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THE JACKSON HERALD
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
RUNNING FASTER
Morgan Davidson has signed with Truett McConnell after a series of per
sonal-best times during her senior year between cross country and track
and field. Photo by Ben Munro
Cross country/ Track and field
Davidson signs with Truett McConnell
By Ben Munro
Jackson County’s Morgan
Davidson didn’t necessarily
think running would steer
her path towards college, but
that’s exactly how her senior
year has unfolded.
The Lady Panther dis
tance runner has signed with
Truett McConnell Universi
ty to run track and field and
cross country.
“I wasn’t really expecting
to go to college for running
earlier in the year,” Davidson
said. “So it’s just really excit
ing that this is happening.
It’s kind of like a dream. I
like running, so I’m excited.”
Jackson County cross
country and track and field
coach Matt King contact
ed Truett McConnell about
Davidson, which led to
communication between
Davidson and the school.
“We started talking, and
I liked the coach, and I
liked the training program,”
Davidson said. “Truett is
really great. The atmosphere
is amazing. It is a Christian
school, so I fit in really well
with my beliefs and mor
als.”
King said Truett McCo
nnell is gaining a runner
that is still peaking.
“Her astronomical PRs
this past track season even
baffled me.” he said.
He pointed out that
Davidson ran a 2:37 in the
800 meters though she’s
not an 800-meter runner
and broke a six-minute
mile at region. David
son ran a personal-best
13:28.37 in the 3,200
meters at the state sec
tionals to qualify for the
state meet. During cross
country season in the fall,
she lowered her 5K time
to 22:07.59.
“Her best years are
ahead of her,” King said.
“She’s only going to
improve.”
Davidson will be plenty
busy at Truett-McConnell.
In addition to the cross
country and track and
field programs, the school
plans to add an indoor
track and field program,
Davidson said.
“I’ll be doing all three
of those eventually,”
Davidson said.
Davidson will study
biology at Truett McCon
nell with a possible career
interest in becoming a
physician’s assistant.
Wrestling
Jackson Co. youth wrestlers
earn coveted Triple Crown
TRIPLE CROWN
Donavon Spry, Robert Spry and Jack Procter
recently became the Jackson County youth
wrestling program’s first triple-crown winners
(folkstyle, freestyle and Greco state champions).
Three Jackson Coun
ty youth wrestlers made
history with big victories
over the weekend.
Donavon Spry. Robert
Spry and Jack Procter —
having claimed folk style
championships earlier
this year — all won the
state freestyle and Greco
championships at Moun
tain View High School
to become the program’s
first triple crown winners.
“We accomplished what
we wanted to,” coach
Allen Spry said. “We got
three triple crowns.”
Donavon Spry competed
in the 8U, 45-pound divi
sion. Robert Spry compet
ed in the 10U, 55-pound
division. Procter compet
ed in the 8U. 50-pound
division.
While Donavon Spry
and Procter won their
titles handily, Robert Spry,
who had to wrestle up in
the 10U division, gutted
out a tough victory in the
freestyle competition. He
trailed 10-1. nearly facing
a technical fall, but caught
his opponent in a pin with
1:45 left. He went on to
win the Greco finals in 54
seconds.
The tournament pre
sented the Jackson County
wrestlers with styles they
weren’t accustomed to.
For example, Greco-style
wresting consists of noth
ing but throws.
“So it was pretty tough
for Robert and them to
get used to not shooting
and stuff like that because
it was their first year, but
they adapted really well,”
coach Spry said.
The youth wrestlers will
move on to the Megatron
World Nationals in Orlan
do. Fla. May 19-21.
“We’re excited about
that,” coach Spry said.
“We’ll see how good the
boys are.”
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TRAVEL TEAM WINS WINDER TOURNEY
The 12U Southside Swamp Donkeys won the recent Spring Swing Classic
at Victor Lord Park in Winder. The Swamp Donkeys are made up of
Jefferson players and are based out of Southside Church. Team members
are (bottom, L to R) Roger Hulsey, Brandon Ehl, Amory Williams, Welton
Wall, McCain Maddox, (top row) coach Kevin Glausier, Brice Glausier,
Carson Royal, Dylan Shafer, Luke Waller and coach Jamie Waller.
Jefferson High School
hosting youth soccer camp
The Jefferson High School soccer programs
will host their youth soccer camp June 12-16
at the Jefferson Recreation Department from
9-11:30 a.m. daily.
The camp is open to children ages 6-12. The
cost is $75, which includes a size 4 or 5 ball and
a Jefferson soccer bag.
Instructors will be Jefferson boys varsity
coach Casey Colquitt and Jefferson girls varsity
coach Molly McCarty, along with assistant
coaches and Jefferson soccer alumni.
The camp will focus on the technical, physi
cal, psychological and tactical aspects of soccer.
“Our touch goal per day will be 1000 touches
per player,” coaches said in a press release. “We
will incorporate repetition of technical skills,
simple combination and decision making on
and off the ball, balance and coordination,
reaction speed and agility, ball control and
movement, transition, and small-sided games."
Training sessions will follow a station-rota
tion model and small-sided play.
Participants are asked to bring a soccer ball,
cleats, shin guards, a water bottle and snacks
(campers are asked to place their names on
water bottles and coolers).
For more information, contact Colquitt at
ccolquitt@jeffcityschools.org or McCarty at
mmccarty@jeffcityschools.org.
East Jackson baseball
camps ahead in June
East Jackson Comprehensive High School
will hold a pair of baseball camps in June.
The first camp is set for June 19-20 from 9
a.m. to noon daily for rising first through fourth
graders. The cost of this camp is $50.
The second camp is set for June 21-23 from
9 a.m. to noon daily for rising fifth through
ninth graders. The cost of this camp is $75.
Those signing up before June 1 will receive
a $10 discount.
For more information or to register, email
coach Tedd Sims at tsims@jcss.us.
Future Panther Baseball
Camp ahead June 12-15
Jackson County Comprehensive High
School will host its Future Baseball Camp June
12-15 on the school’s campus at Panther Park
from 9 a.m. to noon daily.
The camp is open to players ages 6-13 and
costs $100, which covers instruction, games
and a camp T-shirt.
The camp will be conducted by the Jackson
County coaching staff, current Panther players
and former Panthers playing college base
ball. It will focus on developing fundamentals
in hitting, pitching, fielding and base-running
techniques.
For more information contact head coach
Jonathan Gastley at 770-851-0457 (cell) or by
email at jgastley@jcss.us.
Jefferson hosting Future
Stars Basketball Camp
The Jefferson boys’ and girls’ basketball
teams will host their Future Stars Basketball
Camp for boys and girls June 5-8 from 9 a.m.
to noon daily at both the Jefferson High School
Arena and old gym.
The camp costs $75 and is open to girls and
boys ages 6-14.
The camp will include fundamental drills,
offensive and defensive concepts as well as
camp games, including hot shot and free throw
shooting competitions.
Jefferson High School girls’ and boys’ staff
members and players will conduct the camp.
Parents can register their children up until
the morning of June 6. Registration forms
can be picked up at the Jefferson High School
Office.
JCCHS hosting youth
soccer camp June 12-15
Jackson County will host its youth summer
soccer camp June 12-15 at Panther Stadium
from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. nightly.
The camp is open to boys and girls who are
upcoming K-8 students. The cost is $75.
The Jackson County coaching staff and
players will host the camp providing individ
uals with the opportunity to learn fundamental
skills. Areas of emphasis will consist of the fol
lowing: ball control, dribbling, passing, receiv
ing and shooting. Games will be included.
Camp participants will receive a T-shirt and
a ball.
Registration must be received by May 31 to
be guaranteed a T-shin.
On-site camp registration will be allowed on
the first and second days of camp.
For more information, contact Jackson
County boys’ coach Bob Betz and bbetz@
jcss.us.
EJCHS hosting ninth
annual Eagle Classic
East Jackson Comprehensive High
School will host the ninth annual Eagle
Classic on June 3 at Double Oaks Golf
Course.
Check-in is at 7:45 a.m., and the tourna
ment will start at 8:30 a.m.
The cost is $100, which includes 18
holes, two mulligans, lunch and prizes. The
deadline to enter is June 2. Make checks
payable to East Jackson Comprehensive
High School/ 1435 Hoods Mill Road, Com
merce, GA 30529.
Prizes will be awarded for first through
third places, closest to the pin and longest
drive. There will also be a 50-50 raffle.
Hole sponsorship is $100 per hole.
For more information, contact Shawn
Lindsey at slindsey@jcss.us, Matt Gibbs
at megibbs@jcss.us or Jessie Wood at
jwood@jcss.us.
Athlete of the Week!
sponsored by:
HYMAN BROWN SOUTHERN TRUST
INSURANCE
AGENCY, INC.
INSURANCE
COMPANY
Chase Kennedy
East Jackson Comprehensive
High School
East Jackson Comprehensive High
School distance runner Chase Kennedy
won the boys’ Class AAA state title in the
3,200 meters on Friday in Albany with
a time of 9:40.45. This was Kennedy’s
sixth career state title between track and
field and cross country competition.
HYMAN BROWN
INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
11 State Street • Commerce
(706)335-3900