D. Mark Mitchell
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D. Mark Mitchell is a writer for The Observer
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BY D MARK MITCHELL OPINION — Opelika High girls and boys Track and Field team participated in the AHSAA 7A State Track and Field Meet in Gulf Shores.The following athletics finished in the top 10 in their respective events. Congratulations to all...
BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — Opelika’s Track and Field team participated in the Section Meet in Smiths Station last weekend with the following athletes qualifying for the 7A AHSAA State Meet:Girls::100 Meter Dash12.18 - Serenity Rufus, 4th200...
BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — OHS VARSITY TENNISOpelika High’s lady netters had an impressive season, finishing third in the Sectionals with a 15-5 record. The boys placed fourth in the Sectionals, ending with a 10-8 record. Senior players like...
OPINION — Opelika Boys SoccerThe Opelika boys soccer team put up a strong fight in a close match against Central, ultimately falling 2-1 in Phenix City. The lone goal for OHS was scored by Joshua Beltran, with an assist from Gerardo Selvas Ruiz....
OPINION — Opelika continues to showcase its talents across soccer, track and field, softball and baseball, with each team battling through highs and lows this past week. Soccer The Opelika varsity boys split their matches last week,...
OPINION — Tennis Updates The Opelika girls tennis team swept LaGrange 9-0 during an away match. Key victories came from JoAnne Smith T (10-0), Addison Bryan (10-2), Avery Massey (10-4), Emma Brown (10-4), Stella George (10-4) and Abney Massey...
BY D MARK MITCHELL OPINION — As Opelika students enjoy their spring break, local athletes have been hard at work representing their schools in various sports competitions. With Area games on the horizon, spring break hasn’t slowed down the action....
OPINION — Congratulations to Craig Montel on being named Athletic Director at Opelika High School. SOCCERThe Opelika High varsity boys soccer team lost to Auburn 5-1 and Enterprise 4-0 last week. The Bulldogs host Central-Phenix City on Thursday,...
BY D MARK MITCHELL OPINION —The Opelika High School boys’ soccer team endured a challenging week with two close losses. First, Smiths Station edged out the Bulldogs in a nail-biting sudden-death shootout, 5-4. Regulation time ended in a 2-2 tie,...
Opelika Middle and High schools’ spring sport teams are wide open as we head into the first week of March. Following is a summary of last week’s action. TENNIS The Opelika High School tennis team swept Lee-Scott Academy last week, with the girls...
BY D MARK MITCHELL OPINION — The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) hosted the state wrestling tournament last weekend at the Vaughn Braun Civic Center in Huntsville, and local wrestlers brought home several state...
OPINION — Opelika High School Principal Kelli Fischer confirmed to me via telephone last week that OHS Athletic Director Jamie Williams will retire at the end of his contract on June 1. Fischer did not elaborate on a timeframe for filling the...
OPINION — As the chilly season winds down, Opelika’s athletes are making their last strides, jumps, and throws before spring sports kick off. This weekend saw the conclusion of the Indoor Track season, while wrestling and basketball are set to...
By D. Mark Mitchell OPINION — Opelika High School’s Athletic Department was quiet last week due to a winter storm that left our area with snow and ice for several days, causing Gov. Kay Ivey to declare a State of Emergency and making the decision...
Inclement weather postpones Opelika sports OPINION — The forecast for Alabama called for sub-freezing temperatures and possible icy road conditions, causing our local schools to postpone all activities on Tuesday and Wednesday, including Area...
OHS basketball in middle of area regular season OPINION — Opelika High played two Area basketball games since my last column: Central-Phenix City and Auburn at OHS.The Red Devils dominated the Bulldogs, sweeping the varsity girls and boys games in...
High school winter sports now in full swing - On the Mark Happy 2025! We are in the middle of high school winter sports. Basketball started Area games last week, wrestlers are headed to duals and sectional matches and regional bowling is set for...
OHS basketball heads into area competition OPINION — The Opelika girls and boys basketball teams have completed pre-area schedules. Holiday tournaments over the break are preparing them for area competition in January. The winner of the area...
Wrapping up 2024 with basketball, wrestling OPINION — Local Schools are on Christmas and New Years break, but basketball teams, including Opelika’s girls and boys teams are busy playing in holiday tournaments before and after Christmas. The Lady...
OHS wrestlers compete in Suede Umbach Invitational OPINION — The OHS boys Wrestling team particiapated in the 20th “Suede Umbach Invitational” last weekend on the Auburn High campus. The Bulldogs competed against the top teams from Alabama. The...