Monday, August 31, 2009

Big Bend Baseball League Champions - Liberty Diamond Dawgs!

By H.W. BAILEY PHOTOS BY KATHY S. JOHNSON
It took the full three games, in a best two out of three game championship series, but the Liberty Diamond Dawgs emerged as champions of the Big Bend Baseball League of Florida, defeating the Gulf County Drive Sunday, in the final game at the Liberty County High School baseball field in Bristol. The Gulf County Drive won the first game Sunday, 6-3, making it necessary to play a third game for the championship of the League.
The first game on Sunday proved to be an outstanding pitching duel between Justin McCroan for Gulf Drive and the Parish brothers, Jamie and Jody, for the Diamond Dawgs, the win going to McCroan and Jamie Parish suffering the loss in a 6-3 game. Gulf Drive scored three runs in the top of the second, when Austin Horton doubled, driving in Adam Nixon who had earlier singled, plus back-to-back walks to Eric Ramsey and Stephen Besore, McCroan singled to drive in Horton and Gulf Drive led 3-0. Gulf Drive added one more run in the fourth with back-to-back doubles by McCroan and Justin Rhodes, then two more in the top of the seventh, on hits by Ryan Leaman, Kelley Forehand and Horton, to complete their scoring, with a 6-0 lead in the seventh. The only threat by the Diamond Dawgs was in the bottom of the seventh, when the bases were loaded by three walks, a hit batter, and a single by Boo Morris to score three runs, but not enough, and the Dawgs fell to Gulf Drive 6-3.
In the final game of the series, it was a different story as the bats came alive for the Diamond Dawgs to win the final championship game by a score of 11-1. The Dawgs wasted no time as they put six runs on the board in the bottom of the first on a three-run homer by Richie Smith, followed by a solo homer by Travis Anderson. The Dawgs continued to add runs in the second and third innings, and held a 11-0 lead after three innings of play. The only run by Gulf Drive came in the top of the fifth, but too little too late. Starting pitcher for the Dawgs, Tim Young, got the win, but was relieved by Boo Morris in the third inning to complete the game that ended in the fifth, on the 10-run mercy rule.
Thus ended a great inaugural baseball season for the Big Bend Baseball League of Florida, with the Liberty Diamond Dawgs being crowned 2009 champions. Congratulations to the Dawgs, and also the runner-up, the Gulf County Drive, on an outstanding season! And the remaining teams - the Calhoun Horsemen, the Bay County Brewers, the Chattahoochee Red Birds and the Jackson County Jays - congratulations on a great baseball season and as they say, “Just wait ‘til next year!”

“Hud” Hudson Tournament Is A Win-Win

Third year for popular event
By Sid Riley
This weekend was the weekend for the “Hud” Hudson fund raising tournament at the Caverns Golf Course in Marianna. Approximately 90 golfers entered the two day competition. The weather was perfect, the course was great, and the event was a huge success.
Hunter Nolan and John Donaldson were the event organizers, and they stated they were very pleased with the turnout and the handling of the contest. A lunch was donated by Zaxby’s for the golfers on the second day of the tourney. It was two days of enjoyable competition and socialization among friends.
Brian McKeithan at the Caverns Golf Course reports the outcome of the tournament is shown here.
Championship Flight
1st Place
Steve Harrell
Ken Phillips
Mike Mccord
2nd Place
Greg Wise
Terry Kelly
Jeff Johnson
3rd Place
Jon Swearingen
Jared Melvin
Matt Milton
First Flight
1st Place
Bob Payne
Hubert Mitchell
Sid Riley
2nd Place
Scott Wiggins
Kit Reagan
Hugh Cantler
3rd Place
Larry McKeithan
Jim Oliver
Bill Neel
Second Flight
1st Place
Garyn Waller
Josh Dean
Matt Grimsley
2nd Place
Lee Anderson
B.J. Lashley
Josh Morris
3rd Place
Kyle Evans
Brit Willingham
Ryan McClaulin

Marianna’s Roulhac is National Champion

By Clint Cox
It’s not often our community can lay claim to a National Champion. But former Marianna Bulldog standout athlete Brandon Roulhac is just that. He is the current USATF Indoor and Outdoor National Champion in the Triple Jump. As such he recently represented the United States at the 12th Annual IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany. There he competed against 46 of the world’s best triple jumpers. The 46 jumpers were divided into two groups for qualifying rounds, with the top twelve jumpers advancing to the finals. Roulhac narrowly missed making it to the finals, as he finished 13th with a mark of 16.96. Edging him out for the 12th spot was Dmitrij Valukevic of the Slovak Republic with a mark of 16.94.
His track career after college has been a steady progression of climbing to the top of his field. In 2007 he finished 5th at USA Indoor Championships Triple Jump and was ranked 7th in the U.S. on the Outdoor top marks list in the triple jump (16.40m/53-9.75). In 2008 he finished 6th at Aviva Grand Prix; 5th at Olympic Trials(17.16/56-3): 4th at USA Indoor Championships (16.48/54-1). 2009 has been a banner year as he won the USA Indoor Champion (16.94/55-7) and the USA Outdoor Champion (17.44w/57-2). He also placed 3rd at Aviva Grand Prix(16.89/55-5). Most recently he competed in the Track and Field World Championships in Berlin
Born in December of 1983 in Marianna, Roulhac attended school at Marianna and graduated in 2002. He culminated his high school track career by winning the State Championship in the triple jump in 2002 and finished 3rd in the high jump. He was named the Male Athlete of the Year and then went on to attend college at Albany State University and competed on their track team. In 2007 he graduated with a B.S. degree in Computer Science and currently resides in Tallahassee.

The Chattooga River – Crown Jewel of the Southeast

By Clint Cox, alias “The Panhandle Paddler”
The Chattooga River, located in northern Georgia is billed as the crown jewel of Southeastern whitewater rivers. After spending a day last week whitewater rafting on the Chattooga I would say there is no false advertising here. The Chattooga River is also designated as a Wild and Scenic River. The wild designation comes from the fact that the Chattooga, unlike many of the other whitewater rivers in the south, is not controlled by a dam but is free flowing. The scenic designation comes from the fact that the Chattooga is bordered on the northern banks by the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia. The southern banks of the river are part of Sumter National Forest in South Carolina. So you can spend hours, and even days, on this river and be in a pristine area largely untouched by man.
The river’s other notoriety comes from the fact that the movie “Deliverance” was filmed there. The movie, staring Burt Reynolds, was released in 1972 and was about the adventures of four city fellows on a weekend excursion in canoes paddling down the Chattooga. Our rafting guide would periodically point out sights that had appeared in the movie and there is even one rapid that is known as Deliverance Rock. And if you’ve seen the movie, you know why we were always listening out for any banjo music.
There are two sections of the river that can be rafted. The upper section, Section III, is more mild but does have several Class II – IV rapids to get the heart pumping. There is a minimum age requirement of 10 for this section. The lower section, Section IV, is for the more adventurous folks. It has numerous rapids that range from Class II – V rapids, with Class V rapids being the second highest rated rapids possible. Toward the end of Section IV is the infamous Five Falls. Here you will encounter five successive Class IV & V rapids with the river dropping 100 feet in about one third of a mile. Rapids with names like Corkscrew, Jawbone and the finale Soc-em-Dog will outdo any rollercoaster ride around.
My oldest son Taylor and I decided to tackle Section IV of the Chattooga and hooked up with Southeastern Expeditions out of Clayton, Georgia. We spent the day enjoying some outstanding whitewater rafting. We also got to stop along the way to check out a nice waterfall (Long Creek Falls), jump off a few big rocks into the river and swim in the crystal clear waters of the Chattooga. In between the numerous rapids are stretches of calm paddling that allow us to our catch breath and soak up the scenery.
Section IV is not for the faint hearted and probably not best for first time whitewater rafters. There is also a minimum age requirement of 13 for this section and you best be prepared to get wet and possibly fall out. But if you are willing to take those chances, and we were, I would highly recommend a trip down the lower Chattooga. And by the way, paddle faster folks, I hear banjo music ahead.

Friday, August 28, 2009

PERSONAL TRAINER TO PRESENT FREE PROGRAM AT CHIPOLA

MARIANNA—The Chipola College Athletic Department will host a free program featuring Professional Personal Trainer Tony Cress, Wednesday Sept. 2, at 6 p.m., in the Milton H. Johnson Health Center.

Cress will present a program on sport-specific workouts that include cardio, plyometrics, and/or weight training. Cress has designed workouts for numerous sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, track, etc.

Cress develops programs for teams and individuals to meet their desired goals. He will be available after the presentation to answer questions.

Coaches and individuals who would like to attend, or who have questions, should contact Lady Indians basketball coach David Lane at 850-718-2234.

Monday, August 17, 2009

It Is Time For the 3rd Annual Coach John “Hud” Hudson Golf Tournament at the Caverns Golf Course

By Sid Riley
The Coach “Hud” Hudson Golf Tournament has turned into a great event at the Caverns Golf Course. The two day tourney will be held Saturday and Sunday August 22-23. The event is a three man scramble, and morning or afternoon tee times can be chosen. Flights will be formed based on the first day scoring. The cost is $80 per person.
Cash prizes will be awarded the top three teams in each flight, as well as longest drive and closest to the pin prizes each day. Entrants will have free range balls for pre-game practice, and will also receive a certificate for a free oil change. Lunch will be served on Sunday.
For more information contact: John Donaldson (573-0806), Tommy Lassman (718-7942), Hunter Nolen (573-6474), Brian McKeithan (482-4257) or Nora Mayo (209-4743)

MAYFA FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADING

Is excited to kick off a new season.
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
When: August 17,2009
Where: Old MHS practice field (Guyton St.)
Time: 5:30-7:30
What to wear: shorts, t-shirt, cleats or tennis shoes.
Practices will be on M, T, and Thurs.


If we missed you at the first sign up, you still have the opportunity to play. Just come out on the 17th and bring your birth certificate and $75.00 registration fee. If you played last year and still have equipment, you must bring it with you on this day. For more info, call Tony at 573-1040. Also this year, our league champions in each division will play in the “Peanut Bowl” with the National Peanut Festival in November. The season is going to be a little shorter, so don’t delay come sign up today and bring a friend.

Soccer Registration

Marianna Recreation Department will offer 5 soccer leagues to give boys and girls the opportunity to play soccer. Registration for youth ages 5 to 18 will be held August 3rd through the August 28th from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM at The Marianna Educational and Recreational Expo (MERE) located at 3625 Caverns Road in Marianna. The registration fee for soccer is $30 for participants who live inside the City limits of Marianna and $45 for participants who live outside the City limits of Marianna. The fee must be paid with a check or money order, no cash will be accepted. Late registration will be held at the MERE from 4:00pm until 7:00pm August 10th (Monday) and 24th (Monday). No one will be allowed to register after August 28th. All participants must bring a copy of their birth certificate. The age of all participants on August 1st of the current year will be the player’s age for the entire season.
The leagues and corresponding age limits are:
TINY MITES SOCCER LEAGUE (BOYS & GIRLS 5 & 6)
PEE WEE SOCCER LEAGUE (BOYS & GIRLS 7 to 8)
MIDGET SOCCER LEAGUE (BOYS & GIRLS 9 to 11)
JUNIOR LEAGUE ( BOYS & GIRLS 12 to 14)
SENIOR LEAGUE ( BOYS & GIRLS 15 to 18)
The number of leagues and corresponding ages could vary depending on the total number of participants that register. Anyone that may be interested in coaching a team or officiating youth soccer please contact with the Marianna Recreation Department at
482-6228 or come by during registration .

Monday, August 10, 2009

Catgut Canyon Part 3

For the past few week’s our Yesteryear feature has spot lighted “Catgut Canyon”. And our readers have enjoyed it so much that several have called or e-mailed with their recollections of this area. The old saying says you gotta strike while the iron is hot (See Simply Put) so we’ll continue with more Catgut Canyon this week.
Frank Rooks called to say that he had a lot of fond memories of Catgut Canyon. He recalled the canyon as being north of the current Watson drive although Watson drive was not there during his canyon days. Some of his fondest memories are of spending time there with his friend Jackie Finlayson. “We fought many a war against each other back in that canyon when we were youngsters. I also remember that we used to squirrel hunt back in those woods on a regular basis. There was some good squirrel hunting in there,” said Rooks. Finlayson and Rooks went on to become a tag team duo in the Marianna’s football and basketball programs in the late 40’s and early 50’s.
Earl Mayhall sent in an e-mail when our first Yesteryear feature came out. He had “googled” the location as best as he remembered it and sent the google map to me. Mayhall had this to say about the canyon. “Best I remember it was North and West of Watson Drive. (Of course Watson Drive wasn’t there at the time). I remember going down there a few times - it was a great adventure! (We were in our early teens). I seem to remember an abandoned swimming pool down the hill on the left of the trail that is now College Street, and an old abandoned cabin or house on the right at the top of that hill (about where the old Chipola field house is) where some of the teenagers used to go to smoke. Also, the squirrel hunting in that area was pretty good before civilization moved in. Now most of the squirrels seem to have moved to town.”
Still trying to zero in on the exact location I contacted Charles Reiff. I knew he and his family had lived in this neighborhood for more than 50 years and I was hoping he might have heard of Catgut Canyon, even though he was younger that most of the folks I’ve been talking with. “Oh yeah, I know just where Catgut Canyon is,” said Reiff when contacted. “It is north of Watson Drive and ran up toward the old Chipola Gym (current Performing Arts Center). We used to ride mini-bikes back in there when we were kids,” said Reiff. He went on to say that they were told that Harwell Watson was the one that named the canyon. “Legend has it that he (Watson) saw a dead cat in the canyon that had its’ guts hanging out and so the name Catgut Canyon was born,” said Reiff. He also, like Mayhall, recalled a swimming pool down on the left of current day College Street and that folks used to get stuck on the little dirt road that eventually became Watson Drive. Reiff also recommended that I contact Lucien Watson, which I did.
Lucien Watson is very familiar with Catgut Canyon. His family owned most of the property in the area and as a child he spent many a day romping through the woods and Catgut Canyon. It was indeed Watson’s brother, Fred Harwell Watson, that named the canyon as described by Charles Reiff. Lucien Watson described the canyon as being north 50-75 yards northwest of the little stream / branch that runs under Watson Drive. “Four or five of us boys (Watson, Sanders Hodges, MD Albright, a Holman boy) used to swim in a little stream back up in their in our birthday suits,” he laughingly recollected. Two of his memories are more painful to recall. “We used to ride some horses up in there and I remember getting bucked off one time,” Watson remembered. He also agreed the squirrel hunting was excellent, but that also was a painful memory. “I was squirrel hunting one day and lost my hearing in one ear due to a limb breaking off and hitting me in the ear.” All that said you could hear in his voice that Catgut Canyon stills holds a special place in his heart.

Send or drop off any pictures of your favorite sports memories to the Jackson County Times.

E-mail:
clintcox@jacksoncountytimes.net
Fax: (850) 526-1505
Phone: (850) 209-7319
Office: 2866 Madison St. Marianna