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Virginia
Kenneth McGlothen, a 3rd Generation D1 Swimmer, Verbals to West Virginia for 2026
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Kenneth McGlothen, a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American at George Washington High School in Charleston, West Virginia, has verbally committed to swim and study at West Virginia University beginning in the fall of 2026.
“I chose WVU for the amazing facilities, excellent coaching staff, and the opportunity to proudly represent my home state and the flying WV”
McGlothen will join his sister, Kentucky sophomore Madi McGlothen, as the third generation of D1 swimmers in the family. Their grandfather, Greg Olson, was an All-American at Bucknell. He went on to run the HYCAT swim program in Charleston for over 40 years. Their mother, Melissa Olson, was an All-American at Kentucky. She was the silver medalist in the 400 IM at SECs as a freshman in 1997 and held the Kentucky program record for almost 16 years. Melissa Olson is McGlothen’s club at YMCA Kanawha Valley Kraken.
In his three years of high school swimming, the polyvalent McGlothen has won the 500 free twice (4:42.62 in 2023, 4:39.78 in 2024), the 200 IM (1:51.92 in 2024), the 200 free (1:40.48 in 2025), and the 100 back (50.34 in 2025). He was runner-up in the 200 IM as a freshman (1:57.91 in 2023).
In December 2024, McGlothen competed in the 200 back at the U.S. Open. He swam the 100 breast in time trials and went a best time of 58.44. A week later, he competed at Winter Juniors East and picked up new lifetime bests in the 100 back (50.50), 200 back (1:48.15), and 100 breast (58.09).
More recently, he won the 500 free, 200 back, and 200 breast; was runner-up in the 100 breast and 200 IM; and came in 5th in the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 fly at the 2025 West Virginia Short Course Championships. He came away with new PBs in the 200 back (1:47.85), 200 breast (2:08.44), and 100 fly (52.24).
Two weeks later at the 2025 YMCA Short Course National Championships, McGlothen came in 4th place in the 200 back, dropping another 1.3 seconds to improve his own WV state record to 1:46.56. He also finaled in the 100 back (21st) and the 200 IM (18th), the latter with a PB of 1:51.50.
In long course, McGlothen was a top 8 finisher in the 200 back at Futures in each of the last two summer. He placed 7th in Richmond last summer (2:06.92) and was 15th (2:07.62) in 2025. He owns the West Virginia 15-18 state record in the event (2.06.41)
Best SCY times:
- 200 back – 1:46.56
- 100 back – 50.34
- 200 IM – 1:51.50
- 500 free – 4:39.78
- 200 free – 1:40.48
- 100 breast – 58.09
- 200 breast – 2:08.44
Outside the pool McGlothen enjoys playing guitar, gaming with friends, and traveling with the family.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In this world of college football, with the transfer portal and recruiting battles, bad blood is present more than ever before between head coaches.
That’s not the case between the Virginia Tech head coach and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, however. In fact, Franklin revealed at ACC Kickoff on Thursday that the two are actually close friends, dating back to their time at the Nike trip that various coaches take over the summer.
“Dabo’s my guy,” Franklin said on Thursday. “We go way back. We’ve been on the Nike trip for a long time. His wife and my wife are friends.”
The long-time Penn State head coach is making the move to the ACC after being fired from the Nittany Lions in October. 12 seasons of being with the program had Franklin hold a 44-21 record against top 10 opponents, an impressive record for a new conference foe of Swinney’s.
But when that trip comes around, there’s a camaraderie between Swinney and Franklin and both of their wives. In fact, the two hang out with each other instead of the other coaches at times. It simply comes to an “edgy” time in college athletics that raises tempers.
“I’m going to be honest, I wouldn’t say we’re necessarily like the type of people that love a lot of other coaches and a lot of other programs,” Franklin said. “It’s hard when you just compete year-round.”
On Swinney’s end, there are a few who could immediately come to mind among Clemson fans. Perhaps the most recent would be Ole Miss coach Pete Golding, who played the most significant role in the tampering of former linebacker Luke Ferrelli.
It’s a select list of coaches who make the good side of the Tigers’ head coach, and Franklin is certainly on that list. On the other hand, Hokies’ head coach has Swinney on his own shortlist.
“Obviously, tremendous respect for what he has built at Clemson and what he’s done at Clemson, and what he’s done for the ACC,” he said.
The two will see that close relationship face off at Memorial Stadium this upcoming season. Clemson will host the Hokies on Oct. 24 in what could be a potential title-eliminator for the ACC Championship.
Of course, the last game that we’ve seen the Tigers play in was against Franklin’s former team in Penn State at the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. That game ended in a 22-10 contest that saw a foundation of Franklin players end Clemson’s season in disappointment.
Swinney will see many of those players once again in October, including starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, in that contest. The anticipated Hokie starter recorded 260 yards and two passing touchdowns on the Tigers in the Bronx that day.
Although friends become foes, another ACC coach has given Swinney his flowers for what he’s been able to do for the conference. In the upcoming moments, Franklin will look to prepare his team to prove itself on one of the biggest stages in the ACC, while Swinney looks to put his team back at the top of a conference he’s dominated for over 15 years.
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MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WSET) — Extreme drought conditions in parts of Virginia have prompted an emergency drought warning for a wide swath of the region, including Bedford, Campbell, Charlotte, Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Patrick, Pittsylvania and Roanoke counties, along with the cities of Danville, Roanoke, Salem and Martinsville.
The governor has warned that if conditions worsen, she will activate mandatory nonessential water-use restrictions.
In Martinsville, city leaders have issued a voluntary water conservation notice and are urging residents and businesses to cut back where they can. The request comes as local businesses that rely heavily on water say the drought is already affecting day-to-day operations.
SEE ALSO: Botetourt County residents adjust daily routines as voluntary water restriction continues
John Hughes, owner of John’s Car Wash, said the dry conditions have hit his business hard in recent weeks. “For the last 3 weeks, it’s been hitting pretty hard. We done three yesterday and haven’t done anything today with the drought and hot weather. Yeah, I’m really concerned about it,” Hughes said.
Restaurants are also feeling the strain. David Kitzmiller, an owner of Be Wiched, said water is essential for routine tasks such as washing dishes and preparing some menu items.
“We use a lot of water for washing dishes and some of our recipes if they limit us in anyway defiently can’t produce and its a scary aspect,” Kitzmiller said.
Kitzmiller added that cutting back is not always realistic for businesses that must meet sanitation needs. “Not really feasible for a business that depends solely relies on water to wash their dishes, so that can’t definitely be an impact there,” he said.
City leaders emphasized that the conservation request is voluntary for now, but they are encouraging everyone to do their part by taking shorter showers, turning off the faucet when it is not in use, washing only full loads of laundry, and limiting outdoor watering whenever possible.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Five people were charged after Virginia Beach Police conducted a two-day human trafficking and vice operation on July 3, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.
The department’s Special Investigations Bureau conducted the operation, which was aimed at identifiying human trafficking victims, reducing the demand for commercial sex and targeting individuals seeking to exploit or recruit children for prostitution.
Detectives used many investigative techniques to proactively identify individuals involved in criminal activity related to prostitution, human trafficking and offenses against children. The operation was conducted in Virginia Beach, involving personnel from all of the bureau’s squads.
As a result of the operation, five people were identified and charged with offenses ranging from solicitation of prostitution to sex trafficking and crimes involving minors. Two vehicles and U.S. currency were seized during the operation. Other people were connected to victim services through Samaritan House.
The operation led to the following people being charged:
- Shane Carter, 28, of Norfolk, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.
- Robert Harris, 64, of Virginia Beach, was charged with solicitation of prostitution and assault and battery.
- Larry Pittman, 53, of Portsmouth, was charged with sex trafficking and use of electronic devices to facilitaate certain offenses involving minors.
- Kenric Frazier, 46, of Portsmouth, was charged with sex trafficking, use of electronic devices to facilitate certain offenses involving minors and solicitation of child pornography.
- Cameron Lewis, 24, of Norfolk, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.
Investigators also developed leads about people who are suspected of trafficking and exploiting others for commercial sex. Those are now active and ongoing investigations. There may be more charges and arrests pending further investigation and consultation with the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
If you’re a human trafficking victim or know someone who is, you can report it to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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