Four athletes are state champs

a cross. In addition to his Eagle mentor, Will worked with Lena Van Wyk, the church’s farm director, and Tom Benson, a member of the church.

After beginning scouting with Cub Scout Pack 600 in fall 2012, Will bridged up to Troop 600 in February 2014. With Troop 600, he served as den chief, chaplain aide, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader and bugler. He also worked as a staff member at Camp Cherokee. While continuing with scouting as part of Sea Scout Ship 3, he plans to attend NC State University this fall.

A member of the McMichael High School marching band and an AllCounty and All-District band member, Will began playing trumpet in middle school before learning to play the bugle.

“When playing the bugle, the most meaningful events are funerals and flag ceremonies,” adds Will. “It is a great responsibility to perform to honor someone’s life and service.” For more information about Scouts BSA

Troop 600, visit www.scoutdude.com.

Troop 600 meets Monday evenings at Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church.

High school wrestlers, high jumper and runner win state titles

Riley Edwards, James Joplin and Sheldon Ulmer bring home fi rst place for Northwest Guilford; Jack Dingman follows suit for Northern Guilford. Northern and Northwest baseball teams bow out in state playoffs; tennis players fall short of making it to state competition by MEREDITH BARKLEY

Northwest Guilford’s Sheldon Ulmer wrapped up his rookie track and field season last weekend with the 4A state title in the high jump, and Northern Guilford’s Jack Dingman finished off his high school career as 3A state champ in the 1600-meter run.

Meanwhile, Northwest wrestlers Riley Edwards and James Joplin grabbed 4A state titles of their own while leading their Viking team to a fourth-place finish. Drew Pepin was a state runner-up.

“I was just happy to make it to the state championship,” said Ulmer, a rising junior, “and to win is a feeling I never want to give up. I’m very thankful for everything I’ve been able to accomplish. I’ve been very blessed.”

Said Dingman, who will run for East Carolina next year: “I was thinking in the race: ‘This is my final shot.’ I was able to dig in deep and finish strong.” This weekend he’ll head to the high school nationals in Eugene, Oregon.

Ulmer, who stands 6 feet, 4 inches tall and also plays basketball for the Vikings, hadn’t expected to medal in the competition, much less win. His personal best jump is 6 feet 4 inches, and some competitors had been jumping 6 feet 6 inches. Those competitors, though, were having off days, he said, and he was able to win at 6 feet 2 inches.

“It was pretty incredible, unbelievable, and being my first year running track made it even more unbelievable,” he said.

Sheldon Ulmer Jack Dingman

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