Quan Rucker elected to play football for Wake Forest once his high school career is over at West Iredell High School.
The receiver has given the university a verbal commitment. (More on this story can be found in Wednesday's edition of the R&L).
"Wake Forest was high on his list," West Iredell coach Mark Weycker said.
Higher than Clemson, Illinois, North Carolina State and Virginia, just to name a few. Those schools pursued his services, too.
I think this is a great decision by an athlete I have a lot of respect for. Wake Forest is a fine academic institution with a football program on the rise. The Demon Deacons are 20-7 over the last two seasons, which includes an 11-3 mark in 2006, when they won the Atlantic Coast Conference title.
It always pleases me to see good things happen for good people, and Rucker is definitely one of those. If you've ever had the fortune of speaking to the young man, you know what I'm talking about. He's very grounded, a yes sir, no sir, yes ma'am, no ma'am, type of guy.
In addition to his tremendous athletic skill set -- he is a three-sport athlete at West Iredell -- Rucker will bring a good work ethic and strong leadership qualities to Wake Forest.
Those attributes have to be valued as much as his big-play ability, which keyed West Iredell's come-from-behind win over North Piedmont Conference champion West Rowan last season. After falling behind 12-0 midway through the third quarter, Rucker hauled in a slant pass from Jared Thompson, split two defenders and took it the rest of the way for a 72-yard touchdown. The Warriors' 20-18 win over West Rowan was the Falcons' only regular season loss.
Yes indeed, Wake Forest will be getting an all-around talent.
That's for sure.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Iredell blanked in East-West girls soccer showcase
For the first time since 2005, Iredell County isn't sending anyone to compete in this summer's N.C. Coaches Association East-West All-Star girls soccer game.
Rosters for this year's event were released this week to the media.
The West team is as follows: Kelly Adams (Porter Ridge), Kristin Alderin-Fleagle (East Forsyth), Sarah Caldwell (Watauga), Heather Carter (North Stanly), Sarah Christman (Asheville Roberson), Eleanor Davidson (Pfafftown Reagan), Caroline Dickson (Greensboro Page), Meghan Gilmore (Asheville Roberson), Molly Kuchar (Asheville Reynolds), Casey McCormick (Charlotte Catholic), Taylor Norman (Pfafftown Reagan), Rachel Patton (Charlotte Providence), Joy Pittman (Charlotte Ardrey Kell), Corinne Smith (Greensboro Grimsley), Lena Suarez (Huntersville Hopewell) and Mélise Welbourn (West Henderson). West Henderson's Craig Long will coach the West team.
This wasn't a particularly strong year for seniors in Iredell -- underclassmen by and large grabbed the headlines -- but there were a few solid East-West candidates who were passed over in favor of the aforementioned 16 players. Below are my top three seniors, in no particular order:
Rosters for this year's event were released this week to the media.
The West team is as follows: Kelly Adams (Porter Ridge), Kristin Alderin-Fleagle (East Forsyth), Sarah Caldwell (Watauga), Heather Carter (North Stanly), Sarah Christman (Asheville Roberson), Eleanor Davidson (Pfafftown Reagan), Caroline Dickson (Greensboro Page), Meghan Gilmore (Asheville Roberson), Molly Kuchar (Asheville Reynolds), Casey McCormick (Charlotte Catholic), Taylor Norman (Pfafftown Reagan), Rachel Patton (Charlotte Providence), Joy Pittman (Charlotte Ardrey Kell), Corinne Smith (Greensboro Grimsley), Lena Suarez (Huntersville Hopewell) and Mélise Welbourn (West Henderson). West Henderson's Craig Long will coach the West team.
This wasn't a particularly strong year for seniors in Iredell -- underclassmen by and large grabbed the headlines -- but there were a few solid East-West candidates who were passed over in favor of the aforementioned 16 players. Below are my top three seniors, in no particular order:
- Caroline Moffett. The Lake Norman forward was an all-conference, all-region selection. Her 13 goals were tied for most on a Wildcats team that advanced to the regional final of the 3A state playoffs. Moffett could score with her feet or head, making her a dual threat.
- Tiffany Wilson. The Mooresville midfielder was all-conference and all-region. She tallied 12 goals and 12 assists to help the Blue Devils win 19 games and reach the second round of the 3A state playoffs. Wilson scored in big games. The hat trick against Statesville comes to mind. Her goal in the 63rd minute on April 16 tied the contest with Lake Norman at 2-all, but Lake Norman would eventually prevail 3-2.
- Brittney Dailey. The Mooresville midfielder was all-conference and all-region. Her offensive numbers don't scream at you (four goals, six assists), but she was reliable with the ball at her feet. Dailey was an excellent defender, too; you couldn't just drive right past her.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Countdown to All-County
This week the R&L sports department staff will discuss who we think should be on the All-County teams, which will be announced the week of June 9.
There are six spring sports, and nominations have been streaming in from Iredell County high school coaches who want us to consider their athletes.
The process is a challenging one for the simple fact there always tends to be an outstanding pool of nominees to choose from. (That goes for fall and winter sports seasons, too.)
This year is shaping up no differently.
The R&L also selects a county player of the year (or athlete of the year, in the case of track and field) in all sports. Those will be announced the week of June 9, as well.
There are six spring sports, and nominations have been streaming in from Iredell County high school coaches who want us to consider their athletes.
The process is a challenging one for the simple fact there always tends to be an outstanding pool of nominees to choose from. (That goes for fall and winter sports seasons, too.)
This year is shaping up no differently.
The R&L also selects a county player of the year (or athlete of the year, in the case of track and field) in all sports. Those will be announced the week of June 9, as well.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
'Bittersweet' ending for Wildcats
I'm not convinced the voters got it right when they voted Asheville Roberson No. 1 in the nation in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, which was released Tuesday.
Having said that, the Rams are still REALLY good.
They had enough offensive punch to fend off a valiant effort by Lake Norman (24-2-1) in Wednesday night's 3A West Regional final. Roberson (28-0) won 2-1 and advances to play for the state championship Saturday.
Rams keeper Rachel Jennings made eight saves, and Roberson had nine for the game.
Lake Norman keeper Mollie Zimmer stopped three shots. The first goal she allowed wasn't really her fault. Marrisa McCord's shot off a Roberson throw-in was unchallenged. She had a clean look and buried it for a 1-0 lead with 10 minutes, 30 seconds left before halftime.
"There were a couple of defensive errors," Lake Norman coach Jon Mertes said, "and you can't do that when you're trying to get to the title game."
Mertes was hard-pressed to find many flaws in his team's execution and effort, though, and rightfully so.
The Wildcats played probably the best 30 minutes of the season in the second half. Of course, that was after they fell behind 2-0 to the Rams, who have now outscored their opponents 137-3 in 2008.
And so, Lake Norman will have to settle for making the state semifinals for the first time in program history.
"It's very sad that we didn't make it to the final," senior Caroline Moffett said. "But we had a great season. It's the farthest we've ever gotten (in the playoffs). Bittersweet, I guess."
Having said that, the Rams are still REALLY good.
They had enough offensive punch to fend off a valiant effort by Lake Norman (24-2-1) in Wednesday night's 3A West Regional final. Roberson (28-0) won 2-1 and advances to play for the state championship Saturday.
Rams keeper Rachel Jennings made eight saves, and Roberson had nine for the game.
Lake Norman keeper Mollie Zimmer stopped three shots. The first goal she allowed wasn't really her fault. Marrisa McCord's shot off a Roberson throw-in was unchallenged. She had a clean look and buried it for a 1-0 lead with 10 minutes, 30 seconds left before halftime.
"There were a couple of defensive errors," Lake Norman coach Jon Mertes said, "and you can't do that when you're trying to get to the title game."
Mertes was hard-pressed to find many flaws in his team's execution and effort, though, and rightfully so.
The Wildcats played probably the best 30 minutes of the season in the second half. Of course, that was after they fell behind 2-0 to the Rams, who have now outscored their opponents 137-3 in 2008.
And so, Lake Norman will have to settle for making the state semifinals for the first time in program history.
"It's very sad that we didn't make it to the final," senior Caroline Moffett said. "But we had a great season. It's the farthest we've ever gotten (in the playoffs). Bittersweet, I guess."
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Wildcats shine in pressure situation
Lake Norman's girls soccer team is one victory away from playing for the first state championship in the program's six-year history.
The Wildcats defeated Marvin Ridge in Saturday's 3A state quarterfinals thanks to a 3-1 advantage in penalty kicks. The teams battled to a scoreless draw in regulation. No one scratched in the two 10-minute overtimes or two five-minute sudden death periods either.
Shootouts are usually intense (this one was no different). There is pressure on the goalies to make saves, but the shooters face a lot of pressure, too. No one wants to be remembered for missing the entire net, trust me.
Lake Norman goalkeeper Mollie Zimmer set the tone with a magnificent diving save on Marvin Ridge's first PK.
Lauren Vawter buried Lake Norman's first attempt.
The Wildcats made two of their next three kicks, while the Mavericks missed two of their next three -- one shot went too high and another clanked off the crossbar.
It had to be demoralizing for previously unbeaten Marvin Ridge (20-1-1), which outplayed Lake Norman (24-1-1) most of the game and had a goal disallowed in the 77th minute on an offside call.
I admire the Wildcats' ability to hang in there and find a way to get the job done.
The Wildcats defeated Marvin Ridge in Saturday's 3A state quarterfinals thanks to a 3-1 advantage in penalty kicks. The teams battled to a scoreless draw in regulation. No one scratched in the two 10-minute overtimes or two five-minute sudden death periods either.
Shootouts are usually intense (this one was no different). There is pressure on the goalies to make saves, but the shooters face a lot of pressure, too. No one wants to be remembered for missing the entire net, trust me.
Lake Norman goalkeeper Mollie Zimmer set the tone with a magnificent diving save on Marvin Ridge's first PK.
Lauren Vawter buried Lake Norman's first attempt.
The Wildcats made two of their next three kicks, while the Mavericks missed two of their next three -- one shot went too high and another clanked off the crossbar.
It had to be demoralizing for previously unbeaten Marvin Ridge (20-1-1), which outplayed Lake Norman (24-1-1) most of the game and had a goal disallowed in the 77th minute on an offside call.
I admire the Wildcats' ability to hang in there and find a way to get the job done.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Don't write off Lake Norman baseball in the next round either
Lake Norman's baseball team had never won a playoff game before this season.
Now the Wildcats have won a pair and are in the 3A state playoffs' Round of 16.
They earned their place, too, beating last year's 3A state runner-up Southeast Guilford 6-5 in the first round followed by Tuesday night's 5-3 come-from-behind win over Southwest Guilford, the No. 2 seed from the Piedmont Triad Conference.
Lake Norman faces a familiar opponent in the next round. They travel to Granite Quarry to battle North Piedmont Conference champion East Rowan (24-2).
The Wildcats (13-13) finished tied for sixth in the NPC, but owned the head-to-head tiebreaker with Carson and North Iredell for the league's last playoff berth.
They HAD to win their last two games of the regular season just to get in, so the Wildcats have essentially been in playoff mode for about two weeks.
"That sense of urgency at the end of the season has carried us these past two games," Lake Norman's Joe Faist said following the Southwest Guilford victory.
Lake Norman is getting contributions from everyone.
Garrett Braun, Tyler Lewis and Eric Manser each homered and Nick Lomascolo struck out 13 in the Wildcats' first-round victory.
Jordan Farrell almost hit for the cycle in the second round. His sixth-inning leadoff triple set the stage for the go-ahead runs. Right fielder Donnie Burt's diving grab on a line-drive to right-center prevented Southwest Guilford from taking an early 2-1 lead, possibly more.
And sophomore Scottie Williams, making his first playoff start Tuesday, pitched solidly - not mention picked off three baserunners -- before giving way to Ross Whitley with the game knotted at 3-all in the bottom of the fifth. Whitley slammed the door on the Cowboys. He didn't allow a single hit over the final three innings. Whitley also struck out six of the 11 batters he faced.
I may be naive enough to believe this, but I think Lake Norman may just pull off the stunner of all stunners Friday. They're playing well. They're confident. And East Rowan, winner of 20 straight, is due for a loss.
My prediction: Lake Norman 5, East Rowan 4; Wildcats move on to the state quarterfinals
Now the Wildcats have won a pair and are in the 3A state playoffs' Round of 16.
They earned their place, too, beating last year's 3A state runner-up Southeast Guilford 6-5 in the first round followed by Tuesday night's 5-3 come-from-behind win over Southwest Guilford, the No. 2 seed from the Piedmont Triad Conference.
Lake Norman faces a familiar opponent in the next round. They travel to Granite Quarry to battle North Piedmont Conference champion East Rowan (24-2).
The Wildcats (13-13) finished tied for sixth in the NPC, but owned the head-to-head tiebreaker with Carson and North Iredell for the league's last playoff berth.
They HAD to win their last two games of the regular season just to get in, so the Wildcats have essentially been in playoff mode for about two weeks.
"That sense of urgency at the end of the season has carried us these past two games," Lake Norman's Joe Faist said following the Southwest Guilford victory.
Lake Norman is getting contributions from everyone.
Garrett Braun, Tyler Lewis and Eric Manser each homered and Nick Lomascolo struck out 13 in the Wildcats' first-round victory.
Jordan Farrell almost hit for the cycle in the second round. His sixth-inning leadoff triple set the stage for the go-ahead runs. Right fielder Donnie Burt's diving grab on a line-drive to right-center prevented Southwest Guilford from taking an early 2-1 lead, possibly more.
And sophomore Scottie Williams, making his first playoff start Tuesday, pitched solidly - not mention picked off three baserunners -- before giving way to Ross Whitley with the game knotted at 3-all in the bottom of the fifth. Whitley slammed the door on the Cowboys. He didn't allow a single hit over the final three innings. Whitley also struck out six of the 11 batters he faced.
I may be naive enough to believe this, but I think Lake Norman may just pull off the stunner of all stunners Friday. They're playing well. They're confident. And East Rowan, winner of 20 straight, is due for a loss.
My prediction: Lake Norman 5, East Rowan 4; Wildcats move on to the state quarterfinals
Friday, May 2, 2008
Gridiron Cup farewell tour
Statesville and Mooresville will discontinue their series in football beginning in 2009.
The Blue Devils, who will be joining a new 4A league consisting of five Mecklenburg County schools and Lake Norman, opted not to keep Statesville on the schedule as a nonconference game.
Statesville wanted to prolong the series.
Mooresville football coach Barclay Marsh says it's not that they didn't want to, but that when they were working on their schedule "we felt like it was in our best interest to go with the schools we did."
That would be Alexander Central, Bandys, Northwest Cabarrus, South Rowan and West Rowan.
Farewell, Gridiron Cup.
It's sad, because in 2001 Mooresville and Statesville renewed a rivalry that had been dormant since 1985. The annual winner receives the Gridiron Cup, a trophy sponsored by the R&L and Mooresville Tribune.
Statesville captured the cup for the first time since 2001 this past season. Mooresville won the other five meetings.
The 2008 winner will be the last.
Personally, I would prefer to see Mooresville continue playing Statesville. There's always a lot of buildup, and the games are typically exciting.
However, I have no problem with Mooresville deciding not to play Statesville. The program should be free to choose whoever they want to play. Their hands shouldn't be tied.
Anyway, I think Statesville and North Iredell or Statesville and West Iredell make a better rivalry game. That's just my opinion.
The Blue Devils, who will be joining a new 4A league consisting of five Mecklenburg County schools and Lake Norman, opted not to keep Statesville on the schedule as a nonconference game.
Statesville wanted to prolong the series.
Mooresville football coach Barclay Marsh says it's not that they didn't want to, but that when they were working on their schedule "we felt like it was in our best interest to go with the schools we did."
That would be Alexander Central, Bandys, Northwest Cabarrus, South Rowan and West Rowan.
Farewell, Gridiron Cup.
It's sad, because in 2001 Mooresville and Statesville renewed a rivalry that had been dormant since 1985. The annual winner receives the Gridiron Cup, a trophy sponsored by the R&L and Mooresville Tribune.
Statesville captured the cup for the first time since 2001 this past season. Mooresville won the other five meetings.
The 2008 winner will be the last.
Personally, I would prefer to see Mooresville continue playing Statesville. There's always a lot of buildup, and the games are typically exciting.
However, I have no problem with Mooresville deciding not to play Statesville. The program should be free to choose whoever they want to play. Their hands shouldn't be tied.
Anyway, I think Statesville and North Iredell or Statesville and West Iredell make a better rivalry game. That's just my opinion.
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