Baxter represents USA
Virginia Tech’s Rachel Baxter represented the U.S.A in the pole vault Thursday afternoon at the World Junior Nationals. In the preliminaries on Tuesday, the rising sophomore vaulted 4.20 meters (13 feet, 9.25 inches) securing a place in today’s finals.
Baxter got off to a good start clearing the 4.00-meter (13 feet, 1.5 inches) mark on her first attempt, but had problems with finding her rhythm at the second bar on her way to finishing in 11th place.
Baxter concluded her outstanding freshman campaign where she medaled both indoor and outdoor at ACCs and earned all-America honors indoor and outdoor. The highlight of the season may have been in mid-June in Bloomington, Indiana, where Baxter set a new personal best of 4.42 meters (14 feet, 6 inches) at the U.S. Junior Outdoor Championships and won the gold medal.
Beginning kayaking
The Christiansburg Recreation Department is offering a beginning kayaking program beginning Tuesday, July 24. The class provides the basic skills and safety techniques needed to paddle a kayak on flat water. The class will cover launching techniques, paddling fun and informative kayaking class followed by a short kayaking tour along the shores of Claytor Lake.
All equipment will be provided, and the instruction will be taught by Mountain 2 Island Paddle Board Company. Participants will have to pay an additional fee of $4 for park admission.
Registration ends July 20, and the fee is $15. For more information, call 382-2349.
Youth volleyball league
A youth volleyball league for ages 8-13 is being offered at the Christiansburg Recreation Department this fall. Registration runs through August 24 with town resident fee of $35 and non-resident fee of $45.
To register, call 382-2349.
Sutphin memorial golf tournament
The Eric E. Sutphin Memorial Golf Tournament has been announced for Monday, October 8 at the Thorn Spring Golf Course in Pulaski. Sutphin was a Montgomery County deputy who lost his life in 2006 during a manhunt for a shooting suspect.
The entry fee is $65 pe player. Lunch will be provided, and players will be entered to win a 2019 membership to Thorn Spring.
All proceeds benefit the Eric E. Sutphin Memorial Scholarship Fund. For more information or to register, contact Chief Dep. Brad St. Clair at stclairbn@vamcso.org.
Gourley, Harrison bronze winners
Virginia Tech track and field alums Neil Gourley and Queen Harrison both earned medals on Day 2 of the Athletic World Cup.
Gourley, who was added to Great Brittan earlier this week on Thursday, made his first senior debut. Finishing in the 1,500 meters with a time of 3 minutes, 53.24 seconds, which was good enough to place third in the event.
It’s no surprise that Gourley was able to compete at a high level, as he ran anchor for the men’s DMR team that won the NCAA Indoor Championships earlier this year in March.
Harrison, who is the captain of U.S.A track and field, got off to a rough start in the 100-meter hurdles as she clipped the opening hurdle, which lead to her struggling on the second. The former Hokie kept her composure as she dug deep to finish third with a time of 12.99.
Skateboarding event July 21
The Christiansburg Aquatic Center and Greenhouse Boardshop are hosting a skateboarding contest at the Christiansburg Skate Park on Saturday, July 21.
Registration begins at 10 a.m. on July 21 and the contest will begin at 11 a.m. The $10 registration fee will include a free T-shirt.
There will be beginner, intermediate and advanced street categories.
The contest is being held in memory of Takota “Cody” Wright, a 19-year-old skateboarder who passed away in February of this year.
For more information, please contact the Christiansburg Aquatic Center by calling (540) 381-7665.