By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Another week, another first-place finish for the Union City High School boys’ cross country team.
The Tornadoes won their fourth consecutive meet on Tuesday, leading a 27-team pack in the Lexington Tiger Run.
UC, which was missing three runners due to injuries and other commitments, still had four finishers among the Top 14 in an event that drew 177 competitors.
Rushdon Howell completed the 3.1-mile course in 17:37 and placed fourth overall. Madix Turner (17:46) was fifth, Miloh Turner (18:05) finished seventh, and Owen Waggoner (19:21) came in 14th for the victorious Purple and Gold.
The Twisters’ Bryce Daniels (32nd) and Wrigley Harder (64th) also finished in the top half of the field.
Ainsley Sadler, the lone Union City representative in the girls’ race, earned a medal with an eighth-place finish and a time of 23:11. There were 106 runners to compete.
UC will run again next Tuesday at Huntingdon.
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
UC 3, Trenton 0
The Lady Tornadoes maintained their hold on first place in District 13A with their eighth league victory in as many matches.
UC is now 14-3 overall after winning 25-16, 25-11, and 25-14.
Head coach Jessica Graham praised the play of Madison Hillin, Maddie Steward, and Sadie Kern, “for coming in and giving us valuable minutes and doing whatever we asked of them.
“It’s good to see we have multiple options going into the end of regular season and postseason play,” Graham added.
Clare Atwill had nine digs and four assists, while Addison Carr contributed eight kills and three saves to the winning cause for the Twister girls. Madie Theobald recorded 22 assists and five aces, while Gracie Sims matched that service stat and had eight kills.
Ca’Lae Ervin and Crickett Washburn were good for five kills each as UC piled up 29 kills as a team.
Union City will play at Westview on Thursday, with the varsity match beginning at 5 p.m.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL
Gibson Co. 11, UC 9
A frantic Lady Tornado rally fell just short after UC scored six times in its last at-bat.
Ella Grace Howell doubled and singled, accounting for two of the Twisters’ three hits in the contest. Charlie Belle Cruce had a hit and drove in a run for a Union City team that made the most out of nine walks and three GC errors.
Keatyn Hall and Aryannah Huff reached base twice each for the Lady Tornadoes, and Sadie Gregg and Tenley Durham both had RBIs.
Austyn Dilday was charged with the pitching loss after giving up eight walks and six hits. Seven of Gibson County’s runs were unearned, the result of three UC errors.
The Twister girls, now 8-5, play at Hillcrest on Thursday.
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF
After besting Gibson County by 18 strokes a week ago, the Tornadoes were edged by one shot in the rematch on Tuesday in Dyer.
UC finished with a 174, a stroke behind the Pioneers, but far ahead of West Carroll (212).
Gavin McGuire led the Twisters, shooting 40. Brody Riley and Coop Frankum each fired 43s, while Paul Martin Tohn and Stephen Herrell finished at 48.
Garrison Bunch carded at 50, and Jake Lattus shot 51 for Union City.
Annie Beth Cruce came in with a 48 to pace the Lady Tornadoes, while Stella Turner registered a 52.
Union City will tune up for the upcoming District 14A Tournament with its final regular-season match at Persimmon Hills on Thursday vs. Westview.