Cummins Nature Preserve as nice as advertised

I had heard a lot of great things about Cummins Nature Preserve. Today, I discovered they are all true.

My wife, Glenda, and I hiked a trail at the nature preserve for the first time this afternoon. The only other time I had been on the grounds was several years ago when we made a quick drive through the parking area.

Dr. Claude E. Cummins Jr. donated the property to the community in 1996.

Mason County Fiscal Court and Director Grant Felice have made many improvements to the nature preserve. It features hiking trails, a playground, a picnic shelter and a pond. There is plenty of room for social distancing. 

Cummins Nature Preserve is located at 3049 Pickett Lane, not far from Clyde T. Barbour Parkway.

Wald Park announces plans for baseball, softball and T-ball this summer

The Wald Park Incorporated Board of Directors has announced plans for baseball, softball and T-ball this summer utilizing social distancing rules from local and state governments.

Online registration has reopened to allow more kids the opportunity to play. Registration ends at noon on Wednesday, June 3.  Here is the link to the registration site.

The player draft will take place on Wednesday, June 3. Practice will begin on June 15, and games will be played July 6-August 28. A tournament is planned for the week of August 31. 

All players must have their own helmets. Helmets will not be shared.

If your child registered for the league but won't be playing this summer, email the league at waldparkinc@gmail.com

Earlier this month, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced a timeline for reopening youth sports. Here is a link to the timeline.

KHSAA eliminates annual Dead Period for this year, sets other guidelines

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association Board of Control voted 13-5 today to eliminate the annual Dead Period 
(June 25-July 9) for this year only.

Schools have been under a COVID-19 Dead Period since March 16.

The Board of Control also voted to allow coaches to meet with players in groups of 10 or less from June 1-14. No workouts will be allowed during that period. Physical conditioning in groups of 10 or less can begin on June 15. 

The guidelines approved today will be reviewed by the KHSAA staff and released to the public on Friday. 

Trivia Time

Here are this week's local sports trivia quiz. I will post the answers in a couple of days.

(Updated with the answers below.)

1. What was the Orangeburg High School mascot?

2. Earle D. Jones holds the record for most 10th Region championships as a coach with eight. What five coaches are tied for second place with four 10th Region titles?

3. What year did the Mason County Fieldhouse open?

4. What two golfers share the record as five-time champions of the Mason County Open?

5. What former Maysville Bulldog was a member of the first two Morehead State teams to play in the NCAA basketball tournament?

6. What former Mason County Royal led the Campbellsville University in scoring in the 1990-91 basketball season?

7. Who was the first St. Patrick girls' basketball player to score 30 or more points in a game?

8. Who holds the Mason County girls' records for both the long jump and the triple jump?

9. What year did the Clover Leaf Dairy team win the National Knothole Baseball Championship in Cincinnati?

10. What former St. Patrick Saint played baseball at the University of Kentucky? 

Answers
1. Tigers
2. Woodie Crum, Allen Feldhaus, Mike Reitz, Chris O'Hearn, Aric Russell
3. 1965
4. Eric Schumacher and Deron Feldhaus
5. Harlan "Fats" Tolle
6. Jerry Butler
7. Vanessa Walton
8. De'Sarae Chambers 
9. 1966
10. Josh Owens

(Updated to correct question No. 2 (five coaches, not four have won four 10th Region titles) and to correct the answer to include Aric Russell.)

Bowling is back as Town and Country Bowling Lanes reopens

Town and Country Bowling Lanes in Aberdeen reopened today after being shutdown for two months by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today was the first day Ohio bowling alleys could reopen.

According to the order by Dr. Amy Acton, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, bowling alleys shall continue to comply with the six-foot social distancing requirements for employees and the public when possible.

The Tuesday Fun Bowlers league at Town and Country Bowling Lanes will resume on June 2nd at 6:30 p.m.

Bowling alleys in Kentucky can reopen on June 1st 

2019 MCHS grad David Selby commits to Kentucky Christian University

2019 Mason County High School graduate David Selby has committed to Kentucky Christian University to further his academic and baseball career.

Selby batted .350 and drove in 19 runs his senior season. 

Ethan Snapp is No. 1 pick in the 2020 Augusta Park League draft , team rosters set

Former Newport High School and University of the Cumberlands guard Ethan Snapp was the No. 1 pick in the inaugural draft of the Augusta Park League conducted live on Facebook tonight. Snapp was selected by the Seminary Avenue Snipers.

When the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the eight-team league will play games on Sundays.

The games will feature an Elam Ending in which the game clock is turned off, a target score is set and every game ends with a game-winning basket.

Here are the team rosters with the players draft order in parentheses.

Seminary Avenue Snipers
Ethan Snapp (1)
Griffin Appleman (14)
Steven Chambers (30)
Trevor Lang (32)
Jamison Dudley (35)
Braden Jackson (46)
Devin Workman (51)
Chase McElfresh 62

Dream Team
Alex Schlach (2)
Brandon Dice (15)
Mason Burden (18)
Sebastian Dixon (31)
Cody Ripato (34)
John Roberts (47)
Chandler Black (50)
Brycn Blevins (63)

Quarantine Dreamers
Dorian Henry (3)
Bradley Boone (16)
Andrew Sticklen (17)
Dee Johnson (19)
Jaylen Rigdon (33)
Preston Philpot (48)
Hunter Wood (49)
Brandon Tucker (64)

Germantown Devils
Connor Maddox (4)
Nathan Shrader (24)
Collin Jefferson (25)
Dustin Freeman (40)
Jared Zornes (41)
Camden Johnson (56)
Nick Williams (57)
CJ Kellerman (61)

R's Liquor Hornets
Camryn Snapp (5)
Cayden Reed (12)
Xylon Frey (21)
Chase Archibald (28)
Jaheim Mullins (37)
Gavin Gardner (44)
Chris Staggs (53)
Brock Jenkins (60)

We Hoopin' Hoopin
Blake Reed (6)
Brevin Jones (11)
Evan Snapp (22)
Cooper Engnes (27)
Sam Appelman (38)
Malkolm Devine (43)
Cameron White (54)
Miles Murphy (59)

Blacktop Ballers
Zaire Henry (7)
Jeremy Hardymon (10)
Brady Jones (23)
Jeremiah Jones (26)
Phillip Thomas (39)
Tanner Horn (42)
Josh White (55)
Clay Gray (58)

Run HKB
Tanner Kelsch (8)
Kason Hinson (9) 
Jared Shoemaker (13)
Trey Deaton (20)
Stephen Cordle (29)
Jake Swolsky (36)
Conner Snapp  (45)
Will Kelsch (52)

Remembering the Buffalo Trails MultiSport Races

Memorial Day weekend brings back great memories of the Buffalo Trails Multisport Races in Maysville. 

(Full disclosure: I was a member of the race committee and provided live coverage on WFTM radio.)

The races, hosted by the Maysville-Mason County Area Chamber of Commerce, started in 2001 with a duathlon. A triathlon, featuring a half-mile swim in the Ohio River was added in 2005.
Runners and walkers also competed in a 5K.

Athletes from throughout the United States came here for the races and they raved about the city and the race course.

In addition to the river swim, the course featured "Big Hiney Hill" on Tuckahoe Road and the homestretch on top of the levee.

There were dominating performances and multiple wins by Michelle Kitze of Kettering, Ohio and Paducah firefighter Barry Knight. 

Maysville native Allison Poe won the 2007 and 2008 women's triathlons.

We were inspired by amputee Donna Crawford who was raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Jenn Sommerman who was competing in 50 triathlons in all 50 states to fight ovarian cancer.

Some years the Buffalo Trails Triathlon was the Kentucky qualifying race for the Best of the U.S. Triathlon Series.

Race Director Mark Day, Chamber of Commerce Executive Directors John Carpenter and Vicki Steigleder, the chamber staff, the race committee, city workers, the police and sheriff's departments, sponsors and volunteers pulled it all together. 

From 2001 through 2013, the races were held on the Saturday of  the Memorial Day weekend. The 2014 races were held on September 13. 

Declining participation led to the decision in January of 2015 to stop having the races. 

Six years after the last races, the memories are still vivid.

Mason County Lady Royals softball team will have a drive-thru Senior Night Friday evening

The Mason County Lady Royals fast pitch softball team will have a drive-thru Senior Night for the three seniors Friday evening at the Tom Browning Boys and Girls Club.

The program will begin at 8:20 p.m. and the field lights will be turned on. The three seniors- Breanna Hampton, Haley White and Alexis Thompson- will be along the first base line. The public is invited to drive-thru and honor the seniors.

Gov. Beshear talks about fall sports during his daily COVID-19 update

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear was asked about fall sports during his daily COVID-19 update today.

"It's still a little early to tell," Beshear said. "I think where people are trending is games without fans because it's the mass number when you have fans that can spread (the virus). But some sports have a lot of contact too. I want to be really cognizant that these are student-athletes, right? They're not paid professionals; we want to make sure it's safe for them. Now, they're part of an age group that respond best to this virus in terms of health outcome, but they still get it. 

"I know that when we talk about youth sports, it's going to be low contact sports. And then on the high contact sports, we're going to try to come up with guidance that lets you do individual workouts and team practices that don't involve the actual contact. So, there's a lot of contact in basketball, we don't think about it the same way we do football, but there's a lot of contact. Now, if we can get some guidance out there that would let people practice but not scrimmage for instance, thoughts about having 'em spread out until we can get to the point where we think it's safer, which could be later in the summer. Again, we're watching all of this. That's probably where we're headed on our guidance, but we expect for the youth baseball, tennis; hopefully we can do swimming. Again, this isn't a pool that's open  just for entertainment, but if we can get the guidance for low contact sports that are out there. It's still going to be a real challenge when we look in the fall or anytime without a vaccine to have 20,000, 30,000 fans in stands. But we don't want to presuppose where the virus is going. A lot could happen, and that's why we don't want to say no, but we do want to temper expectations."

This week's local sports trivia quiz

Here is this week's local sports trivia quiz. Good luck. I will post the answers in a couple of days.

(Updated with the answers below)

1. What former Junior Chippeways champion is a Southeastern Conference basketball official?

2. What year did the Sardis girls' basketball team finish as the state runner-up?

3. What former Maysville Bulldog was a two-time All-OVC first baseman for the Morehead State Eagles?

4. What St. Patrick graduate won the Kentucky Women's State Amateur golf tournament in 1986?

5. Who holds the Mason County Royals' record for career rushing touchdowns?

6. Who is the St. Patrick girls' basketball all-time leading scorer?

7. What year did former Mason County football coach David Buchanan guide the Kentucky All-Stars to a victory over the Tennessee All-Stars?

8. What former Maysville Bulldog was selected in the 10th round of the 1957 NBA Draft?

9. What former St. Patrick Saint had a 16-point game against the Kentucky Wildcats in Rupp Arena?

10. What Mason County football and basketball player was a state champion in the high jump?

Answers
1. Bart Lenox
2. 1923
3. Homer Cablish
4. Sandy Byron
5. Nathan Myrick
6. Margaret Klee
7. 2005
8. Gerry Calvert
9. Jay Gast
10. Harry Lewis

(Updated to correct the answer on No.7).

Guidance for opening up high school sports released by NFHS

There will be numerous hurdles to clear in order to have high school sports during the upcoming school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those hurdles were outlined in a document released today by 
the National Federation of State High School Associations Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.

The document covers guidelines for pre-workout screenings, limitations on gatherings, facilities cleanings, physical activity and equipment, and hydration for all three phases outlined in the White House document released last month.

The guidance also says social distancing (as required by local and state health departments) will need to be maintained on the sidelines and benches at games and when transporting teams to games this fall. 

Two Bridge Run a go for September 5th

While most athletic events, including races, have been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Two Bridge Run will be held on September 5th in Maysville.

A post on the Two Bridge Run Facebook page on Sunday said, "Contingency plans are in place for staggered start times, social distancing enforcement, pre/post race mask requirements, and other precautions should they be necessary."

The Two Bridge Run, which includes a 10-Miler and 5K Run/Walk, was originally scheduled to take place in April, but was postponed until September 5th because the Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge was closed for repairs. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced this morning that the bridge reopening is delayed, pending final rust-proofing, and the bridge remains closed for the next three to four weeks.

The race fees are $65 for the 10-Miler and $35 for the 5K Run/Walk,

Here is the link to sign up.

Augusta Park League draft set for next week, games will begin when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted

Once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, 64 current and former high school basketball players will compete in the eight-team Augusta Park League.

The general managers of the eight teams will select their players during a draft scheduled May 24th at 7 pm. The draft will be shown live on the league's Facebook page. 

League commissioner Patrick Kelsch revealed the draft order live on YouTube Friday night. The Quarantine Dreamers will have the No. 1 overall draft pick. 

Games will be played on Sunday afternoons. There will be four 10-minute quarters. The games will feature an Elam Ending in which the game clock is turned off, a target score is set and every game ends with a game-winning basket.  

You can keep up with the latest news about the league on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Trivia Time

Here is this week's installment of local sports trivia. I will post the answers in a couple of days.

(Updated with the answers below.)

1. What former Maysville Bulldog coached Fairview in the 1975 state basketball tournament?

2. What former Augusta Lady Panther is a member of Morehead State University's 1,000 point club?

3. Where did Kelly Wells begin his coaching career?

4. What year did the new nine holes open at Maysville County Club making it an 18-hole course?

5. What player holds the St. Patrick school record for most points scored in a boys' 10th Region Tournament game?

6. What former Chippeways champion is a high school golf coach and teaching pro in Lexington?

7. What year did the Maysville girls' basketball team win the state championship?

8. Who holds the Mason County record for passing touchdowns in a single game?

9. What former St. Patrick basketball coach is a graduate of Holmes High School?

10. Where did Maysville Bulldogs star Fred Walker play college basketball?

Answers
1. George Cooke
2. Connie Appelman
3. Marion County
4. 1993
5. Kevin Pawsat (38  in 1982)
6. David White
7. 1926
8. Chandler Dunaway (6 vs. Morgan County in 2017)
9. Tim Sullivan
10. Pikeville

William McKay is the new girls' basketball coach at Augusta

St. Patrick graduate William McKay is the new girls' basketball coach at Augusta.

McKay succeeds Robin Kelsch who stepped down after four seasons at the Lady Panthers coach. 

McKay was an assistant coach for the Robertson County Lady Devils last season. 

He will also teach Math at Augusta.

Mason County's Evan Schumacher injured in a fall

Evan Schumacher, a rising senior at Mason County High School, suffered multiple injuries in a fall at a rock formation in Morehead on Thursday.

Schumacher was airlifted to the University of Kentucky Medical Center.

His father, Eric, has been providing updates on Facebook. He wrote today, that Evan's "surgery went very well."

Evan is a member of the Mason County golf and basketball teams.

Three Mason County basketball players Kolby Jones, Xylon Frey and Chandler Black

Mason County seniors Kolby Jones, Xylon Frey and Chandler Black have announced where they play at the next level.

Jones committed Thursday to Southern States Community College in Hillsboro, Ohio.

Frey announced on Friday that he will attend Advance Prep Academy in Auburnville, Florida.

Last month, Black committed to Virginia University of Lynchburg.

Jones averaged 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds a game before suffering a season-ending injury on January 25.

Frey averaged 11.6 points and 5.6 rebounds a game.

Black averaged 2.2 points a game.

Mason County track and field senior recognition parade Thursday night

A parade to honor Mason County High School's senior track and field athletes will be held Thursday evening from 8:45 to 9 at the Carmeuse/Mason County outdoor track and field facility.

The track lights will be turned on at 8:45 and the senior track and field athletes will be parked near the concession building. 

The public is invited to drive by and loop through the parking area from 8:45 to 9 p.m.

Participants should remain in their cars. 

Multiple athletes are not allowed to ride together.

Local sports trivia quiz

It's Wednesday. That means it's time for more local sports trivia. I will post the answers in a couple of days.

(Updated to include the answers below question No. 10.)

1. What former Mason County Lady Royal is a member of Transylvania University's Hall of Fame?

2. Who was the last girls' basketball coach at Maysville High School?

3. What former St. Patrick basketball coach later coached baseball at Maysville High School?

4. Name the quarterback and receiver who collaborated on the longest touchdown pass in the history of Mason County football.

5. What former University of Kentucky football player was a golf pro at Maysville Country Club?

6. What team did the Mason County Royals football team defeat for their first playoff victory?

7. Name the St. Patrick swimmer who won a state championship in the 50-yard freestyle.

8. What Mason County track record holder appeared on two reality TV series on VH1? 

9.  Prior to coming to Maysville, this basketball coach was one of the organizers of the All "A" Classic, and his high school hosted the first All "A" Classic. Who is he?

10. What is the 18-hole course record (set by Deron Feldhaus) at Kenton Station Golf Course?

Answers

1. Lisa Doyle Hutchison

2. Joe McKay

3. Bill Forman

4. Quarterback- Chris O'Hearn, Receiver- Tony Jackson

5. Tom Wheary

6. Prestonsburg

7. Colin Faris

8. Mindy Hall

9. Bill Frey

10. 57

Mason County Lady Royals basketball award winners

Team banquets are prohibited during the Covid-19 dead period mandated by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, so coaches delivered awards to the Mason County Lady Royals basketball players tonight.

Award winners include:

Haley White, three-pointers made (55)

Rachel Payne, statistical leader for points, rebounds, free throw percentage, free throws made, assists and steals

Milyn Henry, Most Improved

Jayden Walton, Most Improved

Hannah Adkins, Spark Plug Award

Nariyah Harrison, field goal percentage leader (42.3%)

Macey Littleton, three-point percentage leader (40.8%), 10th Region three-point percentage leader

Avery Sims, Spark Plug Award

Sedaya Thomas, Spark Plug Award

Chris Lofton will team up with 13 other UT players in The Basketball Tournament

Chris Lofton will team up with 13 other former University of Tennessee Volunteers in The Basketball Tournament this summer.

In additon to Lofton, the Ballinteers (Tennessee Alumni) roster includes Bobby Maze, Wayne Chism, Duke Crews, John Fields, Melvin Goins, Kenny Hall, Robert Hubbs III, Kevin Punter, Ron Slay, Tyler Smith, Jujuan Smith, Jarnell Stokes and Cameron Tatum.

The Ballinteers are in the Jackson Regional which will be played in Oman Arena in Jackson, Tennessee July 24-26.

The Basketball Tournament features a two-million dollar winner-take-all championship game

The tournament uses the Elam Ending in which every game ends with a game-winning shot.

In last year's tournament, Lofton, playing for KBC, scored 18 points in an opening round victory in the Lexington Regional and made eight three-pointers and fired in 32 points in a semifinal loss.

Commonwealth Cup at Laurel Oaks has a full field

A full field of 60 two-man teams is registered for the 2020 Commonwealth Cup June 13 and 14 at Laurel Oaks Golf Course.

Organizers are putting golfers on a waiting list just in case teams drop out.

The two-man tournament features a six-hole rotation of different formats. Holes 1-6 are best ball, holes 7-12 are a scramble and holes 13-18 are alternate shot.

A nine-hole Par 3 contest on Friday night has been added to the tournament. The front nine will be modified into a Par 3 layout.

Golfers wanting to be placed on the waiting list should contact Tyler Lippert or Jackson Frame.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a hole ($50 per hole) can contact Lippert or Frame.

St, Patrick senior Marvin Koch signs to play soccer at the University of the Cumberlands

St. Patrick senior Marvin Koch has signed to play soccer at the University of the Cumberlands.

In a post on St. Patrick's Saints Go Green Facebook page, Koch said he plans to study sport and fitness management.

He thanked all of his coaches and his parents, Joe and Wendy Koch.

He added that he wants to play professional soccer in Guatemala.

In the same Facebook post, St. Patrick soccer coach Father Michael Black said Koch is one of the most dynamic offensive players he has worked with and is sure he will continue to impress on and off the field with his skill and character.

Koch scored 11 goals and had 12 assists for the Saints last season.