As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Jan. 2, 2013.
I love lists and I love Top 10’s; however, I hate making
decisions.
I should have had the foresight of writing a year-in-review
article and taken notes throughout 2012 rather than trying to flip through old
Word documents to make sure I wasn’t leaving anything out.
Nevertheless, I’ve made a list and I hope no one takes
offense to the order—as these were all memorable and proud moments for Casey
Countians. (You’ll note I couldn’t cut the list down and it is a Top 15 instead
of 10.) If I left something out, forgive me…
15 – The first Cabin Fever River Run was held in late March,
putting a 5K event on Casey County’s calendar nearly ever quarter.
14 – Casey County continues to move toward a developed
soccer program as the Middle School had its debut season last spring as the
youth program continues to thrive.
13 – The Casey County baseball and softball teams hosted the
district tournament last spring after improvements were put into the facilities
during the off season. In his debut season, head baseball coach Greg Hammond
earned a $1,000 grant for new equipment in addition to the facility upgrades
already in place.
12 - Both the boys basketball team and the VolleyRebs earned
their respective 47th district runner-up titles and advanced to the
regional tournament.
11 –Rebel tennis player Ryan Martin advanced to the state
tournament after making it to the regional semifinals. The team nearly
continued their undefeated streak, which began in 2008 under head coach Phil
Williams. Ironically, the inevitable loss came at the hand of Williams’ son and
former Rebel tennis star, Landon Williams, who now coaches for Marion County.
10 - Perhaps not an
official school record, but VolleyRebel Tyra Sengkhamyong had a new team record
with 17 consecutive good serves against Somerset this past fall.
9 – Former Casey County runner Jenna Lee is leaving her mark
on the collegiate level. She helped the Bellarmine Unviersity Knights’ track
and field women achieve their first conference championship title in school
history last spring. This fall she was one of the seven girls who made up the
women’s cross country team which qualified for the NCAA Division 2 national
meet for the first time in school history.
8 - Sophomore Blake
Durham advanced to the state cross country meet as an individual for the first
time. Durham ran as Casey’s only high school athlete through the entire season,
giving him little practice competition.
7 - The eighth grade middle school football competed in the
state playoffs advancing to the regional finals. Team members earned numerous
area recognition awards, including Breece Hayes and Collin Miller being two of
the 35 players selected to play for the Team Kentucky national team.
6 – Despite the unexpected early end to Megan Pittman’s
senior season last winter, the Lady Rebels went on to win the 47th
District tournament and then claim the runner-up title in the 12th
Region; a feat many would have expected to be unattainable after the loss of
Pittman so late in the season.
5 – Casey County cheerleaders competed on the national level
along with over 300 teams. The squad had a top 10 finish in their division at
the Universal Cheer Association competition in Orlando, Fl.
4 – Shelby Stringer
was named Kentucky’s 2A state pole vault runner-up after clearing 8’6”.
Teammate Nicole Nagy was right there with her finishing in a 3-way tie for
sixth place.
3 – It was a record setting season for the Lady Rebel tennis
team. The team claimed the 12th Region runner-up title for the first
time in school history, led by Tylyn Leigh who was the regional singles
champion. Leigh won 16 straight matches having an undefeated record with the
exception of the state tournament. Additionally, two doubles teams qualified
for state: Allie Tinsley and Haley Owens; Sara Coffman and Chelsey Lynn.
2 – Head Lady Rebel Coach Randy Salyers earned his 300th
victory in January. It came in a bittersweet win, as the same game saw the exit
of 2012 graduate Pittman. Salyers, coaching since the mid 90s, has seen
numerous district championships, regional championship games and even a trip to
the Kentucky Sweet 16.
1 – Alex Bolin
destroyed his own yardage records for Casey County High School while also
setting brand new ones. He is the first Rebel to surpass 2,000 yards in a
season, rushing 2,028 this fall, and ends his career with over 5,000 yards and
50 touchdowns.
As for new year’s resolutions… Well, my first is to keep better
notes of top headlines and accomplishments in one place for 2013. My second
resolution… I’ll tell you about that next week.
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