Marty Gordon
The Christiansburg High School softball team has been riding the pitching of Kadyn Camper all season.
This past week, she led the team to victory over Blacksburg to snag this year’s River Ridge District crown. Tuesday, she was named the district’s 2024 player of the year.
Camper, who is committed to Purdue in the fall, now has 200 strikeouts on the season and improved her record to 14-2 with an earned run average of .984. At the plate, she is hitting .553 with eight homeruns and 33 RBIs.
Christiansburg coach Sean Gaynor was recognized as the River Ridge’s coach of the year. He has guided the Blue Demons to the regular season title and the Region C playoffs in just his first year on the sidelines. Currently, the team sits at 18-2 on the season.
Joining Camper on the first team was teammate Addison Reasor (third base). The junior has committed to the University of Virginia.
Blacksburg pitcher Lorelei Spradlin was also named to the first team along with teammates Katey Mathena (catcher) and Lindsey Polan (first base).
Christiansburg’s Kyrstin Lowe (shortstop) and Sophie Russell (outfield) garnered second team honors along with Blacksburg’s Evelyn Rhoads.
On the other side of the diamond, Blacksburg’s Dave Dunstin was named boys’ baseball coach of the year in the River Ridge. Blacksburg’s Brice Abbott (pitcher), Avan Morris (second base) and Reese Tysor (outfield) were first team All-River Ridge. Blacksburg’s Sam Szerfc (DH) and Mayor Marshall (catcher) were named to the second team along with Christiansburg’s Mason Cullop (pitcher) and Gavin Dow (third base).
Blacksburg would place four players, Sean DeLorenzo, Craig Huxtable, Charlie Lattimer and Addison, on the first-team boys’ soccer squad. Christiansburg’s Sami Seife and Luca Pickeral were also named to the first team.
Salem’s Logan Lavinder was named player of year, while Salem Coach Dave Atkins was coach of the year.
Christiansburg placed four, Brye Smith, Brady Rasor, Hayden Yopp and Nick Litos, on the second team. Blacksburg’s Tommy Monaghan and Esteban Carvajai were also second teamers.
On the girls’ side of the field, Blacksburg interim coach Travis Bishop was named coach of the year after leading the Bruins to the district title and an undefeated season. Blacksburg’s Kailan Malabad was named player of the year in the River Ridge.
Blacksburg would have four first team honorees in Erin Bishop, Kailyn Brawley, Charlotte Ellis and Malabad. Christiansburg’s Lyla Turman and Ava Landers were also named first-teamers.
Four more players from Blacksburg were named to the second-team all-River Ridge District. They included Paige Miller, Tea Bissell, Ginny Crawford and Calir Langlinais. Christiansburg second teamers included Ava Rose and Abbey Sanders.
