Nathan Ham’s High Country Sports (7/16/20) For the Latest in Local Sports Coverage, visit https://www.facebook.com/hcsportsnews/ Former Ashe County golfer Sarah Hardin named WGCA All-American Scholar Three App State women’s golf team gle-year APR score in the latest cycle and has considered for the honor is 3.50. members were named All-American earned the NCAA’s Public Recognition Award The Women’s Golf Coaches Scholars by the Women’s Golf Coaches As- (for having an APR score in the top 10 percent Association, founded in 1983, is sociation (WGCA) for the 2019-20 season. of the country’s women’s golf programs) for a non-profit organization repre- One of those was former Ashe County High seven straight years. senting women’s collegiate golf School golfer Sarah Hardin. The trio of student-athletes helped the coaches. The WGCA was formed Hardin, who is a junior on the App Mountaineers finish top five in the team stand- to encourage the playing of college State golf team, was joined by teammates ings at five tournaments in the season that golf for women in correlation with Mogie Adamchik and Carrie Catherine was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. a general objective of education Ganim on the honor roll. A total of 1,401 women’s collegiate and in accordance with the highest These three student-athletes helped golfers earned the honor this year. The criteria tradition of intercollegiate competi- carry the women’s golf team to a team GPA for selection to the All-American Scholar Team tion. Today, the WGCA represents of 3.53 in the fall and 3.85 in the spring. are some of the most stringent in all of college over 650 coaches throughout the The team also accomplished a perfect sin- athletics. The minimum cumulative GPA to be U.S. and is dedicated to educating, promoting and recognizing both its members and the student-athletes App State’s Jack Hartman they represent.

Wake Forest with lots of MLB scouts in at- Pittsburgh made Hartman the signs with Pittsburgh Pirates tendance. fourth-highest selection of an App State App State Baseball alum and an offensive-minded third baseman. With For the third time in the last four sea- player in school history and the highest pick fourth-round MLB Draft pick Jack Hart- minimal pitching experience to that point sons, one of Aspegren’s pupils was picked of a Mountaineer since outfielder/pitcher man has officially signed with the Pitts- in his long baseball career, he finished in the first 13 rounds. The Arizona Diamond- Tony Welborn went 70th overall as a third- burgh Pirates. his sophomore season at the College of backs selected Matt Brill in the 12th round round selection of the Montreal Expos in The Pirates took the 21-year-old Central Florida as a reliever with intrigu- in 2017, and the St. Louis Cardinals used a 1986. right-handed pitcher with the 108th over- ing potential and joined head coach Ker- 13th-round pick on Colin Schmid in 2018. all pick. He was the second college se- mit Smith’s program at App State for his nior taken in the 2020 draft and the sec- final two college seasons. ond-highest draft pick from a Sun Belt Working with App State pitching Conference program. coach Justin Aspegren, Hartman had a “Jack hasn’t been pitching for very solid debut for the Mountaineers while long but already shows very promising throwing 21.2 innings in 2019. With in- stuff with a fastball/slider combination creased attention from scouts and buzz that we believe has a chance to be very over his professional prospects, he then effective at the professional level,” Pi- excelled in a pandemic-shortened senior rates general manager Ben Cherington year, striking out 22 batters in 12.0 in- said in a statement. “He’s a strong, phys- nings and posting a 3.00 ERA with a 1-0 ical pitcher with strong character and record and league-leading four saves for work ethic. We look forward to working an 11-6 team. with Jack in a Pirates uniform.” His 10 appearances were highlighted Two years ago, the 6-foot-3, by a victory during a five-out relief effort in 210-pound Hartman was at his third ju- which he struck out four batters, including nior college still trying to make a mark as the final three, on a rainy night at No. 24 Jack Hartman Watauga varsity basketball coach honored with NCHSAA award Watauga High School varsity as well. She is a tireless worker who puts kids from Cornerstone Charter, Mike Zimmer- School Athletic Directors Association basketball coach Laura Barry was first and does things the right way,” Kerley man from Harding University High, Laura and was past president of the coaches’ chosen as a Homer Thompson Memorial said. “She is a leader in our community, Barry from Watauga, and Michael Connelly organization. For 20 years the Parkland “Eight Who Make a Difference” Award school, and athletic department. She from West Henderson. athletic director helped to organize and winner. Barry coaches both the varsity serves as a mentor to our younger coaches The awards are presented in run the state wrestling championships, boys and girls teams at Watauga. and meets with them if needed to talk about honor of Homer Thompson, a member helping it to build to the point it is today. These awards are presented in successful way to navigate all things that of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame Class of partnership with the North Carolina Farm come along with being a head coach. Her 1994. Thompson spent 35 years as a Bureau and recognize one individual in teams serve food at the Hospitality House in successful head football coach, compiling each region that serve as excellent role Boone. Her teams have sponsored families an outstanding 238-129-5 career mark. models to their student-athletes through at Christmas by purchasing and delivering A 1951 graduate of Catawba College, their positive and dedicated approach to gifts to those that are less fortunate. Her Thompson coached two years at Oxford coaching. players help coach at youth clinics and Orphanage, seven at Gray High School Coach Barry was nominated by camps on the weekends and during the in Winston-Salem and then 26 years at Watauga High School Athletic Director summer. These are just a few examples of Parkland, including 19 years at athletic Dustin Kerley. how she helps to prepare her players for life director there. He also coached men’s “Laura is our head varsity Basketball after basketball. She uses basketball as an and women’s basketball and track during coach for both the women’s and men’s avenue to positively influence her assistant his career. Winner of numerous Coach of teams. She entered unfamiliar territory coaches, her school, and most importantly the Year awards, Thompson was the North this year when we hired her to serve her players.” Carolina head coach in the 50th Shrine both leadership roles. She has done a The eight recipients for 2020 are Kristie Bowl and also has coached in the East- tremendous job. Laura is a winner. Her Thach from Perquimans, Bevin Stokes from West game. He has served on the Board teams not only win on the court, but they Pender, Jasmine Brown from Holly Springs, of Directors of the North Carolina Coaches are taught how to be winners off the court Jeff Nance from Gray’s Creek, Jason Tew Association and the North Carolina High Laura Barry