Rising Winfield High senior Carly Hinkle made a splash on the track and field scene last spring by winning the Class AAA state title in the girls high jump. On Wednesday that splash reached the West Coast as Hinkle, participating for the Capital City Striders Track and Field Club, won the gold medal in the Women's 17-18 high jump at the USA & AAU National Championships in Sacramento, California.
Hinkle cleared 5 feet, 8 3/4 inches feet to earn the title on her first attempt of the day. Hinkle's jump bested Idaho native Lindsey Schmidt's jump by nearly two inches.
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POWER POSTPONED: Thursday's scheduled baseball game between the West Virginia Power and the visiting Delmarva Shorebirds was postponed by rain. The two teams will play a doubleheader Friday beginning at 5:05 p.m. at Appalachian Power Park.
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ELLIS HONORED: Former South Charleston and current Charleston Southern University football player Anthony Ellis was named the Big South Conference's 2016 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, announced Thursday at the Big South Football Media Day Kickoff Luncheon in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Ellis, who played for the Black Eagles as a freshman and sophomore, before transferring to Apopka High in Apopka, Fla., led the Big South as a sophomore with 17.5 tackles for loss and was second with seven sacks in earning First-Team All-Big South honors. The 6-foot-1, 245 pound junior defensive end also had 54 tackles (33 solo), with two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two pass breakups, an interception and a defensive touchdown.
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LEGION BASEBALL: The American Legion State Tournament was sidetracked by inclement weather Thursday, forcing the postponements of games and a change of venue. The tournament will resume today at noon when South Charleston Post 94 faces Elkins Post 29 in an elimination game at Bethany College. The tournament was originally scheduled for Moundsville before rainy weather forced the move.
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CITY SWIM MEET: South Hills leads the Greater Kanawha Valley Summer League Championship after the second day of competition at the University of Charleston pool Thursday. Swimmers ages 9-10 competed on second day of the four-day event, with competitors aged 6-and-under and 8-and-under swimming Friday beginning at 6:30 p.m.
South Hills has amassed 1,653 points to lead second-place Cross Lanes (827.50) and Sleepy Hollow 633.50. For results, see Page 2B.