Staunton senior announces college choice
STAUNTON — Kendal Brown was a gymnast for eight years, so when she first joined the Staunton High School track team, her coaches suggested she try the high jump. They felt her gymnastic background would help her succeed at the new sport.
They were right.
Brown recently announced she will be headed to Christopher Newport University next year to compete in track. She plans to do high jump in college, maybe hurdles, but she said that's all up to the coaches.
She began high jump as a sophomore.
"I really learned body awareness skills pretty early," Brown said. "I also became pretty flexible through (gymnastics) so when it came time to start jumping, the back bends over the bar came pretty effortlessly for me because I've been doing that same kind of move since I was 6."
She wasn't sure where she wanted to go to college, so she toured about 20 schools. The first one of those 20 was Christopher Newport. She said it was the cliche step-on-campus-and-fall-in-love moment.
"Something about it just clicked," said Brown, who applied to four schools, even though she kind of knew it would be Christopher Newport.
Another thing about the school that made her know it was right was the pre-med programs. Brown wants to be a doctor. She'd like to work in a hospital, but as far as a speciality she isn't yet sure.
"I get to be both an athlete and a student there," said Brown, who is currently the top ranked senior at Staunton High. "It's been really a long road. I don't think I knew that I wanted to go into healthcare until last year, 11th grade."
She did a mentorship at Augusta Health last year through the Shenandoah Valley Governor's School that convinced her healthcare was the path she wanted to pursue. It just felt right to her.
Balancing a heavy academic load with athletics hasn't been easy, but Brown said sports is a stress reliever. It gives her a place to decompress a little, interacting with her teammates and having fun.
A medical procedure ended her season early last year, so there is some unfinished business on the track. The first goal she has is to clear 4-10 in high jump, which would qualify her for states. Her next chance to do that is Wednesday at the Shenandoah District meet at Waynesboro High School.
"It's important to note how important my coaches and my teammates have been in helping me get to where I am," Brown said. "And my parents and my friends and family. I really don't think I'd be able to be here without them. They've been so helpful in helping me grow as both an athlete and as a person."
Gladiators win
GREENVILLE — Cheyenne Bottenfield tossed a seven-inning, four hitter for Riverheads softball Monday in a 3-1 win over Fort Defiance. Bottenfield faced 26 batters, striking out five in the win. She didn't walk a single batter.
Bottenfield also had a fourth-inning, two-run home run to give Riverheads the first score of the game, a lead it would never give up. She had two hits in the game. Maggie Robertson also had a pair of hits and Addison Falls went 1-for-2 in the win for the Gladiators.
Riverheads is now 7-2 in the Shenandoah District and 8-5 overall.
Elkton Blue Sox holding pro wrestling fundraiser
ELKTON — Professional wrestling will return to Rockingham County Saturday, May 18, at Elkton Middle School. The event, featuring Mid-Atlantic Territory Wrestling (MATW), will be a fundraiser for the Elkton Blue Sox of the Rockingham County Baseball League.
MATW is a Virginia-based wrestling promotion that works with local non-profits to bring affordable, family friendly live professional wrestling to the Virginias, Carolinas and Maryland. As an independent promotion, MATW has been the launching ground for some of today’s up and coming stars. MATW alumni can be seen on the rosters and televised events of nationally known companies.
Among those wrestling at the event, the One Man Band Heath, who was FKA WWE’s Heath Slater, will be part of the event, holding a meet and greet as part of the price of admission to the event.
Tickets for ringside are $20 and general admission tickets are $15. Children 11 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. and bell time is 6 p.m. The Elkton Blue Sox will be selling concessions before and during the event
Elkton Middle School is located at 21063 Blue and Gold Drive, Elkton, VA 22827
The Elkton Blue Sox was reorganized in 2023 by a group of local baseball enthusiasts to bring summer baseball back to the Elkton community. With the help of fundraisers and sponsorships, all Blue Sox home games are free to the public.
For more information. contact Stephanie Baker (540-742-9851 or stephaniebaker486@gmail.com) or Brandon Bailey (757-880-3587 or brandon@matwonline.com).
More: Local letter carriers collecting donations for Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Saturday, May 11
More: A big solar thing in the county, annual trip to Betsy Bell for Staunton City Council: THE AGENDA
— Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education reporter. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite . Subscribe to us at newsleader.com .
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Sports roundup: Staunton senior chooses college; Riverheads softball wins; Elkton pro wrestling fundraiser
Most Popular
Comments / 0