Martin steps down as EB’s track coach

Following a historic five-year run as East Burke High School’s head track and field coach, Joshua Martin announced his resignation via a Facebook post on Monday.

The high point of Martin’s tenure came when the Cavalier boys indoor track team brought home the school’s first-ever team state title during the 2023 North Carolina High School Athletic Association 1A/2A state championship meet. However, EB’s indoor and outdoor track squads also collected a combined three state runner-up trophies, two regional championships, two regional runner-up trophies, three conference titles, and 14 individual state championships under his watch.

“A very bittersweet moment,” Martin wrote in Monday’s post. “This morning I submitted my resignation as the East Burke Track Coach. For the first time in 13 years, I will not be a coach. I will still be at East Burke as a teacher. However, as a part of my Masters program I will be doing internship activities with the school’s administration and so I will need to focus on that.

“I never went into education with the goal of being a coach but God had other plans for me when I started my journey. Coaching became a part of me and always will (be). I will miss it dearly, but I feel a pull from God to become an administrator and use what God has given me as a leader. I still plan to help the team when I can and be there for all my athletes, but this is the end of one part of my journey and the beginning of another.”

Martin went on to thank EB’s athletes, his assistant coaches and mentors, and the community for supporting him over the years.

“Thank you, East Burke Community, for this opportunity and privilege to be the head coach the last five years and hopefully leave a long-lasting legacy,” Martin wrote. “It has meant more to me than anyone can possibly imagine, and I will forever be grateful for the memories, opportunities, and the relationships that I was able to build while in this position. East Burke Track will forever be a part of my life.”

Draughn’s Whitson commits to Caldwell Tech for volleyball

Draughn High School rising senior Bella Whitson has made her college intentions clear, revealing in an Instagram post on July 11 that she has verbally committed to play volleyball at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute during the 2027-28 academic year.

“Beyond excited and incredibly grateful to announce my commitment to continue my academic and volleyball career at Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute!” Whitson wrote, adding that she is thankful for “family, coaches, teammates, and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey.”

Listed as a middle blocker/right side hitter on the Lady Wildcats’ 2025 roster, Whitson ranked fourth or higher in four different statistical categories as a junior. A 6-foot-2, All-WPC performer, she totaled 178 kills (third on team), 74 digs, 63 blocks (second), 40 aces (fourth), and 23 assists (T-fourth).

Draughn finished 23-6 overall and 13-1 in Western Piedmont 3A/4A Conference play, sharing the league’s regular-season title with Patton before defeating the Lady Panthers in the finals of the WPC tournament. The Lady Wildcats ultimately reached the 3A West Regional title match as they completed the longest postseason run in program history to go with a new program-record win total.

Caldwell Tech was 22-10 overall and 5-3 in National Junior College Athletic Association Region 10 Division III play last fall, with 2025 Draughn graduate Lyrical Edwards receiving First Team All-American honors for the Cobras.

Patton’s Huggins earns AAU

All-American status

Patton High School rising senior Hannah Huggins made her mark during the 2025 prep season as she helped the Lady Panthers secure a share of the WPC regular-season title, post an overall record of 19-6, and finish 13-1 in league contests.

But Huggins, a 6-2 middle blocker who verbally committed to NCAA Division I USC Upstate prior to the 2025 campaign, also performed at a high level as a member of the Hickory-based Carolina Select Volleyball Club 17 Black squad, which finished fifth out of 110 total teams during the 53rd AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships last month in Orlando, Fla. At the conclusion of the event, Huggins was named to the 17 and Under Premier Division’s All-American team.

As a junior at Patton, Huggins registered a league-high 297 kills and a team-high 78 blocks. She also finished with 22 assists and 21 aces to rank fifth among Lady Panthers in both categories, adding 81 digs as well.

For her efforts, Huggins earned all-state, all-region, and all-conference recognition.

Valdese Torpedo finish regular season

The Valdese Torpedo youth swim team capped the regular season with a home meet against the Lenoir Makos and the Black Mountain Stingrays on July 18 at the Valdese Aquatic Center, and although individual results were unavailable, Valdese head coach David Andersen did report team scores for the Tarheel Swim League tri-meet.

On the girls side, Lenoir had 243 points to finish ahead of Valdese (183) and Black Mountain (100). The boys squads finished in the same order as the Makos totaled 174 points, the Torpedo had 166, and the Stingrays had 155.

50th annual Great Waldensian Footrace set for Aug. 8

The 50th annual Great Waldensian Footrace, part of Valdese’s Waldensian Festival, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Aug. 8.

The 5K and 10K races — the latter of which will be held for the final time due to a drop in participation over the last several years — will both begin at 8 a.m. Additionally, a one-mile fun run/walk will start at 9:30 a.m. from the same location, the Valdese Community Center, located at 312 Massel Ave.

Registration for all events is available online at tinyurl.com/54v32v3z, and cost is $25 through July 30, $30 through Aug. 6, and $35 on race day from 7-7:45 a.m. for the 5K and 10K races. Meanwhile, there is no cost to participate in the one-mile fun run/walk.

Awards will be presented to the top three finishers both overall and in each male and female age group (one-mile fun run competitors must be 13 or younger to be eligible for awards), and all participants and guests are invited to take a cool, post-race swim in the pool at the Valdese Community Center and stay for the festival to enjoy local crafts, food, and a full day of entertainment.

The Great Waldensian Footrace is sponsored by the Valdese Parks and Recreation Department.

Morganton offering girls flag football league

After receiving a large turnout for its girls flag football interest meeting, the Morganton Recreation Department is currently holding signups for the league’s inaugural season.

Girls ages 5-18 as of Aug. 31 are eligible to participate, with online registration continuing through 11:59 p.m. on July 31 at tinyurl.com/bdef3f6u. Notably, there is no charge to register until it is determined whether there is enough interest to carry on with the league this year.

For more information, contact Jesse Bunton at 828-438-5371 or jbunton@morgantonnc.gov.