Nov. 8 Swannanoa Valley sports report
Colleges
The Montreat men’s cross country team captured the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) championship last Friday in Canton, Georgia.
Scoring for the Cavs were freshman Nathan Richards (4), sophomore Benjamin Schmidt (7), freshman Antonio Gomez (10), junior Jacob Parker (14), and sophomore Caleb Silver (15). Senior Rylan Hincher and freshman Daniel O’Dell also had top-twenty finishes for the Cavaliers. Richards was named the conference’s Freshman of the Year and grabbed a spot on the All-Freshman team, while earning All-Conference honors along with Schmidt.
Head coach Jason Lewkowicz was named the AAC Coach of the Year. With the win, the Cavs advance to the NAIA Nationals in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Nov. 16.
The Montreat women’s team also finished well, placing fourth in the 14-team conference. They were paced by sophomore Lydia Wilson, who finished third overall in the race. Rounding out the scorers for the Cavs were Skyler Tait (20), freshman Rosalea Marshall (42), junior Madeline Sides (45), and freshman Alma Rodriguez (53). Sophomore Erica Morin finished less than a second behind Rodriguez. For her effort, Wilson earned All-Conference honors, and will advance to the NAIA Nationals individually. Tait garnered a spot on the All-Freshman team for the Cavaliers.
The Warren Wilson Owls cross country teams, who were featured in this week’s issue, competed at the Bob Jones Bruins Invite on Oct. 27. On the men’s side, sophomore Julian Rohn-Capellaro finished sixth overall, with junior Sam Moore next in for the Owls. They were followed by sophomore Ian Heaps and freshman Sam Colston. The Owls travel to the USCAA Nationals this Friday in Virginia Beach.
The Owls’ women’s side also competed at the Bruins Invite and was led by Sophie Willihnganz, who placed 16th overall. Ellie Goldstein was next across the finish line for the Owls, and Kiersten Keith-Pederson, Ella Jane Nelson, Emme McManus all scored for Warren Wilson. Ellei Burmeister and Sasha Pitkofsky rounded out the Warren Wilson finishers and will travel as a squad to the USCAA Nationals this Friday.
On the soccer field, Warren Wilson women’s team was 7-6 as of November 3. Check back next week for an update on whether they will advance into the USCAA postseason. The Owls’ (2-10) men’s team has concluded its season, as has the Montreat Cavaliers’ men’s squad. The Cavs’ men’s team finished with a 6-9-3 record and bowed out in the first round of the AAC playoffs. The Montreat women’s squad closed out 2018 at 5-7-3, and just short of the AAC postseason.
High Schools
On Saturday night, the Owen Warhorses boys’ soccer team earned a 2-1 victory over visiting Foard, and moved to 15-4 on the season. The victory was their 13th straight and came in the first round of the NCHSAA 2A playoffs. They advanced to the second round of the postseason and hosted Forest Hills (11-11-1) on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The Warhorses football team dropped a 55-14 decision to Mitchell (9-2) on Friday night in Bakersville. Owen concluded the regular season at 4-6, and as of press time their 2018 playoff future yet to be determined.