Shipley undecided about senior season at Weddington

MONROE — Will Shipley will decide "soon," according to his father, about whether or not he will play his senior year of football at Weddington High School.

Shipley will have to decide being going to college early, where he plans to accept a scholarship to Clemson University, and playing as a senior at Weddington now that the start of football season has been moved from August until February.

Shipley's father, James Sr., told The Enquirer-Journal on Wednesday that Will Shipley is uncertain about his upcoming senior year. James said they will discuss it as a family and a decision will "come soon."

Shipley is the first five-star football recruit in Union County history and he rushed for 2,066 yards and 30 touchdowns as a junior in 2019. Weddington will try to become the first football team in county history to three-peat as state champions.

NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker announced an amended schedule in a live-streamed Zoom video conference on Wednesday that would allow high school students to participate in sports during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parkwood wrestling coach Chris Linthicum said he's feels that sports teams across the state will not get to play a full schedule, but feels fortunate that his wrestlers still get to have the opportunity to compete. "Just to know that we have a schedule set by the state, it gives me a peace of mind to know that we have a schedule and we are moving in the right direction to have our seasons," Linthicum said.

Piedmont's Tripp Collins, a two-time state champion wrestler, said that the pandemic has put a burden on his training in preparation for his senior wrestling season. He's adjusted by doing most of his training at home. Collins said he's grateful that he will get one more shortened season at Piedmont. Collins currently has a 178-15 career record in three seasons with the Panthers.

Marvin Ridge baseball coach Trey Putman said he's pleased with the release of the NCHSAA Calendar. "For us, we feel excited and blessed just to have a season," Putman said. "I know (the NCHSAA) has worked hard to try to make it work out for everyone. We have safety protocols in place for our workouts and I feel like we have some good guidance on how to proceed safely."

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