Former Blackman track and field standout Gordon earns all-american status at Memphis

Former Blackman track and field standout Tanalya Gordon made a big impact at the University of Memphis during her freshman season.

Gordon finished her rookie campaign by earning second-team All-American status.

She finished 16th in the long jump event at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, which were held last week at the University of Texas' Mike A. Myers Stadium.

Gordon leaped 19-11.5 feet in the event.

Florida's Yanis David won the event with a jump of 22-5.25 feet.

Gordon wrapped up her freshman season with five first-place finishes (four in the long jump, one as part of a relay team) prior to the top-16 finish at the NCAA championships.

Her season best in the long jump came at the Memphis Invitational (May 12), taking second with a leap of 20-7.25 feet.

Gordon was the Female Athlete of the Year on The Daily News Journal's 2018 all-area track and field team. 

Kucker named Smyrna girls soccer coach

Bob Kucker has taken over the reigns of the Smyrna High girls soccer team.

He replaces Austin Hayes, who held the position the previous two seasons. Hayes was a volunteer coach and stepped down because of work commitments.

Kucker was an assistant under Hayes the past two seasons, so his familiarity with the team will be a plus and a large reason he was named the successor, said Smyrna athletic director Billy Harris.

"We are excited to have Coach Kucker and the soccer experience that he brings," Harris said.

Along with his time with the Lady Bulldogs, Kucker has also been a coach in the Murfreesboro Soccer Club, where he helped coach the MSC boys 18U Premier squad.

Smyrna went 13-3-3 last season, reaching the Region 5-AAA semifinals before falling to Station Camp. 

The team went 21-7-7 (including 12-1-3 in District 9-AAA) in the two seasons under Hayes.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.