Uranium Storage Buildings Approved

In a 4-2 vote Tuesday, the Board of Zoning Appeals reversed the Pittsylvania County Planning Commissions’ previous recommendation to deny Southside Cattle Company LLC a special use permit to erect uranium core storage trailers and an office at Coles’ Hill.
The Zoning Appeals board included two conditions with its approval: 24-hour/seven-day-a-week security at the uranium storage site; and limited use of the new facilities to two years.
Zoning Appeals members Ken Talbott and H. Blair Reynolds cast the two dissenting votes opposing permit approval at the eight-acre site zoned Residential-1. The motion favoring the permit was introduced by Mrs. Gary Fitts with a second from R. Allan Easley.
Opponents have 30 days to appeal the Zoning Appeals board’s decision to circuit court.
Southside Concerned Citizens Chairman Jack Dunavant said yesterday that “SCC is discussing its options” regarding a circuit court challenge.
The SCC chairman was positive about conditions imposed by the Board of Zoning Appeals. “They have two years to do what they’re going to do, and they must have 24-hour/seven-day-a-week security for the uranium core samples storage.”
Early in the evening, the Zoning Appeals chairman asked the crowd for a show of hands on the uranium question. A clear majority opposed.
During a public comment period preceding the board’s vote, 19 citizens opposed uranium and six spoke in favor.
Safe water issues for human and livestock consumption, concerns about contamination regarding the current uranium core drilling at Coles’ Hill, health issues and zoning challenges to the permit sought by Southside Cattle Company in an R-1 zone were aired.
In opening remarks, R. Neal Keesee Jr., Virginia Uranium general counsel, told the board that an office and uranium ore storage facilities were needed at the site. He said three air and watertight containers would be used for storage.
“The burden of proof is on their shoulders that they can do it safely,” said Andrew Lester of Keeling. “Until they do, vote against it.”
Southside Concerned Citizens member Eloise Nenon of Chatham introduced a resolution on behalf of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, a statewide organization based in Richmond. Nenon said their message was: This is not a local issue, it is a state issue, and we are concerned about God’s creation and how people would be impacted by the mining.
The SCC member also charged there was “no way to contain radiation in these metal buildings” the company plans to erect at the site. These containers do not protect the people, she said. Nenon also addressed containment of polluted water at the site.
Jesse Andrews of Halifax charged that Virginia Uranium is in violation of the solid waste disposal ordinance and should curtail drilling. He charged well drilling “increases the chance of water contamination.”
Larry Miller of Sutherlin charged the government has shown itself to be “ignorant or apathetic” regarding uranium and asked the board to keep that box closed.
James Lane of Hurt aired concerns about “the cost of health problems” that could follow uranium mining.
Dennis Dillon warned of health problems, citing South African uranium mining lung problems.
Sean Thorpe, a Chatham resident, spoke in support of the project, saying he favors future economic opportunities other than tobacco. SCC Chairman Jack Dunavant described the SCC as “a quality of life organization about people.”
Dunavant charged: “We are all under assault by a corporation that wants to slam uranium mining down our throats. What we’re really talking about is radiation,a poison that can kill you. You don’t lose radiation. I can see no way this can be done safely or confined to the site,” said the engineer.
Katie Whitehead charged the professional office the Southside Cattle Co. was seeking should not be approved in an Residential-I district.
Citizens also raised questions regarding Southside Cattle Company’s liability, and also the ownership of Virginia Uranium’s subsidiaries.
Dr. Barbara Wynn warned that exploratory drilling for uranium releases radon gas into the atmosphere.
Ben Carneal described the mining proposal as an issue of energy security. He said that America had been energy independent but now it is energy dependent. He said that some forecasts call for $8 a gallon gasoline in the future, and that the Coles Hill deposit could help ensure the security of the nation.
Adjoining landowner Joey Crowder also favored the project, adding he thinks “they can do it safely.” He also called for a study.
South Boston resident Bob Cage said, “This thing is too dangerous. Why do you want to let that monster out of the ground?” Cage said he hoped the board would not approve the proposal.
Karen Maute described “R-1 as the most restrictive” zoning and said that a change at the Coles Hill site would put all R-I zoning at risk.
“If done now, the special use permit threatens all county R-1,” she said. She also asked why Southside Cattle Company was targeting the small amount of land.
Addressing health issues, Joseph Towle warned the board that dangerous alpha particles inhaled can cause cancer. He charged there is “no unbiased testing” of radioactivity at the Coles Hill site. Towle also described “a chimney effect” releasing radon at the holes being drilled.
Henry Hurt, an investor in the Virginia Uranium company, favored the special use permit. “This could be a very exciting, wonderful thing for our region,” he said, describing the uranium ore deposit as one of the largest in the United States. Hurt said that he has studied the issue and has concluded it could be done safely and is proud to be part of it. He also spoke in favor of a study.“
Katie Whitehead questioned the special use permit in the suburban R-I district. She said a professional office is not permitted in R-I and that portable buildings for office and storage can be for construction use only.
Fuller Motley, who lives two miles from Coles Hill, said at this time the area has “some opportunity to say what regulations to have,” but expressed concern that if the government wants the uranium, they could come get it and push us aside. “At present time we do have a voice, and we may not have one at a future date,” he added.
One Sheva resident expressed concern that the area has already been harmed by the proposed mining and milling project. She described Chatham as “the cradle of education, not contamination.”

Founders College Facing Challenges

Founders College expects three less students but will welcome two new faculty members when the spring semester gets under way, college officials announced yesterday.
The nation’s economic downturn as well as the “normal” freshman attrition rate were named as contributing factors as the student body fell from 12 to nine for spring. Approximately six of those students will be in-residence and three online, administrators said.
Six or seven professors will be teaching classes this spring, two fewer than the fall schedule.
Non-degree students studying at the Academy of Art at Founders College are not counted among the college’s study body in compiling enrollment figures.
College tuition is $15,000 per semester, which includes room and board at the Berry Hill facility, but a significant spring 2008 scholarship is available, officials said. Up to $11,000 in tuition may be covered.
“Founders College is exceedingly affordable,” said Tamara Fuller, chairman and CEO.
“It is a challenge to come to Founders College,” added Fuller, citing the rigors of academic study.
While located in a stunning setting, Fuller said administrators have forged collegiate ties with other colleges and universities to open doors to social and academic opportunities for Founders’ students.
“Starting a brand new college is a monumental feat, full of challenges at every turn,” said the CEO.
“As with any new enterprise, we have had our share of ‘bumps’ this past four months, but I am proud of the current faculty and administration of the college and their unfailing efforts to deliver on our educational promise,” said Fuller in a prepared statement issued Thursday.
Founders markets the college as a unique educational model, one with a core curriculum with the various disciplines integrating their content to give students knowledge, perspective and a depth of understanding about civilization.
“The purpose was to produce an integrated curriculum in which each subject adds value to the others,” according to Founders’ former Dean of Faculty Dr. Bryan Niblett.
Dr. Robert Garmong, professor of philosophy, agrees. “In a few short weeks, my students made huge strides in their understanding of complex philosophical issues and their clarity of expression to communicate those ideas,” Garmong said yesterday. “The gains I’ve observed far outstrip anything I’ve ever experienced in my 10 years as a college professor.“
The college also is strengthening its monitorship aspect between professors and students. “We want to strengthen that relationship,” explained Gormong. “One-on-one time with professors, monitorship as well as the academic aspect.”
Career development also will be emphasized during the spring semester.
“Students have had a chance to explore some of their ambitions, and we want to create opportunities for them to learn from those successful in their fields,” said Fuller.
The CEO said this semester the college will develop mentoring programs with the professional community, explore internships, and explore other forms of career development.
“We have succeeded in the face of enormous challenges,” said the Fuller. “The rupture in the economy and capital markets have hit our organization as well as businesses in this area. We have a very expensive operation to run here, in addition to the college.
“Berry Hill is a welcoming place,” she emphasized. “Our arms are open, we want people to participate whether in the arts program, the speakers’ series or enjoying the amenities of the property,” she said, naming the restaurants, recreational opportunities and spa.
“This is also a time to rally behind Berry Hill ....., a time to embrace what we started here and help build it up so that it will be here for generations to come.”
New professors joining the college for the spring semester are Scott Adams, Psy.D., who will be teaching psychology, and Thomas Rustici, Ph.D., a leading economics lecturer who teaches at George Mason University and Georgetown University in addition to Founders College. Fuller said the college is currently seeking a drama teacher.
Founders former Dean of Faculty, Dr Niblett, and Dr. Jena Trammell’s contracts expired Dec. 22 and they will not return, Fuller said.
Contact the Dean of Enrollment Dawn Miller for additional information regarding the 2008 scholarship.

Service Authority Addressing Higher Than Expected Sludge Disposal Costs

The initial cost of sludge disposal is higher than what the Halifax County Service Authority had originally anticipated.
The Service Authority board discussed the impact of sludge disposal costs during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday afternoon in Halifax.
Sludge, which is defined as precipitated solid matter produced by water and sewage treatment processes, is being transported directly to the Mecklenburg County Regional Landfill.
Operations Manager Mark Estes told the board that work crews take two loads of sludge to the Mecklenburg landfill each Monday.
“It’s 38 miles one way, and it’s about a three hour round trip depending on who’s in front of you at the landfill and how busy they are,” said Estes. “We’re doing five or six loads a week, 10 tons a load, so it’s a pretty good haul.”
Service Authority Executive Director Willie Jones told the board that tipping fees at the landfill were nearly $30 a ton. He said he’s had discussions with Southside Regional Public Authority Executive Director and Mecklenburg County Administrator Wayne Carter regarding the possibility of the Service Authority’s disposing of its sludge in the landfill at no cost.
“What we’re going to be working on, with the board’s permission, is a memorandum of understanding whereby we would be permitted to dispose of our sludge in the landfill if we would accept the leachate (rainwater percolated through solid waste) of the landfill,” Jones said. “That would be advantageous to both parties if we could do that.”
If the memorandum of understanding is approved, sludge from the Service Authority would be disposed in the regional landfill in exchange for treating the leachate in the Authority’s wastewater plant.
Jones said such a move would save the Service Authority approximately $90,000 to $100,000 a year in tipping fees. “That still leaves us the issue of transportation,” Jones added.
Estes told the board they’re using two trucks, one they own and another that is leased. “We’re looking at some options,” Estes said. “One is to purchase a second truck and quit leasing the other one, and we’re looking into some dump trailers that will hold three times the volume of a dump truck. That cuts the number down to about two trips a week, so we’re crunching the numbers to see if that’s possible.”
Estes said they would look at used trailers, citing the high cost of new ones. The trailers must have a special lining in order for the sludge to come out easily. The only concern, he said, is that particular type of trailer must be on a level area in order to dump the sludge. “So we’re concerned if we’ll have a suitable place at the landfill to back up to and dump this (the sludge),” Estes added. “So that’s basically the options.”
Jones said when the transfer station is up and running, they may want to look at a contract bid to have the sludge hauled from that site to the landfill. He said that would alleviate some of the costs of labor and furnishing equipment.
Halifax Mayor Leon Plaster asked if the cost of sludge disposal was ever figured in the costs of operating the Service Authority. Before, both South Boston and Halifax would take their sludge to the landfill in South Boston at no cost.
South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel said the Town of South Boston had assumed there would be a transfer station in place where the sludge would be deposited and then hauled to the landfill.
County Administrator Bryan Foster said to his recollection, the sludge was to be hauled directly to the landfill. The transfer station would have to be equipped to handle the sludge, but Foster said the station has already been designed and let out for bids, and it’s too late in the process to make changes in the design.
Foster said previously there was no charge associated with sludge disposal because it could be taken to the South Boston landfill. “The Authority is a stand-alone entity, so the disposal of sludge is a cost of doing business that ultimately will get reflected into the rates, whatever that cost might be,” Foster said. “That’s just how the process works.”
In other business, the Service Authority formally appointed Willie Jones to serve as secretary of the board and Bryan Foster to serve as treasurer.
County Finance Director Stephanie Jackson told the board the new billing and accounting system should be ready to be operational mid-February, and the Authority should issue its first bills March 1.
The board also discussed facility or availability fees. Facility fees were advertised at roughly $4,000, or $2,000 each for water and sewer. Hookup fees have been proposed at $750 each for water and sewer, or $1,500 for both. Jones said, “Your facility fee is for purchasing capacity in the system, the connection fee is to recoup the actual cost of tying into the system.”
“Actually $750 is a little bit low, usually it’s $1,000 or $1,200,” said Bill Aden of Draper Aden. “Where facility fees really come into play is if you get a big water user that comes in, and these facility fees are typically based on water consumption.”
Aden added, “And if you have to build a tank or something like that, then if those facility fees aren’t in place to cover that, then your customer base is going to pay for that. And I’ve always thought that wasn’t fair.”
Jones pointed out facility fees and hookup fees are charged only to new houses and other structures hooking into the water and sewer system the first time. Existing water and sewer customers will not pay these fees.
The interconnect project, which will connect the South Boston and Halifax systems, has been approved by the health department and is ready to go to bid. Authority staff is working on operational issues and checking water flow within the current interconnect system. Currently no target date has been set for the interconnect.
The Authority made new committee assignments: Rick Harrell and Leon Plaster will serve on the Policy Committee; Fred Mistal and Thomas Walton will serve on the Personnel Committee; Dexter Gilliam and Coleman Speece will serve on the Finance Committee. Board Chairman Doug Bowman said these three committees will be standing committees.
The Authority board decided to take no action on a resolution concerning the proposed uranium mining in Pittsylvania County. Board members felt this issue was best left to the governing bodies of the towns and county.
The Service Authority will meet Jan. 29 at 3:30 p.m. at the Mary Bethune Complex. The public hearing on proposed rates and fees is set for Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room of the Mary Bethune Complex.

Obituaries

Albert Irvin Williams
Albert Irvin Williams, 78, of 1114 Cherry Hill Church Road, South Boston died January 7, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Williams was born in Halifax County on July 21, 1929, the son of the late Robert Edward Williams and Eunice Crawley Williams, and was married to Elizabeth Boxley Williams. He was an Army Veteran and a member of Owens Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Joyce Claughton of South Boston; four sons, the Rev. Michael I. Williams of Raleigh, N.C., Vincent L. Williams of Austin, Texas, Albert E. Williams Sr. of Dallas, Texas, and Pevin E. Williams of Fayetteville, N.C.; one stepsister, Alease Butler of South Boston; nine grandchildren; four daughters-in-law; and one son-in-law.
Funeral services for Mr. Williams will be held today, January 11, at 1 p.m. at Owens Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Michael I. Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Military Rites by the U.S. Army.

Christine Bertha Womack Olds
Christine Bertha Womack Olds, 85, of 1017 Joe Jackson Trail, Halifax died January 9, 2008, at Berry Hill Nursing Home.
Mrs. Olds was born in Halifax County on March 6, 1922, the daughter of the late Irvin Womack and Nannie Sue Tucker Womack, and was married to the late Garland Edwards Olds. She was a member of New Zion Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Sue Traynham of Halifax; 16 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Cheryl Olds and Bertha Olds; and numerous other relatives and friends. One daughter, Ruby Jenifer; and four sons, Samuel, Preston, Donnie and James Olds, also preceded Mrs. Olds in death.
Funeral services will be held January 14, at 1 p.m. at New Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. Willie N. Yancey officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Public viewing for family and friends will be held at The Crawford House Chapel in Halifax January 13, from noon to 6 p.m. The family will also receive friends at the home.

Comets Edge Glass; Face GW Tonight

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
It’s been a long time since Jan. 31, 2006.
That date marked the last time a Halifax County High School varsity boys basketball had won its last Western Valley District game.
Tuesday night, Halifax County put an end to that lengthy string of district losses by hanging on to edge E.C. Glass 48-45.
In the process, the Comets improved their record to 10-4 overall and 1-1 in Western Valley District play, giving the team its first 10-win season since the 2004-2005 season when the Comets team under former coach Garrett Dillard went 10-12 overall and 3-5 in district play.
“This was definitely a big win for us,” said Comets head coach Lynn Ramage.
“It amazes me that we have 10 wins right now. I’m happy for our program. We’re here, but I don’t know how. If I had to analyze it, I couldn’t tell you how we did it.”
Ramage, his coaching staff and Comets players had little time to celebrate. That’s because the Comets are staring a big juggernaut in the face in having to travel to Danville tonight to face arch-rival GW, a team that leads the Western Valley District with a perfect 13-0 overall record and a 2-0 slate in district play.
Things don’t get any easier after that.
A week from tonight the Comets will travel to Roanoke to face the district’s second-place team, William Fleming. Fleming, which made it to the Group AA state finals last season, is in second place in the district standings after having lost to GW 72-64 Tuesday night in Danville.
Ramage admits his team will have a tough time matching up against GW and William Fleming.
“We’ve definitely got our work cut out for us,” Ramage acknowledged.
“It’s going to be like David versus Goliath, like Rocky I and Rocky II. It might be the Rocky Horror Picture Show. With teams like that, you’ve got to control the tempo and you’ve got to box out and rebound. You’ve got to do a lot of things right. You’ve got to take care of the basketball. That’s the main thing. You’ve got be sure you rest on offense, slow the game down and make them play a half-court game.”
The Comets played some of the best basketball they have played in recent weeks in the first 10 minutes of Tuesday night’s game against E.C. Glass. Halifax County’s offense flowed well enough that it rang up a 12-point, 19-7 lead on the Hilltoppers with Michael Ferrell’s three-pointer with 2:12 left in the first quarter and held a 19-8 lead at the end of the quarter.
A free throw from Ferrell with 7:38 left in the first half allowed the Comets to regain their largest lead of the game at 20-8. But, as time clicked away, the Comets began making miscues and piling up fouls.
The Comets scored only five points in the second quarter and hit only one basket in the last five minutes of the half, a 12-foot jump shot by Kejuan Mayo with 4:24 left in the half.
E.C. Glass took advantage of the large number of fouls being committed by the Comets to put together a 10-2 run in the final 4:52 of the half and close the gap to two points at 24-22 at halftime. Eight of the 10 points the Hilltoppers scored in the run came from free throws.
“The free throws slowed us down,” Ramage noted.
“If we had just stayed in front of the ball and not fouled, we could have controlled the tempo and kept the game going fast. When the tempo slowed down, our guys sort of lost their edge and it was hard to get them back moving.”
With the fouls piling up, Ramage was seeing more and more of his starters joining him on the bench.
“The group that got us going was on the bench most of the first half,” Ramage noted.
“We have a two-foul rule. If you get two fouls, you don’t play the rest of the half. We had to go with other guys like Jeremy (Dixon) Tyler (Truitt) and Ben Chandler. They gave us some good minutes.”
Glass tied the game in the first minute of the third quarter but the Comets quickly got back on track. A three-pointer by Ferrell with 6:28 to play in the third quarter put the Comets back up 27-24 and gave the Comets the lead for good.
That basket ignited a 10-2 run that was capped by a basket from Deshon Dabbs that gave the Comets a 34-26 lead with 2:37 left in the quarter. Halifax County went on to lead by as many as nine points and led 37-30 at the end of the third quarter.
Glass rallied in the fourth quarter to make a game of it, using a pair of free throws to cut the Comets’ lead to one point at 42-41 with 3:33 left in the contest. However, the Comets held on.
With the Comets leading 47-45 with 15.1 seconds left, Ferrell hit one of two free throws to put the Comets up by three points at 48-45. After taking a time-out with 11.3 seconds left, the Hilltoppers got off two potential game-tying three-point shots only to have both miss the mark.
“We bailed them (E.C. Glass) out,” Ramage said of the game.
“Nothing against E.C. Glass, but we bailed them out. We had the game in the bag until we bailed them out with fouls. They shot free throws and made it a two-point game (in the first half).
“I had watched them (E.C. Glass) play,” added Ramage.
“I told our guys they can shoot free throws and said please don’t put them at the free throw line. Rick Patino had a saying that fouling negates hustle. Boy, did we prove that tonight. We showed everybody what not to do.”

Starke To Compete In National Kicking Event

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
Comets varsity football kicker Cameron Starke plans to tee it up another time, flying this weekend to Las Vegas to compete in the National Kicking Event, a showcase for talented kickers, punters and long snappers.
The camp combines instruction, professional and college demonstrations and classroom sessions, with the event open to high school and junior college kickers, punters and long snappers.
According to the Chris Sailer Kicking website, the National Kicking and Snapping Event is the largest in the world, bringing together 500 participants from 40 states and other countries.
In addition to the participants, a multitude of college coaches from around the country will be on hand this weekend to evaluate the talent on hand.
Starke, a junior who divides his time between the football field in the fall, swimming pool in the winter and soccer pitch in the spring, was a First Team All-Western Valley District selection as a kicker last season.
He connected on four field goals for the Comets, including a 32-yarder against Petersburg in the season-opener.
Starke hit a 37-yarder against Martinsville, and followed that up with two field goals in district competition, a 37-yard effort against E.C. Glass and another 33-yard field goal against Franklin County.
Starke said he has been working with professional kicking instructor Doug Blevins the past two years, adding that he was excited about the opportunity presented him in Las Vegas.
“He’s worked as kicking coach for the Dolphins and Vikings and also served as coach with several Arena League football teams and European football teams,” said Starke.
Starke added that Blevins also helped train NFL kickers Adam Viniteiri and David Akers.
“I went to a Chris Sailer camp in North Carolina last summer, but that was more of a technique camp, and this is really a kicking combine,” explained Starke.
“There’ll be 275-300 contestants and 80 or more Division I scouts there. We get to practice on Saturday and that’ll help with the pressure and help me relax a little.
“Sunday is the actual day of competition. We’ll kick eight field goals and try and score as many points as possible, then we kick off six times apiece, and hang time and distance will be averaged.
“The top-12 for both seniors and underclassmen will be invited back to a ‘top-12’ recruit camp.”
Exposure and experience are the two top reasons for Starke traveling to Las Vegas, he noted.
“The exposure is outrageous and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Starke, who was invited to try out as Comets place kicker by former football varsity head coach John Lacy Harris.
“He asked me to kick a few field goals and I made all of them, and he told me I was a good prospect.
“Ever since then, I’ve been working toward my goal of being one of the top kickers in the nation and going Division I.”
But, for now Starke said his focus would be the upcoming football.
“Right now I’m more concerned with my senior year and what I can do to help my team,” emphasized Starke.
Comets head football coach Stan Hodgin noted that the combine presents a prime opportunity for Starke.
“Cameron has been receiving professional instruction from Doug Blevins the past couple of years. Blevins is known all over the game of football as one of the best kicking instructors there is.
“He’s got quite a resume, but his level of expertise is with the art of place kicking, he and suggested to Cameron that he enter one of the place kicking competitions offered by Chris Sailer.
“That was this past summer. Chris Sailer is another who is thought very highly of in the world of kicking and one thing he does is promote kickers in the recruiting process from high school to college, and then helps promote them from college to the NFL.
“He has a rating system for kickers across the country to whom he’s been exposed and Cameron did so well last summer that he was invited to compete this weekend.
“What this means for Cameron is exposure and he’ll be notified shortly after he comes back as to where he ranks nationally according to the Chris Sailer Kicking Academy.
“That makes it much easier to sell a kicker to a Division I school, or I-AA school,” added Hodgin, who described the combine in Las Vegas as a “really big deal in the world of kicking.”
Hodgin said that it was unusual for a high school kicker to receive a scholarship right out of high school, rather that most begin as walk-ons and receive scholarships later once they earn the kicking job.
“These college coaches are showing up at this kicking competition because they have more than a lukewarm interest in kicking and want to evaluate the talent in the next two classes coming out of high school.
“It’s unheard of for another position in the game of football.”
Starke still has his senior season ahead of him and the sky may be the limit, according to Hodgin.
“He’s very accurate with his kicks, but as far as his leg strength goes, we felt this past season that if the offense could get the ball to the other team’s 35-yard line, that would be a 52-yard field goal attempt.
“Cameron has enough leg strength to have an honest chance of making that, considering no wind and dry footing.
“He’s a special talent.”

Swimmers Third, Fourth In WVD Preview

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
The Comets boys swimmers finished third and the girls fourth Tuesday in a Western Valley District Preview meet held at Hargrave.
E.C. Glass won both the boys and girls meets, the Glass boys finishing with 143 points and the girls with 124.
Patrick Henry was second in both meets, the boys finishing with 84 points and the girls with 112 points.
Halifax scored 25 points to finish third in the boys meet, and finished fourth behind Franklin County in the girls meet, the Comets girls scoring 19 points, compared to 24 for Franklin County.
Franklin County was fourth in the boys meet with 23 points and GW fifth with 11, while William Fleming scored six and GW one for fifth and sixth in the girls meet.
“This was a good opportunity to see where we stand in the district and we were able to pinpoint some areas we need to improve on before the district meet,” said Comets swim coach Spencer Ferguson.
“Our boys 200 freestyle relay team swam a very fast time for second in its event, and Tyler Lewis was third in the 50 free, just a tick away from winning.
“Jarrett Pearce was third in the 100 breast, and Johanna Spencer had a strong swim in the 500, despite problems with her swim cap and goggles.
“It was good to see how we stacked up and we now have to get back to work to get ready for the district meet.
Comets Boys Finishes And Times (“X” Denotes Exhibition)
200-Yard Medley
3. Halifax “A” (Jordan Keck, Jarrett Pearce, Andrew Wilkins, Tyler Lewis) 2:01.08
X Halifax “B” (Brandon Garner, Hunter Fulcher, James Popek, Zak Ford) 2:21.99
200 Free
6. Taylor Elliott 2:21.21
8. Jordan Keck 2:28.45
9. Dru Henderson 2:29.99
10. Macaulay Hammond 2:42.53
200 IM
8. Hunter Fulcher 3:03.69
9. Shannon Rutledge 3:54.59
50 Free
3. Tyler Lewis 25.67
7. Jake Newcomb 26.31
8. Andrew Wilkins 26.35
10. Stephen Smith 27.34
X Luigi Ditammaso 29.79
X James Popek 29.96
X Zak Ford 30.29
X John Cousssou 31.74
X Hampton Smith 31.99
X Taylor Tepper 36.27
X Jacob Saunders 38.71
100 Fly
8. James Popek 1:22.25
9. Brandon Garner 1:24.73
10. Taylor Elliott 1:30.04
100 Free
6. Jake Newcomb 59.73
8. Cameron Starke 1:02.06
10. Dru Henderson 1:03.43
12. Brooks Gentry 1:06.26
X Zak Ford 1:10.44
X John Coussou 1:10.85
X Hampton Smith 1:12.54
X Jacob Saunders 1:28.90
500 Free
7. Antoine Weldon 7:16.54
8. Luigi DiTommaso 7:16.54
200 Free Relay
2. Halifax “A” (Newcomb, Smith, Wilkins, Lewis) 1:45.02
100 Back
7. Jordan Keck 1:15.90
10. Andrew Wilkins 1:21.51
12. Stephen Smith 1:29.21
13. Brandon Garner 1:29.32
100 Breast
3. Jarrett Pearce 1:12.19
8. Brooks Gentry 1:20.88
10. Hunter Fulcher 1:22.30
14. Shannon Rutledge 1:53.78
400 Free Relay
5. Halifax “A” (Keck, Newcomb, Weldon, Pearce) 4:15.17
Comets Girls Finishes And Times (“X” Denotes Exhibition)
200 Medley
3. Halifax “A” (Emily Rosche, Courtney McDowell, Lacy Will, Sarah Rosche) 2:17.81
X Halifax “B” (Peyton Ferguson, Brittnay Marshall, Shelby Rutledge, Mayghan Strange) 2:40.12
200 Free
7. Courtney McDowell 2:44.42
9. Johanna Spencer 2:48.18
12. Kelly Price 3:03.52
14. Emily Conner 3:08.09
200 IM
4. Lacy Will 2:32.84
7. Emily Rosche 2:58.28
50 Free
7. Sarah Rosche 28.99
9. Betty Rose 31.16
11. Mayghan Strange 32.69
12. Morgan Farley 33.00
X Caleigh Hughes 32.48
X Charlotte Solomon 33.16
X Allison Conner 35.09
X Grace Gillis-Couch 35.31
X Kathryn Stevens 36.73
X Paige Rickman 37.08
X Crystal Moore 38.63
X Ryann Kraft 39.16
X Amanda Dennis 39.19
X Wishie Marable 40.17
100 Fly
8. Shelby Rutledge 1:45.04
100 Free
3. Sarah Rosche 1:05.86
7. Lacy Will 1:08.42
9. Betty Rose 1:10.07
11. Megan Rosche 1:12.18
X Anne McDonald 1:14.50
X Mayghan Strange 1:16.48
X Allison Conner 1:19.62
X Kathryn Stevens 1:22.44
X Peyton Ferguson 1:22.88
X Brittnay Marshall 1:24.65
X Grace Gillis-Couch 1:25.75
X Ryann Kraft 1:28.46
X Crystal Moore 1:29.36
X Paige Rickman 1:30.35
X Amanda Dennis 1:37.96
X Wishie Marable 1:41.77
500 Free
10. Johanna Spencer 8:17.67
11. Kelly Price 8:27.95
12. Emily Conner 8:57.88
200 Free Relay
3. Halifax “A” (E. Rosche, M. Rosche, Will, S. Rosche) 1:59.01
9. Halifax “B” (A. Conner, Ferguson, Gillis-Couch, Strange) 2:43.42
100 Back
13. Peyton Ferguson 1:33.09
14. Anne McDonald 1:37.17
15. Caleigh Hughes 1:37.77
18. Morgan Farley 1:39.83
100 Breast
11. Courtney McDowell 1:20.34
14. Brittnay Marshall 1:26.53
17. Shelby Rutledge 1:41.47
400 Relay
4. Halifax “A” (M. Rosche, Rose, Farley, McDowell) 4:00.45