William Campbell High School athletes have been practicing feverishly since Aug. 1. The Generals and Lady Generals will now turn their attention to the competition on the football field, cross country path, golf course and volleyball court.
More than 90 students are participating in fall sports at William Campbell. The Union Star has put together a preview on the William Campbell football, cross country, golf and volleyball teams.
Cross country
With last year’s top male and female runners gone, 2012 looks to be a rebuilding year for the Generals. Both teams are the largest and youngest teams William Campbell has seen in years.
The boys are looking to improve off a fifth-place finish in the Dogwood District meet and hope to compete as a team in the regional meet.
Key losses from last year’s team include Jenna Holt, Jacob Holt and Derek Dolan.
Key returnees from last year’s team are senior Preston Cantrell, sophomores Dillon Haislip, Colton Mason and Isaac Williams and freshmen Dylan Boggs and Danny Stewart.
Newcomers include junior Nick Reed, a regional qualifier on the boys outdoor track team, as well as sophomores Dylan Jones and Chris Ward and freshmen Jared Critzer and Spencer Lipphard. Eighth-grader Nathan Williams will also be competing on the junior varsity squad.
The lone female returnee is senior Katie Reamey, who is hoping to see faster times after being troubled with injuries all last season.
Junior Liza Alexander is a new addition to the girls team this year, as well as sophomores Megan Angel, Allison Chapman and Andrea Wilson.
Football
William Campbell opened its 2012 season Friday night with a 35-21 loss against Campbell County foe Rustburg.
Under the direction of Coach Greg Mullins, the Generals made a run in last year’s state playoffs before falling in the quarterfinals.
William Campbell started the season 1-4 and played much better as the season progressed. The Generals finished 3-7 overall and made the playoffs for the first time since 2008. After winning two games, a 40-13 win over Rappahannock and a 42-0 thrashing of Mathews, the Generals lost to Central Lunenburg 28-15. William Campbell ended the season 5-8 overall and 2-4 in the Dogwood District.
From the 2011 squad, the Generals lost key players in Matt Rudder; Maxie Crews, who is playing wide receiver at Ferrum; Ozell Yuille, an all-district selection on offense and defense; Levy Thompson; who is playing offensive line at Bluefield College; and Zane Elder.
“We have several key players back and a great group of seniors, who are starting to show leadership,” said Mullins. “This season, we look for an improved regular season, so we don’t have to travel in the playoffs.”
As far as the Dogwood District goes, Mullins said the Generals expect to play in the top half of the Dogwood and compete every Friday night for a chance to win the district.
William Campbell’s key returnees are Damiun Lockett at running back and linebacker, Reshawn Lee at wide receiver and defensive back, Tevin Easley at running back and linebacker, Brent Guthrie at linebacker and tight end, Josh Angel at offensive and defensive line, Carl Hamlett at offensive and defensive line and Malik Slayton at wide receiver and defensive back.
Key newcomers to the team include freshman Tyrell Staten at linebacker and defensive back, sophomore Patrick Lockett at quarterback, sophomore Daron Tardy at offensive and defensive line, sophomore Dakota Carwile at offensive and defensive line and sophomore Hakeen Gilliam at offensive and defensive line.
Golf
Greg Smith is in his first year as the coach of the William Campbell golf team. To his luck, he is inheriting a solid squad from last season.
The Generals lone loss from last year was Colby Francis, who graduated last spring.
Returning to this year’s team is Josiah Singleton, a sophomore who will be playing in the team’s number one spot, and Colby Harrison, a senior who will be playing in the number two spot.
“Josiah is very capable of playing below par on any course in the area, while Colby has experience in the lineup and can post very good scores.”
Others fighting for sports four through six include seniors Kevin Trent and Dylan Overstreet, juniors Mitch Mason, Slade Seals, Brad Marstin and Cody Lawhorn and freshman Parker Mason.
“Being new to the sport, I have not considered last season so much as this one,” Smith said, “I am basing the team’s outlook for 2012 thus far on our play in invitationals and our first match at Falling River.”
In the Generals’ first invitational, William Campbell posted a fifth-place finish out of 12 teams behind Appomattox, E.C. Glass, Jefferson Forest and Rustburg.
“We played well and shot a 329 for the day,” Smith said. “In our first district match at Falling River, we shot a 160, two strokes behind Appomattox for second place. We beat Altavista and Dan River.”
Smith said these showings make him and the Generals hopeful. “I’m certain we can become better and perhaps land somewhere at the top of our district.”
Volleyball
After taking some time off to start a family, Coach Sunshine Martin is back at the helm of William Campbell’s varsity volleyball team.
The Generals fell at home 3-1 against Randolph-Henry in the season opener for both teams. With a young team, Martin is hoping her team can find its rhythm as the season progresses.
While Brittany Goode was the lone senior on last year’s team, Mary Toms plays that role this year as the Lady Generals’ only senior.
In addition to Toms, key returnees from the 2011 squad are Kendall Haga, Shania Neighbors, Kelsie Sligh, Juliana Ranson, Gina Lawhorn, Rachel Hanson and Allie Terry.
Newcomers this season are Holly Neighbors, Jordan Elder, Makia Lee, Kelsey Reamey and Briana Rexrode.
William Campbell finished 4-16 overall in the 2011 season and 4-8 in the Dogwood District. The team’s final game last year came in the first round of the Dogwood District tournament.
“There are high hopes for the season, as we have several hard hitters and options as setters. The girls are hard workers and are motivated to go far,” Martin said. “We know that Nelson and Altavista will come out strong, and we hope to play strong against them. The Dogwood is always competitive, and we hope to be a front-runner in the district.”