Christi Cranford won a 2A N.C. title in tennis, was a three sport athlete for Newton-Conover High & Lenoir-Rhyne.

She's completed 50 marathons, incl. 10 consecutive Boston Marathons, and has completed Ironman half marathons, Ironman distance triathlon

Kevin R. Wilson won 1978 state football title at Maiden, played four years at UNC and served as offensive coordinator in 3 NC games at OU.

As head coach in 2015, he led the Indiana Hoosiers to their first bowl appearance since 2007.

The late Ernie Warlick won 2 AFL championships as TE for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, was selected as an AFL all-star all 4 yrs he was in league

He is a HOFer for N.C. Central University and the CIAA, and was first African-American sports broadcaster in western NY.

Warlick is a member of the Buffalo Broadcasters Sports Hall of Fame.

Charles J. Bost served as St. Stephens High principal for 20 years, initiated the school’s athletic booster club, wrestling program.

He created long range plans that led to the field house, and the school’s current tennis, soccer, softball and baseball fields.

Bost was also a two-sport athlete at Lenoir-Rhyne, despite a playing career interrupted by his military service in World War II.

Bost played three seasons for the Newton-Conover Twins, appeared in 325 games and batted a career .309.

Randy Lowman played for or coached Bandys in every state & regional football championship appearance. He's the school's winningest FB coach.

Over 26 years Lowman amassed a head coaching record of 206-117-1, including 3 state title game appearances.

Swimming in Hickory Metro has flourished thanks to Paul Schiffel. He established swim programs at St. Stephens High School, Lenoir-Rhyne.

Schiffel founded and still coaches the Catawba Valley Aquatics Club and swimming school which has taught hundreds of children how to swim.

Schiffel won six consecutive Western Piedmont 3A High School Conference Coach of the Year honors.

Schiffel's boys & girls teams won the Western Foothill Conference Championships in 1995-2001. He's coached 9 prep & school All-America teams

The two-time Olympian and six-time US Champion runner Anthony Famiglietti will be participating in the Jack Adair... fb.me/B1SdsniD

Have you been following Bears sports news on the radio? Be sure to check out all the "Bears Lair" each Saturday... fb.me/1bbMS0plt

Breaking Newton- jury finds Everette Hewitt guilty of 3-counts of first degree murder