By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City’s cross country performers continue to run at or near the front of the pack.
The high school Tornado boys’ squad – after winning their own meet last week – claimed first place again Tuesday in the Crockett County Invitational.
Despite missing top performer Woodrow McKinnis, who was ill, the Twisters had four runners (Rushdon Howell, Madix Turner, Miloh Tuner, and Owen Waggoner) earn medals with Top 10 individual finishes.
The UC Middle School boys’ team, meanwhile, placed third in the Milan Bulldog Run.
Brody Fields led the entire 104-participant field on the 1.1-mile course, and Cooper Waggoner was runner-up for the Tornadoes.
Union City girls’ high school entry also added to its respective lists of strong showings this season with a pair of individual medalists in the CCI competition.
Ainsley Sadler finished seventh and Ainsley Beard was 12th in the three-mile run, duplicating their earlier performances in several meets for the Lady Twisters.
The following is a recap of all fall sports results involving UC teams and athletes on Tuesday.
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Howell was timed at 18:37, while the Turner brothers came in at 18:57 and 19:22, respectively. Waggoner rounded out the Top 10 Purple and Gold contingent with a time of 20:02.
Bryce Daniels placed 31st in the field of 165 that included runners from 30 teams. Camden Watts was 42nd, Matvii Kostanian 46th, and Wrigley Harder was 61st.
Sadler was clocked at 23:33 in the girls’ field, with Beard coming in at 24:35. Hadlee Duncan finished in the top third of the race with a time of 28:37.
Union City will compete next at Milan on Sept. 11
MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Fields broke the six-minute mark by one second to win the individual title for the UCMS boys at Milan.
Waggoner claimed second place with a time of 6:15.
Will D. McKinnis was 13th for the Tornadoes, while Walker Gray came in 60th and Walton Harder was 93rd.
UC’s Owen Shannon earned a ribbon in the jayvee race for a runner-up showing, clocked at 7:15.
Stella Graham’s time of 7:49 represented the Lady Twisters’ best finish and was good for 14th place. Chloe Buamgarder came in 25th, while Ella Duncan competed in the jayvee competition.
There were 25 teams represented in all with 83 girls making up the field.
Union City’s next meet is scheduled for Friday at Ridgemont.
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
UC 3, Humboldt 0
Union City improved to 11-1 overall and remained perfect in District 13A play with its fifth league victory in as many matches.
The Lady Twisters won 25-12, 25-7, and 25-14 for their ninth sweep of the season.
UC was charged with just 24 total errors in the match, with head coach Jessica Graham noting the team’s focus and the efforts of a handful of jayvee players who saw action.
Gracie Sims had 14 kills, and Madie Theobald accounted for 15 assists for the Tornado girls. Addison Carr finished with a team-high eight aces and five kills, while Clare Atwill had a half-dozen digs and four service winners.
Union City will play at home on Thursday against Lake County.
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF
Union City’s boys placed fifth in a 10-team field at the annual Patriot Classic, held at Paris Landing State Park on Tuesday.
The Tornadoes’ 338 team score bested Stewart County, Scotts Hill, Springfield, host Henry County, and Houston County.
Brody Riley led UC’s middle-of-the-pack finish with an 80. Gavin McGuire came in with an 82, Coop Frankum carded an 84, and Paul Martin Tohn registered a 92. Jake Lattus finished a 99.
Clarksville won the tourney championship with a team total of 312. Dickson County claimed runner-up honors with a 324 score.
Union City will square off against Obion County Central Thursday afternoon at Wynridge Greens in Troy.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL
UC 20, Trenton 13
The bottom of the Lady Twister line-up came up big as Kennidi Shields and Elly Grace Davis combined to go 7-for-9 with six RBIs and a half-dozen runs scored in the No. 7 and 8 spots in the batting order.
Davis had four hits, including a pair of triples, and drove in three runs, while Shields stroked three singles in four at-bats and also had three ribbies. Both players scored three times apiece.
UC (6-2) erupted for 12 runs in the top of the fifth inning to erase a slim 9-8 deficit.
Winning hurler Austyn Dilday went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs, and Sadie Gregg and Amanda McPhearson each drove in two runs. Charlie Smith scored three times, while Keatyn Hall, Ella Grace Howell, and Aryannah Huff all crossed the pay station twice.
Dilday pitched around six errors and fanned 10 with just four hits and four earned runs allowed to gain credit for the pitching win.
Union City will host Dresden on Monday in its next outing.