Sports

The OCHS girls wrestling team holds up trophy after winning the area dual tournament on Monday at Harlem. It was the first dual tournament win for the team, which is in its first year as its own program at OCHS. (Submitted Photo)

The OCHS girls wrestling team holds up trophy after winning the area dual tournament on Monday at Harlem. It was the first dual tournament win for the team, which is in its first year as its own program at OCHS. (Submitted Photo)

Girls wrestlers win area dual title in program’s first year

Hank Tatum
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Josh Austin didn’t think there was enough interest in girls wrestling to have its own program at Oglethorpe County until two weeks before the start of this season.  Now, the Patriots are area champions.  “We had set the goal to go shock the world,” said Austin, who coaches the team.
Oglethorpe County wrestlers show off medals and trophies they won at the Westside Christmas Classic on Dec. 21. Seven Patriots won their weight classes to lead OCHS. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County wrestlers show off medals and trophies they won at the Westside Christmas Classic on Dec. 21. Seven Patriots won their weight classes to lead OCHS. (Submitted Photo)

Prep Roundup: OCHS wrestling teams shine at tournament

News Staff
Monday, December 30, 2024
The Oglethorpe County wrestling team excelled at matches in the week before Christmas. The Patriots defeated Oconee County and Madison County on Senior Night on Dec. 17. They then won the Westside Christmas Classic by 80 points on Dec. 21.
OCHS cheerleading coach Morgan Williams and her team readies itself for competition. The Patriots finished 16th in the state Game Day competition. (Submitted Photo)

OCHS cheerleading coach Morgan Williams and her team readies itself for competition. The Patriots finished 16th in the state Game Day competition. (Submitted Photo)

Game Day cheer squad changes narrative

Hank Tatum
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Morgan Williams stepped in to lead Oglethorpe County High School’s cheer program three years ago, determined to reshape its culture and trajectory by starting a competitive team.
Lourdes Tompkins played two seasons with Emmanuel University, which is in Franklin Springs. She finished her collegiate soccer career at Belmont Abbey College. (Submitted Photo)

Lourdes Tompkins played two seasons with Emmanuel University, which is in Franklin Springs. She finished her collegiate soccer career at Belmont Abbey College. (Submitted Photo)

Three schools later, Tompkins’ soccer journey comes to end

Hank Tatum
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
After five seasons, three different colleges and working on her MBA, former Oglethorpe County girls soccer player Lourdes Tompkins’ collegiate playing career is over.  “I just feel so blessed to have something that was so hard to say goodbye to,” she said.
Oglethorpe County wrestler Keyvon Gresham gains the upper hand on his opponent in a match against Putnam County on Dec. 11. The Patriots defeated both Putnam County and Clarke Central. (Ty Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County wrestler Keyvon Gresham gains the upper hand on his opponent in a match against Putnam County on Dec. 11. The Patriots defeated both Putnam County and Clarke Central. (Ty Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Prep Roundup: Wrestling team wins twice to move to 15-4

News Staff
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
The Oglethorpe County wrestling team pushed its record to 15-4 after defeating Putnam County 69-9 and Clarke Central 71-11 in Lexington on Dec. 11.
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)

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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.