Sports

Lawson Smith (center) and other campers imitate a soccer “knee slide” goal celebration on the slip-n-slide after the baseball finished on June 26. OCHS baseball coach Mike Campbell focused on having fun at the camp. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Lawson Smith (center) and other campers imitate a soccer “knee slide” goal celebration on the slip-n-slide after the baseball finished on June 26. OCHS baseball coach Mike Campbell focused on having fun at the camp. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Players, coaches beat the heat at OCHS camps

Torin Smith
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Young baseball and softball players splashed around and cooled off on makeshift slip-n-slides on Wednesday, celebrating the end of baseball and softball camps at Oglethorpe County High School. The camps started at 9 a.m.
The OCHS gym floor was recently refinished and a modern Patriot head logo replaced the old “OC” at center court. Oglethorpe County School System director of operations Paul Thiel said he wanted to brighten up the gym with a lighter polyurethane finish on the hardwood. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The OCHS gym floor was recently refinished and a modern Patriot head logo replaced the old “OC” at center court. Oglethorpe County School System director of operations Paul Thiel said he wanted to brighten up the gym with a lighter polyurethane finish on the hardwood. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS gym floor revamped with updated logo, finish

Torin Smith
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Oglethorpe County High School’s gym has a new look.  The floor was recently refinished and the modern Patriot head logo is now prominent at center court. The gym was remodeled in 2015, but the floor was never refinished.
Raven Cooper demonstrates how to get a horse to walk calmly over obstacles at her Clinton Anderson horse training certification, with horse AJ in Arkansas in July 2022. Cooper gives back what she has learned to the 4-H community by coaching students in horse quiz bowl and judging knowledge. (Submitted Photo)

Raven Cooper demonstrates how to get a horse to walk calmly over obstacles at her Clinton Anderson horse training certification, with horse AJ in Arkansas in July 2022. Cooper gives back what she has learned to the 4-H community by coaching students in horse quiz bowl and judging knowledge. (Submitted Photo)

Young horse coach inspires area 4-H students

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Raven Cooper is just 21, but her love of horses has made a lasting impact on her 4-H students. “Raven is the best,” said Leye Blount, mother of incoming 4-H freshman Dosie Blount. “I feel that she’s a really good role model for the girls.

OCHS names new basketball coach

Jack Keys
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Former professional basketball player and UGA graduate Carlos Strong is Oglethorpe County High School’s next boys basketball coach. Strong was officially named head coach on Monday at a Board of Education meeting.
The Oglethorpe County High School Sports Hall of Fame committee is taking nominations for its next class. The hall seeks to recognize student athletes, coaches and members of the Oglethorpe County Schools community who “have made significant contributions to the school’s athletic program.” (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Oglethorpe County High School Sports Hall of Fame committee is taking nominations for its next class. The hall seeks to recognize student athletes, coaches and members of the Oglethorpe County Schools community who “have made significant contributions to the school’s athletic program.” (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS sports hall of fame seeks nominees for 2024 class

Torin Smith
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Reginald Hunter still holds the Oglethorpe County High School record for the mile run — nearly 50 years after graduating. It’s one reason he was inducted into the inaugural class of the OCHS Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
Varsity wrestling coach Steve Mason (right) and youth coach Nate Owens (left) held a three-day wrestling camp for kids this summer. Mason said he didn't teach the kids much at the start of camp, but they had fun just messing around in wrestling positions. (Submitted Photo)

Varsity wrestling coach Steve Mason (right) and youth coach Nate Owens (left) held a three-day wrestling camp for kids this summer. Mason said he didn't teach the kids much at the start of camp, but they had fun just messing around in wrestling positions. (Submitted Photo)

Mason places emphasis on building wrestling program

Torin Smith
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
New Oglethorpe County high school head wrestling coach Steve Mason is determined to build on the success of his predecessor, Tim Stoudenmire.  Mason, an OCHS alum, has ties to the Stoudenmire family dating back to his own high school days, when he wrestled under coach Ken Stoudenmire, Tim’s brother.

OCHS inches closer to coaching hires

Jack Keys
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Oglethorpe County High School will welcome new faces on the sideline next year. The school is nearing the completion of three coaching hires and will ease the load on soccer coach Erich Forschler next year.

Youth football, cheer registration nears end

Echo Staff
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Registration for Oglethorpe County Rec Department youth football and cheerleading this fall closes on Tuesday, June 4.  The league is for ages 6-13 and the cost is $105. Participants must live in Oglethorpe County or attend Oglethorpe County schools.

Athletic camps set for June

Echo Staff
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Oglethorpe County High School coaches will lead several camps in June. The girls basketball camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon June 11-12 at the Oglethorpe County Rec Department. The camp is for girls ages from entering kindergarten to the eighth grade.