WNC -- May 28, 2026: It is officially that beautiful, chaotic sweet spot of the mountain sports calendar. High school legends are cementing their legacies, local fields are getting massive facelifts, and summer league culture is officially heating up across Western North Carolina. From the track to the diamond, here is what’s making waves in our neck of the woods this week.
Owen Track Star Craig Webb Commits to UNC Asheville
The most decorated individual athlete in the 70-year history of Charles D. Owen High School is officially staying close to home. Six-time individual state champion Craig Webb signed his commitment papers this week to run for the UNC Asheville Bulldogs.
Webb dominated the 2025-26 academic year, sweeping 3A state titles in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track. Owen track head coach Bob Sadlemire, wrapping up his final season with the Warhorses, didn't hold back his praise: "I still believe Craig is the most promising college runner that has ever come through this school." Webb will join two of his former Owen teammates—Jaheem O’Hara and Tadiyos Sloan-Westmoreland—in Asheville this fall.
Elite Talent Descends on Asheville for NAIA National Championships
Collegiate track and field took center stage in Asheville as the region hosted the 2026 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships. Despite a weekend of typical mountain cloud cover and damp conditions, the competitive fire was blistering. National standout performances included Sterling College’s Charles Jones pulling off a gritty 10th-place finish in the triple jump, while Belle Barnett claimed 13th in the high jump, proving once again that WNC has the infrastructure to host prime-time national events.
Home Sweet HomeTrust Park: Tourists Settle into $40M Upgrades
If you haven't been down to the riverfront lately, it’s time to buy a ticket. The Asheville Tourists are officially settling into their beautifully modernized home, now named HomeTrust Park. Following a massive $40 million renovation completed just in time for the 2026 season opener, the park is bridging old-school mountain baseball charm with top-tier modern amenities. The Tourists wrap up an away stretch this weekend and return home on Tuesday, June 2, to kick off a heavy summer homestand against the Greensboro Grasshoppers—complete with fan-favorite Dollar Dog Fridays and Thirsty Thursdays.
High Country Heat: Asheville City SC & The Local Soccer Boom
Summer league soccer is officially back in full swing. Asheville City SC has kicked off its highly anticipated summer campaign, drawing massive crowds of local supporters. The club continues to act as a unifying force for the high country's soccer community, proving that the passion for the beautiful game runs incredibly deep through these mountains.
Hometown Hero Spotlight: Rico Dowdle's Lasting Legacy
Local sports circles were buzzing this week with retro highlights celebrating Asheville's own Rico Dowdle. Long before he was making a major impact in professional football, Dowdle was absolute magic on local WNC high school grids. Regional sports features highlighted his enduring leadership and high school dominance, serving as a timely reminder to our current crop of local athletes that the path from the Blue Ridge to the pros is very real.