By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
The Union City High School track teams are off to another strong start to their season, each winning the Huntingdon Invitational on Tuesday after running away from the competition at Dyersburg last week in their season openers.
The defending state champion UC boys outclassed a 14-school field with 110 points. South Gibson County was a distant second with 50. The Union City girls – with four straight Top 10 state finishes – edged Chester County 79-73 in a 12-team competition.
Tayshun Gentry had a first-place finish in the triple jump and was also part of the winning 4X200 relay team, along with Rodney Jenkins, Owen Waggoner, and Shontorious Fuller. Waggoner was also a member of the 4X800 squad that won, while Jenkins claimed first place in the 200-meter dash.
Woodrow McKinnis, Maddix Turner, and Andrew Beard completed the 4X800 squad.
Jayden Sims recorded a first-place finish in the long jump.
The Lady Tornadoes edged Chester County for first place, 79-73.
Ainsley Beard and Madie Theobald were part of two winning relay teams to pace the UC girls. Beard and Theobald were joined by Ca’Lae Ervin and Hayden Marshall on the first-place 4X400 team, while Ainsley Sadler and Blair McKinnis joined Beard and Theobald on the 4X800 unit that was a winner.
Carda Ellis brought home first in the triple jump.
There were no field events held due to poor field conditions.
Head coach Wade Maddox also announced that five-time state champion Adrian Crawford and state champion shot putter Aiden Reid will participate in the prestigious Nike Nationals in New York this weekend.
Union City’s teams will return to action in the Tupelo, Mississippi, Invitational next weekend.
HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
Obion Co. 3, UC 1
The Rebels scored twice after the intermission to break a 1-all deadlock and drop Union City to 0-2.
Alex Landeros knocked home the Tornadoes’ only goal on a corner kick after OC had gotten on the board first.
KhaZarion Scates and Paul Sauvage also attempted shots on goal for the Twisters.
“The guys did an excellent job of implementing the plan Coach (Savion) Hayslett and I put in place for this match,” UC head coach Travis VanHooser said afterward. “Our effort was great the entire night.
“Central made some adjustments at the half that I was late in matching.”
UC will play next at Milan on Tuesday.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASEBALL
Northview 5, UC 3
The Tornadoes jumped out to a 3-0 lead but gave up single runs in the fourth and fifth innings after Northview had evened the count.
Angel Tinajero drove in two of UC’s three runs in that opening frame with a single. Trey Kail plated the other tally.
Bo Bondurant singled, walked, and scored a run, while Boston Riley and Kason Medley cross the plate.
Jackson Williams – the last of three Tornado hurlers –was charged with the pitching loss.
Now 2-2, Union City will host Gibson County on Thursday.
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL
Obion Co. 5, UC 3
The Lady Tornadoes were again hampered by misplays as four errors led to four unearned OC runs.
UC (1-3) scored single runs in the third, fourth, and seventh frames, and outhit the Lady Rebels 5-3.
Mattie Smith went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Kylie Mayes had two hits and scored a run. Maddie Steward reached base three times via two walks and a single, and scored twice.
Smith was the hard-luck losing pitcher, despite striking out nine and surrendering but one earned run.
Union City will play at Dyersburg on Thursday.
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
Chester Co. 14, UC 0
The Twisters were on the wrong end of a blowout in their second game in the Carl Perkins Tournament at Elam Stadium.
An eight-run second-inning outburst by the Eagles built on CC’s 2-0 lead. The visitors then tacked on four more tallies in the fourth to complete the mercy-rule triumph.
Christian Vaughn and Preston Creswell accounted for UC’s only two hits – both singles.
Creswell was the losing hurler after being chased in the second inning. Japheth Caldwell and Jackson Vowell pitched in relief.
Union City (1-4) will host Tipton Christian Academy on Friday night at 7.
MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
Gibson Co. 2, UC 0
Union City battled hard in a close set 1, losing 26-24.
GC then claimed the match with a 25-10 triumph in Game 2.
The Lady Tornadoes will carry a 3-6 record into Thursday’s matchup at Obion County.