By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools /Communications Director
Four Union City boys medaled to help the Tornado cross country team tie for first place in the Dresden Invitational on Thursday.
Woodrow McKinnis (17:20) paced UC in its season-opening meet with a sixth-place finish in the 3.1-mile race. Rushdon Howell (18:01) was ninth, Madix Turner (18:44) placed 12th, and Miloh Turner (19:04) came in 14th for the Twisters who were edged out for the official top spot by Madison Academic via the tie-breaker.
There were 20 teams and 146 runners to participate in the boys’ competition.
Camden Watts placed 39th for Union City, while Matvii Kostanian was 55th and Wrigley Harder was 67th.
Ainsley Sadler (23:35) and Ainsley Beard (23:49) placed 12th and 13th, respectively, to medal for the Lady Tornadoes. Hadlee Duncan came in 35th among 88 runners.
Union City will host its own meet on Tuesday of next week at Graham Park, beginning at 4:30 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
UC 3, Westview 0
Union City posted its second shutout in as many matches of Opening Week, beating Martin 25-19, 25-17, and 25-12.
Head coach Jessica Graham noted the play of Clare Atwill, Gracie Sims, and Ca’Lae Ervin against solid competition and was pleased with several in-match adjustments by her squad.
Madie Theobald had 16 assists as one of several players to register a solid effort for the winners. Addison Carr recorded nine digs, five kills, and four service aces, while Sims finished with eight kills, five aces, and four digs.
Crickett Washburn matched Sims with a team-high five aces and came up with four kills.
Union City will play in the day-long eighth annual Comet Classic at Carlisle County on Saturday.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL
UC 16, South Fulton 4
Union City erupted for eight first-inning runs and went on to defeat the Lady Red Devils in a three-inning mercy rule decision.
The Twister girls (3-1) got a 3-for-3 effort at the plate from winning pitcher Austyn Dilday, who tripled and singled twice. Amanda McPhearson drove in two runs and scored two more, while Keatyn Hall had a pair of singles and two RBIs.
Aryannah Huff, Kennedi Shields, and Addy McKinnis each scored two times, while Ashlynn Busby singled in a pair of runs for the victors.
UC paired nine hits with eight walks as a team in its offensive explosion.
The Lady Tornadoes will play at Ridgemont on Monday.
MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Northview 22, UC 0
UC suffered its first loss since late in the 2023 season, falling to 2-1 on the current campaign.
Northview led 8-0 after a second-quarter touchdown, then secured the victory with a pair of TDs in the final frame.
Dexter Graham and Isaiah Puckett had seven tackles apiece for the Tornado defense, while Brayson Smith was in on a half-dozen stops. Ricky Pocernich was credited with five hits.
Smith ran for 35 yards on seven carries and completed both his pass attempts for 13 yards.
Puckett had 20 yards rushing, and Nash Norsworthy accounted for 14.
UC will play twice next week, on Tuesday at home vs. Trenton and Thursday at Martin.