Shane Peery of Shanaki Martial Arts Studios recently won his debut in full contact, mixed martial arts cage fight at “Ruckus in the Cage.”

Brandon Umberger and Kenny Peeples Jr., both of Rural Retreat, have been dominant this season in the Exit 54 Exxon Late Models Division at Wythe Raceway.
But as of late Umberger has been getting the advantage on the track and now in the points standings and Saturday night was no different on the high banked half mile dirt super speedway, as he took the win and Peeples finished second.

Black bear sightings have flooded Southwest Virginia lately.
But few have noticed that the area can claim the world’s only Maroon Bear.
Like any good wrestler, Alex Church has the cool nickname. Church just graduated from Rocky Gap High School this spring. Although he wore the uniform of the Bland County Bears for his football, baseball and basketball exploits, his sport of choice is wrestling. And with no school wrestling team offered in the county, this Bear had to take on some color.

More than 100 bike riders took part in the fourth annual Big Walker Century Ride held Saturday in Wythe and Bland counties.
Riders had a choice of five different routes: 25 miles, 40 miles, 50 miles, 62 miles or 100 miles. The ride helps raise money to support the HOPE Ministry Center, which is a project to help overcome poverty.

Brandon Grimes probably thought his high school baseball career was over after he graduated from George Wythe High School at the end of May.
But he recently found out that he’s got one more game. Grimes was selected to play in the Virginia High School League Baseball All-Star game. The game is set for July 12 in Hampton.
Hampton is the site each July where the top high school athletes from across the state gather next week to play all-star games in their respective sports.

The son of Kerry Earnhardt and grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt has a developmental deal with Dale Earnhardt, Inc., a growing fan base and a diverse resume.

The Fort Chiswell Lady Pioneer basketball program will hold its annual basketball clinic July 9-11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

Six young wrestlers from Wythe County, and one from Bland, accompanied by Rural Retreat wrestling coaches Rick Boyd and Daniel Crockett, competed at the National High School Coaches Association National Open Wrestling Championships held in Myrtle Beach, S.C., June 16-19.

Teenage racers have become a phenomenon over the last couple of years and at Wythe Raceway’s high banked half mile dirt super speedway, several young drivers got the chance to showcase their talent last Saturday night.