by Shawn Nowlin
In order for a high school athlete to earn a college scholarship, they must be really, really good at their respective sport. Extensive research indicates that just over seven percent of all high school athletes go on to play a varsity sport in college.
Twenty-four sports are recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) with football as well as men’s and women’s basketball being the most profitable by far. Dozens of Roanoke Valley natives are currently representing NCAA programs all across the country, from Virginia to California.
They include, Nelson Etuk (North Cross, UC Santa Cruz), Dashaun Grogan (William Fleming, Columbia International), Jacob Nichols (Hidden Valley, Eastern Mennonite), Ayeshia Watson (William Fleming, Hollins University), Kalia Waters (Patrick Henry, Hollins University) and Devin Beckner (Cave Spring, Eastern Mennonite).
Twin brothers Jayden and Jordan McDonald ’25 are valuable contributors to the Virginia Tech football program. Last year, Jayden, a linebacker, recorded 20 tackles and one sack. Jorden, a defensive lineman, registered two tackles.
“I absolutely love the McDonald twins! They are made of the right stuff. Because they both hold themselves to a high standard, it makes my job so much easier. They represent Salem High School and their community extremely well,” said Brent Pry, Tech’s head football coach earlier this year at a Roanoke Valley Sports Club gathering,
By the time Julien Wooden entered his junior year at Northside High, some recruiting services had him ranked as a national prospect. As a Viking, he often struck fear in his opponents when they stepped on the floor. As dominant as he was on the hardwood, Wooden, who stands 6’8 and weighs 230 pounds, was just as impressive in the classroom.
After strongly considering the University of Richmond, Wooden accepted a basketball scholarship to James Madison University three years ago. When the Dukes beat South Dakota State on Nov. 26, 2022, in the Hostilo Hoops Community Classic, Wooden registered eight points and two rebounds in 20 minutes of action.
At the top of the greatest athletes to ever come out of Roanoke list are such names as George Lynch (UNC, basketball), Tiki and Ronde Barber (UVA, football), JJ Redick (Duke, basketball), K.J. Hippensteel (Stanford, tennis), Eric Weinrich (Maine, hockey), Troy Daniels (VCU, basketball) and J.R. Reynolds (UVA, basketball).
“Lists were meant to be broken. It wouldn’t surprise me if the greatest athlete to ultimately come out of Roanoke is in the RCPS system right now,” James Route said. “Anytime I see or hear about a kid from Roanoke competing on the NCAA stage, it brings a huge smile to my face.”
