Sports newsmakers
Augusta Christian awards
Augusta Christian Schools recognized the following athletes with the Christian Character Award: Drew Snelling (Boy's Track), Eva Dickinson (Girl's Track and Girl's Swimming), Ben Kilpatrick (Baseball), Chris Curl (Golf), Shawn Bohanan (Boy's Tennis), Casey Hill (Girl's Tennis), Wayne House (Boy's Basketball), Larrie Reece (Girl's Basketball), Ron Dasher (Boy's Swimming), and Jessica Gatch (Cheerleading).
Tennis scholarship
Lakeside senior Kelly Blount has signed a scholarship to play tennis at Mercer University in Macon. She competed for the Lakeside team that made it into the Class AAAA State Playoffs.
Double eagle
Payne Kassinger, a member of Lakeside High School golf team, shot a double eagle on West Lake County Club's No. 11, par-5 hole.
The 16-year-old junior made the shot during practice April 28.
Cheerleading squad
Cheerleading tryouts for the Hayden's All Star Twisters were conducted May 2 at the Haydens International Gymnastics Academy in Evans. Five teams were formed and are training now for the 2004-2005 competition season. Teams are differentiated by age and skill levels. Local cheerleaders selected for the All Star Twisters are:
Senior Squad: Jasmine Bennett, Alyssa Bragg, Lauren Chandler, Halye Cohen, Ashley Crawford, Lindsey Delaney, Jesica Drayton, Stephanie Elam, Alison Evans, Chelsea Gitzen, Cara Griffin, Sallie Long, Amber Mattingly, Kristin Otis, Amber Shaw, Malisa Thompson, Kara Todd, Melissa Vann, Maegen Wilkie and Kayla Wilson.
Junior Black Squad: Melanie Ansley, Bethany Barkaloo, Ellie Bissell, Shannen Fyffe, Tahirah Jackson, Alyssa Kay, Renee Luke, Kristen Petersen, Kerri Phillips, Haley Powell, Morgan Rentfrow, Annaelise Simons, Erin Smith, Alexis Steinhart, Bianca Sterling, Lara Thompson, Elizabeth Wagner, Kelly Welch and Katie Zelgewicz.
Junior Silver Squad: Brittney Beasley, Sarah Bowden, Kendel Dove, Danielle Fields, Brooke Gay, Jenna Greer, Daley Grumman, MacKenzie Hinds, Stefanie Holloway, Bree Huffin, Lana Kennedy, Kaitlin King, Megan Moss, Ashely Pechie, Tiffany Peppers, Leigh Porterfield, Lauren Shelton, Whitney Thornton and Ashton Tobias.
Youth Black Squad: Tatum Brown, Sarah Kate Chambley, Katie Cliatt, Trisse Dittman, Ashley Duncan, Maria Durrwachter, Abby Harrover, Haley Helfrich, Courtney Huffman, Taylor Inglett, Caroline King, Christie Linton, Caitlyn Oellerich, Emily Price, Laura Ashley Ross and Taylor Smith.
Youth Silver Squad: Regan Askin, Taylor Banks, Ashley Beasley, Caroline Beckum, Taylor Birong, Lacey Britt, Kate Clark, Kelly Dalton, Christina Francisco, Lauren Garrison, Meghan Hickox, Billy Kay, Aspen Mutimer, Khalia Ramey-Collier, Haley Spence, Caroline Taylor, Kristen Walker and Lindsay Williamson.
Scholar athlete awards
WJBF News Channel 6 recognized area high school students for their athletic and scholastic excellence May 11 at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel Augusta. This year, thirty area students were honored at the Scholar Athlete dinner banquet hosted by the TV station, St. Joseph Hospital and Augusta Metro Federal Credit Union.
To qualify as a Scholar Athlete, the student must letter in a sport and maintain A/B honor roll in school.
Columbia County students recognized were:
Ashlee LaFontaine, Greenbrier High School, Softball; Drew Hess, Evans High School, Cross County; Meredith Weare, Evans High School, Basketball; Alex Crean, Augusta Prep, Track and Steven Barclay, Harlem High School, Baseball.