Madison County’s 2008 track season finale featured four competitors in the May 31 state championship meet in Radford. Mountaineer Ryan Banks, who had been competitive all season long, ended up as the state runner-up in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:01.88. A week earlier, he qualified for the state match in the Region B tournament at Monticello High School with a time of 2:02.42 and a fourth place finish there. At the time, it was a personal record for him, which he then overwrote at the state match. 

It has been awhile since a Madison County softball team has been able to bring home the regular season district and tournament titles. However, this year the Mountaineer girls had their eyes on the prize and never let anything get in the way of success.

CVaSports.com and the BD Basketball Foundation conducted their May 5 inaugural Central Virginia Basketball Honors Banquet to honor those young athletes from the 18 area high schools in Central Virginia who have exemplified character and academic achievement, including some from Madison County. Madison County High School award recipients include Kyle Louk, Erin Warren, Chris Fincham and Caitlyn Ford.

The 2008 Madison County softball team did something last week that hasn’t been done in a couple years – it was able to bring the pride back to Madison by clenching this year’s Bull Run District regular season title. The score was 9-8 and the game proved to be a close one throughout all seven full innings of play.

The Madison County boys track team had two matches last week that both ended in results that the Mountaineers had hoped for. The first match was a district win over George Mason. Madison was able to annihilate the Mustangs, winning by a score of 106-20.

Eight runs batted in, a grand slam homer and a three run homer. Not a bad game for most high school teams. Madison County designated hitter Dylan Shifflette accomplished those feats himself in Madison’s 12-2 victory over George Mason April 15.

It’s probably the best story D.C.-area sports fans have seen in years. Unfortunately, many won’t notice because it’s not one of the “Big Three” — football, baseball or basketball. The Washington Capitals were the worst team in the National Hockey League late last November (after finishing last the previous three years) when management decided to make a coaching change. 

Madison County’s track team had its third match of the season this year and its first home meet last week. It got a crack April 9 at the state champions to open its Bull Run District matches in the Clarke County Eagles. But the champs were too much to overcome as both the girls and the boys track teams lost 80-47.

Madison County’s softball team played April 4 in a game many thought would be cancelled. However, with this long-running rivalry, the Lady Mountaineers had some revenge for the Lady Panthers. After losing to Page County 8-0 the previous Friday and a whole week of practice to prepare, Coach BJ Scott’s squad was ready to take on Page County, which it defeated 4-1.

Madison County’s girls soccer team played one game last week. That game required extra time to decide a winner. A pair of five-minute overtime periods were added to the game until the Mountaineer girls were declared the winner over Wilson Memorial 4-3.

Although Madison County’s baseball team lost two of last week’s three games, it still showed a propensity to battle back in the face of adversity.
In March 23 action in Greene County, the Mountaineers built a 9-2 lead through four innings against William Monroe. 

Madison County’s boys soccer team fought fiercely as it represented the Mountaineers against rival Greene County’s William Monroe March 25. Dousing the Dragons fire 2-1, Madison out shot its opponent 17-6.

Common traits of a good baseball team include timely hitting, solid defense and quality pitching. In a March 18 match-up with Fluvanna County, Madison County demonstrated those traits in its 10-3 victory. 

There’s a new face coaching Madison County’s softball team this year – new to the MCHS diamond anyway. 

Madison County’s wrestling squad snared eighth place competing March 8 in a crowded line-up at the A Division State Championship Tournament at the Salem Civic Center. 

Madison County’s wrestling squad competed in the Region B tournament Feb. 23 capturing a third place finish out of the 15 teams participating.