Wild Bill’s Sports Roundup

We open this week with an apology for the confusion over last week’s column in The Star print edition.

Due to a technical glitch, the Wild Bill column was a repeat from the prior week. A number of readers contacted me to point out the error, and I appreciate each and every one taking the time to put the word out. I’d like to mention the correct column can still be read on-line on the www.theroano.wwwmi3-ss14.a2hosted.com site where controversy reigned over presumed conspiracy with our new Roanoke Star polo shirts. Make sure you check it out to get caught up with The Chief and myself.
Now, we get caught up with this week’s column.
Things looked bad for the ” Big-11 ” in last week’s state finals, before the Hidden Valley tennis team saved the day with their 5-2 win over Blacksburg in the Group 3A State Tennis championship match.
The teams had split 4 matches earlier in the season, but the Titans won the one that counted at Liberty University in a five hour marathon played out in grueling heat. Add to that a pair of Hidden Valley players absent due to previously planned family vacations, and Hidden Valley was flying by the seats of their tennis shorts.
Scoring points in the six singles for the Titans were Grant Brown (3-6, 7-6 (7-3),6-4 over Ryan Wells in the #2 singles ; Colin Foutz (6-2, 6-3 over Rohan Kumar in the #3 singles; James Baron (7-5, 6-0 over Matty Ducker in the #4 singles and Jake Elton (7-5, 6-1 over Michael Xiao in the #5 singles.
Up 4-2 after singles, Foutz and Christian Ekirch secured the match-clinching point with a come-from-behind 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Drew Dunn and Grayson Stone in the #3 doubles. All three doubles matches had gone to third sets before Hidden Valley pushed across the doubles clincher. Congratulations to the Titans for the hard-fought victory.
With the various state championships now decided, the all-state teams will gradually come forward as selected by the Virginia High School Coaches Association. ” Big-11 ” selections so far include Hidden Valley center fielder Hayes Nelson and Titan designated hitter Ben Schmidt being named to the Group 3A baseball all-state first-team, while Hidden Valley catcher Matt Utermark garnered second-team honors. Glenvar’s Zach Duncan was named to the Group 2A all-state baseball first-team in the utility position. In boys soccer Zach Large of Northside (goalie) and Todd Johnson (forward) from Lord Botetourt have been named Group 3A first-team all-state. Named to the 3A second-team in soccer were Alex Nguyen (Cave Spring), Luke Matthias (Lord Botetourt) and Nick St.Pierre (Northside).
The Roanoke Valley Horse Show continues this week at the Salem Civic Center, culminating with Saturday night’s $  50,000 Grand Prix of Roanoke.
The Salem Red Sox return home next Wednesday, June 25th for a six-game home stand through Monday, June 30th. as Carolina and Wilmington come to town for three games each. The Sox will be looking to rebound for a second-half title after the first-half runaway win by the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in the Southern Division.
The Greenbrier Classic kicks off Monday June 30th, with the First Tee Roanoke Valley Youth Day to follow on Tuesday. Tyler Peterson of Franklin County will represent First Tee Roanoke Valley in the 4-team, four-hole scramble event that pairs First Tee  junior members with a PGA TOUR  pro. The four teams will compete for the $ 10,000 charity purse that will go to the local chapters. Tickets to the Classic can be purchased from First Tee through July 1st. The $ 60 badge is good for every day of golf during the tournament week, plus admission to your choice of either the Maroon-5 or Jimmy Buffett concerts scheduled for July 4th and 5th, respectfully.

 Already announced for the 2014 Greenbrier Classic field are current Masters champion Bubba Watson, former Scott Robertson winner Webb Simpson, 8-time major winner Tom Watson and up and coming PGA star Jason Day. The international players competing will include Nick Faldo, Angel Cabrera, Darren Clarke, Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman and Vijay Singh. Those six have a combined 15 major wins.

We close this week with the stirring announcement of the most exciting sporting competition that put Leadville, Colorado on the map. Early August returns outhouse racing to the town near Breckenridge. Four pushers and one sitter comprise each entry, with bonus points for the sitter being in position while racing and penalties for what organizers describe as dropping a deuce.

How about it Chief? Shouldn’t we form a team and head to the Rockies?

Until next week, send your deuces to [email protected]. And, let’s hope all those deuces don’t lead to a full house.

By Bill Turner

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