Sports

OCHS girls wrestling coach Josh Austin (center) and his team went 4-0 at the recent Yellow Jacket Scramble. Emily Gregory won her pool and went 4-0. Alyson Woods, Tessa Crosby, Cayla Hartrum and Tristin Caldwell each went 2-1. Team members include (from, from left): Nyah McAphee, Emily Gregory, Austin, Victoria Miller, Tristin Caldwell and Akira Owens; (back, from left): Alyson Woods, Cayla Hartrum and Tessa Crosby. (Submitted Photo)

OCHS girls wrestling coach Josh Austin (center) and his team went 4-0 at the recent Yellow Jacket Scramble. Emily Gregory won her pool and went 4-0. Alyson Woods, Tessa Crosby, Cayla Hartrum and Tristin Caldwell each went 2-1. Team members include (from, from left): Nyah McAphee, Emily Gregory, Austin, Victoria Miller, Tristin Caldwell and Akira Owens; (back, from left): Alyson Woods, Cayla Hartrum and Tessa Crosby. (Submitted Photo)

Austin builds interest in girls wrestling program

Hank Tatum
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Three years ago, Oglethorpe County High School had two girls wrestlers. Last year, there were four, but three were seniors. However, only a year later, head coach Josh Austin now leads a group of nine wrestlers and the program is quickly ascending.

Prep Roundup: Wrestlers finish second at tourney

News Staff
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The Oglethorpe County wrestling team went 8-1 to finish second at the 20-team Yellow Jacket Duals.  The Patriots defeated Brantley County, Jeff Davis, Effingham County, Screven County, Montgomery County, Lamar County, Vidalia and West Laurens. They lost to Ware County in the championship match.
The cheer team award winners (from left): Alexa Lopez-Quijada (Most Improved), Qi’ Dasha Fleming (Spirit Award), Sara Myers (Patriot Award) and Mackensie Brown (All-American). (Audrey Pfitzner/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The cheer team award winners (from left): Alexa Lopez-Quijada (Most Improved), Qi’ Dasha Fleming (Spirit Award), Sara Myers (Patriot Award) and Mackensie Brown (All-American). (Audrey Pfitzner/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS Athletes recognized at fall sports banquet

Audrey Pfitzner and Saylor Williams
Thursday, December 5, 2024
 The Oglethorpe County High School cafeteria was filled with applause and recognition as the fall sports teams gathered to honor their athletes at the annual awards banquet.
Tim Stoudenmire, Oglethorpe County High School wrestling coach. (Emily Rose Hamby/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Tim Stoudenmire, Oglethorpe County High School wrestling coach. (Emily Rose Hamby/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Stoudenmire selected to wrestling hall of fame

News Staff
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Former Oglethorpe County wrestling coach Tim Stoudenmire has been selected to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Georgia Chapter.
Oglethorpe County’s Khloe Eidson tries to drive past Burke County’s Imare Free in the Lady Patriots’ basketball game on Tuesday night. Burke County defeated the Lady Patriots 57-45 and won the boys game 59-42. (Ty Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County’s Khloe Eidson tries to drive past Burke County’s Imare Free in the Lady Patriots’ basketball game on Tuesday night. Burke County defeated the Lady Patriots 57-45 and won the boys game 59-42. (Ty Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Prep Roundup: Patriots earn all-region football honors

News Staff
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Oglethorpe County’s Jordan Johnson and Reid Coley were selected to the All-Region 8-A first team last week. Johnson played several positions, including defensive back, running back and receiver this year for the Patriots. Coley was a stalwart on the offensive line.
OCHS cheer team award winners (from left to right): Alexa Lopez-Quijada (Most Improved), Qi’ Dasha Fleming (Spirit Award), Mackensie Brown (All-American) and Sara Myers (Patriot Award). (Saylor Williams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS cheer team award winners (from left to right): Alexa Lopez-Quijada (Most Improved), Qi’ Dasha Fleming (Spirit Award), Mackensie Brown (All-American) and Sara Myers (Patriot Award). (Saylor Williams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS Athletes recognized at fall sports banquet

Saylor Williams and Audrey Pfitzner
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
The Oglethorpe County High School cafeteria was filled with applause and recognition as the fall sports teams gathered to honor their athletes at the annual awards banquet.
Miles Mason, who finished fourth at state last year, returns to lead the Oglethorpe County wrestling team this season. He’s also helping fill a position of leadership for the Patriots. (Submitted Photo)

Miles Mason, who finished fourth at state last year, returns to lead the Oglethorpe County wrestling team this season. He’s also helping fill a position of leadership for the Patriots. (Submitted Photo)

Youthful Patriots ready for new coach, season

Saylor Williams
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
 The Oglethorpe County wrestling program is working hard to rebuild after losing 12 seniors.  “We’re just trying to find our heartbeat and our identity this year,” first-year head coach Steve Mason said. “Who we are, who are our leaders, who’s really going to step up and lead and take charge.
OCHS wrestlers Akira Owens, Nyah McAphee, Emily Gregory and Tori Miller each went 2-0 in their matches on Friday. “Overall, it was a good night,” OCHS coach Steve Mason said. (Submitted Photo)

OCHS wrestlers Akira Owens, Nyah McAphee, Emily Gregory and Tori Miller each went 2-0 in their matches on Friday. “Overall, it was a good night,” OCHS coach Steve Mason said. (Submitted Photo)

Prep Roundup: Wrestlers shine at Walnut Grove duals

News Staff
Thursday, November 21, 2024
 The Oglethorpe County wrestling team went 2-1 in duals on Friday Night at Walnut Grove. The Patriots defeated Class 6A Hillgrove 58-16 and Dacula 41-33, and lost to 4A Walnut Grove 45-36. Paris Crowder, Miles Mason, Keagan Moats and Klo Say each went 3-0 in matches.
Junior Elin Turner will be counted on to provide offense and leadership for the Lady Patriots, who lost several key players from last year’s team. Sofia Horsley is the only senior on this year’s team. (Submitted Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Junior Elin Turner will be counted on to provide offense and leadership for the Lady Patriots, who lost several key players from last year’s team. Sofia Horsley is the only senior on this year’s team. (Submitted Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Lady Pats face rebuild after recent success

Audrey Pfitzner
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Oglethorpe County’s girls basketball team is looking to rebuild its core after losing all five players from last year’s starting lineup.
Carlos Strong, who played at Georgia from 1992-96, was hired as the boys basketball coach in June. The Patriots were 20-8 and advanced to the Class A Division I Sweet 16 last season. (Submitted Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Carlos Strong, who played at Georgia from 1992-96, was hired as the boys basketball coach in June. The Patriots were 20-8 and advanced to the Class A Division I Sweet 16 last season. (Submitted Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Strong ready for first season at OCHS

Saylor Williams
Thursday, November 14, 2024
 With a new head coach and team mindset, the Oglethorpe County boys basketball program is gearing up for its season opener at East Hall on Friday, Nov. 22.  “The team is going to be put before each individual,” coach Carlos Strong said.