Sports

Jordan Johnson sits on his dad, James Johnson's, shoulder after a little-leauge football game. (Submitted photo)

Jordan Johnson sits on his dad, James Johnson's, shoulder after a little-leauge football game. (Submitted photo)

‘Joe Been Working:’ Senior has left his mark on three OCHS sports

Avery Cameron
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Oglethorpe County High School senior Jordan Johnson isn’t just a standout athlete, he’s a tone-setter. Whether it’s on the football field, basketball court, or track, Johnson, who teammates call “Joe,” has built a name for himself as a competitor and someone younger athletes gravitate toward.
Seniors on the OCHS track teams were honored at the Gary Mathews Invitational on Saturday. Both teams won the meet at Patriot Stadium. (Submitted Photo)

Seniors on the OCHS track teams were honored at the Gary Mathews Invitational on Saturday. Both teams won the meet at Patriot Stadium. (Submitted Photo)

Prep Roundup: Gresham’s two wins lift boys track team

News Staff
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Keyvon Gresham won the 110-meter hurdles and the 300 hurdles to lead the Oglethorpe County boys track team to victory in the Gary Mathews Invitational on Saturday. Jordan Johnson won the 200, Corey Tilman won the 3,200 and the 4x100 relay team set a team mark in its victory.
Right fielder Delaney Weibe, who is 6, stands in the batter’s box last Thursday against the Franklin County Mighty Ducks. Her mom Angela Frazier said Weibe’s confidence has grown “a lot,” and she “seems to enjoy the game a lot more than she understands.” (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Right fielder Delaney Weibe, who is 6, stands in the batter’s box last Thursday against the Franklin County Mighty Ducks. Her mom Angela Frazier said Weibe’s confidence has grown “a lot,” and she “seems to enjoy the game a lot more than she understands.” (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

8u rookie softball team focuses on fundamentals

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Courtney Kitchens has one goal in mind while coaching an Oglethorpe County 8u rookie softball team:  to teach the fundamentals of softball and prepare the team for the minor league games at the end of the season.  “We teach them proper fielding, batting, batting stance, throwing skills,” she said.

Prep Roundup: Turner sparks girls track to victory

News Staff
Friday, March 28, 2025
Elin Turner won the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and the triple jump to lead the Oglethorpe County girls track team to victory over Madison County and Elbert County, and Athens Christian School on March 20. Turner finished with 18 points.
Eighth-grader Cole Cutsail waits on a pitch during the Oglethorpe County Middle School baseball team’s game at Bethlehem Christian Academy on March 18. Cutsail is one of five eighth-graders on the team. (Photo/ Kayda Hammock)

Eighth-grader Cole Cutsail waits on a pitch during the Oglethorpe County Middle School baseball team’s game at Bethlehem Christian Academy on March 18. Cutsail is one of five eighth-graders on the team. (Photo/ Kayda Hammock)

Building tomorrow's stars, growth remains Irwin’s focus at OCMS

Kayda Hammock
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Coach Steve Irwin teaches middle school connections in addition to being the head baseball and football coach at Oglethorpe County Middle School.  Coaching middle school students brings its own set of challenges, especially with athletes at different stages of physical and athletic development.
Jackson Tatum up to bat on Tuesday, March 18. The Patriots fell to Athens Academy 2-5. (Photo/Kayda Hammock)

Jackson Tatum up to bat on Tuesday, March 18. The Patriots fell to Athens Academy 2-5. (Photo/Kayda Hammock)

Prep Roundup: Girls soccer team improves to 6-3

News Staff
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Mylee Nimmons, Emily Forschler and Harper Palmer scored to lead the Oglethorpe County girls soccer team to a 3-0 win over Madison County on Monday.  Mylee Nimmons, Ava Nimmons and Forschler added assists for the Patriots, who improved to 6-3 and 3-2 in Region 8-A Division I.
Oglethorpe County’s Miguel Rios looks to pass in a game against Valdosta last year. He’s scored 10 goals this season, second on the team to Clint Graham’s 12 goals. (OWEN WARDEN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Oglethorpe County’s Miguel Rios looks to pass in a game against Valdosta last year. He’s scored 10 goals this season, second on the team to Clint Graham’s 12 goals. (OWEN WARDEN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Graham, Rios power offense for boys soccer

Avery Cameron
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Clint Graham leads OCHS boys soccer with 12 goals this season. Miguel Rios is not far behind with 10.  And they are both hungry to score more. Rios, a senior captain, dominates the field as a forward and a striker.
Tina Fleming speaks at the 2017 Big Voice for Children Awards Celebration as the director of community services for Live Healthy Gwinnett. Fleming played a big part in the growth of the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Tina Fleming speaks at the 2017 Big Voice for Children Awards Celebration as the director of community services for Live Healthy Gwinnett. Fleming played a big part in the growth of the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Former rec director retires after career shaping sports

Mitchell Stone
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Recreation Department sought entry into the Georgia Recreation and Park Association in 1997, but needed a full-time director to apply. While many candidates expressed interest, one woman stood out to then part-time director Barbara Cabaniss.
Bikers often ride along the 1.1-mile paved trail in Athens’ Dudley Park. The Athens Physical Therapy Ticket to Ride bike ride, which is scheduled for Saturday, runs through Oglethorpe County, along the route of the old railbed. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Bikers often ride along the 1.1-mile paved trail in Athens’ Dudley Park. The Athens Physical Therapy Ticket to Ride bike ride, which is scheduled for Saturday, runs through Oglethorpe County, along the route of the old railbed. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Ticket to Ride helps raise awareness of Firefly Trail

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
The idea for a rail trail began at an Oglethorpe County meeting 15 years ago, when Mary Cook attended as the county planning and zoning commissioner.  She thought it was a “perfect idea” to create a trail that would show off the county’s beauty and also be a “great economic engine.