sports

Some may see a lot of work however coach Adams saw this land and a vision was born to grow the sport of running in the county. (Submitted Photo)

Some may see a lot of work however coach Adams saw this land and a vision was born to grow the sport of running in the county. (Submitted Photo)

New cross country course provides training ground

Grant Turnage
Thursday, April 23, 2026
The Oglethorpe County cross country program has not been able to host a 5K race for years. High-traffic roads intersect potential routes at the schools, which was a major operational obstacle.  That changed this spring with a new all-grass cross country course at Oglethorpe Middle School.
Cousins and OCHS athletes Tripp White and Elizabeth Cook show their college colors during White’s signing day on April 9. White, a pitcher, will play for Andrew College and Cook, a volleyball player, has signed to play at Truett McConnell. (Submitted Photo)

Cousins and OCHS athletes Tripp White and Elizabeth Cook show their college colors during White’s signing day on April 9. White, a pitcher, will play for Andrew College and Cook, a volleyball player, has signed to play at Truett McConnell. (Submitted Photo)

Athletics a family affair for White, Cook

Nicholas Eriksen
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Tripp White signed to play baseball for Andrew College last week, following in a family line that has produced five collegiate athletes.  “It was very exciting,” he said. “It kept me busy for a very long time, but it was good.
The Oglethorpe County volleyball team rushes the court after defeating Bremen to clinch the Class A state title on Oct. 29. It was the first volleyball state title in school history. (Photo/Drew Bearden)

The Oglethorpe County volleyball team rushes the court after defeating Bremen to clinch the Class A state title on Oct. 29. It was the first volleyball state title in school history. (Photo/Drew Bearden)

OCHS gold: Players, coaches reflect on state titles

Grant Turnage and Nicholas Eriksen
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
CORRECTION: Information was incorrect about the status of Leanna Newton in OCHS volleyball game against Armuchee in the April 9, 2026 print edition of The Oglethorpe Echo. The correct information is in the story below. Recent success OCHS has won six state titles since 2019.
Students lift weights under the support and supervision of former teacher Steve Mason. Mason recently took a job at Commerce High School. (Submitted Photo)

Students lift weights under the support and supervision of former teacher Steve Mason. Mason recently took a job at Commerce High School. (Submitted Photo)

OCHS weightlifting classes benefit more than wrestlers

Nicholas Eriksen
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Steve Mason’s weightlifting classes have had an impact on Oglethorpe County High School athletes. Junior Luke Holbrooks, a wrestler, could bench only 185 pounds at the beginning of the class. Since then, he has increased his bench to 225 pounds, while squatting 300 pounds.
Miles Mason stands with his dad, Steve Mason, after a wrestling match. Steve coached Miles for five years of his career. (Submitted photo)

Miles Mason stands with his dad, Steve Mason, after a wrestling match. Steve coached Miles for five years of his career. (Submitted photo)

A tough goodbye as Mason leaves for Commerce job

Grant Turnage and Nicholas Eriksen
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Steve Mason’s Oglethorpe County legacy won’t be sitting in a trophy case. It was at his final wrestling banquet as the OCHS wrestling coach.   “Twenty-six of our 28 men showed up. Two had to work,” he said. “They were all dressed nice. They were all respectful.

Prep roundup: Gresham finishes fourth at state wrestling meet

News Staff
Friday, February 20, 2026
Staff Report Keyvon Gresham finished fourth and Walker Compton was sixth at the Class A state wrestling tournament last week at the Clayton County Convocation Center in Morrow. Tanner Mckie was 2-2 and one match away from placing, and Andrew Goller and Kendon Brown were both 1-2.
Jackson Tatum warms up in the bullpen before starting against Georgia School for Innovation and the Classics (GSIC) at TY Harris Field on Feb. 12. The Patriots won 10-0 behind Tatum, who struck out six in five innings. (Photo/Nicholas Eriksen)

Jackson Tatum warms up in the bullpen before starting against Georgia School for Innovation and the Classics (GSIC) at TY Harris Field on Feb. 12. The Patriots won 10-0 behind Tatum, who struck out six in five innings. (Photo/Nicholas Eriksen)

OCHS baseball searches for bounceback season

Nicholas Eriksen
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
The Oglethorpe County baseball team enters its third season under coach Mike Campbell with a hunger for success. With veteran leadership and a young core, Oglethorpe County wants to improve upon last year’s 8-22 record and seventh-place finish in Region 8-A Division I.
Michael Holland is back as the co-head coach of the OCHS girls track and field team. He'll continue to share coaching duties with Brianna Dickens. (Kayda Hammock/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Michael Holland is back as the co-head coach of the OCHS girls track and field team. He'll continue to share coaching duties with Brianna Dickens. (Kayda Hammock/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS eyes success after subpar season

Grant Turnage
Thursday, February 12, 2026
One year ago, the Oglethorpe County girls track team saw its streak of podium finishes snapped with a ninth-place result at the state meet. For a program that secured three Class A and AA titles between 2021 and ’24, the uncharacteristic slide served as a wake-up call.
A chart showing Oglethorpe County High School's updated February athletics schedule. (Graph/Nicholas Eriksen)

A chart showing Oglethorpe County High School's updated February athletics schedule. (Graph/Nicholas Eriksen)

Girls wrestlers bear brunt of weather issues

Nicholas Eriksen
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
The winter weather has played havoc with Oglethorpe County athletic schedules, especially girls wrestling, which faces two tournaments in three days. The girls wrestling team was scheduled to compete at the area traditional tournament at Locust Grove on Wednesday (after The Echo’s deadline).