Athletes strike gold at Georgia Games

Columbia County is looking a lot like Fort Knox, as local athletes stockpiled a slew of gold medals during the Georgia Games Championships, which finished its Augusta-area run last weekend.

The Olympic-style competition was held July 12-21, and Columbia County stars finished with a flourish.

In the Masters Swimming event at Augusta Aquatics Center, Tom Northcutt won seven gold medals, while George Patton brought home four. The Columbia County residents compete with Greater Augusta Swimming.

In Youth Swimming competition, Josh Andrews of Evans, earned two gold medals, and set a new state record in the 200-meter Breaststroke (2:54.35). Josh, who is a member of Aiken-Augusta Swim League, also excelled in the 1,500-meter Freestyle - his time of 19:03.4 ranks him in the top 16 nationally in the 11-12 age group.

Dallas Smith of Evans took dead aim in Shooting events and captured three gold medals, and former Lakeside High School star Bethany Loiushine capped an eventful Georgia Games performance by winning the Triathlon event at Wildwood Park.

Gold Rush - More Columbia County gold-medal winners from the Georgia Games Championships

Mountain Biking

Men's Masters 50+: Dennis Moberg

Shooting

Male Trap 4H Class J3: Benjamin Howard

Male Air Rifle Class O, Male Smallbore Kneeling & Standing Class O, and Male Smallbore Prone Class O: Dallas Smith

Male Action Pistol 1 Class O: Douglas Scott

Male Action Pistol 2 Class OA: Michael Howard

Female Trap Class O: Diane Norris

Male Trap Class J3: Wayne Smith

Male Trap Class O and Male Skeet Class O: Jimmy Tiller

Male Skeet Class J1: Asa Coxwell

Table Tennis

Junior (Under 12) Co-ed Singles: Di Ling

Triathlon

Male 35-39: Eric Ruckel

Female 15-19: Bethany Loushine

Tennis

Boys 12 Singles: Connor Bergeron

Boys 14 Singles: Jason Bergeron

Girls 10 Singles: Allie Howard

Girls 16 Singles: Ellica Moore

Mens 3.5 Singles: Mark Pillarelli

Women's 3.0 Singles: Dorthe Peloquin

Youth Baseball

10 & under: Dirt Devils

Youth Track and Field

800-meter Run Intermediate Girls: Annie Kim

800-meter Run Young Women and 1,500-meter Run Young Women: Sarah Madebach

Masters Swimming

Men 35-39 800 LC Meter Freestyle, 50 LC Meter Backstroke, 100 LC Meter Breaststroke, 200 LC Meter IM, 400 LC Meter IM, 200 LC Meter Free Relay, and 200 LC Meter Medley Relay: Tom Northcutt

Men 40-44 100 LC Meter Breaststroke, 200 LC Meter Breaststroke, 200 LC Meter Free Relay and 200 LC Meter Medley Relay: George Patton

Youth Swimming

Girls 12 & under 50 LC Meter Backstroke: Ashley Barden

Boys 12 & under 400 LC Meter IM and 200 LC Meter Breastroke: Josh Andrews