Sports

Steve Harris, a son of former school superintendent Thomas Young (TY) Harris, prepares to throw out the first pitch before Oglethorpe County’s baseball game on Friday, March 24. The school system named the OCHS baseball field in honor of Harris, who died in February, 2022. All four of his children (from left): Paige Colquitt, Steve Harris, Suzanne Mingledorff and Thomas Harris IV attended the dedication. (Emily Dozier/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Steve Harris, a son of former school superintendent Thomas Young (TY) Harris, prepares to throw out the first pitch before Oglethorpe County’s baseball game on Friday, March 24. The school system named the OCHS baseball field in honor of Harris, who died in February, 2022. All four of his children (from left): Paige Colquitt, Steve Harris, Suzanne Mingledorff and Thomas Harris IV attended the dedication. (Emily Dozier/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Prep Roundup: Boys soccer wins region title, girls track second

Echo Staff
Saturday, April 1, 2023
The Oglethorpe County boys soccer team can turn its attention to the playoffs.   The Patriots won the Region 5-A Division I championship with a penalty kick victory over Social Circle on March 22.
Sisters on this year’s Oglethorpe County girls soccer team include (from left) Emmaleigh and Hannah Hemingway, Emily and Madeleine Forschler. (Photo/Emily Dozier)

Sisters on this year’s Oglethorpe County girls soccer team include (from left) Emmaleigh and Hannah Hemingway, Emily and Madeleine Forschler. (Photo/Emily Dozier)

Soccer continues to be a sisterly affair

Emily Dozier
Thursday, March 23, 2023
A soccer team made up of sisters is nothing new for Oglethorpe County. In fact, it’s a normal occurrence.   This season, the Lady Patriot roster has two pairs of sisters.

OCHS baseball field to be named for former superintendent

News Staff
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
The Oglethorpe County School System will name the OCHS baseball field in honor of former superintendent Thomas Young (TY) Harris III, who died in February 2022.   The ceremony will start at 5:40 p.m. Friday, before the baseball team’s game against Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy (BASA).
Oglethorpe Echo Sports

Oglethorpe Echo Sports

Prep Roundup: Relay teams spark girls track to win

Echo Staff
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
The Oglethorpe County High School girls track and field team swept the relay events to win the 37th annual Loch Johnson Relays at Cedar Shoals on Saturday.   The Lady Patriots won the 4x100-meter, the 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800 relays on their way to a season-high 166 points.
Crawford’s Karen Patman prepares to hit the ball as her partner Elaine McGarity, of Winterville, watches during a match at the Oglethorpe County Rec Center. They are two of a regular group of 16 players who play the fast-growing sport. (Photo/Molly Linder)

Crawford’s Karen Patman prepares to hit the ball as her partner Elaine McGarity, of Winterville, watches during a match at the Oglethorpe County Rec Center. They are two of a regular group of 16 players who play the fast-growing sport. (Photo/Molly Linder)

The rise of pickleball: Oglethorpe County embraces sport

Molly Linder and Olivia Shapiro
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
The pickleball league meets at 9 a.m. Monday and Thursday, and on Tuesday after line dancing class at the Oglethorpe County Rec Department. It is free to join.
CHARLES JORDAN/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Denim Goddard dribbles against a Rabun County defender in the Class A Division I tournament. She was the Region 5-A Division I player of the year and led the Lady Patriots to a 20-9 record.

CHARLES JORDAN/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Denim Goddard dribbles against a Rabun County defender in the Class A Division I tournament. She was the Region 5-A Division I player of the year and led the Lady Patriots to a 20-9 record.

Goddard takes basketball success to track and field

Ryland Goede
Thursday, March 16, 2023
It didn’t take long for Denim Goddard to make an impact on the track.
Jacob Spidle, a senior at Oglethorpe County High School, practices with his dad David Spidle, who is one of several coaches with the 4-H shotgun team. Jacob Spidle hopes to finish in the top five at state this year. (Photo/Olivia Shapiro)

Jacob Spidle, a senior at Oglethorpe County High School, practices with his dad David Spidle, who is one of several coaches with the 4-H shotgun team. Jacob Spidle hopes to finish in the top five at state this year. (Photo/Olivia Shapiro)

Family approach helps shotgun team stay on target

Olivia Shapiro and Molly Linder
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
WATCH: Family approach helps shotgun team stay on target   Jacob Spidle, who is on the 4-H shotgun team, sternly signals his coach to release the clay with one word — “pull.
Senior ZaNyain Hawkins practices discus at OCHS track and field practice. The OCHS boys finished sixth in Class AA in 2021 and fourth last year. (Photo/Emily Dozier)

Senior ZaNyain Hawkins practices discus at OCHS track and field practice. The OCHS boys finished sixth in Class AA in 2021 and fourth last year. (Photo/Emily Dozier)

Track teams ready to build on success

Emily Dozier
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
In a few short years, Tim Stoudenmire has taken the Oglethorpe County girls track team to new heights. He has developed a culture of dedication and grittiness that has resulted in back-to-back Class AA championships in 2021 and 2022.
(Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo) Jake Turner poses for photograph in football uniform. Turner is a dual-sport athlete that plays on the golf team as well.

(Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo) Jake Turner poses for photograph in football uniform. Turner is a dual-sport athlete that plays on the golf team as well.

Golf teams look to win consecutive region titles

Ryland Goede
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Oglethorpe County looks to defend its boys and girls golf region championships this spring.    To do so, both teams will lean on experience.   “We've got all the starters back on the boys and girls team,” coach Dale Blalock said.