Sports

The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Football program had a very solid season in 2015 as they rebounded with a 7-3 record overall, just coming up short of making yet another appearance in the NAIA Football Championship Series. Numerous Patriots would have stellar campaigns this year, but one Patriot continues to stand out with his explosiveness and athleticism as he now has moved on to pursue a career in the National Football League. The Houston Texans have reached a free agent deal with former University of the Cumberlands wide receiver Wendall Williams (Syracuse, NY), one of the fastest incoming rookies in the country. Williams ran hand timed 40-yard dash in...

In this week’s Senior Spotlight we meet the senior leaders on the Lynn Camp High School baseball and softball teams. The baseball Wildcats are being led in 2016 by three seniors – Tyler Emery, Justin Taylor and Austyn Weddle. The Bat Cats have taken a big step up from last year, already having nine wins on their record, as opposed to 2015’s three-win season. As of Monday, May 2, they boast two wins over13th Region opponent Oneida Baptist Institute, one win over 51st District opponent Pineville and two shutout victories over Jellico, TN, among others. Austyn Weddle, 17, is in his first season with the Lynn Camp baseball team, but he has...

On Tuesday, May 3, senior Corbin Lady Hound Candice Gulley signed with the University of the Cumberlands women’s basketball program. Gulley has enjoyed a very successful career at Corbin, helping the girls’ basketball team win four straight 50th District titles, as well as 13th Region titles in 2013 and 2014. When asked about bringing Gulley on board, UC women’s basketball Head Coach Melissa Irvin said, “We feel like Candice will be a great addition to our program. She has been coming to our camps since age seven, and when she chose us we were all thrilled. She has had a great career at Corbin.” “We believe Candice’s best days are ahead of...

These photos were taken at the 2016 SEKC track & field meet, held at Knox Central High School on Friday, April 29.

The 2016 high school tennis season is nearing its end. Team region champions have been determined, and we are now just a little more than a couple of weeks away from state competition. Two local players, Joe Chaffman and Kaitlyn Taylor, are looking to make the most of the time that they have left on the court this spring. Chaffman, from Whitley County High School, is 18-years-old and has been playing tennis for 3 years. He says that he decided to give the sport a try after several people convinced him to do so. When asked about what he enjoys most about playing, he said that he has liked the...

It’s good to be the champs… The Corbin tennis program has built a strong tradition of winning over the past several years, and this past week they added to that rich history with a pair of 13th Region team championships. Team competition saw a new format beginning in 2016, with all schools fitting into brackets via a blind draw that took place before the season began. Each match of the tournament featured three singles and two doubles matchups, with the first team to pick up three victories moving on. Everything kicked off back on April 11, with the last matches taking place this past Monday evening. The Corbin boys defeated Pineville and Harlan...

The Corbin Redhounds baseball team is on a mission this spring. They want to win district and region titles, and with the leadership of four talented seniors, they may do just that. Michael May, 18, said, “As a senior, I have to be a good leader and set a good example. I play pitcher and second base, and I try to be a good bat for the team.” Before the season’s first district game against the South Laurel Cardinals, May said that he and the Hounds try to approach each game with the same mentality, which is to come in, play their game and not underestimate any opponent. He also commented...

Coverage area baseball teams returned from Spring Break beach trips this week to open up play in their respective districts. In the 50th District, the Whitley County Colonels started things off Monday by hosting their rivals from across town – the Williamsburg Yellow Jackets. Both teams were coming off of productive Spring Break trips, with the Colonels traveling to Myrtle Beach, SC and the Jackets traveling to Cocoa Beach, FL. The early stages of Monday’s contest favored the visitors, as Williamsburg would take a 4-1 lead after one inning. Whitley began to battle back in the second, however, scoring two runs to cut the Jacket lead to 4-3. The Colonel offense...

This week we meet five senior athletes from Whitley County High School – three from the Colonel baseball team, and two from the Lady Colonels softball team. The baseball Colonels kicked off district play this week with a big 15-5 victory over crosstown rivals Williamsburg. It was the first step in what Whitley hopes will be a championship season in 2016. Leading the way this season are three talented seniors – Michael Wayne Harris, Casey Crisologo and Jared Partin. Partin, 19, is an outfielder and pitcher for the Colonels. He has been playing baseball since age five, and said recently that being a senior this year really means a lot to...

This From the Sidelines column appeared in the April 13, 2016 edition of the News Journal: On Sunday, I drove over to Monticello and spent the afternoon shooting pictures of the Corbin “Reelin’ Redhounds” bass fishing team in action on Lake Cumberland. It still amazes me that high schoolers can now win state championships and earn college scholarships through their involvement in activities such as fishing and archery. It’s really cool, but why stop there? There are plenty of other activities that would make excellent additions to the ever-growing list of officially sanctioned sports in our state. How about go-kart racing? There are several legit kart racing leagues and clubs out...