This past year, the area saw Cole Beck hold us in suspense in deciding his college football choice, Christiansburg wrestling claimed their 16th straight state championship, Alex Wilkens was named the new football coach at Christiansburg High School, and Radford High School won back-to-back state championships in boys basketball.
The continued success of the Christiansburg wrestling program took top honors with Radford’s state titles on the hardwood taking a close second.
#3 story of year: Cole Beck
Beck was recruited by as many as 30 different schools, and Virginia Tech’s offer didn’t come until late in the process.
Beck, who has rushed for over 3,000 yards in the past two seasons at Blacksburg High School, helped lead the Bruins to the 3A state championship last season and a state quarterfinal appearance this season.
Beck finished with 217 carries for 1,720 yards with 28 touchdowns and announced with some fanfare after a home game that he would attend Virginia Tech where he will continue his football and track career. He chose them over Pitt and North Carolina.
“I feel Virginia Tech is the perfect place for me to play football and run track,” he said.
Beck said he was told by the Hokie coaching staff he will be given a chance to play running back.
So far, this season, he has rushed for 852 yards and 12 touchdowns. Last year, he almost doubled his regular season output in five state playoff games, rushing for a total of 2,156 yards with 35 touchdowns.
In track, Beck gives the Hokies a sprinter they have missed in two ACC championships. He has been clocked with the nation’s elite runners in both the 100 and 200 meters. That included helping the Bruins to a state indoor title with a first place in the 55 meters. He would then win both the 100 and 200 in the Group 3A outdoor championships. Then later in the month, he finished second in a national event in Greensboro with 10.41 seconds in the 100 meters.
#4: Wilkins hired at CHS
The Wilkens hire at Christiansburg came after Tim Cromer stepped down after a 1-9 season, and the school looked to start a new chapter.
Wilkens was an assistant at Glenvar before accepting the job and knows he has to change the culture at Christiansburg who has not had a winning football season in four years.
This past season, the team finished 0-10 but looks to the future with optimism as Wilkens has expanded the weight room and player’s involvement in the off-season.
#5: Vick’s induction into the VT Sports Hall of Fame
Over at Virginia Tech, the school announced the decision to place former Quarterback Michael Vick into its sports hall of fame, but it didn’t come without controversy.
Two petitions were circulated condemning Michael Vick’s inductee into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame based on his involvement in the cruel world of dog fighting.
One of those was organized by Rachel Beasley, who attended Virginia Tech in the early 2000s, and has rescued several pit bulls over the past eight years.
“Prior to and during my time at Virginia Tech I was a Michael Vick supporter who defended him as someone who had come from a terrible situation and really made something of himself. Since the news of his dog-fighting ring, I have followed the case and the dogs very closely. I was disappointed when I attended the Battle at Bristol last fall and Michael Vick was there. When I found they were including him in the Hall of Fame, it was to say the least a huge disappointment,” she said.
Vick finished third in the 1999 Heisman Trophy voting – the top finish ever by a Tech player – and went on to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft.
The five new honorees were inducted during a Hall of Fame dinner on the Tech campus in September 22, the evening before Tech’s home football game against Old Dominion and will be introduced to fans at halftime of the football game. The new class will bring the total number enshrined to 192.
Vick started 10 games in 1999, missing two games with an injury, completing 90 of 153 (58.8) for 1,840 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also rushed for 617 yards and eight scores. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting – the top finish ever by a Tech player – and he won an ESPY from ESPN as the nation’s top college football player.
As a redshirt sophomore, Vick started nine games, missing two games with an injury. He completed 87 of 161 for 1,234 yards and eight touchdowns. He also ran for 617 yards and eight touchdowns, and he closed his career by leading the Hokies to a Gator Bowl win over Clemson. Against the Tigers, he completed 10 of 18 for 205 yards and a score, and he rushed for 19 yards and a touchdown in Tech’s 41-20 victory.
After the 2000 season, Vick decided to forgo his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility and make himself available for the NFL Draft. He still holds school records for highest yards-per-completion average for a season (20.4 in 1999) and highest yards-per-attempt average for a season (12.0 in 1999). He also holds the record for highest yards-per-attempt average for a career (9.79 in 1999-2000).
Vick was the No. 1 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played 13 seasons in the NFL for four different teams, throwing for 22,464 yards, with 133 touchdowns and 88 interceptions during his career. He holds two NFL records – rushing yards by a quarterback in a season (1,039) and a career (6,109).
Prior to a game against LSU early in the 2002 season, the Virginia Tech Athletics Department retired Vick’s No. 7 jersey. He is one of nine former Virginia Tech football players to receive such an honor.
In February, Vick retired from the NFL, and has been involved with the launching of the American Flag Football League in which world-class athletes join teams to play flag football in a league that founders hope to launch full time in 2018.
But despite all his athletic accomplishments, it is his involvement off the field in dog fighting that has gotten Vick more attention than he expected. In 2007, he pleaded guilty to involvement in a dog fighting ring that included the deaths of pit bulls on Tidewater property where animals were trained in dog fighting. Several animals were rescued from poor conditions on the property listed as “Bad Newz Kennels.”
After serving his sentence, Vick signed with the Eagles in 2009. He officially retired from football earlier this year.
“Athletes are supposed to be not only good athletes but also of good character and it is disheartening to know the athletic ability is all the school cares about. I expected someone to start a petition but when I wasn’t able to find one, I decided to start one myself,” Beasley said.
She has not been able to forgive Vick for his involvement in dog fighting.
“Obviously, dog fighting is a heinous act and something I am very strongly against, but in addition to that Michael Vick and his cohorts chose to torture the dogs that underperformed. He was a wealthy man, but instead of ending their lives quickly with a bullet he chose to kill them by drowning, electrocution, beating, etc. These are facts of the case. Anyone who can do those things to a living creature has serious issues.”
A response from Pete Moris, Virginia Tech’s associate athletic director of athletics communications, said the sports hall of fame committee was aware that not all members the community would embrace their decision to include Michael Vick in this year’s hall of fame class. However, according to Moris, the criteria for induction into the sports hall of fame is based on the individual’s contributions during their time at the university.
“The committee maintains that Michael Vick’s impact as a student goes without question,” Moris concluded.
Jennifer Breeden, who organized the second petition, said Vick simply should not be honored. “I am a Hokie and am embarrassed to have my school want to induct him into the HOF. I agree he is a tremendous athlete and brought much attention to VT, but he also brought a lot of shame with that,” she said.
Breeden said Vick will always be associated with dog fighting and sadly always be associated to Virginia Tech.
An official statement from the university called the 18 months he spent in prison, as timed served for his crime. “The remorse he has shown since that conviction, the work he is currently engaged in to advance animal welfare issues, as well as his efforts to help current student athletes, based on lessons he’s learned in his own life, make positive choices as they begin their adult lives.”
A protest was held outside the special ceremony.
#6: Blacksburg’s golf run
Blacksburg High School got the fall season started off on the right foot when the golf team took top honors in the 4A ranks.
The Bruins won by 37 strokes over second place Woodgrove. As a team for Blacksburg, Chris Zhang was second overall behind Winistorfer with a 143 after shooting 72-71 in the two days. The River Ridge player of the year, Ben Carroll finished third to his teammates after shooting 77 the second day and finishing with a 144 after a blistering 57 on the first day of the tournament.
Melissa Meng shot 148, Jake Duncan 145 and Jonah Winistorfer a 170.
#7: Auburn golf and other sports in Riner
Auburn High School continues to see rise in success in its athletic programs with state appearances and state titles. This fall that included the school’s first ever state title in golf.
Auburn finished 27 strokes ahead of as Carter Vance (139) was the medalist and state champ in 1A.
Also, in the fall, the school’s cross-country team dominated state competition. Nolan Harris had claimed first place in the 1A state championships, held up the state trophy as a team later that day and then signed a National Letter of intent to continue his running career at the University of Virginia.
Harris finished the 5,000-meter course in 16:03 with Parry McCluer’s Dylan May in second. His Auburn teammate, Tyler Wilson, was fifth.
Coach Laura Daniels called the boys title special because it was the school’s third in a row. “We worked so hard all year to improve on times and close gaps. These boys have done everything I have asked of them and given their all to their team and their sport. They dedicated themselves to being consistent and improved every race. Our 4-5 and 5-6 gap was big at the beginning of the season and we worked to close that gap with Branson Weeks and Brandon Turman. They stepped up to the challenge and were a strong impact for our team.”
Auburn tallied 40 points to second place George Wythe’s 70. Galileo was third and Mathews fourth.
Auburn would also claim a girls’ title with a 58-point total over second place Matthews at 110 points.
Caitlin Dominy led the Lady Eagles with a fifth-place finish. Jessica Musselman was 13th, Elizabeth Tomlin 21st with Lily Messner 22nd. Grace Hall was 24th and Makenna Hallinan 27th.
Daniels said winning the girls title was extra special as it was the first ever cross-country state title for Auburn High School.
“We felt like we redeemed ourselves from last year’s loss when we lost by one point. These ladies put in the mileage and the hard work to show that they are the best 1A team in the state. We knew we had a strong girls team going in and am glad we were able to come back with the win this year. Winning the first ever title for your school is truly a defining moment for your team and extremely exciting and satisfying,” she concluded.
Last spring, it was the baseball team that took all the headlines. Auburn would win their first state championship in baseball with 6-0 decision over Stonewall Jackson. Auburn finishes the season 24-2
#8: Improvements coming to CHS athletic facilities
The Montgomery County school board has announced plans for Christiansburg High School to receive a new astro turf football playing surface. During a recent meeting with supervisors, plans for the Christiansburg strand were unveiled that shows the field and a rubberized track to be installed in the spring of 2018.
The estimated cost for what the county is listing as Phase 1.1 is $1.5 million. Alex Wilkens, who is in his first year as head coach at Christiansburg, is excited about the plans that will remove a crest on the center of the current field.
“I think the nicest thing about having the turf field will be the ability to actually see the opposing team on the opposite sideline on Friday nights,” he joked Sunday.
“No, I think that the best thing about this will be just the fact that the elements and use don’t affect you nearly as bad. Given the fact that we use that field from recreation games all the way to high school games, a turf field is going to allow the wear and tear to not be such a factor for our top-down football program,” he said.
Another positive aspect, according to the coach, is being able to do everything in practice at one spot which will be a time-saver as well because it will cut down on travel time.
“There will also be a sense of pride and new beginnings that goes along with having a new Friday night home environment. Anytime you get something that’s new and nice, much like we’ve seen with the new weight room, people tend to take pride in that and want to be a part of it,” Wilkens continued.
Phase 1.2 includes a fastpitch softball field to located to the east of the current high school baseball field. In addition, stands will be installed at the baseball field.
Over the past few weeks, construction crews have been working on the baseball field’s back stop and are installing a new drainage system. That project should be completed in the next few months.
Phase 1.3 of the Christiansburg plan includes the construction of a field house adjacent to the CHS football field along with a new concession stand, restrooms and entrance to the field. The price tag has been estimated at $900,000 for the locker rooms and $1 million for the rest of the project.
Wilkens calls the field house another major asset.
“I think that the new locker rooms will be a real asset for the team in that we won’t have to travel so far to and from the field on Friday nights. That will give us the ability to go inside at halftime and it will give us more time for adjustments. It will also allow us to be more separated from the opposing team before and after games; which also helps,” he said.
All of the plans are tentative but on the table for the school board and at final approval for funding by the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors.
Overall Wilkens said the projects are just another plus as he takes to the field for the first time this fall.
“I am extremely excited about what this means for the high school, but also the whole community. I think that it will give the entire community something to be excited about and makes the town of Christiansburg more appealing. I truly believe, and there’s a lot of research to back this up, that solid sports programs at a school make the school a more appealing place to be for students.
“When kids enjoy being at school and the extracurricular activities it provides, the whole school is more successful- – from morale, team spirit, and test scores. Successful schools are one of the most important factors considered by families wanting to live in an area. This brings new families, new businesses, better tax-base, etc. Needless to say – I am a huge advocate of these plans and will be spending much energy supporting this. It can change the entire community of Christiansburg,” Wilkens concluded.
The sports additions are part of a larger plan that keep the high school at its current site with renovation and new construction taking place over a period of five years.
#9: Racing screeching halt at Motor Mile Speedway
In November, racing took a screeching halt by Motor Mile Speedway with a major transformation beginning in 2018. Mirroring the national sharp downward trend in the popularity of NASCAR racing, the track has seen a decline in attendance and fan interest in recent years.
Thus, after much discussion and planning, the Speedway announced it will not renew its NASCAR sanction for 2018, ending its circle track chapter and looking ahead to hosting a variety of entertainment and sporting events.
The track is nestled on 170 acres of rolling hills and is a beautiful setting for many types of outdoor activities. Just what those activities will be, however, remains to be decided.
“We have lots of ideas but there’s no story yet. We are sitting around the table now and hashing it out,” said co-owner David Hagan. “We have tried to make the speedway successful, but with a downturn in interest, it’s increasingly difficult to make it work. We are looking at a variety of events to bring new life and excitement to the property. We have a unique venue in terms of versatility, and our new operation will reflect that. The schedule could include everything from concerts, mud runs, festivals, camping, and even new racing events at some point. You name it and it’s probably come up at our table,” Hagan elaborated.
Hagan and his partner, Larry Shelor, are co-owners of the Shelor Motor Mile auto dealerships in nearby Christiansburg, as well as the Calfee Park/Pulaski Yankees baseball operations in Pulaski. Seeing the enthusiasm around the baseball program only confirmed in Hagan’s mind the need for a drastic change at Motor Mile Speedway.
“When you see the huge family crowds that baseball is drawing just a few miles away from the Speedway, and how much those fans are enjoying the experience, it really highlights the difference between the two sports,” he said.
He has challenged his management team to come up with ideas that will meet the growing demand for different options in family entertainment.
The 2018 season will be a year of planning and transition. The annual Independence Day Monster Truck Show will return, along with a couple of demolition derby events.
The drag way will continue its popular “Friday Night Fury” series, along with the possibility of other special events. Management made a similar decision in 2017 on the drag way when it discontinued the traditional bracket racing program in favor of a more open format that attracts all types of fans and racing enthusiasts.
#10: Classification and district changes
The Virginia High School League in its infamous wisdom made some major changes to the athletic classifications and districts in southwest Virginia. Fans and even some athletic directors needed a map to determine who was where and playing who this fall as changes took place almost everywhere.
First, Blacksburg moved up to the 4A classification after winning a state 3A title in football and other sports. Radford was also bumped up to 2A after dominating in 1A boys’ basketball.
A new Mt. Empire District was formed that included 1A schools, Auburn, George Wythe, Ft. Chiswell, Rural Retreat, Galax and Grayson. Eastern Montgomery moved to the Pioneer District, and the once small-school only Three Rivers District added 4A Carroll County and 3A Alleghany.
The VHSL said the realignment would allow for less-travel costs.
