Staff Reports

A three-time state champion from East Wilkes High will be running halfway around the world this summer.

Junior Carol Blankenship, who dominated the 1A cross country state meet in November, will compete in Australia’s Down Under Games in early July. She will be part of a nine member girls all-star cross country team from North Carolina.

Representing North Carolina and the United States, Blankenship will compete in two cross country meets held on the Gold Coast of Australia.

Members of the team are selected on the basis of nominations or chosen by a selection committee.

Blankenship has won three gold medals in state events for East Wilkes. She ran the anchor leg on the 4x800 relay team that earned state titles in 2008 and 2009. She broke a state record en route to gold in the 1A girls cross country championships at Tanglewood Park this past fall, winning by more than a minute.

Blankenship also is a two-time conference runner of the year.

Blankenship received her invitation for the Australia trip in December, and after much thought, accepted the opportunity knowing the trip includes not only international competition but the chance to travel and see other parts of the world.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go and do something like this,” Blankenship said. “I have been running year-round since middle school, and I see this as a reward for all the hard work I have put in. I am honored to represent North Carolina and the United States.”

The International Down Under Games is sponsored by International Sports Specialists’ located in North Logan, Utah. The program was started more than 20 years ago to give promising athletes across the United States the opportunity to compete beyond the local and state levels.

The North Carolina team will be coached by Ben Hovis, distance coach at Providence Day School in Charlotte. Hovis, also an accomplished runner, has coached the North Carolina team for the last several years.

His knowledge of running and past involvement in the Down Under Games will prove an asset to those on the team.

“I am excited Carol is on the team, she is truly a gifted runner whose accomplishments are impressive,” Hovis said.

With a spot on the North Carolina team secured, the team has to raise much of the money to help cover the cost of the trip, which is around $4,000 for each individual.

Anyone who would like to donate for Blankenship’s opportunity to represent North Carolina and the United States in the International Down Under Cross Country Games can do so by making a check out to International Sports Specialists, Inc. and sending them to Carol Blankenship, 578 East Walker Road, Elkin, NC 28621.

Yadkin County Baseball looking for players

Sign-ups for Yadkin County Baseball will take place during January through the schools.

Prospective players are encouraged to talk with your school's baseball director for more information on registration and the 2010 season.

Yadkin County Baseball also has a new Web site: www.eteamz.com/yadkincountybaseball.

"We are trying to get a lot of information posted on this site to help with the questions you may have about Yadkin County Baseball, and what all is happening in the county concerning baseball," president Keith Pack said.

"I would like to get some feedback from the communities in the county on what you would like to see changed or your opinion on what would make Yadkin County Baseball better. It is the goal of the officers of Yadkin County Baseball to make this a fun and learning league for everyone involved."