Popple finishes third, Wolves win

The East Lincoln Mustangs competed at McAlpine Park in Charlotte in the Wendy’s Invitational. Once again, Brad Popple led the Mustangs running the meet in 16:37 good enough to take third place.
The men overall placed 14th but on a more encouraging note reigning Big South 3A Conference champ Chris Haney was able to return to running. Coach Jonathan Sterling helped Haney return who had been sidelined with a swollen achilles.
There were 25 teams who qualified for the meet. Other top finishers on the men’s side were Max Hasian (40) with a 17:53, Chris Haney (42) with a 17:56. Kurt Hasian (146) ran a 21:16, while teammates’ Alex David (147) ran a 21:24 and Zach Springs (169) ran a 25:13.
Caitlin Haney was the top performer for the women’s team ran a 28:26. Ashley Arnett finished with a time of 29:11.
Coach Wood believed the meet was good in terms of confidence for the team.
“I think this was a good race for both the girls and boys. It will allow them to see how most of the major high schools are doing. We know we have a long way to go, but this was by far the best competition we’ve faced this year,” he said.
Jeremy James missed the Invitational.
Wood is encouraged by the prospects of their season.
“I know we have a chance of doing something great, but it seems it will come down to whether or not we are all healthy,” he said.

Lincolnton tennis
The Lincolnton Lady Wolves remained unbeaten in the Midwest 2A Conference with a convincing 8-1 victory over Newton-Conover on Tuesday.
No. 1 seed Shawn Kindley dismissed Trish Gaither 6-2, 6-2. Nicole Lampe of Newton knocked off No. 2 seed Jessica Newton 1-6, 6-1, 7-2.
Liz Rhine, the Lady Wolves’ No. 3 seed, defeated Francis Schmidt 6-1, 6-1. Angela Graham at No. 4 beat Beth Hicks 6-1, 6-4.
No. 5 seed Shelley Stevens defeated Maria Schell 6-2, 6-0, while teammate Anna Carpenter blanked Allison Thorpe 6-0, 6-0.
In doubles’ play, Kindley/Newton beat Gaither/Lampe 9-7. No. 2 seed Rhine/Mary Heather Lineberger defeated Schmidt/Hicks 8-5. Carpenter/Kiser beat Thorpe/Piechotka 8-0 to finishing out the match.
In exhibition play, Roster/McCurry beat Dalpak/Sigmon 8-0.

East Lincoln volleyball
The East Lincoln Lady Mustangs fell to Forestview 3-0; 25-27, 19-25, 15-25 on Tuesday.
Players of note were: Krista Abernathy with 20 assists, six digs, three aces, Lauren Sharpe with nine kills, two aces, three digs, four blocks and two roofs, Brittany Lackey with three kills, three aces, five digs and Mandy Homce with four kills, one ace and three digs.
The JV team for East won 2-0; 25-21 and 25-22. Top performers were Kendra Day with four aces on 14-of-14 serving and one kill and Samantha Betts with one kill and four aces.
The varsity’s record is 3-11 and 3-5, while the JV’s record is 7-7 and 7-1 in the Big South 3A.
On Monday, the Lady Mustangs lost to Lake Norman 3-1; 25-10, 25-23, 23-25 and 25-14.
Noteworthy players were: Krista Abernethy with 14 assists, three aces, seven digs, Elizabeth Covington with four kills and six aces and Brittany Lackey with six digs, two kills and two aces.
The JV Mustangs fell to the Wildcats 2-1; 25-27, 25-17 and 25-13.
Standouts in the loss were: Neely Reid with eight assists, two aces and three digs and Ashley Foster who had five kills.

by John Mark Brooks