By D. Mark Mitchell
The AHSAA State Swim Meet was held last weekend at the Martin Aquatics Center at Auburn University.
Four Opelika swimmers, Bradi Jones, Railey Jones, Julia Bush and Sarah Bush, qualified to compete in the meet.
Junior Bradi Jones finished third in the breaststroke with a time of 1:05:44, an improvement from last year’s fourth- place finish. Jones finished 8th in the 200 IM. The four teamed up to finish sixth in the 200-meter free-style relay.
These four student-athletes deserve recognition for the many hours spent in the pool working to improve. Opelika Swim coach Tyler McGill will build a swim program if kids participate. I encourage all parents to sign up for the “Swim lessons/team,” held at the Opelika Sportsplex. McGill will work with each person and put together a suitable workout based on the skill level.
WRESTLING
Opelika wrestlers began their season last week, participating in a dual match and tournament. The Bulldog grapplers opened the season in the Mainstreet gym with a 49-18 loss to Benjamin Russell. The following Bulldog wrestlers won their weight class:
132 pounds – Tre’mir Rodgers
170 pounds – Cole Lazzari
220 pounds- Bevin Williams.
Junior Varsity wrestlers, Logan Sheridan, Landon Wills and Que Edwards won matches.
Opelika participated in a 17-team duals tournament in Phenix City last Saturday. The Bulldogs opened the day with a 54-23 win over Northside, then lost three straight, 39-42 Jordan, 36-42 Central and 54-24 to Enterprise before finishing with a 43-42 win over Chattahoochee County.
The following wrestlers were mentioned by Coach Jim Davis for earning points:
160 pounds – Zeak Jones (5-0, 30 points, 3 pins),
Heavyweight James Dawson (5-0, 30 points, 3 pins),
195 pounds – Ben Daughtry (5-0, 29 points, 3 pins),
182 pounds – Timmy Tolbert (5-0, 27 points, 3 pins),
220 pounds – Bevin Williams (3-0, 16 points, 2 pins),
170 pounds – Cole Lazzari (3- 0, 15 points, 2 pins),
220 pounds – Trint Vaughns (2-0, 12 points, 2-pins)
170 pounds – Eli Schwenk (2-0, 12 points, 2 pins).
Other wrestlers scoring points for the Bulldogs, Jordan Clark, Jackson Shoemaker, Te’mir Rodgers, T’harra Brunson and Ari Brogdon.
BASKETBALL
The Opelika girls basketball team (7-2) split a pair of games last week, beating Smiths Station 70-12 and losing 69-65 at Carver. The Lady Bulldogs blew out the Panthers 70-12 in the Mainstreet gym. Ananda Hughley poured in 18 points while Claire Worth added 15 points and Quala Walton scored 10 points. Last Friday, Carver slipped by Opelika 69-65 in Montgomery. The two teams were tied 19-19 after the first quarter.
Opelika led after the next two quarters, 42-37 at half, 53-50 after the third quarter but could not hold the lead down the stretch.
The Opelika boys basketball team (4-2) defeated Smiths Station 63-47 at home. Trey Boone scored a game- high 18 points, Jared Willis scored 15-points and Brandon Howard scored 11 points.
The Bulldogs lost a close game at Carver, 80-74. Boone led the scoring for the second straight game with 19 points while teammate Taye Fields added 14 points.
The junior varsity boys beat Smiths Station, 52-40. Anarion Tolbert scored 15 points, Cam Marshall scored 12 points and JaKyle Willis added 10 points. The JV team lost at Carver 53-19. Tori Roberts scored seven points. The Freshman Bulldogs beat Benjamin Russell 31-29 last week. Rashaad Frye scored 11 points and Fartavious Hardnett added nine points. The freshman team improved to 5-1 overall.
VOLLEYBALL SIGNEE
Congratulations Mattrice Harris! The Opelika senior signed a Volleyball scholarship with Wallace State Community College on Monday.
LEE-SCOTT’s ROBERT MADDOX RETIRES
Lee-Scott Academy Football coach Robert Maddox retired last week, after 13 years as the Warriors’ head coach and 44 years overall.
I met Coach Maddox in 1991 when he coached the Valley Rams. His path took him to Troy University and Gardener-Webb University with a stint at Auburn High before going to Lee-Scott Academy.
There are many words and things you can say about him – he loves God, family, wife Macy and all five of his daughters and their extended families and he is a gentlemen and a winner!
He is one of the classiest people I have ever met.
Congratulations Coach Maddox. Best of luck to you in the future. Thank you for touching many lives including mine! Luv ya my friend.
D. Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State Director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.