June 5, 2008

Engineers, Lady Engineers will play in state tourney
Return event for girls, history making for boys
By Angela Stepp, CV&T News Reporter

By winning their 14th Region games last week, the girls will return to the state tournament again this year.
They defeated Perry County Central on Tuesday night 14-2 in five innings to advance to the championship game against Jenkins who won their game against Jackson City 2-1.
The Ladies played Jenkins in a victorious 5-0 shutout Wednesday night on their home field taking the championship title.
Tess Arvin pitched a 12 strikeout game with only three walks. She held them to one hit. At the plate, Arvin hit a double.Brittany Woolery had a double and a single, Amanda Edwards had a double and a single, Shelby Rader hit a sacrifice bunt and had two walks while Jodi Dawes had a single.
Amanda Edwards was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament because of her hitting in the entire tournament. She got a hit every time she was up to bat except for a sacrifice fly.
Lady Engineers on the 14th Regional All-Tournament team were Amanda Edwards, Brittany Woolery, Tess Arvin and Teia Brandenburg.
“Our success I feel is due to the girls for working so hard,” Coach Shirley Beard said after the tournament. “We practiced or played every day. I think they had maybe two days off all season. Also my assistant coaches Teddy Dawes and Mike Travis. We all have our roles and it is a nice mix right now. We have a field and facility that is something to be proud of, and the coaches and the girls are proud of it. We also know what it feels like to be in a program that has a winning tradition and we all like that feeling. Lastly, I have a great booster club of parents who support and work for the girls.”
The Lady Engineers will travel to Owensboro today (Thursday) and will play in the State Tournament on Friday at 10 a.m. (our time).
There are four of the girls, Seniors Tess Arvin, Teia Brandenburg and Amanda Edwards and Junior Shelby Rader that have been to State four times before and know what to expect.
According to Coach Beard they will have practice time on the field at 3 p.m. and then have an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. They play Owensboro Catholic who were the winners of Region 3.
“Our goal is to show people that we belong there,” Beard said. “I want to thank all the people who came out and supported us during the regions, the school administration for helping make the facility be the best in the region, my parents for all their support, and the girls for all their hard work. It makes being a coach a proud and rewarding experience.”

Engineers make history
By: Angela Stepp, CV&T News Reporter

The Estill County Engineers won their 14th Regional games last week, sending them to the state tournament and making Estill County baseball history in the process.
This is the first regional championship in Estill County history in boys baseball, basketball or football. According to the record books, the last team to make it to the region championship was the 1988 team that lost to the eventual state champions, Harrison County in the 10th region.
“This one is for all the guys who ever put on the Estill County uniform,” Coach Danny Wood said. “We have had some great teams and players. It’s also for all the great coaches that established Estill County baseball: Jim Kiser, Steve Garrett, Joedy Ohr and Mike Tate. To all the guys I played with and all the guys I have coached, you share in this. You deserve to feel part of it as well.”
The Engineers won their game in the 14th Regional tournament against Hazard Thursday night in Breathitt 14-7. Perry Central beat Lee County 16-14 to advance them to the championship game against Estill on Saturday.
Estill won the championship game 4-3 advancing them to the state tournaments to play in the Semi-State Sectional game on Wednesday night in Powell County against Greenup, in the first stage of the tournament. The winner of that game will move on to play at Applebee’s Park in Lexington starting June 12.
At the plate on Saturday, Blake Christopher had two for three with a double, Ben Benedict had a two run home run in the fifth inning giving them the lead, Josh Napier and Ryan Boian had one RBI each.
Starting pitcher, Josh Napier pitched four innings giving up one earned run while Drew Freeman pitched the last three innings giving up no runs and striking out the last three batters for the game and the win from the mound.
According to Coach Wood, Hazard and Perry Central have dominated the 14th Region for years. “We feel lucky to survive both of them in tough, close ball games,” he added. “But, good teams find a way to get it done, and our guys dug deep and found it when we needed it. We also think it is outstanding that we join Shirley Beard’s girls’ softball team as region camps this year. It was really cool to see our guys cheering them on in the region and they returned the favor. They have showed us the way,” he said.
Ben Benedict was voted MVP of the 14th Regional tournament after hitting a home run ball out of the park sending in two runs for the ultimate win. Other Estill players named to the All-Tournament Team were Josh Napier and Drew Freeman.
“Ben Benedict was clutch in the Regions,” Coach Wood said. “He hit the game winning home run in the last two games and was a wall behind the plate. Drew Freeman got the win in relief in both of the last two games. In that last inning, I don’t think the Boston Red Sox could have touched him. We have had contributions from our entire team over the year and up and down our lineup, but it starts with our five seniors. They have been so unselfish and team oriented. They have set the tone for this team.”
Coach Wood added that he would like to thank everyone in the community for their support.
“Estill County always turns out and come through when some of their own play for championships.” he said. “We could feel their support. I would like to thank all my assistant coaches. Tim Freeman is largely responsible for our hitting; he has started a hit factory and our kids can swing with anyone. Jeff Tate is our heart and soul. Along with working with our outfielders and JV, he keeps me and the kids motivated. His enthusiasm is infectious. I believe our young coaches, Jon Kirby and Jeremy Sparks have really made the difference. They can relate with the kids and they played for me so they know how we do things. They were winners when they played and I’m glad we got them a championship also. And certainly the parents, friends, family and the entire school system have been so helpful. Everyone should feel good about this. We did it with class.”

Middle school students are 8th smartest in the world
By Savannah Campbell, CV&T Summer Intern

The Estill County Middle School Future Problem Solving team is the eighth best team in the world.
The team, consisting of Frances Barker, Haden Barnes, Erin Combs, Natascha Richardson, and Justin Winkler traveled to the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing May 29--June 1 to compete in the Future Problem Solving International Competition. The team was chosen to represent Kentucky at the event after finishing strong at Kentucky’s State Governor’s Cup competition in March.
Over 50,000 students participate in Future Problem Solving competitions each year. Only three percent, about 1500 of that number, earn an invitation to the international level.
This year’s contest featured approximately 70 of the best creative future problem solving teams from 41 of the United States as well as countries from around the world including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand, and Singapore.
“To finish eighth among these competitors is an exceptional achievement for Frances, Haden, Erin, Natascha, and Justin,” Coach Leslie Cornett said. “We appreciate the support we received from Superintendent Bert Hensley and the Estill County Board of Education.”

CV&T welcomes new intern
By Rhonda Smyth, CV&T News Editor

The Citizen Voice & Times welcomes Savannah Campbell to the staff as a Kentucky Press Association summer intern.
Savannah, 21, is a senior at Eastern Kentucky University where she is majoring in journalism and psychology. She is a native of Prestonsburg, the daughter of Eddie and Sharon Campbell.
Savannah likes to read, write and take black and white photos.
“I also like to bowl but I don’t get to do that too often,” she said.
Savannah said being chosen to intern at the CV&T gives her the chance to show what she has learned and how she has grown as a writer, by writing for something other than her school paper.
“I basically hope to learn how to cover government meetings better,” she said. “ And also become a stronger hard news writer as I have only written feature articles.”
Savannah will cover local events and government meetings. She will also write feature articles and columns.
“I hope Estill County will welcome me with open arms and open eyes as they read my stories,” she said.
Publisher Teresa Hatfield said she hopes working at the CV&T will be a good learning experience for Savannah.
“I am glad she is here. It will be a good opportunity for her to learn how a weekly newspaper works,” Hatfield said.
Savannah’s internship will end in early August.