Josh Austin

Maurice Freeman (left) is returning as the OCHS boys track and field coach this season. The spring sports teams began practice earlier this week. (Photo/Hank Tatum)

Maurice Freeman (left) is returning as the OCHS boys track and field coach this season. The spring sports teams began practice earlier this week. (Photo/Hank Tatum)

OCHS coaches prepare teams for start of new year

Andy Mathis
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Oglethorpe County High School’s spring sports teams began practice on Monday and will take the field later this month. Soccer, track and field, baseball and golf will open with a heavy focus on preparation and early-season development.
Members of the Oglethorpe County girls wrestling team include (from left): Mary Jane Miller, Victoria Miller, Akira Owens and Lannah Scarborough; (front, from left): McKinley Grimes, Emily Wisham, Lexi Bruce, Emily Gregory and Brooklyn Myers; (back, from left): Alondra Varges, Liz Campbell, Armonie Gresham, Alyson Woods and coach Josh Austin. (Submitted Photo)

Members of the Oglethorpe County girls wrestling team include (from left): Mary Jane Miller, Victoria Miller, Akira Owens and Lannah Scarborough; (front, from left): McKinley Grimes, Emily Wisham, Lexi Bruce, Emily Gregory and Brooklyn Myers; (back, from left): Alondra Varges, Liz Campbell, Armonie Gresham, Alyson Woods and coach Josh Austin. (Submitted Photo)

OCHS girls wrestlers shine at area duals

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Emily Gregory, Akira Owens and Alyson Woods each went 2-0 to lead the Oglethorpe County girls wrestling team to second place at the Area 3 Division II duals. The Patriots advanced to the state duals preliminary at Lumpkin County on Wednesday, after The Echo’s deadline this week.
Coach Josh Austin (back middle) and the OCHS girls wrestling team won the area dual title last year, a feat he hopes to build on this season. He has to be flexible with his roster since there are only 14 girls on the team. (Submitted Photo)

Coach Josh Austin (back middle) and the OCHS girls wrestling team won the area dual title last year, a feat he hopes to build on this season. He has to be flexible with his roster since there are only 14 girls on the team. (Submitted Photo)

Girls wrestling looks to grow numbers, confidence

Andy Mathis
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
The Oglethorpe County girls wrestling program has entered this season with modest numbers, a young roster and a clear theme set by coach Josh Austin: growth. Austin, in his fourth year guiding the program, said the team’s progress last winter set the foundation for what he wants to build.
OCHS boys soccer coach Josh Austin talks to his players before the Patriots’ opener against Monroe Area on Feb. 18. Austin is in his first season as head coach. (Photo/ Kayda Hammock)

OCHS boys soccer coach Josh Austin talks to his players before the Patriots’ opener against Monroe Area on Feb. 18. Austin is in his first season as head coach. (Photo/ Kayda Hammock)

Growth key for boys team under Austin

Kayda Hammock
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
The jump from assistant coach to head coach of the Oglethorpe County boys soccer team has been an adjustment for Josh Austin.“It was more just about the pure soccer last year, and this year, there’s the administrative stuff,” he said. “It’s kind of been a change for me, but we’ve handled it well.
The Oglethorpe County girls wrestling team finished sixth at the Division 2 state duals in its first year as a team. Josh Austin expects the momentum gained from this season will continue to next year. (Submitted Photo)

The Oglethorpe County girls wrestling team finished sixth at the Division 2 state duals in its first year as a team. Josh Austin expects the momentum gained from this season will continue to next year. (Submitted Photo)

OCHS girls wrestling finishes sixth at Division 2 state duals

Kayda Hammock
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Coach Josh Austin had high praise for the Oglethorpe County girls wrestling team, which finished sixth in the Division 2 state duals in its first season as a program.