By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–The girls’ and boys’ championships of the Union City Invitational did not leave town.
Both the homestanding Lady Tornadoes and Tornadoes won the titles in convincing fashion Wednesday on the Dave Shatz Track at War Memorial Stadium, besting five other schools.
The UC boys finished with 156 total points, beating runner-up Dyersburg and four other teams, while the Twister girls ended up with 108 points to top No. 2 Haywood and another quartet of squads.
The Tornado boys were strong in the relays, winning the 4×800 and the 4×200 and placing second in the 4×100.
Cedrion Cook, Matthew Parr, Ben Martinek and Colby Butler made up the 4×800 team, while Durrell Littleton, Kameron Shade, Skyler Mayes and Damon Rice combined to win the 4×200. Shade, Kweli Purifoy, Jacob Arnold and Mayes teamed for second in the 4×100.
Mayes won the 110 hurdles and Cook claimed first place in the 3200 meter run and second in the 1600.
Union City was strong in the field events, too, with Taylon Tribble, a state champion two years ago as a sophomore, outclassing the field in the discus by more than 28 feet. Carter Bondurant recorded a runner-up finish in the shot put.
The Tornado girls recorded first-place finishes in the discus (Khia German) and the shot put (Destiny Kenton).
Kylie McCadney had a big day in the running events with first-place efforts in both the 200 and the 400. McCadney was also part of the second-place 4×200 relay team, joining Ariel Hughes, Chloe Meade and Chanyah Liphford.
Meade was a winner in the 800 and McCadney was first in the triple jump by defaut.
Bailey Waggoner gave the Purple and Gold big points in the distance events, winning first in the 1600 and second in the 3200.
Union City’s next meet is scheduled for April 15 at Huntingdon.
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
UC 12, Halls 2
The Tornadoes moved back over the .500 mark, jumping to a quick 4-0 lead and then cruising past the Tigers in the opening game of the L.H. Ladd Memorial Classic at Elam Stadium.
UC (5-4-1) broke the contest wide open with a six-run third that made it 10-0 before ending the contest after five innings due to the mercy rule.
Landon Hauhe singled, doubled and drove in a pair of runs while reaching base three times in all. Gunnar Cheatham had a two-run triple and scored twice, Will Ragsdale went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, and Kyler Southerland contributed a pair of ribbies to the winning cause.
Nolan Chandler scored twice, as did winning pitcher Mason Reed.
Reed improved to 2-1 after giving up just one earned run and striking out four in 4 1/3 innings. Hauhe got the final two outs.
Union City will play again Friday in the tourney, against Peabody, at 6:45 p.m.
MIDDLE SCHOOL TENNIS
Tornadoes split at USJ
The Union City girls won six of seven singles matches and all four doubles events to triumph easily.
Dani Frankum, Lexi Petty, Davey Frankum, Bertie Jenkins, Jamie Becton and Emma Mobbs were all singles victors.
The Tornado boys could manage but two wins – one in singles play (Ben Wade) and the other in doubles (Wade and Landon McAdams).
Girls Singles
- Dani Frankum 6-1
- Lexi Petty 4-2
- Davey Frankum 6-1
- Bertie Jenkins 6-4
- Jamie Becton 6-0
- Josie Ross 5-6
- Emma Mobbs 6-0
Girls Doubles
- Dani Frankum and Lexi Petty 6-0
- Davey Frankum and Bertie Jenkins 6-2
- Natalie Long and Emma Mobbs 6-2
- Addy Rice and Mary Kate Sinclair 6-3
Boys Singles
- Ben Wade 6-2
- Kobe Kirk 0-6
- Landon McAdams 2-6
- Jeremy Rice 1-6
- Tolar Armstrong 0-6
- Foster Rodgers 1-6
- Logan Barker 2-6
Boys Doubles
- Ben Wade and Landon McAdams 6-1
- Jeremy Rice and Kobe Kirk 1-6
- Foster Rodgers and Tolar Armstrong 0-5
- Andrew Beard and Britton Tully 1-6