Eight student-athletes from Blacksburg High School signed letters of intent today to continue their craft in college. Ben Carroll, Sam Dickinson, Jakob Duncan, Cole Epperley, Logan Hudson, Anna Kender, Jacob Lucas and Melody Scales, all made it official during a special ceremony in the school’s library.
Carroll, a senior golfer, will sign a letter of intent to play golf and major in business management for Charleston Southern, part of the Big South Conference, in Charleston, South Carolina. A four-year starter for the golf team, Carroll was instrumental in the team’s 3A State championship in 2016, 4A State championship in 2017 and State runner-up trophy in 2018.
Carroll’s individual accolades include being selected first team All-State (2016,17), first team All-Region (2015,16,17,18), first team All-Conference (2015,16), 1st Team All-District (2017,18), 1st Team All-Metro (2016,17,18), first team All-Timesland (2016,17,18), River Ridge Player of the Year (2017), RRD Tournament medalist (2017), 3A State individual runner-up (2016), and 4A State individual third place (2017).
Duncan, a senior golfer, has committed to play golf and major in business administration for Maryville College, part of the USA South Conference, near Knoxville, Tennessee. A three-year starter for the Golf Team, Duncan was instrumental in the team’s 3A State championship in 2016, 4A State championship in 2017 and State runner-up trophy in 2018. Duncan’s individual accolades include being selected first team All-State (2017), first team All-Region (2017,18), first team All-District (2018), second team All -District (2017), and second team All-Timesland (2017).
Dickinson, a senior midfielder, has committed to play soccer and study at NCAA Division III perennial power Christopher Newport University located in Newport News, Virginia. As a junior, Dickinson was chosen First Team All-State by the VHSL, All-Timesland by the Roanoke Times, All-Region and All-District in leading the Bruins to its 13th State Championship (22-0 record) and a number four spring national ranking and number one Virginia ranking among all classifications.
Dickinson scored twice in the 2018 state championship match including the game winner and compiled 12 goals and led the team with 13 assists from his central midfield position. As a sophomore forward, Dickinson led the team in goals scored with 16 and collected 5 assists as the Bruins were conference and region champions, and state runners-up. For his efforts, Dickinson was named First Team All-Conference and an Honorable Mention All-Region choice.
As a freshman, Dickinson earned a call up to the Varsity for a post-season run to a state runner-up finish following an outstanding JV campaign. Dickinson’s academic record has significantly contributed to the Blacksburg Boys Soccer team’s receipt of the Team Academic Award by the United Soccer Coaches (formerly the National Soccer Coaches Association of America) in each of the past 3 years.
Epperley, a senior linebacker, has committed to play football and major in Education at Averett University located in Danville. Averett University is a member of the USA South Conference. Epperley has a 3.2 GPA and will be receiving a Founder’s Scholarship and Educational Scholarship.
As well as being a three-year letterman in football, Epperley lettered three years in basketball and was selected to the 2017 All District Team. A four-year member of the Bruin football program, Epperley earned his first varsity letter as a sophomore. He was an active member of the 2016 State Championship Football Team. His junior season, he helped lead the team to an 11-2 record and a River Ridge District Championship.
Following that season, Epperley was selected to the All-County, All-District, and All-Region 4D Team. His senior season, he helped lead the team to a 13-1 record while reaching the State-Semifinals and becoming the winningest senior class in Blacksburg Football history. Following the 2018 season, Epperley was selected to the All-County, All-District, and All-Region 4D Team. He was the #9 ranked linebacker in the Appalachia Prep Combine and was selected to the 2018 All Appalachia Prep Combine Defensive team
Hudson, a senior linebacker and H-Back, will sign a letter of intent to play football and study at Concord University located in Athens, West Virginia. Concord University is a member of the Mountain East Conference. Hudson is a four-year member of the Bruin football program, earning his first varsity letter as a sophomore. He was an active member of the 2016 State Championship Football Team.
As a junior, Hudson helped lead the Bruins to an 11-2 record and a River Ridge District Championship and as a senior he helped lead the team to a 13-1 record while reaching the State-Semifinals and becoming the winningest class in Blacksburg Football history.
Kender, a senior on the Blacksburg High School Track and Field team, will sign a letter of intent to continue her track career and study at Bucknell University located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. She plans to major in Economics and take courses in business and international studies. Bucknell is a member of the NCAA Division One Patriot League.
Kender currently holds the Blacksburg High School indoor and outdoor records and has been a 5-time state finalist in pole vault, placing in the top four at the indoor and outdoor state championship meets during both her sophomore and junior years.
She also placed third at the state 4A indoor track championships in the 500-meter race and has been a two-time state outdoor finalist in the 400-meter race, placing seventh as a junior. Kender was also a member of Blacksburg’s state-finalist 4×400 and 4×800 meter relay teams, including the indoor 4×800 team that qualified for the New Balance Nationals in her junior year.
Outside of track and field, Kender has played saxophone in the marching band, jazz band, and saxophone quartet, as well as clarinet in the Symphonic Band and Concert Band. She was the section leader for the saxophones and mellophones in the marching band during her senior year and played clarinet in the all-county band during her junior year. Kender is a member of the National Honor Society, DECA, and the Technology Student Association, and was part of a BHS team that designed two experiments launched on a NASA rocket in 2018.
Lucas, a senior offensive tackle, has committed to play football and study at Ferrum College. Ferrum College is a member of the ODAC Conference. A four-year member of the Bruin football program, Lucas earned his first varsity letter as a sophomore. He was an active member of the 2016 state championship football team.
His junior season, he helped lead the team to an 11-2 record and a River Ridge District Championship. His senior season, he helped lead the team to a 13-1 record while reaching the State-Semifinals and becoming the winningest class in Blacksburg Football history. Lucas was also selected 1st Team All-District and 2nd Team All-Region 4D his senior season.
Scales, a senior Setter, will sign to play volleyball and study at Xavier University located in New Orleans, Louisiana. She plans to major in Biology Pre-Medicine.
A two-year starter on the varsity volleyball team, Scales produced 869 assists and 722 digs during her career at Blacksburg High School. Melody was a member of two state tournament bound teams in 2017 and 2018. She earned the honors of 2nd team All-Conference 2018 for her role as a Defensive Specialist during the 2018 season.
–Blacksburg High School
