By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Eighth Grade Night for 55 Union City Middle School fall sports athletes, cheerleaders and band members and Senior Day for three UC High School cross country runners highlighted Thursday’s happenings in the Golden Tornado community.
The UCHS girls’ cross country team finished runner-up in its own Union City Invitational meet at Graham Park behind Top 10 showings from freshman Kennedi Robinson (3rd) and sophomore Bailey Wagoner (6th).
The Twister boys got a No. 2 overall finish from senior Cedrion Cook, while freshman Cole Suiter medaled by finishing 16th.
Also medaling for the Lady Tornadoes were Lizzy Jones (18th) and Adeline Rice (20th).
Seniors Cook, Jones and Cameron McLendon were recognized in ceremonies between races.
Union City will compete again Tuesday in Greenfield.
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
Henry Co. 3, UC 1
The Lady Tornadoes put up a good fight against Class 3A Henry County in their regular-season finale, but ultimately fell in a close match.
UC took Game 3, 25-22, after dropping the first two sets 25-17 and 25-22, respectively. The visiting Lady Patriots claimed Game 4 and the match, 25-21.
Anna Cheatham recorded 20 kills, giving her 184 for the year. Raegan Taylor handed out 10 assists, had six kills and four saves, while Emma Powell added to her season-high assist total (144), finishing with eight in the match.
Both Cheatham and Taylor received praise from head coach Jessica Graham afterward.
Sara Ullrich was credited with eight digs, giving her 106 for the year. Annie Wade had a half-dozen digs.
“Even though we ended up losing, this by far was the hardest we have fought in an entire match,” Graham said. “Just winning a game off them (Henry County) was big, and it was a good way for us to end our season and go into the district tournament.”
Union City (10-8) will now begin play in the District 13A Tournament, hosting a quarterfinal match Monday night. The tournament semifinals and championship will be played Tuesday and Thursday at Gibson County High School.
MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Paris Inman 20, UC 12
The Tornadoes stood toe-to-toe with a much-bigger Inman squad before ending their 2021 season with a 4-3 record.
Union City scored both its touchdowns in the second half – one in the third quarter and the other in the fourth.
Kirben Thompson had a short TD run in the third period, before Zak Summers and Owen Waggoner combined on an 82-yard scoring pass in the final stanza.
Aiden Reid had a big night defensively for the Purple and Gold with 10 tackles, two behind the line. Summers recorded six stops and Tayshun Gentry was credited with five tackles.