Sports

OCHS girls golf team is led by Head Coach Gary Hughes. Sofia Horsley serves as another leader on the team as a returning senior. The team consists of one other senior and three freshmen. (Graphic/ Avery Cameron)

OCHS girls golf team is led by Head Coach Gary Hughes. Sofia Horsley serves as another leader on the team as a returning senior. The team consists of one other senior and three freshmen. (Graphic/ Avery Cameron)

OCHS girls golf team aims for success

Avery Cameron
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
With only seven players and no home course, the Oglethorpe County girls golf team faces its share of challenges this spring.  Last season, the Patriots didn’t win or place in any tournament, but for Sofia Horsley, those obstacles are just part of the game.
Douglas Graham, an Oglethorpe County resident and hunter, harvests a turkey in the county during the 2024 season. Graham said he has hunted turkeys on private land in the county for more than 20 years. (Submitted photo)

Douglas Graham, an Oglethorpe County resident and hunter, harvests a turkey in the county during the 2024 season. Graham said he has hunted turkeys on private land in the county for more than 20 years. (Submitted photo)

Efforts offer hope for bigger future turkey hunting seasons

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Turkey hunting is a “way of life” for Oglethorpe County resident and hunter Douglas Graham, despite the recent steady decline in turkey populations.  For more than 20 years, Graham has hunted turkeys in the county.
Caden Hartrum watches his putt during a match at Washington Wilkes Country Club on Feb. 27. He is one of the six returning seniors on this year’s team. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Caden Hartrum watches his putt during a match at Washington Wilkes Country Club on Feb. 27. He is one of the six returning seniors on this year’s team. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Hughes focuses on strategy as new golf coach

Kayda Hammock
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
This is Gary Hughes’ third spring coaching golf, but first at Oglethorpe County. He replaced Dale Blaylock, who stepped away from coaching.  “I’m looking forward to seeing the kids compete,” Hughes said. “We’ve got a very large group of participants.
Mason Campbell, 8, poses with his DRR-65CC shifter at the Durham- town Off Road Track in Union Point earlier this month. Campbell is ranked second overall in his ATV class this year. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Mason Campbell, 8, poses with his DRR-65CC shifter at the Durham- town Off Road Track in Union Point earlier this month. Campbell is ranked second overall in his ATV class this year. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Campbell, 8, shines behind wheel of ATV

Mitchell Stone
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Mason Campbell, a third-grader at Oglethorpe County Elementary School, began racing motocross two years ago and hasn’t let off the gas since. “He progressed a lot in just a year’s time,” said Brian Campbell, Mason’s father.
OCHS boys soccer coach Josh Austin talks to his players before the Patriots’ opener against Monroe Area on Feb. 18. Austin is in his first season as head coach. (Photo/ Kayda Hammock)

OCHS boys soccer coach Josh Austin talks to his players before the Patriots’ opener against Monroe Area on Feb. 18. Austin is in his first season as head coach. (Photo/ Kayda Hammock)

Growth key for boys team under Austin

Kayda Hammock
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
The jump from assistant coach to head coach of the Oglethorpe County boys soccer team has been an adjustment for Josh Austin.“It was more just about the pure soccer last year, and this year, there’s the administrative stuff,” he said. “It’s kind of been a change for me, but we’ve handled it well.

Prep Roundup: Mason, Crowder place at state meet

News Staff
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Oglethorpe County’s Miles Mason finished fourth at 165 pounds and Paris Crowder was sixth at 138 pounds at the Class A Division I state wrestling meet in Macon last weekend. The Patriots finished 21-6 in Steve Mason’s first season as coach.
Billy Shelnutt offers advice to eighth grader Xander Bryant and fifth grader Ty Crowe at the OCMS soccer fields on Feb. 9. Bryant and Crowe are practicing for the state archery match on May 3 at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Billy Shelnutt offers advice to eighth grader Xander Bryant and fifth grader Ty Crowe at the OCMS soccer fields on Feb. 9. Bryant and Crowe are practicing for the state archery match on May 3 at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Coaches provide stability for 4-H archery team

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
JT Mathews, a seventh-grader, used a compound bow to shoot a 24-inch arrow toward the 30-meter target. Several feet away, Serenity Curry, an eighth-grader, shot an arrow toward the 30- and 40-meter targets.  After hearing a three-whistle blast from Billy Shelnutt, archers retrieved their arrows.
Su Moo, a senior goalkeeper, works through a drill during Oglethorpe County soccer practice. The Patriots will look to replace Anna Adams, last year’s starter at keeper, who graduated. (Photo/ Avery Cameron)

Su Moo, a senior goalkeeper, works through a drill during Oglethorpe County soccer practice. The Patriots will look to replace Anna Adams, last year’s starter at keeper, who graduated. (Photo/ Avery Cameron)

Forschler focuses solely on girls team this spring

Avery Cameron
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Coaching both varsity soccer teams at Oglethorpe County was unstainable for Erich Forschler, so he decided to focus solely on the girls this season. “I had to pick one,” said Forschler, who coached both the girls and boys teams in 2024. “Last year, both teams got half of me. And no team got my best.