Hampton native Tyrod Taylor headlines 2024 Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame class

Tyrod Taylor, a former Hampton Crabbers star who has been a longtime NFL quarterback, headlines the 2024 Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame class.

Also included:

Jeff Artis-Gray of Chesapeake, a five-time All-American with the men’s track and field program who holds four program records.

Larsen Bowker, a former men’s and women’s tennis coach who took three Atlantic 10 titles.

Duane Brown, a two-time All-ACC football honoree who became Tech’s seventh first-round NFL draft selection.

Dave Cianelli, a 20-time ACC Coach of the Year with the Hokies’ track and field program who has guided 20 individual national champions.

Brittany Pryor, a six-time All-American for the women’s track and field program with six conference titles.

Heather Savage, a two-time All-American swimmer with two ACC crowns in the 100 butterfly.

Logan Shinholser, Virginia Tech’s most decorated diver, with four men’s All-America honors.

The class will be inducted Sept. 20 at The Inn at Virginia Tech and will be recognized Sept. 21 during halftime of the football game against Rutgers.

GOLF

UVA’s James earns berth in US Open

Virginia golfer Ben James qualified for the 2024 U.S. Open, set for Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina from June 13-16.

During what is known as the “Longest Day in Golf,” James tied for first at the final qualifying site at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, New Jersey.

James, the recent NCAA individual runner-up, shot 11-under 131 over 36 holes of play Monday. The top four finishers from the site advanced to the U.S. Open. He had rounds of 4-under 67 and 7-under 64.

This marks the first time James has qualified for the U.S. Open. He will join a field that includes former Cavaliers and current PGA Tour members Denny McCarthy and Ben Kohles.

COLLEGE BASEBALL

Lynchburg ousted from Division III tourney

Lynchburg’s bid to repeat its NCAA Division III championship ended with a pair of losses Monday to Misericordia in Eastlake, Ohio.

The Cougars from Pennsylvania, who earned their trip to the eight-team finals in Ohio by winning a Super Regional at Christopher Newport, edged Lynchburg 3-2, then came back a few hours later and beat the Hornets 5-1. That advanced Misericordia to the best-of-three championship series, which starts Wednesday.

Lynchburg, with several players from Hampton Roads, had started 2-0 in Eastlake, including a first-round victory over top-seeded Endicott of Massachusetts.

In Monday’s second game, Nathaniel Mack, a senior from Tabb High, pitched two scoreless innings of relief for Lynchburg.

COLLEGE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

NSU to play preseasons exhibitions in Costa Rica

Norfolk State announced its 2024 schedule. Coming off a 9-14 season, including 7-7 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, the Spartans plan to play exhibitions in Costa Rica on July 30, July 31 and Aug. 2, becoming the first NSU women’s program to face international competition.

The Spartans will play an exhibition at VCU on Aug. 24, then open their season at their home tournament Aug. 30-31 with Gardner-Webb, Lamar and Miami of Ohio.