Sports

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Track teams head to Class AA meet

News Staff
Thursday, May 12, 2022
The OCHS boys track team qualified athletes in 14 of 18 events for the Class AA state track meet. The girls team qualified athletes in 17 of 18 events. Both teams will compete in the meet at Kinnett Stadium in Columbus on May 12-14.
Mike Holland enters his second season as the head football coach at OCHS with increased numbers and excitement around the program. (File/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Mike Holland enters his second season as the head football coach at OCHS with increased numbers and excitement around the program. (File/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Football team prepares for new region, new season

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Oglethorpe County football coach Mike Holland and his staff ran into a good problem when they held a meeting earlier this semester: 85 players to fit into 50 varsity jerseys.
Oglethorpe County's Russel Smith follows the flight of the ball in the first game of the Class AA playoffs against Toombs County last week. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Oglethorpe County's Russel Smith follows the flight of the ball in the first game of the Class AA playoffs against Toombs County last week. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Baseball team looks to build on big year

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, May 5, 2022
The Oglethorpe County baseball team had two main goals before the season started: Host a playoff game and win a region championship.   “If your goal is not to win a championship I think you’re selling yourself short,” coach Kris Patel said.

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Track teams win Region 4-AA titles

News Staff
Thursday, May 5, 2022
The Oglethorpe County track teams made it 2-for-2 last Friday. The girls and boys track teams each won the Region 4-AA titles and advanced athletes to the Class AA sectionals at East Laurens this Saturday.   It’s the second consecutive region title for the girls, who scored 249.5 points.

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Senior-laden baseball team to host playoff doubleheader Thursday

News Staff
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
The Oglethorpe County baseball team will feel right at home in the first round of the Class AA playoffs.   The Patriots (16-14, 8-2 in Region 4-AA) will host a playoff series for the first time since 2003 when they play Toombs County in a doubleheader on Thursday, April 28.
Coach Mary Kate Shealy led the OCHS girls soccer team to a 12-3-1 record and the Region 4-AA title this season. (Photo/Ralph Maxwell)

Coach Mary Kate Shealy led the OCHS girls soccer team to a 12-3-1 record and the Region 4-AA title this season. (Photo/Ralph Maxwell)

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Q&A: Winning, character a strong tandem for OCHS girls soccer

Kaylah House
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Oglethorpe County girls soccer coach Mary Kate Shealy reflects on her program and this season, which included a Region 4-AA title and a 6-0 loss to Pace Academy in the second round of the Class AA playoffs.    Comments have been edited for length and clarity.
Pickleball players take the court earlier this week at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department. The group plays as often as four mornings a week in the new gym. (Photo/Mackenzie Tanner)

Pickleball players take the court earlier this week at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department. The group plays as often as four mornings a week in the new gym. (Photo/Mackenzie Tanner)

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There's a new game in town

Mackenzie Tanner
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Wanda Ashworth has found a new way to work on her pickleball game.   “I've been practicing my backswing with the carpenter bees at my house,” she said.
Tom Tisdale, the new Oglethorpe County High School trainer, has worked in minor league baseball. (Submitted Photo)

Tom Tisdale, the new Oglethorpe County High School trainer, has worked in minor league baseball. (Submitted Photo)

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Rehab, relationships key for new athletic trainer

Mackenzie Tanner
Friday, April 22, 2022
Oglethorpe County High School recently hired Tom “Tiz” Tisdale as the first full-time athletic trainer in school history. OCHS previously had two part-time athletic trainers working with its student-athletes.
Lloyd Martin preps his youth class before beginning backhand drills. Martin hopes to spark tennis programs in Oglethorpe County. (Armani Kardar/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Lloyd Martin preps his youth class before beginning backhand drills. Martin hopes to spark tennis programs in Oglethorpe County. (Armani Kardar/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Martin, Boggs aim to build county’s tennis program

Armani Kardar
Friday, April 22, 2022
WATCH: See more images from the tennis program in Oglethorpe County.   It’s a quiet Tuesday evening at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department, except for laughter and the sound of a tennis ball whistling through the air.
Russell Smith takes a cut in Oglethorpe County’s 7-4 victory over Putnam County on Friday. He’s hitting .390 and leads the Patriots in hits. (Carson Reynolds/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Russell Smith takes a cut in Oglethorpe County’s 7-4 victory over Putnam County on Friday. He’s hitting .390 and leads the Patriots in hits. (Carson Reynolds/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Smith’s character helps him stand apart

Meredith Boyd
Friday, April 22, 2022
Russell Smith has persevered through many obstacles to arrive at his best and final season with the Oglethorpe County baseball team.   From having to sit out his sophomore season to battling sickness and injuries as a junior, Smith was determined to make a comeback this season.