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This Week:
Sports Issue 10
Volume 11
From the Oconee to the Apalachee
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Tennis
ACAD wins Page 4
Schools
MATTHEW CALDWELL/Oconee Leader
Katarina Waldrop, a 2015 graduate of North Oconee High School, was playing with her current school, Jacksonville University, in the 13th Annual Georgia Softball Classic last Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the University of Georgia. Jacksonville won two of their five games and Waldrop collected her first career hit at the college level in last Friday’s win against Austin Peay. For the full story, see page 4. For more photos, see theoconeeleader.com.
Noland reads
Little Chiefs Page 2
Online
Commission approves design to new Parkway BY MIKE SPRAYBERRY The Oconee Leader
The Oconee County Board of Commissioners last week approved a change in the design of the upcoming Parkway Boulevard Extension, set to break ground in six to eight weeks. The $65,765 design change is expected to lower the road to the level of surrounding land and reduce the cost of construction by the same amount. The $4.285 million road project will extend Parkway Boulevard from Epps Bridge Parkway behind Kohl’s, Walmart and Lowe’s to the Oconee Connector, opening up the surrounding land to more commercial development. “We are modifying the design of the road,”
said Melvin Davis, Chairman of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners. “We are lowering it a little so that it is level with other land in the area. What this change actually does is reduce the cost of construction of the roadway by the exact same amount. So, it is a wash except that the road will be more level with the surrounding property.” The design change comes one week after the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve an intergovernmental agreement with the Oconee County Industrial Development Authority to build the road. “We approved and are going ahead with the bonding resolution for (Parkway Boulevard Ex-
tension),” said Davis. “The Development Authority is borrowing the money and the intergovernmental agreement simply says that we’re going to pay the bill. It is slightly over $4.2 million, which we think will cover the cost of the construction of the roadway from behind Kohl’s, Walmart and Lowe’s to Oconee Connector.” According to Davis, the project is an investment to attract future tax revenue to the county. “I feel like it gives us another avenue for commercial development in the area. I think retail ‘Parkway’ Page 3
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2 Soles for 2 Souls race to benefit Kupendwa BY ROB PEECHER
The Oconee Leader
Photo Gallery
Waldrop at UGA
theoconeeleader.com
History
Cemetery
Clean up Page 2
Saturday, Washington Farms will host the second 2 Soles for 2 Souls 5K race, a fundraiser for Kupendwa Ministries. The March 12 race begins at 8:30 a.m. with race day registration starting at 7:30 a.m. Race day registration is $35. Deanna Washington, who is helping to organize the race, said she is hoping this year’s race will be as successful as the first 2 Soles for 2 Souls race. Last year, more than 300 people signed up to run the race, and because of race sponsorships, every entry fee goes directly to Kupendwa Ministries, Deanna said. “All of the money goes to where it’s needed most. This year we are trying to build and move the ministry to a permanent piece of land we bought last year, so that’s where the money will go this year,” she said. Kupendwa Ministries began in 2012 when Amy Washington, Deanna’s sister and one of the daughters of John and Donna Washington who own Washington Farms, decided to start an organization in Uganda with a mission of helping pregnant teenagers in crisis situations. Amy lives fulltime in Uganda, and Kupendwa now serves 31 teenage girls in its maternity homes. “The maternity homes are really the heart of the ministry,” Deanna said. “There are 31 teenage girls who are there 24-7. We also do maternity clinics in the villages where we teach classes and do prenatal checkups and distribute to them
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Ugandan girls who have been served by Amy Washington’s Kupendwa Ministries.
prenatal vitamins and birthing kits.” Deanna explained that while healthcare in Uganda is provided by the government and does not cost the citizens, the hospitals do not provide some of the basic necessities. So women who are going to the hospitals in labor must bring birthing kits with them. The kits include things such as cotton gauze, a plastic sheet, a razor blade and gloves for the doctor. Many women in the rural villages are unable to afford these items, but without them they will not get treated at a hospital. “You have to bring everything yourself because the hospital doesn’t have supplies,” Deanna said.
“Without it, the hospital won’t help you.” Kupendwa also helps to provide medicine for women who need it but are unable to afford it. Deanna said in the villages where Amy and Kupendwa have been providing clinics, they have seen mortality rates among mothers and infants begin to fall. Kupendwa has also made good connections with some of the nurses and doctors, and sometimes now nurses will pay for a patient’s medication because they know Kupendwa will reimburse them. “There’s a restaurant just around the corner from one of the hospitals, and we’ve got a really good relationship with the restaurant
owner. She will provide three meals a day for patients and she bills us later,” Deanna said. One of the biggest changes that Kupendwa has been able to effect in the villages where Amy works has been in the culture at the hospitals. Deanna said when Amy first started the ministry it was not uncommon to see where doctors had done a poor job of treating women who’d had C-sections. To get the doctors to do a good job with the Csections, women and their families would have to bribe the doctors. “But we’ve seen a huge change in the hospitals,” Deanna said. “The ‘Kupendwa’ Page 3
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Page 2
Thursday, March 10, 2016
St. Mary’s expanding Hospice
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Noland reads to Little Chiefs
St. Mary’s officials break ground at a ceremony for the addition to Hospice House on Jennings Mill Road.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Oconee County High School football coach Travis Noland recently read to Jennifer Miller’s first grade class at Oconee County Primary School as part of the Read Across America week. The Little Chiefs in Mrs. Miller’s class are some serious Warrior football fans and they had a lot of questions for the coach.
Historical Society cleans cemetery
St. Mary’s recently broke ground on a $2.4 million addition to its inpatient hospice house on the campus of Highland Hills Village on Jennings Mill Road. The expansion – funded entirely by community donations and proceeds from St. Mary’s Auxiliary Thrift Store – will enhance the facility’s kitchen and dining area; improve the home’s 12 patient rooms and nurses’ station; add a conference room, office space, break room and restrooms; and improve parking and access for delivery vehicles. “The bottom line is, we will be making St. Mary’s Hospice House an even better place for patients nearing the end of life and for their families,” said Jeff English, St. Mary’s vice president human resources and support services and president of St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital.
English praised the generosity of thousands of people who made the expansion possible through their donations to hospice and St. Mary’s Foundation. “I want to give special thanks to St. Mary’s Auxiliary for their labors of love through St. Mary’s Thrift Store, Love Lights, and many other fundraisers and projects,” English said. “Also essential to providing funding for this project have been the St. Mary’s Golf Tournament, employee contributions, community donations to our Foundation, and, most meaningfully, memorial donations from the families of our patients.” Construction will begin immediately and is expected to be complete in nine to 10 months. The architect for the project is JMD Architects, and general contractor is Zirkelbach Construction.
Crystal and Rob Melton of Bogart announce the birth of their daughter, Mary Margaret Melton, born at St. Mary’s Hospital on February 14, 2016. Mary Margaret Melton was 7 pounds, 12 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. She has an older brother Tripp, who is 4-years-old.
The maternal grandparents are Paul and Jeannine Rockwell of Lilburn. The paternal grandparents are Jean Melton Furr of Metter and Bob Melton of Roswell. Great grandparents are Evelyn Warren of Metter and Fredna Rockwell of Lilburn.
Mary Margaret Melton born Feb. 14
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Oconee Historical Society organized a cleanup of the Barnett Shoals cemetery on Saturday, March 5. It is expected that this will be the first of several work days. With the help of enthusiastic volunteers, participants picked up trash and debris, raked leaves, and removed overgrown vegetation. Several of the workers have kin buried at the cemetery and shared stories of their ancestors’ lives. One volunteer had long wondered why a marker had never been placed on his great-grandmother’s grave. In fact, a marker had been placed. However, only after diligent effort by volunteers did it see the first light of day in many years. Society member Joann Hubert has extensively researched the cemetery and the lives of those who rest there. For those interested in learning more about Oconee County’s past, there will be a History on the Lawn event on April 17, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Ashford Manor in downtown Watkinsville. Joann, as well as many other participants, will be available to answer questions and share their knowledge of Oconee County history.
Dad is still useful on river adventures
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Robert asked to go down the river with me Sunday, and that’s not the sort of opportunity I’m likely to pass up on. It could not have come at a better time. For the past week I’ve been lamenting the loss of time with my sons. I take credit for having raised the kinds of young men I enjoy spending time with, and I do love spending time with my sons. But with my oldest now 20-years-old, my middle son 16 and the youngest 14-years-old, they are all in a stage of life where they don’t really want to hang out with me the way the used to. My oldest, Harrison, he used to sit through 2-hour county commission meetings with a coloring book just so he could hang out with me when I was covering a meeting. Not so long ago, Nathan was in the car with his cleats on any time I invited him to go play soccer with me. And I could always count on Robert – anytime I was running any kind of errand – to want to ride along. But these days Harrison has work and friends he’d rather spend time with. Nate prefers to play soccer with the guys on his team and is always too sore to go play with his old man. Robert still likes to ride along, sometimes, but often he’s hanging out with his friends. I don’t take any of it personally. I understand that they’re all at an age where they have other interests beyond just hanging around with their dad, and that’s right and proper that they do. But when the opportunity comes along that one of them does want to spend some time with me, I’m absolutely going to seize that moment.
Truthfully, there are not many things I enjoy more than paddling down the river with just me in the canoe. When you get two people in the boat, it gets a little more unwieldy through the rocky shoals. It’s a flat water canoe, so it doesn’t turn on a dime anyway, but with the weight of a body in the front, it’s like driving a bus through the river. The general rule that all the boys understand is that when they’re in the front of the canoe they can hold a paddle but they need to keep it out of the water unless I tell them to do something with it. Sunday we were going with a couple of buddies of mine that I regularly paddle with, Rodney and David. For the route we were paddling, we put in just above some shoals where dodging rocks is more a miracle than a skill. But Robert and I shot through the shoals pretty well. On one drop, the bow of the canoe splashed heavily into the water and Robert and I both got pretty wet, but other than that we managed to find the right channels and only scraped a couple of times. It was a fun little run. The last time Robert and I had come through this way was back in July, and a nasty thunderstorm blew up on us. With rain pelting us and lighting flashing all around, we paddled like we were in a race and ran the river in the shortest time I’ve ever done it. Sunday, though, the weather was just as perfect as it could possibly be. The sky was blue, the sun dried us and kept us warm, and the day was just about perfect. We stopped at a sandbar and pulled our boats out of the water
and climbed the bluff up to some rocks that overlook the river, and we ate lunch there. We saw a massive turtle and a blue heron. We discovered on the banks the tracks of deer and turkey. The water was high enough that we were able to paddle a ways up a little creek. We stopped enough that Robert was able to walk through the woods a couple of times and explore while Rodney, David and I sat around talking. And when we reached the bridge where we take out, having Robert there to help me drag my 80-pound canoe out of the water made life easier than if I had to do it myself. When we got home, we talked for a while in front of Nathan about what a great day it had been, and how much fun we had shooting through the shoals. The last time Nate was in the canoe with me was last summer when the water was so shallow we spent almost as much time walking down the middle of the river and dragging the boat over the sandy bottom as we did actually paddling it. I could see Nate thinking about a river adventure, and I don’t think it will take much to convince him to make a trip soon. While I understand and appreciate that the boys are at the ages where they are building lives of their own that don’t always include me, it makes it a little easier knowing that there are some things – like a river adventure – that are still make me useful. Of course, just as I was starting to feel better, Harrison came home asking to borrow the canoe to go down the river with his friends. Rob Peecher is author of the book “Four Things My Wife Hates About Mornings,” available at amazon.com.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
‘Parkway’
Page 3
Continued from the Front
will bring in more tax dollars and continue to develop the area in the direction it is moving now. We think Epps Bridge Centre has done a lot as well as Lowe’s, Walmart, Kohl’s and places on the other side of the road like Home Depot, Trader Joe’s and Ashley Furniture. There are other stores I should mention, probably not as large, but they have all increased tax revenue for Oconee County.” With construction expected to begin in the next couple of months, Davis said Parkway Boulevard and the development of the land around it has been a part of county plans for a long time. “We think construction will start in six to eight weeks, depending on the weather. It has always been the plan to eventually do this and open up that area back there for the additional location of businesses. (Parkway Boulevard) was put in when Kohl’s came in the mid-2000s. It might have been later, but somewhere in that timeline.” Mike Sprayberry is a reporter for The Oconee Leader.
‘Kupendwa’
Continued from the Front
nurses and doctors who didn’t care before see that we care, and that has made them start to care about these people they treat.” Deanna just returned from a six-week trip to Uganda. She makes these trips periodically each year, and when she visits, she becomes part of the ministry, participating wherever she is needed. Though Kupendwa is reaching out to nearby villages to grow its impact, Deanna said the primary role of the mission is still to help the teenage girls who live at the ministry. Often these girls are victims of abuse and have been rejected by their families. The goal is to resettle the girls and their babies with their families where that is possible or find them alternative places to live if there was abuse in the home. “Typically we want the mother and baby to stay with us until the baby is at least six months old,” Deanna said. “At six months it becomes less likely that the baby will die. But our resettlement process is very individual.” While at Kupendwa, the new mothers are given vocational training – everything from hairdressing to agricultural training. Kupendwa attempts to provide counseling with the birth mother and her parents in an effort to reconcile those relationships. “The ministry continues to grow,” Deanna said. “Our goal is to build three maternity homes on the property that will house 10 to 12 girls each.” Thanks to the 21 sponsors that have covered all expenses, Deanna said 100 percent of the entry fees for Saturday’s race will go to the ministry. The 5K is a flat course that starts at Washington Farms and goes down Moores Ford and Lane Creek roads and back to Washington Farms. The race is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier and part of the Black Bag Race Series and is also part of the Run and See Georgia Grand Prix.
For hundreds of photos and constant updates about Oconee events and people, go to theoconeeleader.com
This Week:
Titans
Homecoming for former Lady Titan
Thursday, March 10, 2016
WARRIORS TITANS SPARTANS WOLVERINES LIONS
Baseball
Snyder, Meade sign Page 5
Upcoming
MATTHEW CALDWELL/Oconee Leader
Jacksonville University freshman Katarina Waldrop with her parents Sarah Waldrop and Michael Waldrop and grandmothers Brenda Waldrop and Joan Oglesby following Jacksonville’s win against Austin Peay last Friday at UGA.
Several athletes have signed to play their respective sport in college. Their stories will be featured in an upcoming edition of The Oconee Leader.
Online
Photo gallery
Spartans tennis
theoconeeleader.com
Schedule:
Athens Academy Baseball – 5:30 p.m., March 15 Soccer – 5:30 p.m., March 18 Baseball – 5:30 p.m., March 18 Baseball – 5 p.m., March 21 Soccer – 5:30 p.m., March 21 Soccer – 5 p.m., March 22 Tennis – 4 p.m., March 24 Baseball – 5:30 p.m., March 29 Tennis – 4 p.m., March 31 Baseball – 5:30 p.m., March 31 North Oconee Baseball – 5:55 p.m., March 11 Tennis – 4 p.m., March 15 Tennis – 4 p.m., March 17 Tennis – 4 p.m., March 21 Soccer – 5:30 p.m., March 22 Baseball – 5:55 p.m., March 23 Soccer – 6 p.m., March 26 Baseball – 5:55 p.m., March 28 Baseball – 5:55 p.m., April 1 Oconee County Tennis – 4 p.m., March 10 Soccer – 5:30 p.m., March 15 Baseball – 5:55 p.m., March 15 Soccer – 2 p.m., March 19 Baseball – 5 p.m., March 25 Soccer – 5:30 p.m., March 30 Tennis – 4 p.m., March 31 Track – 4 p.m., April 1 Prince Avenue Christian Baseball – 5:55 p.m., March 11 Baseball – 5:55 p.m., March 18 Soccer – 5 p.m., March 22 Tennis – 4 p.m., March 24 Baseball – 5:55 p.m., April 1 Westminster Christian Soccer – 4 p.m., March 10 Baseball – 4 p.m., March 11 Soccer – 6 p.m., March 15 Soccer – 5 p.m., March 22 Baseball – 4 p.m., March 29 Soccer – 5:30 p.m., March 31
Waldrop, now with Jacksonville, gets first career collegiate hit in event at University at Georgia BY MATTHEW CALDWELL The Oconee Leader
The University of Georgia hosted the 13th annual Georgia Softball Classic last weekend and for one player on a visiting team, it was a homecoming. Jacksonville University was one of teams who made the trip to Athens and Katarina Waldrop was back home, even if she couldn’t stay at the home she grew up in. Waldrop played at North Oconee, setting a school record for most stolen bases in a single season with 34. She graduated in 2015 and is currently a freshman with JU. “Growing up in Athens, you come to all of these UGA games and you are like, that is where I want to be one day. It is more fun to play on the field and play against them,” Waldrop said. “At first I didn’t think I would care that much
(about being six hours from home) but as the semester goes on, I do find myself missing Athens. Even being here now, it’s weird because I am home but I can’t go home. The coaches and the girls at JU are so supportive and the teachers especially, everyone is so nice. It’s not like I am in an unwelcome environment. Although I do miss home, it’s not terrible. I am good where I am at.” Going into the weekend, Waldrop had played in seven games but was still looking for her first collegiate hit. She didn’t start Jacksonville’s first game last Friday against Austin Peay but she came into run in the bottom of the fifth inning. She remained in the game to play right field. In her first at-bat in the bottom of the sixth inning, she came up with two outs and reached base on an infield
single, utilizing her speed to reach base for her first collegiate hit. She started in last Friday’s night game against Georgia and reached base in the top of the fifth inning. She grounded to first base and outran the second baseman covering the base for an infield single. She said she was a little nervous, some because she wanted to do well and some because she was playing at UGA. “It was exciting. There is always going to be those nerves but a big part of collegiate athletics is learning to control those nerves. That is one thing my team and (head) Coach (Jennifer) Steele has helped me a lot with. Of course there will always be that factor (of playing at UGA) but it is more of wanting to do well for my team, especially with those two outs. I really wanted to extend the
MATTHEW CALDWELL/Oconee Leader
North Oconee graduate Katarina Waldrop collects her first hit in college during last Friday’s Jacksonville game against Austin Peay at the University of Georgia. For more photos, see theoconeeleader.com.
inning.” Once Waldrop reached base, she didn’t stay at first for long. She stole second and scored Jacksonville’s seventh run of the game. JU won the game 7-3. After Western Carolina played Georgia, it was Jacksonville’s turn to play Georgia. Waldrop found out between games she was
going to get the start in left field against UGA. In the top of the fifth against Georgia, Waldrop got her second hit of the day, an infield single. “It was a really special moment for Kat and I am happy for her,” Steele said. “She commented in be‘Waldrop’ Page 6
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Tennis
Athens Academy sweeps Elbert in non-region match BY MATTHEW CALDWELL The Oconee Leader
Athens Academy’s tennis teams earned a pair of nonregion wins against Class AAA program Elbert County last Wednesday. The Lady Spartans notched a 3-2 win and the Spartans took down the Blue Devils 3-2. Magill Bauerle won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 singles. Rolf Reynolds won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2 singles. Hatton Abernathy and Elijah Gabriel won in straight sets at No. 1 doubles. Bo Griffith and Aidan Brown won 6-2, 6-0 at No. 2 doubles. For the girls’ team, Emmaline Smith won 6-1, 6-4 at No. 1 singles, Grace Trimpe and Allison Doherty won 63, 7-6 (9-7) at No. 1 doubles and Reed Barkley and Mary Lane won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2
doubles. “Everybody is working hard and playing well together,” said head coach Jami Cashin. “On the girl’s and the guy’s side, we lost some seniors but we gained some really great freshmen that have added to the team. We have freshmen in the starting lineup, which is exciting. We have also added Magill Bauerle, who is a solid player. Rolf is playing singles this year, which he is excited about. It’s a really strong lineup and I think they will go very far. “On No. 1 doubles, Jordan Sennowitz is our captain and he is joined by Rob Clements at one. He is a great one. Having Alex Boyette and Magill and Rolf all playing singles, it is very strong. We have two
freshmen coming in, Elijah Gabriel and Hatton Abernathy playing two doubles. They both have a lot of experience in tennis. They play it all of the time. They love it. They are a nice complement for each other. “Having Emmaline out there at such a strong one, Grace Trimpe and Allison Doherty at our one doubles, and we have the Lane sisters. Isabel Lane has moved from doubles to singles and she is a really strong singles player. It’s nice she is complemented as the other singles player is her sister. They are both strong. At two doubles, it has been changing around with people having other commitments at the beginning of the season, but it is a strong and well-rounded team.”
MATTHEW CALDWELL/Oconee Leader
Grace Trimpe (right) and Allison Doherty celebrate a point in their victory at No. 1 doubles last week at Athens Academy.
Page 5
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Pair of Titans sign with Piedmont North Oconee baseball
BY MATTHEW CALDWELL
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Titans win two games 2-0, open region Friday at home against Chestatee
The Oconee Leader
Even Meade and Wes Snyder grew up together, moved to North Oconee High School from Conyers, are current teammates on the Titans’ baseball team and upon graduating from NOHS, will continue to be teammates. Both Meade and Snyder signed to play baseball at Piedmont College. “That will be awesome because me and Wes have grown up together,” said Meade, the Titans’ shortstop. “We have known each other since we were 7. We moved up here together from Conyers. Being able to move up to college and playing college ball with him will be awesome.” “It is great. Me and him have known each other for 10-plus years. It makes everything a lot easier knowing somebody,” said Snyder, the Titans’ catcher. Meade said the coaching staff and associate head coach and JV coach Richard Dombrowsky played a big role in his decision to attend Piedmont. “Ever since they started recruiting me in the summer, I have loved their coaching staff. Coach Dombrowsky is a great guy. My grandfather passed away and when he heard about that, he wrote me a hand-written letter telling me he was sorry. He is an all-around great guy and he influenced my decision to attend Piedmont,” Meade said. “I am grateful I get the chance to play in college and continue my baseball career. It is a sport I have loved ever since I was 5 years old.” Meade said he got recruited as a shortstop but was willing to play anywhere. “I told them I can play anywhere, just get me on the field,” Meade said. “It has always been a dream of mine to go play in college. “It is crazy. Ever since my freshman year, we had a baseball banquet and my coach talked about college and I had no idea what all of this was about. Now that I am finally here four years later is insane that I get to sign and play and continue my career.” Snyder has been a catcher since his sophomore year. Prior to that,
Evan Meade with family and coaches
MATTHEW CALDWELL/Oconee Leader
Wes Snyder with family and coaches
he was an outfielder. He said he didn’t mind which position he played at Piedmont. “Whatever gets me on the field,” Snyder said. “It is a great feeling (to sign with Piedmont). I don’t have to worry about anything else in high school. On to college now.” He went to a camp at Piedmont in the fall, which played a big role in his decision to sign with Piedmont. “I started talking to the coaches. They took me on a tour, it was a nice place and it pulled me in,” Snyder said. “For about eight years, I have wanted to play in college. I started eighth grade realizing I was better than most of my classmates and I realized I could probably go to the next level.”
North Oconee earned a pair of two-run victories last week to improve to 2-4 this season. Last Wednesday, the Titans got six strong innings on the mound from Josh Farmer (pictured above) and they beat Eastside 2-0. Last Saturday, Kumar Rocker at 13 strikeouts to help the Titans beat Centennial 2-0 at Coolray Field, home of the Gwinnett Braves. Tristan Thompson and Tanner Green both scored against Eastside last Wednesday. Green, Thompson and Brian Mauldin had key hits for the Titans against Centennial. The Titans open Region 8-AAAA play Friday at home against Chestatee. They travel to Chestatee on Monday. Both games begin at 5:55 p.m.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
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Classic City Yankees 9U wins CamSports North Georgia Kickoff Classic, 11U places second
Orcas excel at 14 & Under state meet FROM STAFF REPORTS The Oconee Leader
Contributed photo
The Classic City Yankees 9U and 11U teams competed in the CamSports North Georgia Kickoff Classic on February 27 and had a successful event. The 9U team won the championship in their age group and the 11U team placed second in the Silver Group. Pictured in the above photo is the 9U team – (back row) Coach Asif Qadri, Coach Craig Fuchs, Porter Drudge, Peyton Knowles, Eli Frost, Mac Bradley, Mathew Clausen, Thomas Ferland, Coach Adam Bradley, Coach Brent Rollins, (front row) Zakariyya Qadri, Carson Fuchs, Carson Rollins and Michael Fabris. Pictured below is the 11U team – (back row) Coach Bruce Kelly, Jamie Ivester, (middle row) Coach Asif Qadri, Zach Chapeau, Tripp Kelly, Nicolas Hurley, Hunter Huff, Evan Ivester, Kalen Qadri, Jackson Hall, (front row) Drew Stephens, Cole McClean and Sam Higgins.
‘Waldrop’
tween games how fun it was to be out on the field running when she got the pinchrunning opportunity (in the first game against Austin Peay). Coming to so many games when she was a little kid watching from the stands and now being able to be on the field and get a hit against them in front of her family and friends was a very special moment for her.” Jacksonville ended up falling to Georgia 5-0. “I was really excited because they are a great team. They are No. 9 in the nation and that is really big,” Waldrop said. “I was excited to see how we measured up and to compete with them. To play on their field against them was exciting for me.” Jacksonville had two games last Saturday, a loss to Western Carolina but a win against Austin Peay in eight innings. JU closed the tournament last Sunday with a loss to Minnesota, another top-25 team. In 11 games this season, Waldrop has a .250 average with three runs scored. “Kat is real dynamic and she can do a lot. She typically can get the bunt down. She uses her slap and she can swing away too. She is a kid that usually makes things happen. She is scrappy and she finds a way
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Continued from Page 4
on base,” Steele said. “I am really proud of Kat, not only doing it in her home town at a stadium that means a lot to her in front of her family and friends, but taking advantage of opportunities. She has been a kid who has been in a role position up until this point. She got an opportunity today and she took advantage of it. She got another opportunity and she took advantage of it again tonight. The more she continues to have confidence in her game, the more opportunities she is going to get.” Waldrop’s speed played an integral role in her high school career that saw her finish with a .434 batting average and .496 on-base percentage. That has continued on to college where she has been a courtesy runner and pinch runner this season. “Even when I am not pinch hitting, I usually always have to be ready to run bases,” Waldrop said. “My speed is a big part of my game and the coaches have definitely recognized that.” Waldrop said going from a starter in high school to starting from square one in college has been a challenge, but she has welcomed that. “It is a good experience having to start from the bottom again and build back up
and get the surroundings because it is a completely different level with different players who are right there on that level with you. It has been a great learning experience. I am really enjoying it,” Waldrop said. She said having a supporting team has helped her with the transition from high school and travel ball to college ball. “On my other visits to other colleges, I was always nervous about the girls because you never know what you are going to get once you are there. I have been really happy with the girls at JU,” Waldrop said. “They are all really nice and they understand what it is like to be a freshman. It is nice having a supportive team.” She has also had success in the classroom, making all A’s in her first semester in college. She said North Oconee prepared her for the rigors of college academics. “North Oconee, as I hope a lot of people know, is a tough academic school,” Waldrop said. “Those AP classes and the work the teachers put into the curriculum helped prepare me for JU and helped me learn how to get stuff done and study and have good habits. North Oconee definitely prepared me well for JU.”
Nine Summer Hill Orcas swimmers competed at Georgia Tech Aquatic Center February 19-21, 2016, in the Georgia 14 &Under Short Course State Championships hosted by Southern Crescent Aquatic Team. Marshall Cohen and Simon Casey earned team points with numerous topten finishes in the 10 & under boys’ division. Casey earned a silver medal and his first ever AAAA cut in the 50-yard butterfly with a time of 30.53 and a fifth place finish in the 100-yard fly,
while Cohen edged close to the top trio with his fourth place 50-yard backstroke and 100-yard IM. His 50yard butterfly time constituted his second AAA cut of the season. The 200-yard freestyle and medley relays of Casey, David Duncan, Parker Fagrell and Cohen finished fifth in both events. For the 10 & under girls, Ansley Ayers had a standout swim in the 50-yard fly, taking fourth with a time of 32.49. Ella Dillon swam the 100-yard backstroke as one of only two eight-yearold girls at the meet.
Among the 11-12-yearold boys, Spencer Cohen, Austin Ackerman, Robbie Dillon and Reese Graham brought home a number of top 20 individual and relay finishes. Cohen grabbed his first AAA cut of the year in the 200-yard backstroke. “I’m very proud of all the hard work we put in to achieve the success in Atlanta,” said Orcas Head Coach Chip Holland. “I look forward to seeing what our swimmers achieve in the last month of the short course season at the upcoming age group sectionals and northeastern divisional championships.”
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Thursday, March 10, 2016
Education/Training
Find your new career today!
Creative/Design
1120
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Now Hiring Full Time & Part time teachers. Minimum requirements: Childcare experience required, CDA minimum preferred, Energetic, Team Player who is passionate about children Great benefits and work environment. Apply onsite, download app at www.krk23ga.com, or call 706-546-9400 for info. Creative/Design
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Corporate Accounts Associate burton+BURTON®, the world’s largest balloon and coordinating gift distributor, located near Athens, GA, has an opening for a Corporate Accounts Associate. Corporate Accounts Associate develops customer surveys, assists Account Executives in the creation of custom catalogs and surveys for everyday or seasonal products, maintains the custom catalog list and filings, works directly with the Account Executives on providing key sales data for communication with their corporate stores, and acts as backup for the Corporate Accounts Coordinator in all areas of the position. Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred. Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a Sales Administration role; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Please send resumes to cblackwell@burtonandburton.com.
Manufacturing / Production / Operations
Manufacturing / Production / Operations
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Nakanishi Manufacturing Corporation, located in Winterville, GA is seeking an Industrial Shift Maintenance Technician. This is a rotating shift position working 8 hours shifts and rotating from rd to 2nd to 1st shift every 2 weeks. Principle Duties are listed below: Perform daily corrective and preventive machine maintenance in order to ensure a defect-free product that meets or exceeds customer specifications. Preventive and predictive maintenance will be performed on various injection molding equipment, packaging equipment and metal fabrication equipment. The successful candidate will have maintenance inspection and troubleshooting experience with a wide variety of mechanical and electro-mechanical systems (e.g. motors, turbines, hydraulics), as well as basic electrical knowledge. Some knowledge of electronics (especially PLC’s and computer controlled equipment) is preferred. NMC offers competitive wages and an excellent benefits package to its employees and their dependents. If interested please contact us on line at: resumes@nakanishimfg.com or fax resume to 706-353-0157.
Manufacturing / Production / Operations
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aThens Banner-herald Page• A7 7
Manufacturing / Production / Operations
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TOOL AND DIE TECHNICIAN Nakanishi Manufacturing Corporation (NMC) is a world-leading manufacturer in the bearing component industry. NMC currently has several openings for Tool and Die Technicians. Qualified candidates should be familiar with surface grinding operations, CNC equipment, manual lathe operation, and milling machine operation. In addition, candidates should be familiar with reading and comprehending blueprints, as well as knowing how to read and use calipers, micrometers, and dial gauges. . These are rotating shift openings working 8 hours a day rotating from 3rd to 2nd to 1st shift. Associates Degree in Machine Tool Technology is preferred. NMC provides a full benefits package, including medical, dental, life, disability (short & long), 401k (100% match) and several voluntary insurance programs. Please either apply online at resumes@nakanishimfg.com or fax resume to 706-353-0157, Attn: Human Resources
Let us help you find your new career today! Let us help you find your new career today!
PR OFESSIONAL
A Guide to Professional Services in the Oconee County Area To Advertise: Phone 706.549.FAST Shopping
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AUCTION
Woodworking Shop & More
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Shopping
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Shopping
Home Services
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Sam Williamson 706 202-2685
Why go through the hassle? CALL ME TODAY!
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M.L.W. All Phase Construction & Roofing, LLC
Locally owned & operated since 1968. Greg Reeves’ family will downsize you & pay you cash! 706-369-0000 www.TransitioningAmerica.com
Gary F. Scavone 7 0 6 . 2 0 6 . 1 2 2 3 gfscavone@gmail.com
The Best Price
on Golf Cars Right Now Huuuuggggge Sale while supply lasts Call for Details We service all makes Authorized Trojan Battery Dealer 706-769-2095
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Home Services
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watkinsvillegolfcarts.com
Home Services
Home Services
Considering an Estate Sale? Contemplating a Yard Sale or Moving Sale?
Photos Gallery at
www.samwillauction.com
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Home Services
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Available 24/7 for Any Emergency
Queen Pillow Top Mattress Sets $200.00. King Pillow Top Mattress Sets $300.00. 706-347-4814 Financing Available with no credit check Delivery Available 5 states
Home Services
State of Georgia Licensed & Insured EASE OF MIND: We have an insurance expert on staff with over 30 years of experience adjusting insurance property claims!
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METAL OR SHINGLES • We do ALL the work & repairs: soffit, cornice, fascia & painting
M.L.W. All Phase Construction & Roofing, LLC Gary F. Scavone 7 0 6 . 2 0 6 . 1 2 2 3 gfscavone@gmail.com Available 24/7 for Any Emergency State of Georgia Licensed & Insured EASE OF MIND: We have an insurance expert on staff with over 30 years of experience adjusting insurance property claims!
STATE OF GEORGIA LICENSED CONTRACTOR
Classic Home Repairs “I do the work myself and I guarantee the work I do” • Carpentry Work • Decks & Ramps • Int/Ext Painting • Drywall Repair • Windows & Doors • ROOFING AVAILABLE Kenneth Hightower
770.601.1479
homerepairs02@gmail.com
UlmBrothers Tree Service
Local and experienced! We are fully insured and offer Tree removal,Trimming Pruning, Debris Removal, Insurance work, Right of way work, Lot clearing, and Stump Grinding. We pride our self on customer service and satisfaction. Call for a free estimate today. Office: 706-369-5300 Cell: 706-255-4941
Crystal Clear Windows & Gutters, LLC.
• Window Cleaning • Pressure Washing • Gutter Cleaning 706-614-6798 • Instant Quotes Online Spring Special 10% off Total Services www.crystalclearwindowsandgutters.com DO YOU OFFER A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE? Let us help you grow your business! To advertise, call 706.549.FAST
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BAT SEASON
“Resolving Conflicts Between People & Animals” WILDLIFE TRAPPING Wildlife Detection Removal & Prevention
LEAFPROOF
“Pest proof & leaf proof your gutters Free Estimates
Peyton Hopkins Call 706-546-7438 AthensExterminating.net PO Box 5772 7080 Smokey Rd. Athens GA 30604 Lic. Trapper #99993
Bickley’s Tree Service f Tree Service f Lawn Maintenance f Stump Grinding f Brush Chipping f Bobcat f Dump Truck Insured
Lamar Adams 706-224-2079 LOADER WORK & BOBCAT WORK Underbrush Cutting, Gravel and Asphalt Driveways, Lot Clearing, Backyard Grading, Bush-hogging, Landscaping-Seed, Drainage Fill Dirt, Top-Soil, Sink Hole Fill In, Tree Removal, Retaining Walls, Demolition & Backhoe Work 770-945-2488
BRIAN’S TREE & HANDYMAN SERVICES
WE DO IT ALL!
TREE SERVICES • TREE & HEDGE TRIMMING • UNDERBRUSH CLEARING • FULL TREE REMOVAL
FLOOD PROBLEMS? • STORM DRAINS • FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION • RETAINER WALLS
ROOFING • PATCHWORK • METAL • SHINGLES • ANY KIND OF ROOF REPAIR
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CALL BRIAN 706-247-5430 23 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AVAILABLE 7 DAYS A WEEK LICENSED & INSURED SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT DO YOU OFFER A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE? Let us help you grow your business! To advertise, call 706.549.FAST
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Thursday, March 10, 2016
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