Oak Ridge Today

Track: Wildcats, Mavericks competing at state championship meet on Thursday

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Oak Ridge junior Genevieve Schwartz competed in the 4x800 meter relay at MTSU in Murfreesboro on Thursday, May 25, 2017, when the girls finished ninth out of 16 teams. Schwartz also competed in the 3,200 meter run, where she finished 15th. (Photo by Kindell Moore)

Genevieve Schwartz of Oak Ridge, who was then a junior, is pictured above competing in the girls 4×800-meter relay in the state championship at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro on Thursday, May 25, 2017. This year, Schwartz, a senior, is the number two seed in the girls 1,600-meter run in the state championship at MTSU on Thursday, May 24, 2018. (File photo by Kindell Moore)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats and Anderson County Mavericks track and field teams are competing in the state championship meet in Murfreesboro on Thursday.

Oak Ridge will compete in the girls 1,600-meter run, the boys 4×800-meter relay, the boys 4×100-meter relay, the girls 4×100-meter relay, and girls discus. The Wildcats are the number two seed in the girls 1,600-meter run, the fifth seed in the boys 4×100-meter relay, seventh seed in the boys 4×800-meter relay, eighth seed in the girls 4×100-meter relay, and ninth seed in girls discus.

Anderson County will compete in the girls 100-meter hurdles, girls pole vault, boys long jump, girls 1,600-meter run, and girls 3,200-meter run. The Mavericks are the top seed in the girls pole vault, fifth seed in the girls 1,600-meter run and 3,200-meter run, seventh seed in the girls 100-meter hurdles, and 13th seed in the boys long jump.

The top Oak Ridge qualifier headed into the state meet, senior Genevieve Schwartz, is the number two seed in the girls 1,600-meter run, with a time of 5:07.07. The top qualifier is Sasha Neglia of Dobyns-Bennett in Kingsport in upper East Tennessee, with a time of 5:01.14. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge junior has top discus throw in state

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Oak Ridge High School junior Erin Van Berkel throws the disc 120 feet and 10 inches in a track and field meet at Oak Ridge High School on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. That's the top discus throw among high school girls in Tennessee this year. (Photo by ORHS Track Fan)

Oak Ridge High School junior Erin Van Berkel throws the disc 120 feet and 10 inches in a track and field meet at Oak Ridge High School on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. That’s the top discus throw among high school girls in Tennessee this year. (Photo by ORHS Track Fan)

 

Oak Ridge High School junior Erin Van Berkel threw a disc 120 feet and 10 inches in a track and field meet at Oak Ridge High School on Tuesday. That’s the top discus throw among high school girls in Tennessee this year.

Van Berkel had been ranked number three in the state going into Tuesday’s meet, said Luke Hadden, Oak Ridge throw coach. The top two had been girls at Alvin C. York and Jefferson County, and they had throws of about 116 feet and 113 feet.

Van Berkel’s throw is the farthest throw by an Oak Ridge athlete in a long time, said Allen Etheridge, Oak Ridge track coach. The school record of 128 feet and 8 inches was set by Sarah Gundlach in 1978.

Van Berkel beat her previous meet best by about eight feet on Tuesday.

“It was a great throw,” Etheridge said. “It was brilliant.” [Read more…]

Basketball: Lady Wildcats’ season ends at Daniel Boone

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In this photo from 2017, Oak Ridge's Desiree Bates (20), who is now a senior, plays defense against Daniel Boone's Macie Culbertson (4), who is also now a senior, during a 61-44 win for the Lady Wildcats in a Class AAA sectional at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, March 4. Culbertson led the Lady Trailblazers with a game-high 25 points during a 62-51 win over the Lady Wildcats in this year's Class AAA sectional, which was played at Daniel Boone on Saturday, March 8, 2018. (File photo by Luther Simmons)

In this photo from last year, Oak Ridge’s Desiree Bates (20), who is now a senior, plays defense against Daniel Boone’s Macie Culbertson (4), who is also now a senior, during a 61-44 win for the Lady Wildcats in a Class AAA sectional at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, March 4, 2017. In this year’s sectional, Culbertson led the Lady Trailblazers with a game-high 25 points during a 62-51 win over the Lady Wildcats at Daniel Boone on Saturday, March 8, 2018. (File photo by Luther Simmons)

 

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats’ basketball season ended Saturday with a 62-51 loss at Daniel Boone High School in a Class AAA sectional game. The eight sectional games across Tennessee determine which eight teams go to the state tournament in Murfreesboro this week.

It was the last high school game for five talented, experienced Oak Ridge seniors: Desiree Bates, Destiny Kassner, Jaymi Golden, Mykia Dowdell, and Terrika Dean. They are part of a team that finished as Class AAA state runner-up in 2016 and made it to a state quarterfinal last year.

“This will be the biggest hit that we’ve taken,” Paige Redman, who has coached the Oak Ridge girls for three seasons, told broadcaster David Clary at Prepradio.com. “This was the group that we started with.”

Oak Ridge (25-7) advanced to the 2017 state tournament last year by beating Daniel Boone 61-44 in a sectional game at Wildcat Arena—after trailing early and being tied 20-20 at halftime.

In this year’s rematch in Gray, which is in upper East Tennessee, the two teams traded leads six times, and they were tied three times.

The Lady Trailblazers took the lead for good, 51-49, on a three-point shot late in the fourth quarter. [Read more…]

Second in region, Lady Wildcats play for chance to go to state tonight

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The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats finished as Region 2-AAA runner-up in a 57-45 loss at Bearden on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. The girls will play in a sectional game, which determines who goes to the state tournament, at Daniel Boone in upper East Tennessee on Saturday, March 3, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats finished as Region 2-AAA runner-up in a 57-45 loss at Bearden on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. The girls will play in a sectional game, which determines who goes to the state tournament, at Daniel Boone in upper East Tennessee on Saturday, March 3, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

BEARDEN—The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats finished as runner-up in the regional basketball tournament at Bearden on Wednesday, and they will play in a sectional game, which determines who goes to the state tournament, at Daniel Boone in upper East Tennessee this evening (Saturday, March 3).

The runner-up in Region 2-AAA (Oak Ridge) plays at the winner of Region 1-AAA (Daniel Boone). The runner-up in Region 1-AAA (Jefferson County) plays at the winner of Region 2-AAA (Bearden). The games start at 7 p.m.

The eight girls’ teams that win in the Class AAA sectionals in Tennessee will advance to the state basketball tournament at Middle State State University in Murfreesboro on Wednesday.

Tonight’s game is the first sectional game on the road for the Lady Wildcats since 2005 at Greeneville, according to broadcaster David Clary. [Read more…]

Lady Wildcats eliminate Hardin Valley

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Oak Ridge senior Jaymi Golden (32) is pictured above during a District 3-AAA semifinal game against Powell at Halls on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge senior Jaymi Golden (32) is pictured above during a District 3-AAA semifinal game against Powell at Halls on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 2 p.m. Feb. 24.

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats eliminated Hardin Valley 55-39 in the first round of the Region 2-AAA tournament at Wildcat Arena on Friday.

Oak Ridge (24-5) was led by senior Jaymi Golden with 16 points, including 12 in the first half, and junior Jada Guinn, who also scored 16. Senior Mykia Dowdell had 11. Senior Desiree Bates, who scored four points, also had at least three rebounds and three steals.

The Lady Hawks (22-8) were led by senior Abbey Cornelius with 15 points. Junior Kiara Inman added seven. [Read more…]

Basketball photos: Oak Ridge vs. Campbell County in girls’ district championship

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Oak Ridge pulled away from Campbell County in the second half to win its third straight district championship, 60-38, in the girls' basketball tournament at Halls on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Oak Ridge junior Jada Guinn (24), who was named most valuable player of the tournament, led in scoring with 23 points. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge pulled away from Campbell County in the second half to win its third straight district championship, 60-38, in the girls’ basketball tournament at Halls on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Oak Ridge junior Jada Guinn (24), who was named most valuable player of the tournament, led in scoring with 23 points. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

HALLS—Oak Ridge pulled away from Campbell County in the second half to win its third straight district championship in the girls’ basketball tournament at Halls on Saturday. They Lady Wildcats beat the Lady Cougars 60-38.

Here are photos from the game. [Read more…]

Basketball: Lady Wildcats win third straight district championship

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The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats won the District 3-AAA basketball tournament championship for the third year in a row with a 60-38 victory over Campbell County at Halls on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats won the District 3-AAA basketball tournament championship for the third year in a row with a 60-38 victory over Campbell County at Halls on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 10 a.m. Feb. 25.

HALLS—Oak Ridge pulled away from Campbell County in the second half to win its third straight district championship in the girls’ basketball tournament at Halls on Saturday.

The Lady Wildcats led by just six points, 25-19, at halftime in the District 3-AAA tournament championship. But they outscored the Lady Cougars 35-19 in the second half to beat Campbell County 60-38.

Oak Ridge junior Jada Guinn, who was named most valuable player of the tournament, led in scoring with 23 points. Twelve of those were in the fourth quarter.

Oak Ridge senior Mykia Dowdell added 17.

Campbell County junior Skylar Boshears, who scored 11 points for the Lady Cougars, was hurt less than a minute into the second half and had to be helped off the floor and into the locker room. But she was back in the game a few minutes later. [Read more…]

Lady Wildcats will play in District 3 championship Saturday

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Oak Ridge senior Desiree Bates (20) scored 17 points for the Lady Wildcats in a 62-38 District 3-AAA semifinal win over Powell at Halls on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge senior Desiree Bates (20) scored 17 points for the Lady Wildcats in a 62-38 District 3-AAA semifinal win over Powell at Halls on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

HALLS—The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats will play in the District 3-AAA basketball tournament championship on Saturday. It’s the third year in a row that the girls have made it to the district championship.

On Friday at Halls, Oak Ridge advanced to the championship game by beating Powell 62-38 in a district tournament semifinal game after trailing 21-14 at halftime.

Oak Ridge was led by junior Jada Guinn with 18 points. Ten of those were in the first half, which was most of the Lady Wildcats’ offense in the first two quarters. Guinn shot 8-for-8 from the free throw line during the game.

Senior Desiree Bates scored 17. She had three three-point shots in the third quarter, when the Lady Wildcats outscored the Lady Panthers 30-8. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge girls finish ninth in state 4×800 meter relay

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Oak Ridge junior Genevieve Schwartz competed in the 4x800 meter relay at MTSU in Murfreesboro on Thursday, May 25, 2017, when the girls finished ninth out of 16 teams. Schwartz also competed in the 3,200 meter run, where she finished 15th. (Photo by Kindell Moore)

Oak Ridge junior Genevieve Schwartz competed as part of the 4×800 meter relay at MTSU in Murfreesboro on Thursday, May 25, 2017, when the girls finished ninth out of 16 teams. Schwartz also competed in the 3,200 meter run, where she finished 15th. (Photo by Kindell Moore)

 

MURFREESBORO—The Oak Ridge girls 4×800 meter relay team finished ninth in the state track meet in Murfreesboro on Thursday.

The team includes senior Abbey Greenhalgh, junior Genevieve Schwartz, and freshmen Rebecca Joyal and Muskaan Vohra.

The team finished ninth in a field of 16 teams with a time of 10:02.58.

The top three teams in the girls’ 4×800-meter relay were West (of Knoxville), Brentwood (of the Nashville area), and Hardin Valley Academy. West finished first with a time of 9:30.90.

The 2017 TSSAA Girls’ Track State Championships were at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro on Thursday.

In a second event, another Oak Ridge girls team finished 12th in the 4×200 meter relay. That team includes senior Breanne Young, junior Desiree Bates, sophomore Makiya Garrett, and junior Shatyrah Copeland. Their time was 1:47.72. The first-place team, Whitehaven, had a time of 1:41.44. [Read more…]

Thirteen Wildcats qualify for state track meet in seven events

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Pictured above is the Oak Ridge boys 4x800-meter relay team, which qualified for the 2017 TSSAA State Track Meet during the Class AAA Section 1 Finals at Hardin Valley Academy on Saturday, May 13, 2017. From left are junior Reid Dukes, senior Jake Etheridge, and juniors Jose Villegas and Will Jeter. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Pictured above is the Oak Ridge boys 4×800-meter relay team, which qualified for the 2017 TSSAA State Track Meet during the Class AAA Section 1 Finals at Hardin Valley Academy on Saturday, May 13, 2017. From left are junior Reid Dukes, senior Jake Etheridge, and juniors Jose Villegas and Will Jeter. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1 p.m. May 14.

HARDIN VALLEY—The Oak Ridge track and field team had 13 athletes qualify for seven events in the state track meet during the Class AAA Section 1 Finals at Hardin Valley on Saturday.

The seven events included three relays, three runs, and the 100-meter dash.

Here’s who qualified:

  • Girls 4×200-meter relay—senior Breanne Young, junior Desiree Bates, sophomore Makiya Garrett, and junior Shatyrah Copeland (4th with a time of 1:45.22);
  • Girls 4×800-meter relay—senior Abbey Greenhalgh, junior Genevieve Schwartz, and freshmen Rebecca Joyal and Muskaan Vohra (4th with a time of 9:53.08);
  • Girls 3,200-meter run—Schwartz (4th with a time of 12:02.05);
  • Boys 4×800-meter relay—senior Jake Etheridge and juniors Reid Dukes, Will Jeter, and Jose Villegas (3rd with a time of 8:06.50);
  • Boys 1,600-meter run—Etheridge (3rd with a time of 4:33.87);
  • Boys 3,200-meter run—Etheridge (4th with a time of 9:55.97); and
  • Boys 100-meter dash—sophomore Jordan Graham (4th with a time of 11.53).

[Read more…]

Turnovers, 31 points of Stewart hurt Oak Ridge in state quarterfinal loss

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The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats huddle with Coach Paige Redman during a December 31, 2016, game against Bradley Central in the Andrew Johnson Bank Ladies Classic in Greeneville. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:30 p.m.

Turnovers and the 31 points of Memphis Central junior Johne’ Stewart hurt Oak Ridge in a 74-63 quarterfinal loss in the Class AAA girls’ basketball tournament in Murfreesboro on Wednesday.

The season is over for the Lady Wildcats (30-4), who were the state Class AAA runner-up last year.

The Lady Warriors (29-7) move on to a state semifinal game in Murphy Center at Middle Tennessee State University on Friday.

Oak Ridge had 21 turnovers in the quarterfinal, the first of the Class AAA BlueCross Basketball Championships on Wednesday. Memphis Central, a quick team that applied a lot of defensive pressure, scored 23 points off of Oak Ridge turnovers. [Read more…]

Photos: Lady Wildcats win Class AAA sectional over Daniel Boone

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Oak Ridge junior point guard Jaymi Golden (32) started the attack against Daniel Boone in the second half of a 61-44 win for the Lady Wildcats in a Class AAA sectional game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, March 4, 2017. Golden is defended here by Daniel Boone sophomore Bayleigh Carmichel (30). (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Oak Ridge junior point guard Jaymi Golden (32) started the attack against Daniel Boone in the second half of a 61-44 win for the Lady Wildcats in a Class AAA sectional game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, March 4, 2017. Golden is defended here by Daniel Boone sophomore Bayleigh Carmichel (30). (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats are going back to the state basketball tournament in Murfreesboro. It’s the second year in a row that the girls have made it to the Class AAA tournament. They made it there this year by beating Daniel Boone 61-44 in a sectional game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday.

Here are photos from the Saturday night game by Luther Simmons. [Read more…]