From staff reports
Softball pitcher Chelsea White (East Rowan) is making excellent progress after surgery to repair the torn ACL she suffered during the 3A state tournament in Raleigh.
White, a 5-foot-6 right-hander who was All-State three times and county player of the year four times, had surgery on July 6 and started rehab five days later.
She’s been off crutches for a while and has been working with RoMedical twice a week and with her pitching coach Chief Gerald on drills she can perform without putting weight on her front leg.
Chelsea’s father, Jimi, says she’s about two weeks ahead of where doctors expected her to be at this early stage of her rehab.
White signed with Elon last fall and Elon will take control of her rehab program once she reports to the school on Aug. 26.
Jimi White said it has been a tough summer for his daughter, who wasn’t able to play for the Carolina Cardinals, her nationally ranked summer travel team. It’s been her first summer away from the softball circle in many years, but she expects to be ready to go when Elon starts play in mid-February, 2012.
Local golf
Catherine Parks (Salisbury) was named to the National Golf Coaches Association Division III All-America Scholar Team.
Earlier, Parks was named to the 2011 Spring SCAC Academic Honor Roll. She plays for the Centre College team in Danville, Ky.
Appalachian State’s Lauren Smith (Salisbury) teamed with Hickory’s Brittany Zachrich to place 43rd at the Hooters Women’s Collegiate Team Championship held in Dahlonega, Ga.
Smith was a redshirt at Appalachian State last year after playing two seasons at UNC Greensboro. She had a 79.57 stroke average as a freshman and a 77.75 average as a sophomore.
Smith led Salisbury to state titles in 2005 and 2006.n Salisbury’s Charlie Barr, 8, finished second at the Pinehurst No. 8 US KIDS Junior Golf Tour Championship, shooting 45 for nine holes. He finished one shot back of Pinehurst’s Conlan Kane.
Minor leagues
Collin Kuhn’s second-inning grand slam led the Kannapolis Intimidators to a 4-3 win against Delmarva on Monday. First-place Kannapolis swept the series.
Daniel Wagner (South Rowan) collected his 10th double of the season for Winston-Salem and scored the only run for the Dash in Monday’s 3-1 loss to Wilmington. Wagner is batting .239.
Whit Merrifield (Davie) went 1-for-2 for Wilmington, with a sacrifice bunt and a walk. Merrifield is batting .266.
American Legion SE Regional
Gaffney, S.C., rolled through the Southeast Regional unbeaten, beating Bradenton, Fla., 14-6 for the championship on Monday. Both of Bradenton’s losses were to Gaffney.
Gaffney advances to the World Series which is scheduled to begin at Shelby’s Keeter Stadium on Aug. 12. Gaffney will open against Northeast champ Bedford, N.H.
See Scoreboard.
Youth baseball
The Dixie Youth World Series of Baseball gets under way on Friday at Hillcrest Park in Carthage, N.C.
Knox physicals
Physicals are offered to anyone wanting to play sports at Knox Middle School on Thursday from 5:30-6:30 p.m in the gym.
The cost is $15. Athletes are encouraged to arrive early to fill out paperwork. For more information, call 704-633-2922.
Carson football
Fans interested in purchasing reserve seating or parking for Carson football games should come to the school front office today or Wednesday from 5:30-7 p.m. or Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of next week from 5:30-7 p.m.
Call Jimmy Denton at 704-202-9389 for information.
New Cabarrus AD
Gary Calamari has been named athletics director for Cabarrus County.
Calamari has coached in Cabarrus since 1990 and served as athletics director at Mount Pleasant.
Parents meeting
Salisbury High is holding a meeting for all parents of students participating in fall sports (soccer, football, cross country, volleyball, girls tennis, girls golf and cheerleading).
The meeting is set for Sunday, Aug. 14, at 3 p.m. in the SHS cafeteria.
Coaches needed
Four coaches are needed for the East Rowan fall baseball league.
Coaches are needed to coach high school players for two games per weekend for eight weekends.
Coaches with interest should contact Brian Hightower at 704-880-7142.