Sports briefs: Lake Wylie tennis player, 12, sponsored by Wilson

12-year-old gains national sponsor

River Hills Country Club tennis club member Marco Ward has accepted a national sponsorship offer from Wilson Sporting Goods Co.

Mike Lefke, owner of Queen City Tennis, negotiated the terms of the sponsorship through Queen City tennis. The 12-year-old Lake Wylie native has received multiple sponsorship offers and plays on the USTA national juniors tournament circuit. He is a sixth-grader at Oakridge Middle school.

He also is the first Catawba Indian nation tribal member to compete at the national level in tennis.

Team ranks in top 5

The Clover High School softball team is ranked in the top five teams in the state.

Players are Shania Domingue, Emily George, Marisa Harkey, Taylor Stewart, Sydney Burrell, Kailey Carpenter, Micah Sherwood, Hannah Curtis, Missy Mavrogian, Tiffany Domingue, Elizabeth Edmunds, Blake Wallert and Kayla Ogle. The coach is Shea Hall.

Conrad wins at North-South match

Clover High School’s Zach Conrad capped off a high school career with two wins during the North-South wrestling match last week at North Myrtle Beach High School.

“Zach is the only three-time state qualifier/placer, the only two-time upper state champion, the fourth wrestler to accumulate over 100 wins and now has the record for most pins in a season,” said CHS wrestling coach Michael Fitzgerald.

“It was a great week,” he said. “I could not be more proud of how Zach has represented his wrestling family and Clover High School.”

Conrad’s accomplishments on the mat representing Clover High School are among the best in the state.

Added Fitzgerald, “The coaching staff is thankful to Paul and Tammy Conrad for sharing their son with us for the past four years. With Zach as with all of our seniors every year, we pray for you to have faith and courage in your future.”

CHS lacrosse team defeats Boiling Springs

The Clover High School boys’ lacrosse team handily defeated Boiling Springs 20-6 in March 4 action.

The Blue Eagles who scored were: Kyle Cooper, Anthony Farmer, Trtistan Walliser, Jacob Ward, Riley Crysler, Wade Summer, Riv Lambert and Griffin Bailey.

5K for Relay for Life

The second annual Hippity Hoppity Hope 5K fun run and walk will be April 11 at First Baptist Church, 102 S. Congress St.

The event is a benefit for the church’s Relay for Life team, raising money for the annual American Cancer Society benefit.

A children’s race will begin at 7:50 a.m. and the 5K race will be at 8 a.m. Cost is $20 for the 5K only. All proceeds benefit the cancer society.

Register at sportoften.com.

Superhero 5K April 18 in Lake Wylie

The third annual Superhero 5K Run/Walk is scheduled April 18 at Anytime Fitness, Evergreen Road, benefiting Lake Wylie Children’s Charity.

Super hero costumes encouraged. Advance registration costs $25. To register: active.com.

Races scheduled May 8-9 on Lake Norman

My Aloha Paddle and Surf, in partnership with three-time NASCAR champion crew chief Ray Evernham, will host Stand Up for Autism benefiting the IGNITE community center and the Autism Society of North Carolina on Lake Norman May 8-9 at Port City Club in Cornelius, N.C.

The event will feature elite and recreational races, which are open to the public. The race is sanctioned by the World Paddle Association and will be the first regional points race on Lake Norman.

“After four years of promoting paddleboarding and introducing so many of our residents to the sport, it is so exciting to host a WPA race here in Lake Norman,” said Rob Bennett, event director and owner of My Aloha Paddle and Surf.

Limited paddleboard rentals will be available on a first-reserve basis. Paddleboard fitness demos will also be held.

Stand Up for Autism will support IGNITE, a community center in Davidson, N.C., for young adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome. IGNITE offers activities, skills training and educational workshops that foster social, financial, educational and employment independence for its members. But most importantly, IGNITE offers a social environment in which members can connect with others and experience a sense of community.

The event will begin with a kick-off party 6-9 p.m. May 8 at Port City Club, which will include food, beverages, silent auction and music. The pre-race meeting will start at 8 a.m. with the WPA Region 6 sanctioned Elite and Recreational races to follow. The awards ceremony on the beach will begin at 11 a.m. and be followed by a luau featuring the Island Hula Girls, along with island music, food and fun activities for all ages.

To register, visit: paddleguru.com.

Senior, fellowship leagues meeting

Lake Wylie Bowl N’ Bounce adds two leagues.

▪ Senior Bowling League meets at 10 a.m. Mondays for men and women age 50 and older of all experience levels. Come as individual or bring a team.

▪ Fellowship Bowling League meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Bring a team from church or come as an individual.

Call 803-831-2553 for more information.

This story was originally published March 13, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Sports briefs: Lake Wylie tennis player, 12, sponsored by Wilson."