Kings Mountain Herald Volume 124 • Issue 33 • Wednesday, August 15, 2012 • 75¢
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‘I just did what I was supposed to do’
Eight-year-old dives in to rescue drowning friend ELIZABETH STEWART lib.kmherald@gmail.com
"I just did what I was supposed to do," said 8-year-old Maddox Brown after he pulled his little 6-year-old friend from the bottom of the family swimming pool last Thursday at 134 Lookout Tower Road. Eight children and adults were enjoying a summer afternoon in the pool at the home of Liza and Mike Brown in the Antioch Community near Grover. "Where is he?" someone panicked
MADDOX BROWN
when a child became missing. The boy and his family were visiting from outof-state when the accident happened. Maddox, an almost lifelong swimmer, quickly dove into the water and found his drowning buddy at the bottom of the pool. Adults resuscitated the boy who was transported by rescue squad to Spartanburg, SC Regional Hospital. After two days in Intensive Care the youngster is back home, doing well, and ready for school to start. Antioch Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the call.
"Maddox doesn't think of himself as a hero," said his proud mom, Liza, who added he didn't panic but was confident that he could save the child. The parents taught both their children about rescue from water and practiced with them when they first learned to swim. "Maddox really is a hero," she said. Maddox will be a third grader at North Elementary School this school year. His brother, Turner Brown, will be a first grader. The family is active in First Baptist Church in Kings Mountain.
Olympics first time for Bells, second time for 'Bamm' EMILY WEAVER Editor
For Leigh and Michael Bell, flying to London Aug. 3 to watch their friend Dremiel "Bamm" Byers wrestle in the Olympics was a "once in a lifetime deal". But this was Byers' second time to shine as a world-class Olympian. Eyes in Kings Mountain were fixed on television screens Monday, Aug. 6, as Byers won his first match and in the crowd came a familiar yell, "BAMM! GO BAMM!" The Bells were there in the stands to chant what so many in Kings Mountain have cheered before and were likely cheering at home. "Bamm" was a nickname Byers earned competing on the mat at Kings Mountain High a name referring to his strength in the arena like that of a young club-bearing "Bamm Bamm" of the "Flinstones". Michael Bell, a 1994 graduate of KMHS, wrestled with Byers (Class of 1993) in the early 90s. Over the years, Michael has kept up with his friend's rise to power in the sport of Greco-Roman wrestling, traveling to see
him compete and cheering from the stands. Three-time world medalist, Byers wrestles for the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program based in Colorado Springs, CO. He was world champion in 2002 and is a 10time U.S. champion. In 1999, Michael promised Byers that if he made the Olympics, he'd go see him. He made it in 2008, finishing seventh in Beijing, China, but the Bells were not able to attend. This time, they wouldn't miss it. "This was a once in a lifetime deal for me," Leigh said, after returning home. "We had really great seats." In his first two-minute match, Byers ruled the mat. An hour later, the Bells watched in anticipation as he headed back to the arena to face the reigning world champion Riza Kayaaip of Turkey. Years of conditioning, training and competing had led up to this moment…two minutes on the mat. He lost 1-0, 1-0, received a bye in the qualification rounds and then defeated Muminjon Abdullaev of Uzbekistan 1-0, 2-0. His hopes of an Olympic medal were dashed. See OLYMPICS, 7A
Leigh and Michael Bell stand outside the ExCel venue in London at the 2012 Olympics with Dremiel "Bamm" Byers, center, holding a flag signed by many friends and family in support of Byers. "We gave him that flag to take home and read once the Olympics were over," Leigh said. Photo courtesy of LEIGH BELL
Ready for the Big Game
Jammin' for Wishes organizer Isaac Pearson, left, and performer Jack Pearson, right, stand with 238 Cherokee Street Tavern Manager Kora Corey in front of the restaurant where the 3rd annual outdoor-indoor Jammin' for Wishes benefit concert is set to take place Sept. 8.
Can KM grant a Wish? EMILY WEAVER Editor
A benefit concert for Make-A-Wish® Central and Western North Carolina, which started as a senior project two years ago, has become a full-blown mission now into its third year for Isaac Pearson of Kings Mountain. And this year's event is shaping up to be the biggest one yet. Isaac will host his third annual Jammin' for Wishes
benefit concert inside and outside of 238 Cherokee Street Tavern on Sept. 8 beginning at noon. While musicians will be performing soft acoustic melodies inside the restaurant during the day, bands, including the headlining George Hatcher Band, will be jamming outside on a stage across the street. All proceeds and donations raised will be used to grant wishes in the Make-AWish® Chapter’s 51 Counties of Central and Western North Carolina districts of Make A Wish. The day-long concert will feature performances by the
GARY STEWART / HERALD
Concrete Supply is working this week on replacing the concrete wall on the visitor's stands at John Gamble Stadium. The replacement is for safety and cosmetic appearance. Water over the years had chipped and weakened the wall and it was leaning away from the stands. The project, as well as new sidewalks along the fence behind Bill Bates Field House, is being paid for by Cleveland County Schools at a total cost of approximately $80,000. Replacing the sidewalks, which run on both sides of the fence behind the field house past the entrance gate to the handicap section, and moving the fence farther away from the home ticket booth will make it easier for fans to enter and leave the stadium. Athletic Director Dustin Morehead said CCS hopes to replace the front wall on the home stands next year.
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