Cougars ready to host invitational

Cannon School will the host the 13th annual Cannon Cross Country Invitational Sept. 10 at 8:15 a.m. Thirty-four schools from all over the region, both public and private, will participate in the meet. With more than 1,100 runners competing in varsity, junior varsity and middle school divisions, it will be the largest Cannon Invitational to date.

“With many teams and several top individuals returning to this year’s meet from last year’s record performances, it is shaping up to be one of the most competitive Cannon Invitationals ever,” said Russ Campbell, Cannon’s cross country coach.

Participating high schools include:

Augusta (Ga.) Prep

Cannon School

Central Cabarrus

Charlotte Country Day

Charlotte Latin

Cox Mill

Hickory Ridge

Jay M. Robinson Concord

Mount Pleasant

North Raleigh Christian

-Staff reports

Longtime Mount Pleasant AD has new job

Cabarrus County Schools superintendent Barry Shepherd announced a new appointment in his school system.

Gary Calamari, a longtime Cabarrus County Schools employee, has been named system's athletic director by the Board of Education.

Calamari joined Cabarrus County Schools in 1990 as a football and track coach at Northwest Cabarrus Middle. In 1994, he joined the staff at Mount Pleasant High as athletic director, serving in a number of coaching and administrative capacities. During his time at Mount Pleasant, he served as junior varsity as well as varsity football coach, softball coach and athletic conference president.

"I want to extend my thanks to Gary for his continued service to Cabarrus County Schools and wish him all the best as he begins his new assignment," said Shepherd in a statement.

Robinson pitcher commits to Winthrop

Jay M. Robinson pitcher Dallas King verbally committed to Winthrop University last night.

The rising senior went 16-5 with a 1.37 ERA while also hitting .380 for her Bulldog team. King also plays for the Carolina Angels, a Fort-Mill based showcase team where she is one of the top players this summer.

King is a two-time All-South Piedmont Conference and all-state selection with a 38-9 record in the past two seasons. She also has a 4.4 grade-point average in the classroom.

- Freelance writer Jay Edwards

Koerner, Seager named all-state

The N.C. Baseball Coaches Association named two local players, Jay M. Robinson's Brody Koerner and Northwest Cabarrus' Corey Seager, to its 3A all-state team.

Koerner was 6-3 on the mound for the Bulldogs while also recording 108 strikeouts and a 1.51 ERA. The rising senior was named the South Piedmont Conference Pitcher of the Year. Koerner, a Clemson commit, led Robinson (14-10, 9-6) to a fourth-place conference finish. The Bulldogs were the SPC tournament runners-up.

Seager had another good season as he led his Trojans (18-8, 12-2) to a share of the SPC regular season championship. The shortstop, who has committed to play at South Carolina, seems to be following in the footsteps of his older brother, Kyle, on his way to NCAA and possibly professional baseball. His other brother, Justin, plays at UNC Charlotte.

Here is a complete list of the NCBCA 3A all-state baseball team:

Parker Lamm, Wilson Hunt
Benton Moss, Rocky Mount
Seth Bresseale, Union Pines
Peter Owens, Chapel Hill
Jordan Deloatch, DH Conley
Zach Mozingo, Eastern Wayne
Ryne Rush, Asheboro
Brody Koerner, J.M. Robinson
Nick Monroe, Eastern Alamance
Sean Grant, West Iredell
Alex Jensen, Charlotte Catholic
Jordan Newsome, Weddington
Josh Vales, Currituck
Brian Hardy, North Lenoir
Corey Seager, Northwest Cabarrus
Colby Fox, North Buncombe
Kevin Wise, Southern Wayne
Jon Taylor, CB Aycock
Garrett Brown, Erwin
Spencer Wiles, Belmont South Point
Jeffrey Springs, Belmont South Point (2011 3-A Player of the Year)
Dylan Baker, West Henderson
Chastin Radford, North Lenoir
John Edwards, Jacksonville
Luis Paula, Northeast Guilford
Damon Hogg ard, West Carteret
Pete Guy, Ledford