Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
The VHSL has announced the 2025-26 National Guard Cup fall standings presented by the Virginia Army National Guard for year-long athletic and academic activities success. Auburn, Poquoson, Western Albemarle, Hanover, Midlothian and West Springfield sit atop the Cup standings following the fall sports season.
Auburn has a total of 172.5 points In Class 1 thanks in part to Girls Cross Country 45; Boys Cross Country 40; Golf 50; and Volleyball 37.5. Middlesex High School is second with 100 total points. Eastern Montgomery is tied for twelfth.
Radford is seventh in Class 2, Christiansburg second in Class 3 and Blacksburg third in Class 4.
First awarded in 1990, the Cup represents 37 seasons of excellence. Six Cups are awarded for academic activities and athletics in each of the VHSL’s six enrollment classifications. A point system determines the winners based on overall performance in VHSL state championship competitions.
In athletics, first place earns 50 points, second place earns 45 points, third place earns 40 points, fourth place earns 35 points, fifth place earns 30 points, sixth place earns 25 points, seventh place earns 20 points, and eighth place earns 15 points.
CHS alum, Concord coach named to local HOF
Former Boston Red Sox standout Jackie Bradley, Jr., who played began his pro career with the Salem Red Sox in 2012, will be the guest speaker and one of five inductees into the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame at the 34th hot stove banquet and induction ceremony. Bradley will be joined by four additional inductees Drew Bailey, Allen Lawrence, Wes McMillan and Donald Minnick.
Bailey was a three-sport athlete at Christiansburg High School where he threw two no-hitters as a senior pitcher. He was a two-time all-WVIAC selection from 2008-10 at Concord University where he was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2017.
Bailey became the first Concord pitcher selected in the MLB Draft when he was taken in the 35th round in 2010 by Oakland. He played two seasons in the Athletics’ organization and reached the Class A level for the Vermont Lake Monsters in 2011, finishing with a 5-0 record and a 2.34 ERA. After his playing days, Bailey began a collegiate head coaching career at Averett University before leading Bluefield State to a pair of HBCU National Championships and compiling a 95-79 win-loss record from 2021-24. He is currently the head baseball coach at his alma mater, Concord.
The Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame was founded in 1991 and honors players and contributors from the counties of Alleghany, Roanoke, Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin and Montgomery and the independent cities located within the boundaries of those counties.
The banquet will be held at the Salem Civic Center Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.
IHRA Pro Watercraft
The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has announced the launch of the IHRA Pro Watercraft Racing Series, a new professional personal watercraft racing championship set to debut in 2026. Featuring both stand up and runabout competition, the series is designed to usher in a new era of professional watercraft racing by delivering elevated competition, increased visibility, and meaningful opportunities for racers.
The IHRA Pro Watercraft Racing Series will be integrated into select IHRA Offshore Powerboat Racing Series events, creating action packed race weekends and a premium on water experience for fans, racers, and partners alike.
Backed by strong industry interest, experienced leadership, and a $250,000 prize pool, the series is being built with a racer first mindset and a long-term commitment to growth and sustainability.
While specific event details will be announced in the future, planning and outreach efforts are already underway with racers, promoters, sponsors, and international partners. The IHRA Offshore Powerboat Racing Series schedule will be announced in the very near future, with the Pro Watercraft Racing Series integrated into select offshore events as part of that rollout.
Earlier this month, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced today that it has officially acquired the F1 Powerboat Racing, one of the world’s premier tunnel-boat racing series.
Radford great passes away
Dr. Michael Glenn Mauck, 70, of Wellington, Florida, formerly of Radford, passed away Dec. 5.
While growing up in Radford, Doc was considered as a standout in sports where he was known to play baseball, basketball, football and run track.
Dr. Mauck was known for his quickness and speed when he played on the ’71-’72 and ’72-’73 Radford State Championship Football Team. His athletic ability got him inducted into the Radford High School Hall of Fame while his love for football got him a full scholarship to the University of Tennessee where he started four years as a defensive back for The Volunteers. While at Tennessee, Dr. Mauck was Honorable Mention All SEC Defensive Back and an Academic Hall of Famer with a 4.0 GPA.
Dr. Mauck left Tennessee to continue his education at the Medical College of VA and received his D.D.S. in Dentistry, then transferring to Jackson Memorial School of Medicine in Miami, Florida.
