area sports briefs: Kygers lead qualifying

Published 12:00 am Saturday, August 27, 2011

From staff reports
The team of John Kyger-Johnny Kyger shot 65 in Saturday qualifying for the Labor Day 4-Ball Tournament at the Country Club of Salisbury.
The Kygers currently have the low score, with qualifying set to conclude today.
Roy Dixon and Glenn Dixon shot 66 on Friday.
Troy Beaver-Alex Nianouris, Mallory McDaniel-Jim Christy and Keith Dorsett-Michael Dorsett have fired 68s, while Joey Boley-Richard Cobb and Jay Stevens-Wally Eidson have carded 69s.
n Leading Senior Division qualifying is the team of Russ Priddy-Kip Honeycutt with a 73. Ed Cook-Cliff Ritchie shot 75.
n Leading Womenís Division qualifying was the team of Allison Dupree-Grace Yatawara at 75.
n College football
Sophomore running back Jon Crucitti (West Rowan) figures to be a big part of Armyís special teams this season.
Crucitti has been working as a first team deep man on kickoff returns and is also part of the Cadetsí ěhands teamî when an onside kick is anticipated.
n Arkansas sophomore Chris Smith (West) enters the season as a second team defensive end, backing up Tenarius Wright.
The 6-foot-3, 251-pound Smith was clocked in a sizzling 4.49 seconds in the 40 when Arkansas tested players.
n As expected, Virginia redshirt freshman K.P. Parks (West) enters the season as the primary backup at tailback to junior captain Perry Jones, so he should get significant carries.
n Appalachian State lists big Gordy Witte (Salisbury) as the starter at left defensive end. Witte is 6-6, 315.
ASU lists sophomore Jamill Lott (A.L. Brown) as the second team ëZí receiver, backing up Andrew Peacock. The ëZí is similar to the traditional flanker, a receiver lining up behind the line of scrimmage.
n Five area players are listed on the roster of nationally ranked Wingate, led by guard Austin Lowe (West Rowan). Lowe, a returning starter, was a second team pick on the preseason All-SAC team.
Running back Thomas Lowe, who enjoyed a tremendous prep career at East Rowan and South Rowan, will suit up for the Bulldogs this season.
Defensive lineman Josh Patch (East), offensive lineman Jo So (Salisbury) and defensive back Josh Moss (A.L. Brown) are the other returners.
n UNC Pembroke is expected to get contributions from four area players, including A.L. Brown transfers Jonathan Efird and T.J. Johnson.
Efird is a junior quarterback, who transferred from Western Carolina. Johnson (6-1, 205) arrived at UNCP after a stint at Garden City Community College and is listed as a sophomore wideout.
Sophomore Ben DeCelle (East Rowan) returns as a receiver, and 235-pound redshirt freshman linebacker Cadarreus Mason (South Rowan) was a Spring Game beast.
n Zach Long (Davie) returns as a sophomore defensive back for Lenoir-Rhyne. Other potential contributors for the Bears are redshirt freshman fullback Isaiah ěIkeî Whitaker (Salisbury) and true freshman linebacker Andrew Leslie (A.L. Brown).
n True freshman DB Eric Cowan (West) and true freshman linebacker Quentin Sifford could be factors for West Liberty State.
n True freshman QB John Knox could see action at the University of Charleston in West Virginia.
n Methodistís roster includes true freshman quarterback Zack Gragg (Carson) and true freshman defensive lineman Dominique Phifer (A.L. Brown).
n Junior running back Malcolm Gaither (West) returns for Greensboro College.
n Senior linebacker Chase Burris (East) and junior wide receiver Anthony Bowles (South) are returners at Averett.
n Guilfordís roster includes true freshman linebacker Jordan Farmer (Davie) and true freshman offensive lineman Daniel McFaddin (A.L. Brown).
n Minor leagues
Bristolís Keegan Linza (North Rowan) picked up his second save on Saturday by getting the last four outs in a 4-3 win against Princeton.
Linza got a strikeout to end the eighth and protected the lead in the ninth with the help of his defense. The second out of the inning came when a runner was out at third, trying to stretch a double.
Linza (3.57 ERA) also pitched a scoreless ninth to finish a 13-7 win against Princeton on Friday.
n Daniel Wagner (South Rowan) went 2-for-5 as Winston-Salem swept a Friday doubleheader against Myrtle Beach. Wagner stole his 22nd base.
n Whit Merrifield (Davie) had two hits for Wilmington on Friday, including his 28th double.
n The Kannapolis Intimidators won 7-6 in 10 innings at Augusta.
Dan Blackís homer in the 10th decided it. Keenyn Walker and Trayce Thompson had two RBIs each.
n College cross country
Freshman Ashley-Kate Kesler (East Rowan) will be competing this fall for Meredith cross country.
n College volleyball
Shanna Stewart (Carson) was one of the leaders for Johnson & Wales in Saturdayís loss to Emmanuel.