A SportsWeek | C Also More Stories, Religion and Classifieds JuLY 21? 2016 Hairston football camp was a complete success, organizers say BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE Last weekend, Carver alum Chris Hairston held his first football camp at Carver High School. With dark clouds threatening rain and the unex pected hiccups that sometimes pop up during a first year event, the camp ran rather smoothly, officials said. "I think the camp turned out great. We had kids from all over the com munity come out and I feel it was a great success," Hairston said. "This year, I wanted to keep the atmosphere really relaxed. I didn't want too many sponsors. I just wanted us out here playing toot ball." During the camp, the kids were introduced to fundamental training tech niques that were geared to enhance motor skills. The campers were shown footwork Hainton drills, how to catch the ball and how to warm up properly. Seven-on-seven passing games were also a part of the camp to give the kids a chance to run routes and catch touchdowns. In total, over 150 kids attended the two-day camp. Hairston said he plans to add more for the kids to enjoy. Hairston and the fellow coun selors gave the campers solid advice on the importance of school. He explained to them his journey to Clemson University and how he was recruited for his athletic ability but also because his grade point average See Camp on B2 Photo by Timothy Ramsey During the Chris Hairston Football camp last week, the campers participated in 7 on 7 passing drills. Dowd BBBBBp B ?K W*' ( *"" '' rn]L& i|K.w'> Is.ato... ,iA L ? J iTV^S J f J ^KJr jjjj^k Photo by Timothy Ramsey Jada Dowd practices her start out of the blocks during a practice session last week. BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE ' Over the past six months Jada Dowd has steadily pro gressed to the point where she is proficient in four sepa rate events. During the Region 25 qualifier on July 4 weekend, Dowd showed everyone in attendance how far she has come. Dowd finished first in the 800 meters, first in the 400 meters, and fourth in the 200 meter dash. Not only is she a wiz on the track, Dowd also finished first in the high jump as well. She was the most valuable runner for the state of North Carolina for the meet. She runs for the Lights Out Track Club, which practices at Parkland High School. According to assistant coach Jarrell Elliot, Dowd's best events last year were the 400 and 800 meter dash. He said that this year she came out with a lot more foot speed, which enabled her to become better in those events as well as becoming an above average 200 meter runner. With her also gaining height on her high jump, Dowd was poised for a break out year. "I am most proud of her for just going out there and just competing," Elliot said. "The girl she raced in the 800 meters had beaten her all year long, but in this meet, she went out there and raced her instead of sitting back. She was confident in her training, and she went out and gave it her all and executed the game plan." Elliot stated that Dowd has tremendous range with the speed to run an event such as the 200 meters and the endurance to run longer distances such as the 800. He says she needs to just continue to grow and find out what her signature race will be in the future. Dowd's expectations for the meet were to exceed what she had already done up to this point. With a trip to Junior Nationals in Humbolt, Texas, July 30 through Aug. 6 on the line, she wanted to make sure she gave it her all. "I expected to go out and do my best and try to do things that I haven't done during the season," Dowd said. "I was very proud of myself for just not giving up and coming back especially during the 400 meters." Dowd said her best asset is her long legs because it helps with her stride. She enjoys track and field because See Track on B2 WSSU athletic director gains administrators group honor SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE KANSAS CITY, Mo.? Winston-Salem State University director of athletics, Tonia Walker, was named the NCAA Division II Administrator of the Year by the National Association IwVbntI o f ImltKll Collegiate I W o m e n Athletics Administrators IiMebration of the su^ssnphievements and advncement of women leaden, the NACWAA announced July IS its 2016 I Administrator of the Year Award recipients. The eight honorees will be honored Oct. 11 in Kansas City, Mo., at the 2016 Administrator of the Year Luncheon presented by AXA, in conjunction with the annual NACWAA National Rally. The Administrator of the Year Award is presented each year and honors NACWAA members for significant contributions made in athletic adminis tration. In addition, NACWAA will also present the Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year Award, which hon ors an administrator who exemplifies the personal qualities and professional accomplishments of Dr. Nell Jackson?courage, conviction and persever ance. As athletic director of Winston-SalemState University, Tbnia Walker is committed to promoting excellence in intercolle Sce Honor on It* Local AAU basketball team wins Div. II championship BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE Winning a national championship is the dream of most amateur athletes. Team Invasion of High Point won the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) boys 13 and under Division II National Championship in Greensboro earlier this month. Teams from all across the country were invited to the Greensboro Coliseum to play in the National Championship tournament. Each state held a tourna ment to decide who would have the chance to play in the national tournament. After finishing second in the state behind the Charlotte Dragons, Team Invasion went into the tour nament with high aspira tions and a chip on their shoulders. "I always told the team that you always want to play on the last day," said head coach Desmon Baldwin. "Our expecta tions were to be playing on the last day, and playing in the championship was not really a surprise, but I was definitely glad to be there." The teams in the tour nament were seeded and placed into pools of four. The top two teams went into the championship bracket and seeded similar ly to how the NCAA seeds f its teams during its champi onship tournament. The lower two teams in the pool went to the consolation bracket. Team Invasion battled through the rounds and edged the Pelicans from Louisiana in a nail biting victory with the score of 58 to 56. "I think during this year's nationals we played probably the best basket ball we have ever played. We came together and we handled adversity very well, especially with the injuries we had to endure," Baldwin went on to say. According to Baldwin, Team Invasion controlled the tempo throughout the See Team on J?<