Tift Co. High School
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June 2010
For the second year in a row, the TCHS Athletic Department has been awarded the Region 1-AAAAA All-Sports trophy. “Winning this award signifies that we have the best overall sports program in the region,” said Mike Collier, athletic director of Tift County schools.
According to Collier, the award is given to schools based on points earned throughout the year. Teams earn points based on how well they finish the season; teams earn 10 points for region championships, eight points if they are runners-up, six points for third place finishes, and so forth. The points are totaled for each sport, and the school with the most points wins. The sports of gymnastics, diving and riflery do not compete within our region, but those teams can earn a maximum of three points if they qualify for state. Each of those TCHS teams did qualify this year.
Collier said, “Tift County had 128 points. Lowndes came in second at 109 points; Houston finished third with 99 points.” Collier added, “For TCHS to win this award for a second straight year is a testimony to our coaches and student-athletes’ hard work and dedication.”
The Lady Devil teams greatly aided in the Region 1-AAAAA All-Sports trophy, capturing five region titles this year in cross country, tennis, soccer, golf and track. The Lady Devil cross country team was the Region 1-AAAAA Champion. The tennis team snatched the region title and went on to compete at the state level in the Final Four. The Lady Devils track team brought home the region championship and Kimbriana Clark, Jessica Covington, Amber McKenzie and Noelle Okongwu participated at the state level. Also taking a region championship, the Lady Devil soccer team made it to the Elite Eight state playoffs, and Carlie Couch was named the Region Player of the Year. The Lady Devil golf team took first in the region and placed second in the state.
The Blue Devil cross country team produced an Individual Region Champion in Hunter Honeycutt. The Blue Devil track team did outstanding as well, taking the region runner-up title. Casey Denny, Hunter Honeycutt, A’Kail Parker and Asante Parker participated at the state level. The Blue Devil Basketball team was the Region 1-AAAAA champions, winning the State Sweet Sixteen before falling at the Elite Eight. The wrestling team finished eighth in the state, and Zimmie Mack placed third in his weight class, Trey Hicks placed fourth in his weight class and Nathan McCall placed fifth in state in his weight class. The Blue Devil tennis team placed third in the region and participated in the state playoffs.
The Gym Devils finished fourth in the state; freshman Beth Roberts placed second in state on beam. The precision air rifle team participated in the state sectionals. Tyler Beasley, Charles Conger and Tyler Thornton were named to the Area 2 All-Rookie team. Sophomore Ashley Roberson was a state finalist in diving.
Tift County has a lot to be proud of with this year’s sports accomplishments. Not only do the students of this school do well academically, but they have proven themselves as athletes as well. Collier said, “A big thanks goes out to the Tift County Board of Education, Mr. Atwater, Dr. Willie Miles, Mr. Craig Matthews and Dr. Ryan Gravitt for their support. This win is something that the entire community can be proud of.”
May 2010
by Bre’Onna Bennett
The TCHS gymnastics team has been leaping, flipping and tumbling their way to the top this season, despite the fact that emotions were high due to the loss of former gymnastics coach Deedee Cavanaugh who passed away in August. The girls, however, have worked even harder this year to put on a show for their audience to enjoy. Co-captain and junior Emilee Roberts said, “The hardest thing about being on the team this year is knowing that our former coach can’t be with us physically, but she’s with us always spiritually.” To keep the memory of Cavanaugh with them throughout the season, the girls got “D2,” for Deedee, printed in pink on their warm up jackets.
Under the direction of the new head coach, Jodi Roberts, the gymnasts have utilized the memory of Deedee, their dedication to the team and their years of experience to perform well at each meet. Emilee added, “Every meet we have attended has been great. They were all different, with different girls competing against different teams.” She continued, “Our team started the season strong, winning highly unusual points during our beginning meets.” She said their highest score this year so far was in a meet against Colquitt County in March.
“We have had a high school team for five years now, and the program has built up to having 13 girls on the team, when in the past there were around five girls,” Coach Roberts said. The multitalented, competitive team consists of senior Kristen de Jong, junior Emilee Roberts, sophomores Ashley Roberson, Ashley McLeod, Brooke Youngblood and Emily McCaskill, and freshmen Beth Roberts, Tatum Lamb, Libby Barbour, Jayde Cowart, Courtney Coleman, Kate Anderson and Alyssa Griffin. Roberts said, “Almost all our girls have been gymnasts at the club level and have participated in Dream It Gymnastics. It is a blessing to have all the club girls attend Tift County schools, whereas many schools do not have this advantage.”
Coach Roberts has enjoyed her first year as coach. “It has been a pleasure to be the coach this year with such an awesome group of young ladies, two of which are my own daughters,” she expressed. Emilee Roberts, her oldest daughter, said having her mother as the coach has been a neat experience. “I am so proud that my mother has learned really quickly how to coach us, and she’s always willing to help us when we need her,” she said. Coach Roberts, however, gives all the credit to the girls, saying, “These girls are so talented and self disciplined. They know their sport and what is takes to be successful.” She is most proud, however, of the way they have bonded together as a team. “Our girls have a strong support system and close relationships. We were complimented at every meet on our team spirit and support of one another,” she said.
Because the girls are undefeated this season, confidence levels were soaring for the team and their coach going to the area meet and state meets that took place at the end of April. “We have practiced a lot, and we have been winning our meets, so we felt really confident about our area meet that could take us to state,” stated sophomore Emily McCaskill. Coach Roberts agreed and believes they have the potential to come out on top. “We have a great chance at winning or being in the top six. There are no class divisions in gymnastics; all schools are grouped together. The top 12 individual girls on each event and the top six teams [at the area meet] will compete at state.” Roberts added, “We have two girls competing all around, and the top 12 will also compete in an all-around competition.”
This is the first year the Devils have been fortunate enough to have a competitive high school team and a chance at going to state. In the past, they have had gymnasts win individual titles but not as a team. “We are looking forward to having this advantage for many years to come as we have seven freshmen on the team,” said Coach Roberts.
The Devils traveled to Lovett in Atlanta to the area qualifier meet on April 24. The state meet was held April 30 at Westminster School in Atlanta. They dedicate this winning season to the memory of coach Deedee Cavanaugh.
Photography submitted by Tift County High School
by Kevi Jones
Kindhearted, good natured and an overall inspiration to those who encounter him are words often used to describe junior Matt Baxter. Throughout life, Matt has had obstacles to overcome. But with the support of family and friends he continues to persevere and beat the odds every day.
Matt said that he has always wanted to be a marathon runner and with the inspiration of his dad he has managed to do just that. “No matter how demanding the running schedule I gave him, he always completed it without question or complaint,” said Matt’s father Gary Baxter. “The thrill and sense of pride I experienced watching my son cross the finish line was far greater than that of any race I have ever run, including the Boston Marathon, and we are all so proud of Matt,” he added.
Matt always puts forth maximum effort to each and every endeavor he pursues. “When I finish a marathon, I get a feeling that I have accomplished something great,” said Matt. This feeling is doubled when he sees his family cheering him on every step of the way. “My first marathon was extremely exciting to me. My three sisters, my mom and my dad were all there to support me,” he recalled. “All I could think about was making them proud.” His sister, Jessica, also expressed her support. “We’ve watched Matt put in hours and hours of training, and I was elated to see that his effort put forth toward running finally paid off as he was acknowledged for his achievement.” She added, “As his name was called out for first place in his division, I thought there could not possibly be a person more deserving.”
Matt has trained over the years and has worked hard to strengthen his body as well as his endurance. Since his first marathon, Matt has made enormous progress. Initially, he said he was only able to run two miles, but now he runs 26.2 miles with ease. “When Matt first started running, he could not go very far, but he set goals and worked hard to achieve his dream of becoming a marathon runner,” stated his mom, Tina Baxter. “One funny thing about Matt running with Gary is that all Gary sees of Matt in a race is his back, as he can outrun Gary and no matter how hard Gary tries, he cannot catch up with or beat Matt!” she added.
At the beginning of the year, Matt completed three marathons back-to-back, including the Museum of Aviation Foundation Marathon in Warner Robins (January 16), the Tallahassee Marathon (February 7) and the Snickers Marathon (March 6). He finished first in his age group in all three marathons.
Everyone can learn so much from Matt, as he does not see challenges as impossibilities and is willing to work hard to succeed – not only in running but in every aspect of his life.
Photography submitted by Tift County High School
April 2010
Amber Mckenzie
By Bre’Onna Bennett
Tift County High School has many extraordinary athletes. From basketball to track stars, these athletes work hard to be successful both on and off the field, and they strive to represent TCHS well. Senior Amber McKenzie is one of those gifted athletes who is looking forward to taking her talent to the next level.
McKenzie has been into sports throughout her school career. She most recently finished her last year as a shooting guard for the Lady Devils basketball team and is now looking forward to continue at the college level.
Coach Julie Conner had the pleasure of coaching McKenzie. She said, “Amber is an absolute joy to coach! She is such a hard worker, who is very coachable, and she has been blessed with a great athletic build.” She added, “She also has a wonderful personality with a smile that can brighten your day.”
During her high school basketball career, McKenzie made a lot of progress. Coach Conner said, “In basketball, her body strength enabled her to be a super penetrator. She has also worked very hard to perfect her shot.”
Conner said that McKenzie averaged 17.1 points per game, the team high, and had her best game against Valdosta on Senior night when she scored 33 points. She added, “She was recently named the MVP of the South All-Star game.”
McKenzie is currently devoting her time to track and field, coached by Jason Slimp. At the Blue Devil Invitational held in March, she broke her own field event record in the shot put. Her current record is 41 feet.
Coach Slimp is confident that McKenzie will excel this year. He said, “She finished seventh in the discus last year and fourth in the shot put.” He added, “She is our top returner and will be looking forward to winning a state title in the shot put this year.”
McKenzie’s mother, Stephanie, has inspired her to accomplish and continue to improve her goals in sports as well as in school. McKenzie also credits her coaches who have also pushed her to achieve these goals. She stated, “Coach Conner, Coach Ivy Vickers, Coach Slimp and Coach Ben Simmons are the ones who I give credit to for my success. They have encouraged me through it all.”
McKenzie is proud of herself as a person and of her accomplishments. She plans to continue her success into her future in college. “It feels great to be recognized because I never thought it would be me,” said McKenzie.
“I really don’t know what school I’m going to play for, but I know they will be happy to have me,” she added.
Coach Conner agreed. She said, “She has talent, and when you put it together with her work ethic and being coachable, Amber will excel in most any sport she tries.” Conner added, “In fact, there is no doubt in my mind that she will be very successful in life because of these wonderful attributes. I think those traits were instilled in her by her family.”
Conner said, “I'm very happy that I've had the chance to coach her, and although I don't think the Amber's of the world come along every day, I'm looking for the next one. I'm very proud of her, and next year, when she's not walking the halls of TCHS, she will be missed!”
Where ever she may go, she is destined to create and break records that will set her up as one of world’s greatest young athletics.
March 2010
by Vilma Castillo
Tift County High School’s newest sports team is sharp. Sharpshooters, that is. The TCHS precision air rifle team began shooting with successful results against 12 area teams in January. The team is ranked No. 6 of 13 area teams with an average of 1038.17.
The rifle team is the only sport in which boys and girls compete equally. It also has the longest season in the Georgia High School Association, starting in August and ending in April. The tryouts for the team started in September and practice began in October. The students were chosen based on shooting scores, how well they followed instructions, how focused they were, their concentration while shooting and how well they followed the gun safety rules.
In a competition, the students are required to shoot in three positions. They are given 20 minutes each on both the prone and standing positions and 15 minutes in the kneeling position. A match has two rounds and is usually three hours long. The scores are determined by shooting what is called the 10-Bull target. A score of 300 is a perfect score. The team uses a LG110 Steyr precision air rifle during the match.
The team was established on campus because of the interest generated by 4-H shooters in Tift County. “We wanted the students who competed in 4-H shooting sports to continue competing, and we also wanted students who didn’t participate in any other sports to try out,” says Julie Rucker, American literature teacher and coach of the rifle team. She added, “These students have worked hard in their shooting skills and have improved tremendously.”
The team consists of Tyler Beasley, Charles Conger, Tyler Thornton, Chip Seigler, Austin Dunn, DeAnn Taylor, Michelle Cooper, Jake Willis and Jonathan Ruberson. Seven of the nine students had shooting experience before joining the team. They had participated in the 4-H program at some point. Some still shoot with the 4-H program and the school team.
Junior Tyler Beasley, who is ranked No. 6 among rookie shooters in the area, said he is very excited for the first high school rifle team. Tyler joined the team because of his past experiences, and he really enjoys it. Beasley said, “I have been shooting with 4-H since I was in fifth grade. I have improved a lot. I feel like this is a good start for our first year, and we will be prepared for next year.”
Junior Charles Conger is ranked No. 7 on the area rookie team and said he has always been interested in shooting. When the opportunity arose, he joined the team. Conger said he had shooting experience with the 4-H air pistol team before joining the air rifle team. He stated, “I definitely have improved greatly this season. Competing for the first time in the air rifle competition has been a new experience.”
Sophomore Tyler Thornton is vying for a position on the all-rookie team and said he did not think he would score high this first year. “I have improved my shooting ability. The only shooting experience I had before joining the team was from home,” Thornton said.
Coach Rucker said that her team has improved greatly. “We started in the fall shooting an average in the 600’s, and right now we are shooting around 1060.” Rucker added, “I am really excited about working with the students. They are improving not only in their outer game but also the inner game. Mental toughness is just as important as being able to hold and aim a gun.”
The air rifle team is not only about competing and shooting a gun. Rucker said they want to be able to promote more shooting sports. “There are other opportunities where the students can participate in shooting; not just in school but also in organizations. We believe shooting sports teach participants how to handle guns safely,” she said. She emphasized that gun safety is their No. 1 priority in both practices and in competitions.
Some of the surrounding counties they have been or will be competing against are Worth, Colquitt, Crisp, Turner, Wilcox and Lee.
Photography submitted by Tift County High School
January 2010
Blue Devil Basketball off to a great start
by Bre’Onna Bennett
Winning multiple championships in years past, the Tift County High School Blue Devils basketball team is getting pumped for the upcoming season and is planning to aim for another championship this year.
Head coach and TCHS assistant principal Dr. Eric Holland is expecting a great season this year, and they are off to a great start. “Our team goal is to win region and ultimately the state championship,” he remarked.
Holland’s coaching experience is sure to be an asset to the team. His experience runs the gambit from the high school level to the college level, coaching at Americus High School for four years, South Georgia Technical College for one year and Turner County High School for five years, finally bringing him to TCHS this year.
“I’ve been into basketball my whole life,” said Holland. “I started playing when I was five years old and kept at it.” Holland is a true believer in the sport and is dedicated to his position as a coach. “To me, the game of basketball is used to prepare young men to be better people. Coaching is just like life; anything worth having is worth working for,” he said.
Assisting Coach Holland with the team this year is Anthony Bateman, Keary Brownlee, Jason Clark and Xavier Holmes. Holland said, “I have the best coaching staff in the state. Coach Bateman brings experience and discipline to the table. Coach Brownlee brings a wealth of knowledge from his days as a Blue Devil basketball player and his playing experience at the college level.” Holland added, “Coach Holmes brings calmness to the team. His poise and patience are assets on the sidelines, and Coach Clark is our spokesman for the team. He provides real motivation to the players and the team as a whole.”
Holland said, “We practice every day for three hours and run up-tempo drills because we are an up-tempo team, meaning our drills are about speed, decision making and surviving under pressure.” Not only does the team practice and do drills to get ready for the upcoming season, but they also get together for special team-building activities and community service projects.
To build camaraderie among players and coaches, the team held its first “lock-in” from a Friday night until the following Sunday in the school gym. Coach Bateman said that the time the boys spent together was a good experience for them. During this time, the team practiced basketball, watched a movie and competed against one another in Madden Football. “It was rough because the boys had to sleep on the floor, but overall, it was a good experience for everyone.”
Team members enjoyed the lock-in experience. Senior Micah McCant said, “We got a chance to come together. This experience will allow us to pull together as a real team during games and overcome adversity.”
The team also visits a church together once a month, and they have jumped into a community service project that the members feel is rewarding not only for the students they work with, but for themselves as well. The players attended Northside Primary School to read to their young admirers through the Read to Achieve program.
“It was fun reading to the kids,” stated junior Trent Hillman. “It seemed like they really enjoyed it and were very happy that we came.” Hillman added, “The experience was special for me, too. It was neat to work with a kid who looked up to me as a role model.”
Junior Corey Gibson said he really enjoyed getting to read to his little friend. “My student and I have a lot of common interests in the sports we play, so talking to him was easy,” said Gibson. “Although he could read pretty good, he preferred me reading to him,” he added.
While the players’ main weakness lies in their lack of varsity experience, the team hopes that their amazing depth, work ethic and attitude, coupled with their intense preparation, will pull them through. Gibson said, “We have several new players this year, but I think we will really be able to come together as a team.”
Hillman added, “We have worked hard throughout summer and off season. The regular season should turn out great.”
Holland is proud of the school support his team has received so far and looks forward to the continuing support. He said, “I particularly want to thank the staff members who sponsored players for the season.”
Photography submitted by Tift County High School
by Bre’Onna Bennett
A basketball game is not a game without our Lady Devils Basketball team and head coach Julie Conner is extremely excited for this season.
Coach Conner is no stranger to the sport of basketball. “Some of my earliest memories were of me going to watch my Dad’s teams when he was the head boys basketball coach at TCHS,” said Conner. But as she grew up, she began to get the desire to play the competitive sport herself. “I started playing in the fifth grade for the Tift County Recreation Department, but I started playing school ball in the seventh grade,” she added. She was fortunate enough to get a college scholarship to go play at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville after high school.
Conner has been coaching basketball teams for 17 years and is currently in her second year as head coach for the Lady Devils. “We are very excited about this year’s team. We have eight players returning off last year’s varsity, so we have several people with a good bit of playing experience,” stated Conner.
“Coach Conner is very firm, but fair,” said senior Noelle Okongwu. “This is my first year playing under her leadership, and I am looking forward to developing my basketball skills with Coach Conner for my future college career.”
The Lady Devils have been preparing for this season by practicing from Monday through Friday for more than two hours each day. They do multiple drills, such as ball handling drills, shooting drills and defensive drills, just to name few.
“We do a lot of character building, our code name for suicides,” said junior Raven Denson. “We build so much character − until we can run through a brick wall,” she added with a laugh.
Although the team weakness lies in height when compared to other teams in their region, their ability to run and keep up a fast-paced game makes up for that lack of height.
“We are doing a lot better than last year,” stated sophomore Darian Roberson. “Coach Conner has helped us improve a lot,” she added.
Not only does the team do drills and practice to help with team building, they also do special community service projects. They volunteered at Tift Regional Women’s Health Day. The girls also work the Pee Wee Basketball camps each June to help raise money for their team camp fees. “I really feel strongly that we should give back to our community,” said Conner.
“We have a great group of young ladies, and I have a super coaching staff to work with,” said Conner. “Coach Ivey Vickers and I played together for TCHS. Coach Amanda Meeks played for me at ABAC, and she was an incredible shooter. Coach Erick Willis has many years of head coaching experience under his belt,” said Conner.
“The girls’ attitudes and work ethic have improved very much,” stated Vickers.
The team has great expectations for this year. They are hopefully looking forward to winning a region championship and ultimately making the state playoffs. “Coach Conner always says, ‘Go hard or go home,’ ” said junior Tionna Barnes. “And that’s what we plan to do.”
Photography submitted by Tift County High School
December 2009
Cheering For A Good Cause
by Amanda Soles
In an effort to give to others, Fran Kendrick, the TCHS football cheerleading coach, encouraged her varsity girls to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation during the month of October.
Cheerleaders walked through the stands and asked for donations, and they were excited when they raised $400. “I was touched that so many people donated to cancer research,” said sophomore cheerleader Amira Hughlett. “Because this was our first time being a part of the project, we had really hoped to do well, and we did,” she added.
Since October was National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Kendrick and her football cheerleaders took the opportunity to raise money for a good cause. Because of the response they received, they plan to make this an annual event.
“We didn’t have a goal for this year,” said Kendrick. “We just wanted to get started with this project and see what we could do to help a good cause,” said Kendrick.
According to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation website, Susan G. Komen was a woman with breast cancer who spent her time figuring out ways to make life better for other women with breast cancer.
Even as Komen was nearing the end of her life, she still tried to figure out ways to make life better for others. The Komen Foundation’s mission is to further her attempts. The site says, “Because 10 million women around the world could die from breast cancer in the next 25 years, we continue to fight every minute of every day to save every life.”
Hughlett hopes their efforts will benefit the Foundation’s efforts. She said, “We hope the donations we raised will help to continue Ms. Komen’s cause.”
Photography submitted by Tift County High School
by Quetta Holmes
The TCHS swim team is gearing up for another successful season. According to Coach Horak, the team has been working hard to get to this point and is looking forward to the nine different meets they have scheduled. They have been practicing Monday through Thursday about two hours a day. “We have been working on turns, starts off the block and, of course, specific strokes for each individual swimmer,” she said.
Horak also said this year’s team is comprised of 25 swimmers, only seven of which are new. Senior Michasia Harris is the first senior on the team to participate all four years.
Harris, who has been swimming since the age of eight when she participated on the Tifton Tidal Wave team, said this year’s team looks promising, and she is looking forward to a great season. “This year we have a lot of experienced swimmers returning, so hopefully we will do well at our meets,” said Harris. “We also have new swimmers who have a lot of potential and will be a good addition to our team. We will have a good time swimming together this year.”
Horak said this year’s team is good when it comes to diversity. She said, “We will have several swimmers who will be able to swim any stroke.”
Other seniors on the team include Sarah Harper, Kelcie McLean and Mallory Moore.
Juniors include Paul Griffin, Glendon Harris, Kamanski Jordan, Hannah Lee, James Kelly, Kyle Jacobson, Brianna Collins, Connor Cummins, Jeremy Burns, Justin White and Dementris Williams.
Sophomore swimmers are Hunter Honeycutt, Tim Borem, Octavious Rivera, Ashley Roberson and Jonathan Perez. Freshmen on this year’s team include Maggie Hobson, Kendal King, Jack Lee, Sara Johnson and Anna Johnson.
According to Coach Horak, Honeycutt, Harris, Jacobson, King, Harper, and the Johnsons have also been swimming on various community teams for six to eight years.
Horak said this year’s schedule will be competitive. She said, “We are a 5A school, so we will compete against all the other Region 1-5A schools.” This will include teams from Coffee, Lowndes, Colquitt, Houston, Warner Robins, and Northside Warner Robins.
The swim team will also compete during the season with other schools from various regions, including Ware County, Americus-Sumter, Bainbridge, Jeff Davis, Lee County, and Perry.
The members of the team are really looking forward to swimming at the University of Georgia Ramsey Center where they compete against approximately 20 other schools from around the state. Harris said, “We love swimming in the atmosphere at the Ramsey Center. It lets us experience what it would be like to swim at the college level.”
Photography submitted by Tift County High School
November 2009
TCHS Competition Cheerleaders Anxiously Await State
by Kevi Jones
Hardworking, diligent and dedicated are only a few words that can be used to describe the young ladies on the TCHS competition cheerleading squad. “I have a great group of talented, hardworking girls that give 110 percent every day,” said Tara Miller, the TCHS competition cheerleading coach.
The TCHS competition cheerleading squad hosted a competitive cheer contest in the TCHS gymnasium on Saturday, October 10. The contest consisted of 13 middle school competition squads and 17 varsity competition squads from region 1A to region 5A.
The winners included Eighth Street Middle, Hahira Middle and Crisp Middle Co-Ed from the middle school division. The high school division winners included Irwin County, Putnam County, Crisp County, Thomas County Central, Lowndes, Northside Co-Ed and Northside JV. Miller said the competition was a huge success with over 1,100 spectators in attendance.
Despite the many obstacles they faced this year, the girls are still determined to succeed. “We’ve had a few injuries and some minor setbacks, but the squad is focused and I feel confident in their abilities,” said Miller.
At press time, the squad was preparing for the Colquitt County Cheer Competition on October 24 and the Worth County Last Chance Competition on October 31.
“I am looking forward to the region championships in Fitzgerald on November 7,” stated Miller. “The competition between several of us (other teams) is fierce and it should be an exciting day,” she added.
Despite the many setbacks those young ladies face they are still determined to succeed. “A lot of the girls will be off the injury list, and we are on the road to recovery,” said Miller.
The state cheer championship meet is in Columbus on November 13-14.
Senior competition cheerleaders include Erin Fletcher, Lauren Mashburn, Anna Willis, Anna Lee Hilliard and Alex Rutland.
Photography submitted by Tift County High School
by TCHS Journalism Class
Having their moment under the Friday night lights each week, the football players and cheerleaders of Tift County High School are merely doing what they love. Being a part of a team they love best and striving to give their all for the fans in the stands, these athletes sometimes fail to realize the influence they have over the little ones who come to watch them play and cheer.
In Tift County, however, the high school players and cheerleaders get to meet one-on-one with some of their biggest fans − the Tift County Pre-K Center kids. When that happens, they see exactly what type of influence they have over their most adoring, and even adorable, fans.
Each fall, Wanda Veazey, the director of the Pre-K Center, contacts TCHS Cheerleading Coach Fran Kendrick, and Kendrick sends her senior cheerleaders to help with a Pre-K pep rally which includes a special visit from a few of the Blue Devil football players. The players and cheerleaders discuss the importance of staying in school and the importance of good behavior.
The younger students usually pay close attention to what the Blue Devils have to say. “Our students always love [the pep rally]!” said Veazey.
Veazey said the school was decorated in anticipation of the TCHS pep rally this year. “We made signs and decorated our building to welcome them. Students came dressed in blue and white, and some wore their Blue Devil jerseys and Tift County cheerleading outfits,” she said. The youngsters were excited about getting to see the students they admire.
“The students that were sent did such a good job of interacting with our little ones before, during and after the rally. They encouraged our little ones to stay in school and to mind their teachers,” Veazey said. “Our students view the Blue Devils and the cheerleaders as being famous! We loved having them. Diablo was an added treat, and the kids were memorized by him,” she added.
Melinda Kelly, administrative assistant at the Pre-K Center, was impressed with the way the high school students related to the little ones. “I just thought it was wonderful the way they interacted with the kids. The kids absolutely loved it. The football players, the cheerleaders and even Diablo played with them on the playground!” said Kelly.
To capture the moment, Kelly had her camera on hand. “We have a cute picture of Micah playing with the kids and of Malcolm riding a Tricycle!” She added, “They were so good with the kids!"
Senior Ali Smith appreciated having the opportunity to help with the pep rally. She said, “The pep rally was successful and the kids had fun. Hopefully, we motivated them to stay in school.”
Senior A’Kail Parker was touched by the opportunity he had to attend the pep rally and interact with the kids. “It was exciting to see the kids and to see how much they appreciate us and how they look up to us,” said Parker.
Senior Chase Kelly agreed. “It was fun to interact with younger children and to encourage them to stay in school,” he said.
Head Coach Jay Walls was proud of his players and feels like this pep rally was a great experience for them. “Sometimes these players do not realize the impact they have on the little kids who look up to them and who come to watch them play every Friday night. The Pre-K Center pep rallies are a great opportunity for these athletes to serve as good role models.”
Photography by Melinda Kelly
October 2009
Tift County Cross Country Off To A Good Start
by TCHS Newspaper Class
According to Coach Patti Barber, the team usually attends a camp during the summer in North Carolina, but because of rough economic times, they were not able to attend this summer. She said, “The economy hit us, too, in that many students who wanted to go to camp had to work this summer.” Their inability to attend camp, however, did not put a damper on their ability to run.
Barber said, “Cross country is an awesome sport that takes dedication, motivation, and determination,” and her students continually do whatever it takes to be competitive. They condition every day, even though, as Barber said, “Running isn’t always easy.” These athletes train even on days when the heat and humidity combine to make the task seemingly unbearable.
While the team did lose a few strong seniors who graduated last year, Barber is hopeful about this season’s talent. She said that this year’s teams have several “young, fast athletes” who moved up to fill those seniors’ spots.
Barber recognizes the individual strengths of her athletes but said that students have to pull together as a team to win each meet. She said, “[In cross country] you have to run as an individual, but it takes a team and a lot of heart to win.” Her teams pull together to do just that.
Barber is also excited about the addition of new coaches this year. Stacy Jones is the new middle school coach, and Marci Honeycutt assists her at the middle school level. Both coaches teach at Eighth Street Middle School and will be able to promote the program at the middle school level. Barber said that this addition alone will help to improve the program overall. She added, “It has been difficult to promote and encourage middle school students when I am at the high school.”
Barber and her teams are striving for another successful season as they continue to condition each day in preparation for other track meets. She said, “It is neat to see students begin the season with a goal and strive to meet that goal continually during the season as an individual and as a team.”
The Blue Devils will attend various invitationals throughout the months of September and October, traveling as far as Bainbridge, Macon and Thomasville. Their main goal is to prepare for the region cross country meet to be held on October 29. The skills and endurance they obtain along the way, however, are characteristics that can stick with them a life time. As Barber said, “[Cross country] is a sport that students can take with them wherever they go.” She added, “Many former runners are still running today.”
September 2009
Honeycutt Takes Home The Bronze!!!!
by Marci Honeycutt
In the weeks leading up to the race, Hunter was most concerned about his swim time. Most of the other athletes come from very advanced year-round swim programs and have been swimming at an elite level for many years. Swimming has only been a year-round sport in Hunter’s area for the last year. Hunter lived with his coach in Birmingham, Alabama, for several weeks over the summer to improve his swim and to work on his bike and run. He hoped to finish in the top 15 on the swim then catch up on the bike and the run.
As the race began, around 50 young men started in a single line spread from one end of the beach to the other. The horn blew and a mass swim start ensued for a distance of 375 meters. Hunter had a great start and was in the lead for the first 50 meters or so. As the pace settled in, he found a groove and was able to come out of the water in fifth place! The leaders were only a few seconds in front of him and still within his sight.
He went into the bike transition area in fifth and left 30 seconds later in third; he had already passed two other athletes. With a perfect bike mount, he was able to catch the next athlete within a few feet of the bike start. On a bike course that is about 10 km, it did not take long for Hunter to overtake the lead cyclist, Josh Kanute (Illinois). They worked together to distance themselves from the rest of the field.
Two other cyclists were able to bridge up to the top two, making it a four-man race on the bike. The four averaged around 24 miles per hour for 10 km on hairpin turns and a very technical course. As they rounded the straightaway for the next transitions, Hunter was in first place.
After the athletes dismounted their bikes and transitioned into running shoes. Hunter came out on the 2.5 km run in first place, but he had a serious problem – his lungs felt like they were on fire and it was difficult to breathe. The altitude in Colorado Springs is intense for anyone who is visiting, and it can be devastating for an athlete. Hunter felt the altitude sickness start to set in, but pushed through the pain as he ran for the finish line. The run was around a large lake, and the excitement in the crowd grew with every step the runners took.
About a third of the way into the run, the second place athlete, Josh Kanute, was able to catch Hunter, and they ran side-by-side with the third-place athlete, Tony Smoragiewicz (South Dakota), closing fast. At the halfway point, Smorkawitz caught up and the three athletes made the turn for home shoulder-to-shoulder. With only a few meters to go, the crowd went crazy. The announcers were screaming that it was “any man’s race” and that this was the best race they had ever seen at Nationals. Kanute surged in the last few meters, Smoragiewicz tried to go with him, and Honeycutt had nothing left to go with. The finish saw Kanute with the gold, Smoragiewicz with the silver and Honeycutt with the bronze − all within a few seconds of each other. The rest of the field was not even in sight and the crowd had just witnessed a preview of the USA Olympic trials in a few years, according to the announcers.
All three young men fell out at the end of the race, their bodies shutting down from the altitude and effort. Just like that, the race was over. Years of preparation and sacrifice, and it was over. The medal stand was awesome, with all three athletes shaking hands and posing for pictures, realizing that they are just beginning their race for the future. The three will be seeing each other again for many years to come.
After it was all over, Hunter said he left everything on the course and he had no regrets. He learned a lot about his competitors and possible changes to his race tactics. He also ran a perfect race and had the time of his life.
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