CORRECTION: Information was incorrect about the status of Leanna Newton in OCHS volleyball game against Armuchee in the April 9, 2026 print edition of The Oglethorpe Echo. The correct information is in the story below.
Recent success
OCHS has won six state titles since 2019.
2019 — Class AA boys cross country
2021 — Class AA wrestling duals
2021 — Class AA girls track
2022 — Class AA girls track
2024 — Class A Division I girls track
2025 — Class A volleyball
The dust has barely had time to settle in the trophy cases at Oglethorpe County High School.
Through bonds and mental toughness, highlighted by a 2025 volleyball title and a string of track and field championships, the athletic program’s recent surge in state team titles marks a successful era for Oglethorpe County athletics.
But for those who know the school’s history, this success is a revival of championship spirit that first caught fire 35 years ago.
As Oglethorpe County celebrates the 36th anniversary of the first GHSA state championship — Class A boys track and field in 1990 — the team is remembered not just for its medals but for proving the Patriots could compete at the highest level in the state.
Wrestling
The 2021 Class AA wrestling dual state championship was the pinnacle of a journey that began in middle school. For athletes like Chayton Tuck, class of 2022, wrestling wasn’t just a sport; it was a brotherhood that provided lifelong discipline.
“It became more of a family thing rather than just a sport,” he said. “We had such a close relationship with everyone on the team that they were basically family. The discipline it taught me in the sport itself was enough.”
Under the guidance of coaches Tim Stoudenmire and Steve Mason, the team developed a relentless internal competition. Tuck, who wrestled in the 113-, 120- and 126-pound weight classes, recalled that the chemistry was tested in practice.
It peaked at the state tournament, where the bond was as strong in the hotel rooms playing video games, as it was on the mats. During the 2021 state finals, Tuck had three pins to contribute 18 points to the team total.
“It felt good, especially in that last finals match,” Tuck said. “It was neck-and-neck until the end, and those last few pins secured the match. Knowing that’s what I contributed to the team's success felt really good.”
Cross country
The dominance of Oglethorpe County during this era extended to the trails and track. The Patriots won the 2019 Class AA boys cross country title.
Coach Darius Tompkins fostered a culture where the team bonded outside of practice to build strong relationships with each other.
For dual-sport athletes, the cross country season was the secret weapon for winter success.
“The biggest thing which Coach Stoud encouraged all the wrestlers to do was cross country … After running cross country all my life, my cardio was through the roof,” said Tuck. “I knew I could 99% of the time outlast an opponent.”
Track and field
The girls track and field team rose to dominance earlier this decade with state championships in 2021, 2022 and 2024. They also finished second in 2019 and 2023.
As a small school, Oglethorpe faced programs with deeper rosters. In their first championship run, the Patriots traveled to the state meet with only six qualifiers. To compete, every athlete had to be a multi-event specialist, often competing in three or four events each.
“They were exhausted,” co-coach Penni Stoudenmire said. “We were a really small school, and with soccer running at the same time, it pulls a lot of athletes away. Every girl we took was a three-to-four event girl. Winning it with so few girls opened eyes across the state.”
She developed individualized workouts for every athlete. Her approach was rooted in a student-first mentality that prioritized classroom and emotional well-being over trophies.
“With little kids, it’s all about teaching them to love learning. With the girls, it took teaching them to not — you know, running is one of those sports that’s sort of hard to love,” she said. “They’ve got to respect me and know that I respect them and love them, and there’s not much they won’t do for you if they feel that.”
Power couple dynamic
The back-to-back girls’ track state titles (2021-2022) were fueled by a unique partnership between Tim and Penni Stoudenmire. He credits the program’s success to his wife, a kindergarten teacher.
“She was the reason we were as successful as we were. She was just so driven by it.” said Tim, who retired in 2024. “I ended up kind of being the softer one in the scenario, and she ended up being the one that really determined a lot of the strategy.”
The Stoudenmires pushed their athletes to the brink, which fostered a mental toughness. They convinced the girls to not only compete in multiple events, but succeed.
The program’s most recent track title in 2024 provided one of the most rewarding moments for the coaching duo. After a heartbreaking runner-up finish the year prior, the state title came down to the final race: the 4x400 meter relay.
“We had not led in that event all year,” Penni said. “We got down to that last race and two of our girls just did something they had never done before. Not only did that solidify the state championship, but the girls won the 4x4 by doing something we didn't think they could do.”
Volleyball
The 2025 OCHS volleyball players permanently etched their names into school history. After winning 15 straight matches to end the regular season, the Patriots marched through the Class A tournament, winning the state title with a 32-8 record.
“They were truly just a good group that liked each other, and so the teamwork was there and the talent was there,” coach Brianne Harrison said. “All the puzzle pieces fit together, and we managed to keep winning and keep winning, and eventually got the ultimate prize.”
Elizabeth Cook, who recently signed with Truett McConnell, played all 40 matches, finishing top three on the team in sets played, kills, serving percentage, aces and digs. The Patriots ended the regular season with a 27-8 record to advance to the postseason.
“Everyone clicked together,” she said. “We started playing together, and not like an individual player. Everyone played as a team.”
After a 3-0 victory against Commerce in the first round, the Patriots ran into Armuchee, their toughest test of the postseason, Harrison said. With Leanna Newton battling an upper respiratory injury she played a pivotal role with at least 20 kills. The Patriots trailing 2-1, they forced a fifth game and pulled off the comeback.
Oglethorpe County also faced a similar situation in the state championship, falling 1-0 after the first set. But the Patriots won the next three sets to defeat Bremen and capture their first state volleyball title.
Cook was the tournament MVP and Newton was named player of the game. The team received its rings in a ceremony last month.
“Some of us have been together for so many years, like the other seniors, we’ve been together since middle school,” she said. “So seeing us grow and finally get that win like we’ve always wanted to was amazing. And personally, right now, there’s never been a better feeling than winning that.”