better than their .500 record.
4) Carolina Pride (3-0)
Previous ranking: No. 4 Marvin Ridge didn’t want to reschedule its game against the Pride after it got rained out and we’re not surprised – this team is legit. Bruce Dixon rivals some of the best public school quarterbacks out there and with his choice of receivers in Jaylen Erwin, John Thierfelder, James Thierfelder and Matthew Broussard, it’s no wonder they’re averaging 41 points per game.
5) Parkwood (3-1)
Previous ranking: No. 6 We’re liking this Rebel team more and more and it seems they’re clicking as they’ve won their last three contests. They’ve got several skill guys and quarterback Josh Coble is proving himself. Unfortunately, their winning streak could be cut short in a tough matchup against Weddington on the Warriors homecoming night this Friday. But we’re not putting anything past these guys.
6) Metrolina Christian (3-0)
Previous ranking: No. 7 The undefeated Warriors grabbed a good win against Central Academy and their tough defense surrendered 12 points – the most they’ve given up all year. That’s just one indicator of the talent on this year’s team as their offense is just as good, averaging 44 points per game this season. We’re expecting big things to come from this group if they keep it up.
7) Cuthbertson (1-3)
Previous ranking: No. 5 The Cavs take a hard fall dropping two spots after losing to Ardrey Kell for their third consecutive loss. There was a lot of noise around Austin Kendall’s return but so far it’s been a disappointment as the Cavs can’t seem to put it all together. They’ll need to win against Forest Hills if they want to stay alive in our rankings. Union County Weekly • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Page 23
Sports
sports shorts Cardinal soccer wins four in a row
Sun Valley running back Albert Funderburke rushed for 262 yards on Sept. 12 for a new Union County career rushing record. Photo by Cindy LeGrand by Hannah Dockery hannah@unioncountyweekly.com
Funderburke breaks county rushing record Sun Valley running back Albert Funderburke became Union County’s all-time rushing record holder in the Spartans 26-20 win over East Bladen on Sept. 12. Funderburke rushed for 262 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries, giving him 5,544 yards in his career to break former Forest Hills quarterback Juanne Blount’s record. Blount totaled 5,392 yards in his career from 2006-09. Funderburke rushed for 2,023 yards as a junior last season and is already looking to improve on that as he’s rushed for 807 yards in four games this year. If he surpasses 2,000 yards this season, he’ll become the first player in Union County history to total over 2,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. The Spartans are 2-2 and travel to Porter Ridge on Friday, Sept. 19.
Resor paces Warriors at Weddington Invitational Mitchell Resor won first place at the Weddington cross-country invitational, held Sept. 13 at Weddington High School. Resor’s time of 16 minutes, 7 seconds was 10 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. The Warrior boys won first place at the meet with 37 points and also Mitchell Resor had points scored from Ryan Hobbs (16:38) who placed third overall, Colton Jordan (17:02) who Page 24 • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Union County Weekly
finished seventh, Alex Hazan (17:04) who placed eighth and Brandon Dalla Rose (17:38) who finished 15th. Cuthbertson finished in eighth place and Central Academy of Technology and Arts finished ninth. The Cavs’ girls team finished in first place, led by Alexia Noch (19:57) who placed fourth overall. Sarah LaTour (20:47, eighth), Lauren Franklin (20:57, tenth), Jenna Louis (21:54, 25th) and Samantha Hirsh (22:16) also scored points for the Cavs. The Weddington girls team finished in fourth place and were paced by Natalie Warner (21:07) who finished 12th overall.
Mavericks name new softball coach Marvin Ridge athletics director Tom Jamerson announced last week that Jeff Stovall would take over the varsity softball program. Stovall has 14 years of softball coaching experience and has spent the last seven years as the Charlotte Magic 18-Under travel team coach. Previously, Stovall coached at Northside Christian Academy where he led the softball team to three state championship titles. “We’re excited to have Coach Stovall join the Marvin Ridge family,” Jamerson said. “He has had such tremendous success as a coach and stresses achievement off the field as much as winning on it.” Stovall is a native of El Paso, Texas and has been in the Charlotte area since 2000. “I’m excited to join the Marvin Ridge family and looking forward to the opportunities and challenges of building a strong softball program,” Stovall said. The Mavericks were 11-6 last season and finished 6-4 in Southern Carolinas conference play.
The Union Academy soccer team earned a 3-0 win against North Stanly on Sept. 15 to improve to 6-1-1 on the season and continue their four game win streak. Senior Quin Ferguson set the pace for the Cardinals in their win, scoring one goal and adding an assist. The Cardinals also had goals from sophomores Danny Marband and Nick Raymond off of assists from Chris Hunter and Will Quin Ferguson Brewer. The Cardinals, who went 18-6-2 last season, are led by seniors Ferguson (three goals, seven assists) and Aharon Gonzales (five goals, two assists) who returns after taking last year off to kick for the football team. “It’s great to have Aharon back,” coach Vic Johnson said. “He and Quin are doing well for Aharon Gonzales us offensively. Both, very different players, make our offense go. They’ll be vital in every match this year.” The Cardinals also benefit from the contributions of several younger skill players including sophomores Marband (four goals) and Raymond (four goals). Junior goalkeeper Mitchell Faulkner has recorded three shutouts on the season and has a goals against average of 1.4. “We have a very young team with only four seniors and returning only six starters from last season, but we have some very good young players in the mix this year,” said Johnson. “The boys are working hard but still learning to play together as they try and figure out each others strengths and weaknesses. “We have a tough stretch of matches upcoming, so we’ll see how we are progressing here in the next few weeks.” The Cardinals traveled to Gray Stone Day on Sept. 17 after Union County Weekly went to print. They host Cox Mill on Sept. 22.
Weddington tennis falls to Ardrey Kell The Weddington tennis team suffered a tough 5-4 loss to Ardrey Kell on Sept. 15. The Warriors split singles’ matches with the Knights and earned wins from No. 1 seed Heidi Swope, No. 3 seed Morgan Weatherbee and No. 4 seed Hayley Hinson but were only able to pull away with one doubles’ win where Charlotte Uhlehla and Weatherbee earned a fourth win at Court 2. The Warriors host Marvin Ridge on Sept. 18 and travel to Cuthbertson next week. www.unioncountyweekly.com
Sports
Cardinal football standout returns to field after battle with cancer by Hannah Dockery hannah@unioncountyweekly.com
Union Academy senior Olin Austin had quite a day on Friday, Sept. 12. Austin, a center on the Cardinals football team, returned to the football field for the first time since being diagnosed with testicular cancer in early June. At halftime of the Cardinals homecoming game, Austin was elected Homecoming King and walked out on the field to the roar of applause and cheers from his Cardinal family. Austin was diagnosed with testicular cancer on June 1 and immediately checked into Presbyterian Hospital for surgery. After surgery, Austin endured nine weeks of chemotherapy that began the day after his 17th birthday. But his positive attitude and determination carried him to a speedy recovery, and he returned to school just three months after surgery. He’ll continue to have CT scans every six weeks and lab work every two but his doctors are optimistic about his future health. His mother, Cheryl, said that football played an integral part in Austin’s quick recovery and determination to beat cancer. “Through it all, he didn’t get down until he learned that he’d have to miss
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some of football,” she said. “That was the light at the end of the tunnel for him. He was determined to beat this and get back on the field.” Austin served as the Cardinals first and only junior captain last year where he spent time on both the offensive and defensive line. Despite missing practices and games this year due to his treatments, he’s remained an integral part of the Cardinal team. Firstyear coach Robert Forshee sent him their playbook to study during his time in the hospital, while other teammates made Thursday nights a weekly “wing night” where they would visit Austin and eat wings over the course of the summer. During his treatment, Austin was only sick three times and actually gained 10 pounds during chemo. “He never considered himself sick,” Cheryl said. “He’s been amazing through all of this. He’s a born leader and it’s been incredible to watch the football team and the Union Academy family rally around him. Union Academy really is a family and I can’t say enough good things about their support.” Though he isn’t back to 100 percent yet, he’s well on his way. Austin’s getting back into a routine at school,
Senior Olin Austin (holding flag) returned to the football field on Sept. 13 after battling testicular cancer. Photo courtesy of Amanda Housand
returning to football practice and hoping to get back on the field on Friday nights. After high school, Austin plans to attend N.C. State and study agriculture so he can return to his family farm in Monroe where he would become a fifth generation farmer. “He pushes himself to the limit,”
Cheryl said. “It’s been a roller coaster but I told him, ‘In 10 years, you’ll look back and say that this was just a glitch.’ He’s a fighter and he’s been tougher than I could’ve imagined. “On Friday, when he was out on that football field, that was the happiest I’d seen him since May.”
Union County Weekly • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Page 25
Page 26 • Sept. 18 to 24, 2014 • Union County Weekly
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