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Barrow Journal Chris Bridges, Sports Editor 770-867-6397, phone 678-425-1435, FAX cbridges @barrowjoumal.com AHS wrestlers finish second at Wildcat Open Only a select few earn status of being hero Right is still right even if no one does it. Wrong is still wrong, even if everyone does it. BY CHRIS BRIDGES Home was certainly sweet for the Apalachee High School wrestling team this past weekend. Coach Jim Stoudcnmire's Mat Wildcats' hosted a tournament and when all the action was complete found themselves with a second-place trophy trailing only Commerce in total points. “I was extremely proud of how our kids performed both on and off the mats,” Stoudenmire said. “We wrestled against some very strong competition and performed well, and showed a lot of class win or lose.” A total of seven AHS grapplers took first place in their respective weight classes including Aaron Roberts (112), Austin Sheppard (125), Zak Moore (103) and Chris Hamrick (189). Aaron Segars (135) and Cody Segars (145) were third while was Tony Hoard was fourth at 285. Sheppard was also MVP in the light weight divisions. see AHS wrestling on page SB It’s not easy being a hero. I guess that’s the way it should be. Otherwise anyone could be one and the designation would not mean anything. We lost a hero last week although the mere mention of her name still makes seem people see red. Or should I say it makes some people see red and black. Jan Kemp, long ago vilified by most in the Bulldog Nation, passed away from complica tions due to Alzheimer’s at a too early age. No doubt the stress she endured had to play a role in her early passing. The human body and mind are only capable of deal ing with so much and she certainly had to weather more than her fair share of storms when she made the decision to do what was right. Of course, we all agree doing what is right is, well, the right thing to do. But how many of us have the inner makeup to do it when the time comes? How many of us are willing to put everything we know from family to our career on the line for what is “right?” It’s not an easy thing to do and most simply look the other way when that moment of truth comes. It goes back to what makes some heroes. Kemp was a hero. She knew what was going on inside the archa ic remedial studies program for athletes at the University of Georgia was wrong. Athletes being shuffled through for what they could do on the football field with little regard of whether they could pass a test or in some extreme cases, read or write. While not as widespread today, back in the early 80s if you could contribute on the football field, it was not unheard of, common in some instances, to get a free pass in the classroom. A disgrace yes, but that was the nature of the beast. Kemp became the rallying point for all UGA fanatics, most of whom never even attended the Athens- based school. Called every name in the book, most of which could not printed here, Kemp pressed on after her firing and was deter mined to be the light that exposed the dark side of college athletics. She eventually won, although even today, decades later, her name is still cursed and spit on by those who view winning football games as the real meaning of college. Her death was actually celebrated by some. One post on a message board referred to the fact it took Georgia two decades to win an SEC title in football after her deeds and then said, “Good riddance” to her. Reaction like this is why we have so few heroes. It’s easier to simply ignore wrong doings and pretend the injustice which is occurring is not happening. Most of us have done so at some time in our life. Not wanting to get involved, not wanting to rock the boat and sim ply wanting to stay in the shadows are reasons we tell ourselves not to speak up and do what is right. Jan Kemp did what was right, however. She had the courage few of us have. Her passing did gamer some positive press coverage in late 2008, which was a welcome sight. Still, there is no statue honoring her for her deeds in what she did. No, the statue was recently unveiled for the football coach in charge of the program she revealed to be corrupt. chris bridges First & Ten Chris Bridges is sports editor of the Barrow Journal. E-mail comments about this column to cbridges @ barrowjournal, com. BASKETBALL SPOTLIGHT: WINDER-BARROW HIGH SCHOOL BULLDOGGS QUALITY PLAY (Top) Winder-Barrow High School’s D.J. Butler, competing against Monroe Area Friday, has helped his team to a 6-1 start. Coach Eli Connell (bottom) has been pleased with his team’s effort early in the 2008-09 season. Photos by Jessica Brown Doggs overcome lack of experience to enjoy eariy-season success BY CHRIS BRIDGES T he season is a long way from being over, but Winder-Barrow High School boys basketball coach Eli Connell will certainly take a 6-1 start. “I’m not someone who looks too far ahead,” Connell said Sunday night after he finished break ing down the win from Friday night against Monroe Area. “In the pre season, I didn’t look at our schedule and think we could be 4-1 or 5-1. When the break gets here we will look at the region standings and see where we are.” In the Bulldoggs’ first few games of the season, the team had a tendency to fall behind. Connell knew the team had to rid itself of that habit. “We gradually stopped that and began to play better out of the gate,” the coach said. “It was something we focused on. Lately, we have been fortunate to get ahead.” In Friday’s win against Monroe Area, Winder-Barrow never trailed. Foul trouble has also been a talk ing point for the Bulldoggs. see WBHS Success on page SB Inside: WBHS teams sweep rival Mon roe Area — Pages 2B, 3B Bulldogg swimmers set records BY CHRIS BRIDGES It was a record-setting day for the Winder-Barrow High School swim teams. During Saturday’s short trip to the Ramsey Center at the University of Georgia, several WBHS Bulldoggs and Lady Bulldoggs established personal bests. Cary Hughes, Devin Rambo, Joey Sandlin and Billy Hentenaar opened the after noon by breaking the school record in the 200 medley relay in 2:04.63. Hughes (2:13.79) and Anya Lewis (2:30.67) followed by breaking the records in the boys and girls 200 freestyle. Hughes continued his record setting meet by then breaking his 500 free record by 34 sec onds. His previous record stood at 6:54.16 with the new mark now established at 6:19.85. Hughes broke a school record in each event he competed in Saturday in Athens. Finishing up the evening were Billy Hentenaar, Joey Sandlin, Devin Rambo and Hughes establishing a new record in the boys 200 free relay (1:46.74). Also noted by the WBHS coaches were heat winners Christine Faur (100 breast stroke), Abby Henry, Amy Wright, Megan Greene and Anya Lewis (200 medley relay and) Clara Moody (50 free.) The WBHS swim teams are now off until Jan. 10 when they will travel to Augusta. Westside girls team earns victory The Westside Middle School girls basketball team recorded a close 28-24 win against rival Haymon Morris last Friday night. Coach Clay Carlyle’s team started strong taking an 8-4 first quarter lead before trailing 12-11 at halftime. The Huskies showed a new found aggressiveness, Carlyle said, in the second half tak ing back the lead and holding off several runs by Haymon Morris. The Huskies were led by Ashley Gunter and Ryan Burke who both scored eight points. Tia Carter added seven points and Vanessa Goldston contrib uted three points while playing her most physical game of the season snagging numerous key rebounds, her coach said. Westside is set to play at Winder Barrow Middle School Wednesday (today). Young Mat Bulldoggs showing promise BY CHRIS BRIDGES Considering the overall youth of his team this season, Winder-Barrow High School wrestling coach Chad Home was impressed with his squad’s sixth place showing at the Apalachee High School Wildcat Open last weekend. Going into the final round, the Mat Bulldoggs actually had a chance to finish as high as fourth although the team had to face Commerce, the eventual tournament champion. “We were shooting for the top five, but we were missing two weight classes,” said Home, who is in his first season with the WBHS program. Four Bulldogg wrestlers earned medals includ ing Eric Sheppard (third place, 112), Cody Faulkner (fourth place, 103), Chase Beal, (fourth place, 162) and Taylor Keinat (second place, 140). see WBHS wrestling on page SB MAT BATTLES Zack Gutierez wrestles in the 152 pound divi sion for Winder- Barrow. Photo by Jessica Brown