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THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2007 -- PAGE 3B
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The East Jackson Eagle cheerleading squad and 14th overall in the state meet in Columbus
placed fourth in the state sectional competition, over the weekend.
Cross-Country Eagles Take 10th At State
By Brandon Reed
The East Jackson Eagles cross
country program ended its inau
gural season on a high note.
The Eagles boys’ team came
away from the state AA cross
country meet in Carrollton Friday
with a 10th place finish.
Kevin Kesler led the Eagles run
ners with a time of 18:24, finishing
51st overall. Other runners includ
ed Josh Kesler with a personal
best of 18:45; Andy Van Deventer
at 18:47; Eric Van Deventer with a
personal best 18:56; Terry Miller
at 19:06; Kyle Wood with a per
sonal best 19:11; and Brandon
Banks at 19:31.
Sherri Blalock was the lone
Eagle in the girls’ AA state meet.
Blalock finished 16th overall with
a new East Jackson School record
of 21:04.
“They are disappointed by the
10th place finish at state only
because they expected more
of themselves,” said coach Bob
Roller. “We are as proud of them
as we can be, but we’re glad they
are hungry for more.”
The boys won seven meets in
their inaugural year and picked
up the regional title.
Roller said they knew they had
three better-than-average runners
in Andy Van Deventer, Eric Van
Deventer and Brandon Banks,
despite their age, as well as
upcoming freshman Kyle Wood.
“The team more than met
Coach (Carly) Parr and my
expectations. We felt we had a
good group, but the emergence
of the Kesler twins (sophomores
Kevin and Josh) and the addi
tion of sophomore Terry Miller
added the missing pieces to
carry us to the state.”
Roller said the team’s goal was
to be competitive at every meet
and to make it to state.
“We had a real good feeling about
the team in the August Northeast
Georgia Championships at
Athens Christian. We entered the
JV race because we were not sure
what we had and didn’t want
to shake their confidence. They
won the race, but their times were
excellent for a group that had not
practiced or prepared much in
the summer as a team.”
Roller said on the girls side, they
knew they had one experienced
runner in Jamie Dove, along with
two JV runners, Brittany Robinett
and Erika DeShon, as well as
freshman Sherri Blalock.
“Coach Parr and I were
scrambling to get enough run
ners to just make a team,” he
said. “Sophomore Alexis Powell
showed us she had the determi
nation to run hard and transfer
student Hope Boggs was a big
boost, but we were still short on
bodies. The team started late,
but developed into a competitive
squad.”
The addition of freshman
Jessica Harper and Amanda
Miller gave the team more
depth, and in spite of injuries
and some inexperience, the
team placed fifth in the region,
missing a trip to state by only
two points.
Eagle Cheerleaders Advance
To State Finals In 1st Year
The East Jackson Eagle cheerleading squad placed fourth out of 20
teams in state sectional competition Friday, then traveled to the state
finals meet Saturday, where they finished 14th overall.
“We were a little disappointed in the place we finished, but we could
not be happier with all that we have accomplished this competition
season,” said head cheerleading coach Elizabeth Roller.
Roller had praise for her squad’s work.
“At the beginning of the season, we had a difficult time getting the
routine together,” she said. “Every week we added a little more diffi
culty to the routine, and every week we progressed a little more. This
past weekend was definitely a huge success for the Eagle cheerleading
program. These cheerleaders have set the bar high for every squad that
will ever cheer for East Jackson.”
Roller said there was one goal in mind for this year.
“Our goal was to establish a respectable and successful cheerlead
ing program that all future cheerleaders will be proud to be a part of,”
she said. “Even though we didn’t do as well as we had hoped, Coach
Garner and I are very proud of our Eagles and all of their hard work.”
Roller said the four seniors on her squad, Briana Griffin, Angela Fair,
Crystal Kull and Ashley Norris, will be missed. “These girls were great
leaders and really helped with all of our success.”
Second In Tournament
The Commerce Blast won second place in the Jackson
County Parks and Recreation 8-under soccer tournament ear
lier this month. They were 6-1-1 for the regular season. Left to
right are (front) Sean Mullis, Elliot Kelley, John Lupica, Autumn
Mathis, (middle row) Brooklynn Holt, Matthew Collins, Brianne
Lee, Ashlyn Corkery, (back) Coach Chris Corkery and Coach
Paul Lupica.
COME HELP US CELEBRATE
OPEN HOUSE IN DOWNTOWN COMMERCE
Saturday, November 17 from 10 until 2:00
My newly refurbished building in Downtown
Commerce will be open for everyone to see. There are
2 commercial units and 1 apartment. Come and enjoy!
For Rental Information, call CHRIS McCOY BRAY
706-318-0808 OR 706-335-4406
As the temperature drops* the importance of paying your heating bill
goes up. It'you tii ink paying your gas bill this winter might be difficult,
please call your natural gas marketer now and ask about payment options.
And, if your gas lias been turned oIT, your natural gas marketer can help to
get it reconnected so you and your family ean stay warm.
If you need help, call your natural gas marketer
Catalyst Natural Gas
dba it's YourChoice Natural Gas
Coweta-Fayette EMC
Fireside
Gas Key
Gas South
Georgia Natural Gas
Infinite Energy
MXenergy
SCANA Energy
Vectren Source
Walton EMC
Regulated Provider
For natural gas consumer education, call i-800-ASK-UGA i
Last year I had trouble paying
my healing bill. So 3 called
my natural gas marketer and
got help to keep me warm.”