From staff reports
Jeremy Scott, a 6-foot-9 phenom who is nicknamed “El Grande,” has been training in Arkansas for the Olympic Trials and will vie for one of three spots for pole vaulters on the U.S. Olympic team that will compete in Beijing, China, on Aug. 8-24.
Scott is married to Salisbury’s Sarah Mayberry and is the son-in-law of local dentist Dr. David Mayberry. Scott, who has a degree in neuroscience, has put medical school on hold to pursue Olympic dreams.
Scott, 27, started his track career as a hurdler in Norfolk, Neb., but he switched to the pole vault as a sophomore and won a state championship as a senior in 1999 by clearing 15 feet, 3 inches.
He went to Division III Allegheny (Pa.) to study science and play tight end for the football team. He also competed in the pole vault, cleared 16-6 and won conference championships.
After his junior year, he gave up football, concentrated on the pole vault and made a quantum leap. He literally and figuratively raised the bar with a D-III indoor record of 18 feet at the Nationals.
In 2002, he qualified for the USA Championships. In 2003, he represented the U.S. in the World Championships.
A hamstring injury ruined Scott’s effort to qualify for the 2004 Olympics, but he cleared 18-10 earlier this month, which puts him among the contenders.
Scott, who is coached by three-time Olympian Earl Bell, will compete against 23 other elite vaulters in the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., on June 27 and 29. The top 12 vaulters advance on the 27th, and the top three competitors on the 29th make the team.
Brad Walker, who recently broke the American record by soaring 19-93/4, will be part of the field, along with former record-holder Jeff Hartwig.
– Hoskins wins tennis tournament
Salisbury’s Chad Hoskins won the N.C. State USTA junior qualifier for boys 14s. Hoskins defeated Kyle Johnson Jr. 6-2, 6-3 and Andrew Ely 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.
– Shore receives award
Davidson junior outfielder Brett Shore (South Rowan) shared the school’s Rick Smyre Hustle Award with Will General. Shore started all 50 games and batted .313 with a team-leading 35 runs. He had a team-high 63 hits and recorded 20 multiple-hit games.
– Intimidators lose
The Kannapolis Intimidators lost to Lexington 2-1 in front of 1,550 fans at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium on Thursday. Mark Fleisher’s first-inning double plated the only run for the Intimidators.
– Hoops Unlimited camps
The 15th Annual Hoops Unlimited Basketball Camp will be held at Richfield Elementary on June 16-19 (rising 2nd-5th grade girls and boys) and June 23-26 (rising 6th-9th grade girls and boys).
Camps also will be held at North Hills Christian July 7-10 (rising 2nd-5th graders) and July 14-17 (rising 6th-9th grade boys and girls)
The cost of the all-day camp is $95. Included is a camp T-shirt and “all you can eat” lunch daily. Camp director is Rick Roseman, former East Rowan varsity boys coach. Contact Roseman at 704-279-7334.
– Kyger leads qualifiers
Salisbury’s Johnny Kyger of Salisbury shot 2-under 70 and shared medalist honors at sectional qualifying in Selma for the 41st N.C. Junior Championships. Kyger advanced to play at Bradford Creek in Greenville on June 17-20.
* In qualifying at Statesville Country Club, local golfers failed to advance. The cutoff was 76. Roy Dixon shot 80, Nicholas Buckwell (Kannapolis) shot 82, and Troy Beaver and Alex Lee carded 83s.
– Bare wins Tarheel event
Andy Bare shot 65-61-65 ó 191 and won the Tarheel Tour stop at Warrior on Thursday and won $18,500. Elliot Gealy (Salisbury) tied for 20th with rounds of 64-70-68 ó 202 and won $1,537.50.
– Collins shoots 75
Will Collins (Salisbury) shot 75 and was eight shots back after the first round of the N.C. Amateur Championship at Raleigh Country Club.
– North football reunion
A North Rowan football alumni reunion is being planned. Contact Derrick Foxx at 704-264-4061 or dfoxx35@hotmail.com.