From staff reports

Catawba College AD  Larry Leckonby, has announced the hiring of Chris Juergens as head coach for men’s and women’s tennis.

Juergens returns to his alma mater after serving as a private tennis instructor since 2011.

“We are excited to have someone with Chris’ background as head tennis coach,” Leckonby said. “When we started this search, one of our top priorities was to find someone who could help improve our players technically and in terms of tennis strategy. Chris seems to fill this role perfectly.”

A 1996 Catawba graduate, Juergens earned a degree in physical education.   

Juergens played four years at Catawba, going 48-25 in singles action and adding another 30 wins in doubles. His 19 wins as a senior was a school record at the time and still stands as the sixth-best total for singles wins in a season.

Juergens and his wife, Kimberly, reside in Summerfield, N.C. They have a daughter, Carter (17), and four sons; Tyler (14), Samuel (13), Michael (11) and Andrew (8).

College softball

Western Carolina’s Hunter Gibbons (West Rowan) was named to the NCCSIA All-State team.

Gibbons, a sophomore outfielder from Woodleaf, had a school-record 16 doubles. She batted .318 with nine homers and 40 RBIs and started all 48 games. She was second team All-Southern Conference.

Hurley YMCA

  Register now for fallsports.

Mighty Kickers

Registration: Now – Sept. 4

Boys and girls, ages 3-4

Cost: Y members $42

Potential members $70

Fall soccer

Registration: Now  – Sept. 4

Boys and girls, grades K-8

Cost: Y members $42

Potential members $70

Girls volleyball

Registration: Now – Sept. 4

Grades 4-8

Cost: Y members $42

Potential members $70

Register at the J.F. Hurley YMCA or online at www.rowanymca.org.  Contact Jesse Byrd at 704-738-5134 or Jbyrd@rowanymca.org.

Local golf

Entries for the 10th annual Rowan Junior Open close on Aug. 4.

The tournament will held Aug. 7-8 at The Club at Irish Creek and Warrior.

Entry fee is $80.

This year’s champion will qualify for the Joe Cheves Junior Invitational.

Minor leagues

Bryan Blanton (Catawba) hasn’t allowed a run in his first seven outings in pro ball.

The Yankees prospect has struck out seven with no walks and no earned runs. He’s 3-for-3 in save opportunities.

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The Chicago White Sox released Bobby Parnell (East Rowan).

Parnell, 32. struggled in his last two appearances at Charlotte. He posted an 11.48 ERA in 12  outings.

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Blue Jays prospect Colton Laws (Carson) has pitched in five game for Bluefield.

He’s 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA. In nine innings, Laws has struck out seven and walked one.

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Justin Seager, the middle  brother of the three Seager brothers from Northwest Cabarrus High, has been released by Seattle Mariners.

. The 32-year-old former Mets closer has struggled in the minors the last two seasons and looks like a long shot at this point to contribute in the majors ever again. Jul 24 – 5:56 PM