Author Archives: dcreamer

By David Freeze

Sutton Webb began playing soccer when she was 3 in a Salisbury Parks and Rec league.

“I remember that our practices consisted of us trying to kick over as many plastic cones as possible before my teammates could get to them,” she said. “Not much soccer was involved.”

Moving up to competitive soccer at age seven, Sutton instantly fell in love with the sport, and it has been her focus since. She played with FCCA, then moved up to Lake Norman Soccer Club and finally to a massive club called Charlotte Independence. Sutton is now in her final year in that league and will conclude her soccer career this spring at Salisbury High School. Next year, Sutton will compete at the NCAA Division 1 level at the University of Georgia. An official signing will happen soon.

I had read about Sutton’s soccer success and really wasn’t surprised when she became a cross country runner during her sophomore year. Sutton said, “I was a late addition to the team. They needed another girl runner before the season started and I was recruited by Mrs. Pittman. I had minimal experience besides running up and down the soccer field every day. I ran track my eighth-grade year at Sacred Heart Catholic School but nothing like cross country.”

Usually, a new runner doesn’t achieve immediate success, but Sutton broke that mold by quickly becoming a factor against more seasoned runners. She said, “With the little experience that I had running, I was surprised with my success to some extent, especially since it came pretty quickly. Having played sports my whole life, I am a very competitive individual who is always looking to be successful. Knowing that I was new to cross country, I decided to push myself every day to become the best runner I could possibly be. I believe this year that my work has finally paid off.”

Sutton’s best moments in cross country have included qualifying for the state meet as a junior and then being named county and conference runner of the year, finishing second in the region and running a 5K personal best of 20:51, all during her senior season. She raced at the state meet in Kernersville on Saturday, posting a time of 21:29.07 for 27th place in the 2A division.

Sutton continued, “Soccer, track, and cross-country complement each other as they each allow me to continue to improve and be successful in the other. Cross country keeps my stamina at its best for soccer, especially important since I have been recruited to play wingback in college which requires playing both offense and defense on the field. Track, on the other hand, has helped improve my sudden bursts of speed that are used constantly on the soccer field. Running has helped keep me in shape and although I am not motivated to run at times, I know it is shaping me into a better athlete. Besides the fitness piece, running has also helped me create lifelong friendships in which I am extremely thankful for.”

Sutton’s other main interest is working out. Early this year, she joined the Ultimate Athlete gym in Charlotte, where she can likely be found when not on the soccer field or running. Sutton enjoys spending free time with family and friends.

Thankful for each of her family members, Sutton says each of them have been always involved with her athletics. She said, “My dad is John Webb, a local dentist, and he will occasionally run with me. Jamie Webb, my mom, is a patient care coordinator at Hearing Solutions in Salisbury. She is always there cheering me on from the sidelines. My brother Lucas is twelve years old and also very involved in sports. He plays soccer, basketball, and track and field and is a stud in all three. I strive to be the best role model I can be for him every day.”

Already, the Rowan County Female Athlete of the Year as a junior, the future is very bright for Sutton Webb. Spring sports are just ahead where she will balance both track and soccer with the cooperation of her coaches. In track, she’ll run the 100 meter, 800 meter, 1600 meter races and multiple relays. Not bad for a girl who first began running to fill out SHS’s cross country team.

The Clean Water 5K will take place at Grace Lutheran Church on Saturday, and the Girls on the Run graduation celebration 5K is set for Sunday. Find these and other upcoming events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

By David Freeze

As most of you know, I’m a big fan of going on challenging adventures. Having just returned from the most recent cycling journey on Sept. 4, I’ve had a very busy last two months. In some ways, the weeks at home are harder than the actual journey itself. There are lots of projects to resume and some new ones to get going. Huge on the list is another book to write!

The next book, “Crossing America, One Convenience Store at a Time,” is complete and scheduled for printing and shipment. Farm and other projects are in good shape, so I had time this past week to go on yet another adventure.

I’m an avid reader, so much so that I couldn’t wait to get started on another book. No real reading for anything but bike ride information since mid-July had especially whet my appetite to wrap my thoughts up into another book.

I’m also a big Appalachian Trail fan, especially over the last year. I started reading about it two springs ago. Nothing concrete has been scheduled and it may never be, but still I read and research what the experience would be like. The folks at the Rowan Public Library have helped me find good reading material for years and when a new book arrives that they think might interest me, someone will often let me know. Such was the case when last week “2,000 Miles Together” arrived. I had just spent a few days at the beach doing the final proofing of “Crossing America” and also completed David Baldacci’s “A Gambling Man.”

When the South Branch of RPL called and said they had another book for me, I rushed through my work for the day and dropped in to get it just ahead of closing. I looked it over in the parking lot and came home with plans to start reading that night. “2,000 Miles Together” is about a family of eight, ages 2 to 18, that chose to hike the trail together. If they made it, they would be the largest family to complete the trail together and their 7-year-old would be the youngest ever to complete the trail. That’s nearly 2,200 miles over 5-6 months, battling weather and terrain. Mom and dad had cycled across country and the whole family runs marathons together. They fuel on Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies and finished the trail in Altra running shoes. All relatable to me.

All family members finished, but not without some severe trials and doubts along the way. For two and a half days, I couldn’t put the book down, effectively controlling my life. Why? I envisioned myself walking and sometimes running with them. Immersed in the book, I had yet another adventure!

Why does reading matter so much? I constantly hear people say that they don’t read. Yet they follow Facebook, Twitter and Price is Right. Here are some reasons why real reading matters:

• Mental stimulation and memory improvement, which we all need to stay sharp.
• Stress reduction — nothing calms me like reading a good book.
• Increased knowledge. Learn about virtually anything.
• Vocabulary expansion, improved focus and concentration. You won’t just be sharper, others will realize it, too.
• Improved writing skills — something sorely needed, especially in our young people.
• Escape. Just as I did with “2,000 Miles Together,” go away on your own adventure! When I finish a good book, I often pump my fist just like after a good athletic achievement. I sit and savor the experience and am willing to admit that I often experience various emotions while reading a good book.

And finally, passing on the skill of reading to a young person is a wonderful gift. Studies show that children who read can be better stimulated mentally, become more fluent in language and can better communicate with people of all ages. Their academic success can be tied directly to their ability to read and comprehend.

Today’s Spooky Sprint 5K and fun run start at Catawba College at 2 p.m. It’s Salisbury’s first race in 18 months. Next Saturday’s Clean Water 5K is at Grace Lutheran Church. Look for both and plenty more at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org .