S P R I N G S P O R T S

U CH S 2 0 19 S E A S O N P R E V I E W

Baseball
coach
has high
expectations
STORY ON PAGE 2-C

Softball
coach
expects
success
STORY ON PAGE 5-C

Seasoned
team returns
for soccer
program
STORY ON PAGE 7-C

Experience
returns
for tennis
teams
STORY ON PAGE 9-C

UCHS alum
takes over
track
program
STORY ON PAGE 11-C

Photo of Allee
Griffith contributed
by Anthony Piercy
Sponsored by:

A Special Supplement of The Erwin Record • March 20, 2019

 Page 2-C • A Special Supplement to The Erwin Record • Wednesday, March 20, 2019

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

VARSITY BASEBALL

Erwin Record Staff Photo by Keeli Parkey

The 2019 Unicoi County High School Blue Devil baseball team includes, pictured from left, back row, assistant coach Ben Peterson, assistant coach Travis Griffith, L.J.
Mitchell, Brett Strother, Peyton Whitson, Dakoda Bell, Robbie O’Dell, head coach Chad Gillis and assistant coach Keith Greer; front row, Kody Lewis, Jordan Bridges, Darren
Soulier, Kaleb Metcalf, Caleb Crain, Keaton Casey, Ramon Avila, Garrett Manuel and Drew Keasling.

Coach has high expectations for 2019

By Keeli Parkey
Managing Editor
kparkey@erwinrecord.net
Keeping with tradition, the ex-
pectations are high for the Unicoi
County High School baseball team
in the 2019 season.
“As we do every year, I expect
to be in the top of the conference
during the regular season,” Blue
Devil head coach Chad Gillis told
The Erwin Record. “I feel like we
have the ability to compete and
win within the conference.”
The 2018 season saw the Blue
Devils post a record of 20-15 and
take second place in the District
1-AA tournament before being
eliminated by Greeneville – the
team that finished tops in the 2018
state tournament.
“I feel like we had a good sea-
son last year,” Gillis said. “Sure,
we didn’t go as far as we wanted/
expected to, but we battled and
accomplished some goals. Getting
put out by Greeneville, the eventu-
al state champs, was disappointing
because we felt like we were even-
ly matched, but that’s the game of
baseball. If we work on our mental
approach/toughness I could fore-
see us being as successful as we
want to be.”
Key to the Blue Devils’ success in
2019 will be pitching, according to
Gillis.
“Pitching sets the tone for every
game. We have two, experienced
starters going on Mondays and
Tuesdays in Peyton Whitson and
Keyton Casey,” Gillis said. “If we
have strong pitching, I feel like we
can play with anybody. We have
yet to see how much offense we can
consistently produce, because the
lack of scrimmages, but I feel like
it will all depend on our pitching
and defense. We can manufacture
runs, but our success will depend
on pitching and defense.”
Whitson, a junior, and Casey, a
senior, will be the starting pitch-
ers for Three Rivers Conference
games.
“They both have strong arms
and are seasoned guys that know
how to win,” Gillis said.
Other pitchers will be senior Ca-
leb Crain, senior Brett Strother,
junior Darren Soulier, sophomore
Kaleb Metcalf, sophomore Jordan
Bridges, sophomore Robbie O’Dell
and junior Ramon Avila.
“We have some good arms and
a lot of guys that know how to in-
duce ground ball and fly ball outs,”
Gillis said. “Getting varsity experi-
ence over the next few months will
be key for our younger pitchers,
but they have the talent to compete
day in and day out.”
The 2019 Blue Devil team is a mix
of experience and inexperience.
“We have some strong, experi-
enced returners. Strother and Ca-
sey in the outfield helps us to have
a very fast outfield with two strong
arms,” Gillis said. “Pitching will
be a strength, but could also be a
weakness in that we will be throw-
ing a lot of young arms late in the
week. We are starting four or five
guys each game that have never
started or played a varsity game. I
can see us improving with the guys
we have, but we are just going to
have to get those young guys game
reps. Our returning upperclass-
men must help teach/coach these
guys throughout the season. They
have to be the ones to set the exam-
ple on how each position is played
and the work that must go into be-
ing successful.”
The UCHS defense will include
senior Drew Keasling, junior Da-
koda Bell and Crain behind the
plate.
“Drew was a spot starter last
year and has done a great job so
far as the everyday starter,” Gillis
said.
Junior L.J. Mitchell will start at
third base. O’Dell and Keasling
will both see time there. Avila,
Crain and O’Dell will all see time at
shortstop.
“Ramon played some second
base last year and has transitioned
well to the shortstop position,”
Gillis said. “Caleb Crain, Jordan
Bridges and Robbie O’Dell will
share time and second base. Ca-
leb is a returning starter at second
base. He has done a great job over
the last two years.”
Playing at first base will be se-
nior Garrett Manuel, Whitson and
Metcalf.
“Our outfield will consist of Brett
Strother, Keaton Casey, Darren
Soulier, Jordan Bridges, (junior)
Kody Lewis and Peyton Whitson,”
Gillis said. “Casey, Strother and
Whitson are all returning starters
in the outfield, but all will see some
time based on our pitching situa-
tion.”
The Blue Devils should also be
solid offensively.
“We have a competitive lineup,”
Gillis said. “The key will be to get
guys on base for Strother, Manuel,
Whitson and Casey. We do have
some power with these four guys
and we will count on the other five
to find ways on base. Caleb Crain
and Ramon Avila will be atop the
lineup, both being contact guys
that know how to put the ball in
play. Drew Keasling is a returner
who had some big games offensive-
ly as a junior.”
Leading the way for the team
will be its seniors – Crain, Manuel,
Strother, Keasling and Casey.
“All of the seniors have had suc-
cess in previous seasons and will
play a major role this season,” Gillis
said. “We not only depend on their
talent and play, but their leadership
will be needed with so many young
guys getting playing time. This is
a great group of seniors who have
worked hard during their time in
the program.”
The Blue Devils will compete
in a league against Elizabethton,
Happy Valley, Johnson County,
Sullivan Central, Sullivan East and
Sullivan South.
“Elizabethton has multiple re-
turners who had a lot of playing
time last season,” Gillis said. “They
are probably the favorite, but I feel
like the rest of the conference is
decently even. I feel like we can
beat anybody in our conference
if we play to our ability and limit
mistakes and freebies. In my five
years, it has always come down to
the last week of games to deter-
mine conference championships.
I don’t see that being any different
this year.”
Serving as assistant coaches this
season are Keith Greer, Travis
Griffith, Ben Peterson and Greg
Van Tassel.
As the 2019 season moves ahead,
Gillis said the team and coaching
staff appreciate the backing of the
community.
“I just want to thank the com-
munity for all of the donations and
support we have been given,” Gil-
lis said.
The Blue Devils opened the 2019
season on March 11 with a 7-3
Three Rivers Conference victory
over Sullivan South.
“I was really unsure of what to
expect today,” Gillis said. “We only
had the chance to scrimmage one
time in the preseason and that was
the first week. This is also a newer
group of guys with the varsity and
the first start for many of them.”
Whitson got the win on the
mound. He gave up 3 hits and
struck out 6. He also went 3-3 at
the plate with one double.
Please see COACH, Page 13

“As we do every year, I expect to be in the top of the conference ...”

– Chad Gillis, head coach

The Following Sponsors Would Like To

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 Page 3-C • A Special Supplement to The Erwin Record • Wednesday, March 20, 2019

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

VARSITY BASEBALL

Ramon Avila Dakoda Bell Jordan Bridges Keaton Casey Caleb Crain
Junior Junior Sophomore Senior Senior

Drew Keasling Kody Lewis Garrett Manuel Kaleb Metcalf L.J. Mitchell
Senior Junior Senior Sophomore Junior

Robbie O’Dell Darren Soulier Brett Strother Peyton Whitson

Sophomore Junior Senior Junior

Chad Gillis Keith Greer Travis Griffith Ben Peterson

Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach

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 Page 4-C • A Special Supplement to The Erwin Record • Wednesday, March 20, 2019

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

JUNIOR VARSITY BASEBALL

Erwin Record Staff Photo by Keeli Parkey

The 2019 Unicoi County High School Blue Devil junior varsity baseball team includes, back row, pictured from left, coach Greg Van Tassel, Isaiah Smith, Ezekial Fulton,
Damien Pruitt and Howard Hensdill; front row, Matt Priolo, Andrew Foster, Cody Rainbolt, Will Hensley and Bryson Peterson.

Andrew Foster Ezekial Fulton Howard Hensdill Will Hensley Bryson Peterson
Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Freshman

Matt Priolo Damien Pruitt Cody Rainbolt Isaiah Smith Greg Van Tassel
Sophomore Freshman Freshman Freshman Junior Varsity Coach

The Following Sponsors Would Like To

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Compliments of John English and the Unicoi County Board of Education

Tyler Engle • Glenn Fisher • Steve Scott • Cathy Thomas • Tammy Tipton • Steve Willis
 Page 5-C • A Special Supplement to The Erwin Record • Wednesday, March 20, 2019

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

SOFTBALL

Contributed photo by Anthony Piercy

The 2019 Unicoi County High School Lady Devil softball program includes, pictured from left, back row, Bella Bogart, Alison Hensley, Gabby Davis, Jimena Rodriguez,
Kaylia Street, Caroline Podvin, Ashtan Vance, Samantha Chavez, Leah Edney, Abbie Grindstaff, Kiley Bennett and Kaylee Lamb; middle row, Kerstin Buchanan, Betsabe
Chavez, assistant coach Pat Goddard, head coach Grady Lingerfelt, assistant coach Ray Webb, assistant coach Tanya Chavez, Hannah Shelton and Rachel Hatcher;
front row, Carly Kinsler, Chloe Powers, Allee Griffith and Cassie Selvage; not pictured, Halie Hawkins.

Lingerfelt expects another successful season

By Keeli Parkey
Managing Editor
kparkey@erwinrecord.net
The 2019 Unicoi County High
School softball team will be re-
placing six starters from a team
that hosted a substate game last
season. But head coach Grady
Lingerfelt believes the group of
Lady Devils has what it takes to
continue to be successful.
“Our returning players are very
good,” Lingerfelt told The Erwin
Record. “I think we can be a very
good team.”
Leading the way for the Lady
Devils this season will be a group
of five seniors – Allee Griffith,
Halie Hawkins, Carly Kinsler,
Chloe Powers and Cassie Selvage.
Griffith will be the team’s main
pitcher and throw most games
this season. When not pitching,
Griffith will play at first base. She
will also hit cleanup. Hawkins,
who is splitting time between
the softball and track programs
this spring, returns as the Lady
Devils’ catcher and leadoff hit-
ter. Kinsler will play first base and
Selvage will play second. Powers
will play in leftfield and may also
pitch.
Also expected to start on varsi-
ty this season for the Lady Devils
are junior Kiley Bennett at third
base, junior Ashtan Vance in
right field, sophomore Samantha
Chavez in centerfield and fresh-
man Betsabe Chavez at shortstop.
“We are a very good defensive
team,” Lingerfelt said. “We have a
good player at every position.”
These nine players are expect-
ed to play varsity day-in and day-
out, but there are several other
players who are also expected
to see varsity time. Junior Abbie
Grindstaff will pitch varsity in-
nings. Her fellow juniors, Bel-
la Bogart, Gabby Davis, Kaylee
Lamb and Kaylia Street are also
on varsity and will play on the ju-
nior varsity squad, as well.
“That will give them a lot of ex-
perience,” Lingerfelt said.
The sophomore class includes
Leah Edney, Alison Hensley and
Caroline Podvin. Freshmen on
the team are Kerstin Buchanan,
Rachel Hatcher, Jimena Rodri-
guez and Hannah Shelton.
“They are all good kids,” Lin-
gerfelt said.
To make it late in the postsea-
son, the Lady Devils will need to
play well in all facets of the game.
“Pitching is key,” Lingerfelt said.
“But, we have to play good de-
fense and hit the ball. We have to
do all of that well.”
Serving as assistant coaches
this season are Pat Goddard, Ray
Webb and Tanya Chavez.
The Lady Devils will again com-
pete in a conference against Eliz-
abethton, Happy Valley, Johnson
County, Sullivan Central, Sulli-
van East and Sullivan South.
Lingerfelt said Sullivan East
was a preseason favorite to win
the league with his team and Eliz-
abethton also competing for the
title.
A rainy preseason limited
preparations for the 2019 season,
but that hasn’t stopped Linger-
felt’s team from being successful
early in the season – winning the
first three games – despite not
hitting the ball as well as they can.
“Rain really limited us,” Lin-
gerfelt said. “We haven’t hit real
well because we didn’t get to see
live pitching much. Both of our
play days got rained out.”
The head coach said he expects
the team to find a rhythm at the
plate sooner rather than later.
“They can all hit,” Lingerfelt
said.
The Lady Devils opened the
2019 season with a 6-1 conference
victory over Johnson County in
Erwin on March 12. Griffith got
the win for UCHS with 8 strike-
outs. She also went 2-3 at the plate
with a homerun and 2 RBIs. Haw-
kins was 3-4 at the plate. Saman-
tha Chavez had a solo homerun.
Vance and Bennett (2 RBIs) each
had 2 hits. Powers had 1 hit.
The team earned another con-
ference win at Sullivan Central on
March 14. A 10-run third inning
and 17 total hits in the game lifted
the Lady Devils to a 14-1 victory.
Powers had 5 RBIs on 3 hits, in-
cluding a triple in the win. Haw-
kins and Selvage were both 3-3 at
the plate with an RBI each. Kins-
ler had 2 hits and 2 RBIs. Saman-
tha Chavez and Street each had 1
hit and 1 RBI. Bennett had 1 RBI.
Griffith earned the win and gave
up only 3 hits.
On Monday, March 18, the
Lady Devils trounced Sullivan
East – the preseason favorite to
win the conference – 13-2. Lin-
gerfelt’s team took control of the
game with a 7-run second inning
and closed the game with a 4-run
fifth inning.
Hawkins went 3-3 with a
homerun and 4 RBIs in the win.
Kinsler had 3 hits with 2 RBIs.
Selvage (2 RBIs), Griffith (1 RBI)
and Powers (1 RBI) each had 2
hits. Samantha Chavez (1 RBI),
Betsabe Chavez, Vance and Ben-
nett (1 RBI) each had 1 hit.
The Lady Devils hosted Hap-
py Valley in conference action on
Tuesday, March 19, after The Er-
win Record’s press deadline for
this issue.
They are scheduled to host Sci-
ence Hill on Wednesday, March
20, and travel to Sullivan South on
Thursday, March 21; both games
are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
The Lady Devils will end the
week playing in the East Tennes-
see Classic on Friday, March 22,
and Saturday, March 23,
They will play in the annu-
al Eastman Tournament from
March 28-March 31.

“We have a good player at every position.”

– Grady Lingerfelt, head coach

The Following Sponsors Would Like To

Wish The Blue Devils Good Luck This Season!
 Page 6-C • A Special Supplement to The Erwin Record • Wednesday, March 20, 2019

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

SOFTBALL

Kiley Bennett Bella Bogart Kerstin Buchanan Betsabe Chavez Samantha Chavez
Junior Junior Freshman Freshman Sophomore

Gabby Davis Leah Edney Allee Griffith Abbie Grindstaff Rachel Hatcher
Junior Sophomore Senior Junior Freshman

Halie Hawkins Alison Hensley Carly Kinsler Kaylee Lamb Caroline Podvin
Senior Sophomore Senior Junior Sophomore

Chloe Powers Jimena Rodriguez Cassie Selvage Hannah Shelton Kaylia Street
Senior Freshman Senior Freshman Junior

Have A Great Season UCHS Blue Devils!

Ashtan Vance Grady Lingerfelt Tanya Chavez Pat Goddard Ray Webb
Junior Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach

Photos contributed by Anthony Piercy

The Following Sponsors Would Like To

Wish The Blue Devils Good Luck This Season!
Town of Erwin
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 Page 7-C • A Special Supplement to The Erwin Record • Wednesday, March 20, 2019

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

SOCCER

Erwin Record Staff Photo by Keeli Parkey

The 2019 Unicoi County High School Blue Devil soccer team includes, back row, pictured from left, assistant coach Victor Chirica, Jordan Hensley, Thomas Byrd, Lupe
Sandoval, Javier Castellon, Daniel Meza, John Andrade, Juan Ponce, Victor Reynosa, Tristian Avila, Bryan Espinoza, manager Ernesto Soto and head coach Justin Ciralsky;
front row, Demecio Rodriguez, Cesar Soto, Juan Andrade, Miguel Vasquez, Daniel Raygosa, Jose Ramirez, Jesus Perez, Matt Hensley, Armando Saldana and Ivan Padilla;
not pictured Eloy Garcia, Jason Guterrez and Martin Porras.

Coach: ‘We have a seasoned team’

By Keeli Parkey
Managing Editor
kparkey@erwinrecord.net
After ending the 2018 season
with a loss in the district tour-
nament, the Unicoi County High
School Blue Devil soccer team is
working hard to improve on those
results.
“We have been conditioning
throughout the year and the boys
have been getting together on
their own and playing through-
out the year,” head coach Justin
Ciralsky told The Erwin Record.
“We had a very rainy preseason so
practice has been tough. We have
been very creative in finding plac-
es to practice so we are excited for
the nice weather to come.”
An experienced squad will take
the field for Ciralsky this season.
“We have a seasoned team with
lots of senior leadership,” Ciral-
sky said. “Their experience and
leadership will be essential to our
success this season. Our expec-
tations are to continue to grow
throughout the season and make
it to the state tournament.”
This season is just the fourth
in the history of the UCHS soc-
cer program. While the team has
had success, including a district
championship and substate berth
in 2017, player development is a
challenge, according to Ciralsky.
“One of our biggest hurdles is
player development,” he added.
“We don’t currently have a feeder
program so I have been pleased
with this year’s team and how
they are investing in the young-
er players at the high school and
middle school.”
Seniors on the 2019 team this
season are: Jordan Hensley, Jason
Gutierrez, Daniel Meza, Demecio
Rodriguez, Martin Porras, Juan
Ponce and John Andrade.
“These seniors have now been
with us for four years, so they
know and understand the expec-
tations and have worked hard to
teach the new players how the
program works,” Ciralsky said.
Players expected to make im-
portant contributions on offense
for the Blue Devils this season are
Daniel Meza, Martin Porras, Ar-
mando Saldana and Juan Ponce.
Defensive contributors are ex-
pected to be goalie Bryan Espi-
noza, Miguel Vasquez, John An-
drade, Demecio Rodriguez, Jason
Gutierrez and Ivan Diaz.
The Blue Devils will compete in
a conference against Elizabeth-
ton, Greeneville, Sullivan Central,
Sullivan South and Volunteer.
“South and Elizabethton are
always good games that are su-
per important for the conference
tournament,” Ciralsky said.
Two factors will be key to the
Blue Devils’ success in 2019.
“Hard work and focus,” Ciral-
sky said. “Stand as one is more
than a motto. It’s our expectation
for the year. We don’t have one or
two players who are the stars of
the team. We are developing the
whole team and we will win and
lose as one.”
Other players on the 2019 Blue
Devil soccer team are: fresh-
man Bryan Espinoza, freshman
Ivan Padilla, sophomore Miguel
Vasquez, sophomore Matt Hens-
ley, sophomore Thomas Byrd,
junior Armando Saldana, sopho-
more Lupe Sandoval, sophomore
Daniel Raygosa, sophomore Javi-
er Castellon, sophomore Jesus
Perez, freshman Tristian Avila,
sophomore Jose Ramirez, fresh-
man Victor Reynosa, freshman
Cesar Soto and sophomore Eloy
Garcia.
Serving as an assistant coach
again this season is Victor Chirica.
The Blue Devils opened the sea-
son with a 2-1 loss to Union High
School on March 12 in Erwin.
“We were not focused and we
didn’t take the game seriously,”
Ciralsky said. “The other team ex-
ploited that. They took four shots
and scored 2. We took 34 shots
and scored 1.”
Ciralsky’s team bounced back
on March 14 with a 7-2 victory
over KACHEA at home. The Blue
Devils held a 5-0 lead at halftime.
“We played much better,” he
said. “We moved the ball well
and were focused throughout the
game.”
In the second half, Ciralsky was
able to play the team’s less experi-
enced players.
“It was good experience for
them,” Ciralsky said.
They were scheduled to host
Greeneville on Tuesday, March
19, and University High in Erwin
at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 21.
They will also host Volunteer on
Tuesday, March 26, at 6 p.m.

“We have a seasoned team with lots of senior leadership. ... Our expectations are
to continue to grow throughout the season and make it to the state tournament.”
– Justin Ciralsky, head coach

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 Page 8-C • A Special Supplement to The Erwin Record • Wednesday, March 20, 2019

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

SOCCER

John Andrade Juan Andrade Tristan Avila Thomas Byrd Javier Castellon
Senior Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Sophomore

Bryan Espinoza Jason Gutierrez Jordan Hensley Matt Hensley Daniel Meza
Freshman Senior Senior Sophomore Senior

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Freshman Sophomore Senior Sophomore Sophomore

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Freshman Senior Junior Sophomore Freshman

Miguel Vasquez Ernesto Soto Justin Ciralsky Victor Chirica

Sophomore Manager Head Coach Assistant Coach

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 Page 9-C • A Special Supplement to The Erwin Record • Wednesday, March 20, 2019

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

TENNIS

Experience returns for UCHS tennis teams

By Keeli Parkey
Managing Editor
kparkey@erwinrecord.net

Despite a preseason that was less

than ideal, head coach Johnathan Ken-
ney is hopeful that the 2019 tennis sea-
son will be a strong one for the Unicoi
County High School squads.
“We have had a few kids go take some
private lessons and had a few practic-
es,” Kenney told The Erwin Record.
“Weather has been really rough on us
to start the season; between the wet
weather and only having two courts, it
has been a struggle.”
Luckily, the team has a mix of experi-
enced players and new athletes, which
Kenney said will be assets
“Four of our seven boys and eight of
our 10 girls are returning players. So,
experience this year is stronger for
us than it was last year,” Kenney said.
“We were able to get some multi-sport
athletes to come out this year, and I be-
lieve that will prove to be a big help.”
Leading the way for the Lady Devils
will be junior Brandonlyn Thomas and
senior Taylor Thomas.
“I expect Brandolyn and Taylor to
play well for us this year and be com-
petitive in most of their matches,” Ken-
ney said. “(Junior) Kate (Hollenbeck)
has shown some improvement also,
and is looking to move up in the roster.”
Also on the ladies’ team this season
are: senior Katherine Altemose, soph-
omore Meagan Buskey, junior Natalia Erwin Record Staff Photos by Keeli Parkey
Hernandez, junior Katlyn Higgins,
freshman Lily Hollenbeck, junior Ber- The 2019 Unicoi County High School Blue Devil tennis team includes, pictured from left, Daniel Shults, Ben Hensley, Austin O’Dell,
nice Luquin and junior Lydia McNabb. Shane Armstrong, Aaron Manzanares and head coach Johnathan Kenney; not pictured, Ty Thelen and Matthew Sutphin.
Seniors Aaron Manzanares and Ben
Hensley are expected to lead the way
for the Blue Devils.
“Aaron has really improved and Ben
is also a competitive player for us,”
Kenney said. “I also expect (senior)
Shane Armstrong and (senior) Aus-
tin O’Dell to contribute early. (Soph-
omores) Daniel Shults and Matthew
Sutphin have both improved from last
year, and (senior) Ty Thelen is getting
better every day.”
The Blue Devils and Lady Devils will
compete in a conference against Ten-
nessee High, Dobyns-Bennett, Science
Hill, Sullivan Central, Volunteer, Sul-
livan South, Sullivan East and Eliza-
bethton.
“Some big matches for us will be
Sullivan Central, Elizabethton, Sulli-
van East and then our non-conference
schedule,” Kenney said.
The head coach expects his squads
to rise to the challenges of this season.
“I expect us to be competitive in
most of our matches this year,” Ken-
ney said. “Tennessee High, Science
Hill and Dobyns-Bennett are all very
tough teams to play with. But after that,
I hope that we can compete strong-
ly against the rest of the teams on our
schedule.”
The UCHS netters were scheduled
to travel to Science Hill on Tuesday,
March 19. The Lady Devils are sched-
uled to host Happy Valley on Tuesday,
March 26, at Fishery Park. Both teams The 2019 Unicoi County High School Lady Devil tennis team includes, back row, pictured from left, Taylor Thomas, Katlyn Higgins,
are scheduled to compete at Volunteer Katherine Altemose, Kate Hollenbeck and head coach Johnathan Kenney; front row, Natalia Hernandez, Lily Hollenbeck, Meagan
on March 28. Buskey and Bernice Luquin; not pictured, Brandolyn Thomas and Lydia McNabb.

“I expect us to be competitive in most of our matches this year.”

– Johnathan Kenney, head coach

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 Page 10-C • A Special Supplement to The Erwin Record • Wednesday, March 20, 2019

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

TENNIS

Shane Armstrong Ben Hensley Aaron Manzanares Austin O’Dell Daniel Shults
Senior Senior Senior Senior Sophomore

Matthew Sutphin Ty Thelen Katherine Altemose Meagan Buskey Natalia Hernandez

Sophomore Senior Senior Sophomore Junior

Katlyn Higgins Kate Hollenbeck Lily Hollenbeck Bernice Luquin Lydia McNabb
Junior Junior Freshman Junior Junior

Brandolyn Thomas Taylor Thomas Johnathan Kenney

Junior Senior Head Coach

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 Page 11-C • A Special Supplement to The Erwin Record • Wednesday, March 20, 2019

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

TRACK & FIELD

Higgins, UC alum, given reins of program

By Keeli Parkey The 2019 Uni-
Managing Editor coi County
kparkey@erwinrecord.net
High School
Blue Devil
A Unicoi County High School grad- track team
uate now has the reins of the Blue
Devil and Lady Devil track programs. includes,
“I am so proud and so humbled at pictured from
the same time to be able to coach Uni- left, back
coi County track and field,” new head row, assistant
coach Thad Higgins told The Erwin coach Cam-
Record. “I ran track in middle school eron Higgins,
and high school for Unicoi, which has assistant
made it incredible that I’ve been able coach Sam-
to return years later as a coach for the
uel Bratton,
program I’ve loved.”
Higgins credits two former UCHS head coach
head coaches with where he and the Thad Higgins
program are in 2019. and assistant
“I’ve also got to say a huge thanks coach Bet-
to my coaching mentor, coach Ran- tina Chirica;
dy Brewer. Coach Brewer was my middle row,
coach throughout high school and Nathan Lin-
there were multiple times he went coln, Adam
out of his way to help me succeed as
a person and as an athlete,” Higgins Lewis and
said. “When I became a coach myself, Phoenix Holt;
he continued to help me develop as front row,
a coach and has greatly assisted the Wyatt Miller,
Unicoi program as well. John Camp-
“The last few years I’ve been coach- bell, Danny
ing as an assistant coach with Megan Lowery and
Davis. Coach Davis really did an ex- Kenneth Per-
cellent job of building the program up
and putting us in a great position. This ciful. (Erwin
experience has really helped me as Record Staff
I’ve taken over the program this year Photos by
and it’ll certainly continue to pay divi- Keeli Parkey)
dends throughout this season.”
Higgins brings a love of the program The 2019
and sport to UCHS.
“I love Track and Field,” he said. Unicoi County
“I’ve been passionate about it since High School
I started running at 8 years old. I ran Lady Devil
track at Milligan College and I’ve track team
continued to run on my own. I’m so includes,
blessed that I get to share this passion pictured from
with my athletes and I look forward to left, back
helping them discover their talents, row, assistant
gain confidence and compete.”
Preparations for the 2019 season coach Cam-
began as early as last fall, according to eron Higgins,
Higgins. assistant
“We began having optional pre- coach Sam-
season workouts in October. Several uel Bratton,
events have such technical aspects head coach
involved that we’ve got to start prac- Thad Higgins
ticing them very early if we want to be and assistant
able to compete in our first few meets,”
coach Bet-
he added. “Mainly we spent this time
working with our pole vaulters and tina Chirica;
then some throwers began joining us middle row,
early this semester. I always tell our Mirand Avila,
distance runners to take the winter Kayla Hicks,
months off so they get some rest after Halie Haw-
cross country; however, they started kins, Iliana
trickling back in about a month before Martinez-Lo-
official practice began.” pez, Natalia
For the Blue Devils, Higgins expects
there can be standout performances. Mendoza;
“We’re really going to be looking front row,
for individual successes this year,” he Cheyenne
said. “We’ve got several returners that Wilson,
I’m excited to see succeed and become Clarita Ozu-
leaders for the rest of the team. There na, Rachel
are also some new faces who certainly Altemose
have great potential.” and Cynthia
Please see PROGRAM, Page 13 Mendoza.

“I ran track in middle school and high school for Unicoi, which has made it incredible
that I’ve been able to return years later as a coach for the program I’ve loved.”
– Thad Higgins, head coach

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 Page 12-C • A Special Supplement to The Erwin Record • Wednesday, March 20, 2019

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

TRACK & FIELD

John Campbell Phoenix Holt Adam Lewis Nathan Lincoln

Senior Junior Sophomore Freshman

Danny Lowery Wyatt Miller Austin O’Dell Kenneth Perciful

Senior Sophomore Senior Junior

Rachel Altemose Halie Hawkins Kayla Hicks Iliana Martinez-Lopez

Sophomore Senior Sophomore Sophomore

Cynthia Mendoza Natalia Mendoza Clarita Ozuna Cheyenne Wilson

Sophomore Senior Junior Junior

Thad Higgins Samuel Bratton Bettina Chirica Cameron Higgins

Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach

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 Page 13-C • A Special Supplement to The Erwin Record • Wednesday, March 20, 2019

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

SENIOR ATHLE TES

GO BIG
BLUE!
Photos by
Keeli Parkey &
Anthony Piercy

COACH
Continued from Page 2
“Peyton dominated on
the mound the entire game,”
Gillis said. “He kept South
at bay long enough for us
to finally put crooked num-
bers on the board.”
The Blue Devil defense
was key to the victory.
“We played well defen-
sively also,” Gillis said. “L.J.
Mitchell had multiple put-
outs late in the game. Ra-
mon Avila and Caleb Crain
turned a big double play to
end a possible rally. First
time starters, Kaleb Metcalf
and Jordan Bridges also did
a great job offensively and
defensively.”
The Blue Devil hitters
also did good work at the
plate.
“I felt like we really
worked their pitchers and
ran pitch counts up early in
the game,” Gillis said. “We
battled at the plate and had
some guys step up when we
had runners on base. For
the first game, I was proud
of the way we competed and
battled for seven innings.”
Manuel had a 3-run
homerun in the win. Met-
calf was 2-2 at the plate.
The following day, South
got revenge for the previous
loss with a 9-1 victory over
the Blue Devils at South.
“South’s pitcher real-
ly shut us down the entire
game,” Gillis said. “We got
to him a little in the second
inning, but he only gave up
one run. We really couldn’t
get into a groove offensive-
ly.”
Crain started the game
and took the loss for UCHS.
Strother, Keasling and Avila
each had one hit.
The Blue Devils were
scheduled to host Sullivan
East on Monday, March 18,
then travel to East the fol-
lowing day. They will host
Daniel Boone at Baxter
Field at 5:30 p.m. on Thurs-
day, March 21, then travel
to David Crockett on Fri-
day, March 22, at 5:30 p.m.
They are also scheduled to
travel to Madison County
on Monday, March 25, for a
game beginning at 7 p.m.

PROGRAM
Continued from Page 11
One returning athlete with a lot
of experience on the track and in
cross country is senior John Camp-
bell.
“John is another returning senior
who has already been working dili-
gently,” Higgins said. “John actually
came to me last semester – when he
was supposed to be taking time off
– and began asking for workouts.
I’m excited to see John return to
running distance for us, and maybe
even trying his hand at some unfa-
miliar events.”
Higgins said he expects junior
Kenneth Perciful to have an impact
in field events this season, along
with sophomore Lady Devil Iliana
Martinez Lopez.
“They have also been hard at
work since before the season be-
gan,” Higgins said. “We’ve had
several new throwers join the team
this year, so it’s been very helpful to
have the experience and dedication
that Iliana and Kenny have brought
to the team.”
Completing the Blue Devil team
this season are junior Phoenix Holt,
sophomore Adam Lewis, fresh-
man Nathan Lincoln, senior Danny
Lowery, sophomore Wyatt Miller
and senior Austin O’Dell.
The Lady Devils are also ready to
turn in solid results this season.
“Similar to the guys’ side, I’ve
been really happy already to see
how our girls who have returned
have stepped up to set really high
expectations this year,” Higgins
said. “(Senior) Halie Hawkins and
(sophomore) Rachel Altemose have
been working on pole vault for
months now and it’s modeling this
level of dedication that will make us
successful this season.”
Hawkins earned a tie for fourth
place in the state pole vault compe-
tition as a sophomore in 2017 and
just missed out on another state
berth by one place last season.
“Halie has been hard at work al-
ready,” Higgins said. “This is just
one way she’s stepped up as a lead-
er to show others what it takes to
get better. As our most experienced
vaulter she’s also begun to help the
younger vaulters and has been a
great motivator when they’ve strug-
gled with a difficult drill. I believe
I’ve even heard her called ‘coach
Hawkins’ a couple times. Needless
to say, we’re excited to see how far
she makes it this season.”
Completing the Lady Devil team
this season are sophomore Kayla
Hicks, sophomore Cynthia Mendo-
za, senior Natalia Mendoza, junior
Clarita Ozuna and junior Cheyenne
Wilson.
Serving as assistant coaches with
the track program this season will
be Samuel Bratton, Bettina Chirica
and Cameron Higgins.
“We’re very lucky to have three
experienced coaches this season,”
Higgins said.
Chirica teaches at Unicoi Coun-
ty Middle School, played soccer
at Milligan College and is the head
coach of the UCHS Lady Devil soc-
cer team. Bratton ran cross coun-
try and track at Milligan. Cameron
Higgins, who is Thad’s brother, is
also a UCHS graduate and is cur-
rently on the Milligan track team as
a thrower.
“I’m very excited to have the
knowledge and experience that
each of our coaches brings to the
team,” Higgins said. “I’ve already
been able to see the impact that
each coach is having, and I’m look-
ing forward to seeing our athletes
respond.”
The UCHS track teams opened
the 2019 season with a meet at Sci-
ence Hill on Monday, March 18.
“This one is important because it
will help us figure out where some
of our newcomers fit,” Higgins said.
“I’m sure we’ll be trying everyone
in several different events at this
meet.”
Competition will continue in the
coming weeks.
“We will be competing in sever-
al big meets such as the DB Texas
Roadhouse Relays and the Tri-Cit-
ies Classic at Science Hill,” Higgins
said. “However, our most import-
ant goal is to qualify for sectionals.
Athletes qualify for sectionals by
running a certain time, throwing a
certain distance, or jumping a spe-
cific distance/height. Once they
qualify, they get to compete at sec-
tionals which then gives them a shot
at the state championship.”