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)
track and field
Maurice Freeman enters his fourth season as head coach for Oglethorpe County High School's boys track and field team. Freeman, an Oglethorpe County native, ran at the University of Georgia in college. (Photo/Nicholas Eriksen)
Freeman hopes to push team to strong state finish this year
Nicholas Eriksen
The Oglethorpe County boys track and field team won its fourth regional title in the past five seasons in 2025, sending 11 athletes to state. None of them won a state title. The Patriots will aim higher in their fourth season under coach Maurice Freeman, an Oglethorpe County native.
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Leanna Newton (Submitted Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Prep Roundup: Newton, Cook spark volleyball team to wins
Echo Staff
Led by the play of Leanna Newton and Elizabeth Cook, the Oglethorpe County volleyball team defeated Lake Oconee Academy, Greene County and Madison County in the past week.The Patriots improved to 16-8.
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Denim Goddard, a two-time state champ in the long and triple jumps, competes in both events for Austin Peay. As a freshman this year, her distances improved from the end of the indoor season to the end of the outdoor season. (Submitted Photo)
Goddard gets serious, shows potential
Emma Greene
Denim Goddard quickly realized college athletics are extremely different from high school.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Oglethorpe girls finish ninth at state track
News Staff
The Oglethorpe County girls finished tied for ninth at the Class A Division I state track and field meet in Rome last weekend. The Patriots, the defending state champions, tied with Social Circle with 30 points. Vidalia won with 70 points.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Kenzie Henderson tied for the top high jump at the Class A Division I sectional on Monday to advance to the state meet. She’s won three straight high jump state titles. (Photo/Wade Cheek)
Prep Roundup: Track athletes advance to Class A Div. I meet
News Staff
Oglethorpe County will send 22 athletes — 11 boys and 11 girls — to the Class A Division I state track and field meet at Rome on Friday and Saturday. The OCHS girls will try to defend their 2024 title, which was their third in four years.
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Oglethorpe County senior Kenzie Henderson is shooting for her fourth state high jump title to cap her high school athletic career. She’s also excelled in volleyball and basketball at OCHS. (Submitted Photo)
Henderson’s legacy as a quiet leader, gifted athlete
Kayda Hammock
Whether sprinting down the track, digging a volleyball or dropping double-doubles on the basketball court, senior Kenzie Henderson is a multi-sport athlete who has done it all. Even more important, she said being an athlete in Oglethorpe County has impacted her for the better.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Jordan Johnson sits on his dad, James Johnson's, shoulder after a little-leauge football game. (Submitted photo)
‘Joe Been Working:’ Senior has left his mark on three OCHS sports
Avery Cameron
Oglethorpe County High School senior Jordan Johnson isn’t just a standout athlete, he’s a tone-setter. Whether it’s on the football field, basketball court, or track, Johnson, who teammates call “Joe,” has built a name for himself as a competitor and someone younger athletes gravitate toward.
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Bryan Berrios (19) moves past a Rabun County defender in the first round of the Class A Division I tournament last week. The loss ended the Patriots’ season. (Wade Cheek/For The Oglethorpe Echo)
Prep Roundup: Girls track rolls in region tune-up meet
News Staff
Elin Turner won the 100-meter hurdles and the 800 meters to lead the Oglethorpe County girls track team to victory in the Lincoln County Region Tune-up meet on April 18.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Life will be different for Tim and Penni Stoudenmire after he retires from coaching this spring. He’s coached wrestling and track at three schools for the past 29 years, winning three state championships at Oglethorpe County High School. (Samuel Higgs/The Oglethorpe Echo)