Sports

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)

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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.
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.”
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.”