By all accounts, Stephanie Place will depart from Tennessee Tech as the best women’s distance runner in school history.
However, the former Tennessee High star doesn’t sit around basking in her accomplishments.
“I’m just glad I got the opportunity to run here with the girls, the coaches and the athletic department,” Place said. “It’s been really good and just an all-around good experience.”
It’s also been full of wins. In her senior season alone, Place has won three races and been named the Ohio Valley Conference runner of the week on five occasions. She also owns nearly every school cross country record.
“I’ve been happy with it,” Place said. “I’ve trained hard and I was just really happy with how our team did as well. We did the best since I’ve been here.”
Place’s most impressive race came on Nov. 1 at the OVC conference championships in Missouri. Place won the women’s race by more than 21 seconds, completing the 5K course in 18 minutes, 16 seconds. She improved on her third-place showing in 2007.
“It was a tough course,” Place said. “It was pretty hilly. I ran as best as I thought I could … I didn’t really have a goal to win the conference, I just wanted to do the same or better than I did the year before.”
Place will compete in the NCAA South Regional this weekend in Maryville, Tenn.
Webb’s world
Roanoke College sophomore Sydney Webb appeared in 17 of the Maroons’ 28 volleyball matches this fall and compiled 10 kills, 10 assists, two service aces and 17 digs.
However, things haven’t slowed down for the former Carroll County High School star. She is also a reserve guard for the Roanoke women’s basketball team.
Strong start for Mullins
Ashley Mullins (Honaker) had a strong start to the season for the UNC-Greensboro women’s basketball team as the Spartans claimed a 95-42 exhibition win over Guilford College last Saturday.
A 5-foot-11 senior, Mullins scored six points and also had three rebounds and two assists in 10 minutes off the bench.
Reed is ready
Tazewell High School graduate Omar Reed has been dominant in the season’s early stages for the Bluefield College men’s basketball team.
In the Rams’ first two games, Reed is averaging 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds.
McKinney makes tackles
Former Powell Valley High School standout Patrick McKinney continues to make an impact as a linebacker for the Virginia Military Institute.
McKinney has made 25 tackles (11 solo and 4½ for loss) in nine games for VMI.
Playoff performers
Carson-Newman (7-3) has qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs and will travel to Valdosta State on Saturday in a first-round game.
Several local players have contributed this season for the Eagles. Former Tennessee High star Mo Whitten starts at tight end and has caught eight passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns.
Offensive lineman Pace Melvin (John Battle) and the Gate City trio of Will Humphreys, Luke Humphreys and Zach Jones have seen valuable time for C-N.
thayes@bristolnews.com|(276) 645-2570
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