There are many memories that high school students take with them long after they receive their diplomas. For SHS CC runners, competing in the GHSA State AAAA Championships on Saturday will be a highlight of their athletic careers not soon forgotten.
Approaching the starting point of the race, one could hear the National Anthem being performed by the Carroll County Trojan Marching Band. The music resonated across a field of several thousand respectful spectators. A US flag banner stretching 60 feet across a steep embankment, lifted with the soft breeze and emphasized the significance of the event.
A total of 61 teams, consisting of 430 superior female and male athletes from throughout Georgia earned the right to compete in the premier XC event in the State.
"Before us are the best runners in our state," announced Lindon Carter, a USA Track and Field official who has been overseeing cross country State meets since the early 80's. "Many of the senior athletes will be offered college scholarships," continued Carter.
The Blue Devil athletes qualified for the State Championships after a strong showing at the region meet held at Jekyll Island a few weeks ago. At that meet the SHS runners held their own against some of the top teams in this part of the State. "Our very competitive schedule throughout this season helped prepare us for the region and State championships," said SHS head coach Helen Welle.
Runners were required to complete a challenging course, which has been described as one of the most rigorous cross country trails in the Southeastern region. Statesboro competitor Stephen Harvey was able to finish the course characterized by steep hills and long inclines in 18:23.. He was followed by team members Nathan Hunter, Jay Brunson, Phillip Brunson, Josh Pollak, Cam Sutcliff and Andrew Zuber. The SHS boys' average time was 18:57.
Kate Brunson led the Blue Devil female runners with a time of 21:25. Tiffany Woodard, Susanna McKee, Kristina Bonham, Hope Carter, Lauren Thomas and Olivia Chester also contributed to SHS teams' efforts. The average time for the SHS girls was 22:48.
Chapel Hill won the boys' and girls' State Championships. Their boys' average time was 16:46 and the CH girls' average time was 20:19.
"I'm very pleased with our teams' progress and efforts this season," said Welle.
Added coach Allison Pollak: “Most of our runners will be back next school year and we expect to have another great season.”
In the Class AA race, the Southeast Bulloch girls posted the following times: Sarah Burgess (24:40), Alyssa Sanders (24:57) Christina Finnegan (25:06), Skyler Adams (28:41), Miranda Wicker (28:54) andVictoria Herndon (29:32).
For the SEB boys Joel Rubio ran a 20:13, David McCarthy ran a 21:38, Sam Harvey ran a 23:40, Jake Manahan ran a 24:26, Elijah Akins ran a 24:49, Effrain Villegas ran 25:17 and Edwin Villegas ran a 25:25.
Subway Turkey Bowl Showcases Bulloch’s Best
The Cowboys and Buccaneers will square off at the Subway Turkey Bowl set for today at the Portal High School at 6:45 p.m.
The Subway Turkey Bowl has been a Statesboro-Bulloch Parks and Recreation Department tradition for more than 20 years. The highlight of the season, the Turkey Bowl, showcases outstanding youth football players, from all league teams, who are chosen by their coaches.
Listed below are the team rosters: For the Cowboys, coach Lance Godwin, players Timothy Key, Jadarious Smith, Wayne Steptoe, Malik Evans, Nigel Carter, Anthony Carter, Joe Eakin, Wesley Budgett, Adam Bowen, Mikey Turner, Moses Key, Bowen Smith, BJ Harrison, Omar Thomas, Cameron Sheils, Trevor Dailey, and Jake Whitaker.
For the Buccaneers, coach Josh Martin, players: Dezmon Grffin, Jameico Howard, Jackson Ware, Luke Barnwell, Donyah Hardway, Andy Farley, Josh Smith, Ian Miller, DJ Carter, Weston Edenfield, Gunnar Gibson, Tashod Johnson, Dee Sapp, Trevor Brown, Othnell Ferguson, Tyler Ward and Christopher Boatright.
The game will be aired live on ESPN 850 AM.
Fogle to sign with GSU
On Wednesday Marie Fogle will officially sign a letter of intent to attend Georgia Southern University for women's fastpitch softball next fall.
The ceremony will take place in the media center on the campus of Effingham County High School off of highway 119 in Springfield, Ga., at 8 a.m.
Fogle is a four-year letterman for Effingham County and has been the school's starting catcher for all four years. Earlier in her career and then returning this past spring, Fogle has also played with the South Effingham Angels girls fastpitch travel softball team.
Fogle will join Megan Smith, who is now a freshman at GSU and who also attended Effingham County. Fogle choose Georgia Southern over Armstrong Atlantic, UNC-Wilmington and Brevard College just to name a few.
Approaching the starting point of the race, one could hear the National Anthem being performed by the Carroll County Trojan Marching Band. The music resonated across a field of several thousand respectful spectators. A US flag banner stretching 60 feet across a steep embankment, lifted with the soft breeze and emphasized the significance of the event.
A total of 61 teams, consisting of 430 superior female and male athletes from throughout Georgia earned the right to compete in the premier XC event in the State.
"Before us are the best runners in our state," announced Lindon Carter, a USA Track and Field official who has been overseeing cross country State meets since the early 80's. "Many of the senior athletes will be offered college scholarships," continued Carter.
The Blue Devil athletes qualified for the State Championships after a strong showing at the region meet held at Jekyll Island a few weeks ago. At that meet the SHS runners held their own against some of the top teams in this part of the State. "Our very competitive schedule throughout this season helped prepare us for the region and State championships," said SHS head coach Helen Welle.
Runners were required to complete a challenging course, which has been described as one of the most rigorous cross country trails in the Southeastern region. Statesboro competitor Stephen Harvey was able to finish the course characterized by steep hills and long inclines in 18:23.. He was followed by team members Nathan Hunter, Jay Brunson, Phillip Brunson, Josh Pollak, Cam Sutcliff and Andrew Zuber. The SHS boys' average time was 18:57.
Kate Brunson led the Blue Devil female runners with a time of 21:25. Tiffany Woodard, Susanna McKee, Kristina Bonham, Hope Carter, Lauren Thomas and Olivia Chester also contributed to SHS teams' efforts. The average time for the SHS girls was 22:48.
Chapel Hill won the boys' and girls' State Championships. Their boys' average time was 16:46 and the CH girls' average time was 20:19.
"I'm very pleased with our teams' progress and efforts this season," said Welle.
Added coach Allison Pollak: “Most of our runners will be back next school year and we expect to have another great season.”
In the Class AA race, the Southeast Bulloch girls posted the following times: Sarah Burgess (24:40), Alyssa Sanders (24:57) Christina Finnegan (25:06), Skyler Adams (28:41), Miranda Wicker (28:54) andVictoria Herndon (29:32).
For the SEB boys Joel Rubio ran a 20:13, David McCarthy ran a 21:38, Sam Harvey ran a 23:40, Jake Manahan ran a 24:26, Elijah Akins ran a 24:49, Effrain Villegas ran 25:17 and Edwin Villegas ran a 25:25.
Subway Turkey Bowl Showcases Bulloch’s Best
The Cowboys and Buccaneers will square off at the Subway Turkey Bowl set for today at the Portal High School at 6:45 p.m.
The Subway Turkey Bowl has been a Statesboro-Bulloch Parks and Recreation Department tradition for more than 20 years. The highlight of the season, the Turkey Bowl, showcases outstanding youth football players, from all league teams, who are chosen by their coaches.
Listed below are the team rosters: For the Cowboys, coach Lance Godwin, players Timothy Key, Jadarious Smith, Wayne Steptoe, Malik Evans, Nigel Carter, Anthony Carter, Joe Eakin, Wesley Budgett, Adam Bowen, Mikey Turner, Moses Key, Bowen Smith, BJ Harrison, Omar Thomas, Cameron Sheils, Trevor Dailey, and Jake Whitaker.
For the Buccaneers, coach Josh Martin, players: Dezmon Grffin, Jameico Howard, Jackson Ware, Luke Barnwell, Donyah Hardway, Andy Farley, Josh Smith, Ian Miller, DJ Carter, Weston Edenfield, Gunnar Gibson, Tashod Johnson, Dee Sapp, Trevor Brown, Othnell Ferguson, Tyler Ward and Christopher Boatright.
The game will be aired live on ESPN 850 AM.
Fogle to sign with GSU
On Wednesday Marie Fogle will officially sign a letter of intent to attend Georgia Southern University for women's fastpitch softball next fall.
The ceremony will take place in the media center on the campus of Effingham County High School off of highway 119 in Springfield, Ga., at 8 a.m.
Fogle is a four-year letterman for Effingham County and has been the school's starting catcher for all four years. Earlier in her career and then returning this past spring, Fogle has also played with the South Effingham Angels girls fastpitch travel softball team.
Fogle will join Megan Smith, who is now a freshman at GSU and who also attended Effingham County. Fogle choose Georgia Southern over Armstrong Atlantic, UNC-Wilmington and Brevard College just to name a few.
