Toombs County's 1st Triathalon

The overall winner- Sam Uhlman

Toombs County's first ever triathlon was a big hit with the many competitors who took on the challenge of swimming .25 miles, biking 12 miles and running three miles. The overall winner of the Vidalia Onion Tri, held at the Creek Shoal Estates, was 19 year old Sam Uhlman of Atlanta. Bubbua Gillis, from Hilton Head, finished second and the 45 year old was the Masters Champ. Rhonda Walker of Dublin was the Female Champion and 11 year old Jake Everett of Mt. Vernon won the Youth Title. Watch action of the race The Swim  The Bike  The Run  The Interviews

Janae Stokes is player of the week for #1 ranked team Former Vidalia Lady Indian Janae Stokes was the player of the week, in her conference, for the number one ranked women's team in Division 1 junior college basketball. Janae averaged 20.2 points per game as undefeated Gulf Coast Community College won four games. Y-101 Profile

RTCA's Parker is wrapping up his collegiate career at Piedmont Wesley Parker played everything at Robert Toombs, he was the starting quarterback and the point guard for the Crusaders. But for the past four years Wesley has been a basketball player, only, at Division III Piedmont College. In this, his senior season, Parker is starting and averaging eight points and four rebounds per game. Y-101 Profile

Frank Champion switches sports While at Robert Toombs Frank Champion was key member of the Crusaders' football team. Champion played one season of college ball at Sewanee and then he became a rugby player. Y-101 Profile

Watch 1st half highlights of Vidalia versus Charlton County Video  Charlton's Rishawn Edwards hit three free throws with .5 remaining to give his team a 58-57 win over Vidalia. Watch 4th quarter highlights Video

The East Laurens Boys defeated Vidalia 89-57. Watch first quarter highlights of the game Video  The Vidalia Girls defeated Pacelli 77-34.

Pictured- Anson Callaway, Toni Faison, Elaine Allen and Lyons Mayor John Moore  Elaine Allen's Y-101 Profile

Faison Sr. and Allen honored for 31 years of service  The late Vince Faison Sr. and Elaine Allen were honored on December 20 at the Callaway Center for 31 years of service at Partin Park. Coach Anson Callaway talked about Faison's contributions that began when he helped build the park and continued over the years supervising the boys baseball program. Allen, who started working at the park during her teenage years, helped bring girls softball to the area and also handled the transition form slow to fast pitch play. Allen retired from her position at the park this past summer and Faison passed away in August.

Alex Stanley is Georgia's Wendy's State Heisman Award winner Robert Toombs Christian Academy's Alex Stanley has been named the Wendy's High School Heisman Award winner for the state of Georgia and now she is in the running for the national award given to one male and one female out of a field of twelve national finalists. Alex plays basketball, softball and runs track and she is a fine student at RTCA. One of these days, very soon, Alex will be pictured in Sports Illustrated. Listen to Alex's Y-101 Profile  Audio

Benton wins first collegiate match Former Toombs County Bulldog wrestler Bradley Benton won his first collegiate match by pinning Wagner University's Nick Boghus at the University of Virginia's Quad Meet. Bradley's Anderson University team defeated Wagner 25-22. Benton redshirted last season, so this his his first year of competition.  Audio

Doug Rizzo (left) sparring

Boxing in Toombs County Paul Carlson, a former amateur boxer with hundreds of victories, has started a boxing program at the Wellness Center aimed for those who want to take up the sport seriously and others who just want to get in shape. Doug Rizzo and Chris Bell are training for their amateur debuts. Video  Y-101 Profiles Doug Rizzo  Paul Carlson

RTCA's second half breaks open close game One day after losing 45-43 to defending state champion Trinity, the Robert Toombs Christian Academy Lady Crusaders broke open a close game with Terrell Academy in the second half in a 56-43 home victory. Alex Stanley hit three 3-pointers and led RTCA with 19 points. Hannah Dees hit 8-of-13 free throws and finished with 14. Caitlyn Pittman added eight points and Jenna Delk seven. Watch highlights of the game and interviews with Stanley and Dees.  Video

Final minute of first half dooms Indians The Dublin Irish scored twice in the final minute of the opening half in a 21-7 win at Vidalia. The Irish recovered the kickoff after the first of the two touchdowns and then scored seven more. The Indians had a first half drive halted by a fumble and they scored their only touchdown in the second half. Watch action from the Reservation on Toombs Now.   First Half   2nd Half

Mitchell Pittman

Pittman's perseverance pays off Former RTCA Crusader Mitchell Pittman walked on to play football at the University of Georgia in 2004. He redshirted his freshman season and since then he has been a linebacker on the scout team. But Mitchell, who has dressed out for many games, had never played a down. On September 29th he finally got his chance. Pittman played the final three plays in the Bulldogs 45-17 home win over Ole Miss and he made a tackle for no gain on a short pass. Mitchell talks about his big day with Toombs Now. Audio

Jared Allen starts college career at GSW Former Toombs County Bulldog Jared Allen has started his college baseball career at Georgia Southwestern. The Hurricanes are playing fall ball and Jared is a third baseman. In his first two interquad games, Allen went 1-for-3 and 1-for-2 and he drove in a run in each. Jared talks to Toombs Now about his first two weeks of baseball in Americus. Audio

Josh Dees enters the coaching world Former Toombs County Bulldog Josh Dees has always been destined to be a basketball coach. Dees, who played at Wyoming and Western Carolina, is entering the coaching business as the assistant to the director of basketball operations at Colorado State. Y-101 Story

Christian Newton changes hats and jobs Lyons native Christian Newton has turned in his University of Alabama hat for one that says Georgia Tech. On July 23rd Newton handed in his resignation from his position as assistant golf coach at Bama and on August 1st he will start his new job as the assistant golf coach at Georgia Tech. Moments after handing in his resignation, Newton talked to Y-101 and Toombs Now about his decision.  Audio

Dustin McGowan nearly pitches a big league no-hitter As a little boy Dustin McGowan used to enjoy his trips to Partin Park for the Lyons Youth Tournament. Dustin played recreation and high school ball in Long County. These days he plays for the Toronto Blue Jays and on June 24 he pitched a one-hitter against Colorado. McGowan lost his no-hitter to the leadoff hitter in the ninth. Anson Calloway set up and interview with McGowan and joined me in studio on Y-101 as we talked to a major league pitcher.  Audio

Pokey McCrae in red  with Thurl Bailey on the left, Greg Minor on the right and Shawn Bradley in the back

Robert "Pokey" McCrae runs athletic programs in Iraq  Robert McCrae, a former coach at Toombs County High School, has been working in Iraq organizing athletic programs for the troops. Pokey's title is MWR supervisor and recently several former NBA players (pictured to the left) joined McRae to teach basketball skills. Coach McRae sent Toombs Now some sports pictures and other shots from around Iraq.  More pictures

Driving around Iraq

Jimmy Sharpe dominates in dirt track win In a one-race deal, Toombs County's Jimmy Sharpe beat some of the best dirt track driver in the south in winning the O'Reilly Southern Nationals Series event at the Screven Motor Speedway. Sharpe, who has won over 300 races in his career, won the poll and led every lap. Y-101 Profile   More pictures

19 Vidalia gymnasts bring home gold at nationals Nineteen gymnasts representing Team Georgia and the Vidalia Gymnastic Center brought home gold medals at the AAU National Age Group Championships in Orlando. Here are Y-101 profiles on two of the competitors. Joanna Hendrix won all four events in level five competition and also won gold for the all-around. Audio  Pamela Mosley, competing at level seven, won a gold medal in the vault. Audio

Former Bulldog Cory Polke is moving on to a four year school  After spending two seasons playing at North Country Community College in Saranac Lake, New York, former Toombs County Bulldog Cory Polke is headed to Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapid, Iowa. Cory averaged 10 points and seven rebounds during his freshman season at NCCC and 11 points and 9 rebounds this past season. Cory talks about his next basketball stop in this Y-101 story.  Audio  Cory's Archive  Polke's new coach, Paul Gavin, talks about Cory and his progam.  Audio

Chase Arrington plays AAU ball in Orlando Toombs County guard Chase Arrington is in Orlando, Florida playing in the 16 and under Super Showcase being held at Disney World. Chase's Georgia Hawks team went 0-3 in pool play which included a 63-62 loss to the Florida Select Wildcats. In the consolation bracket on Sunday the Hawks beat the Pennsylvania Blue Devils 60-41. Chase hit a key three-pointer in the fourth quarter as the Hawks pushed the lead into double-digits. Chase's dad, Donnie, has been either a head or assistant coach for the Hawks and he talks to Toombs Now about the tourney. Audio

Former Toombs County resident Matt Vaughn pitched for Clemson Matt Vaughn's father, Timmy, was the starting quarterback for the 1975 state championship team at Lyons High School. Now, over 30 years later, Matt is a pitcher for the Clemson Tigers. Listen to this Y-101 story on Vaughn, who started his baseball career in Toombs County.  Audio  Scott Strickland talks about coaching Matt in Rec Ball.  Audio  Note- Matt pitched a 3-up and 3-down 8th in a Super Regional game. Mississippi State beat Clemson 8-6 in Game 1.

Christian Newton is apart of a top 10 team at Bama Christian Newton, from Lyons, is the assistant golf coach at the University of Alabama and recently the Crimson Tide finished sixth at the NCAA National Tournament played in Williamsburg, Virginia. Bama shot a team score of 291 in the final round after shooting 271 the day before. Stanford (Tiger Woods' Alma mater) won the tournament by 12 shots over second place Georgia. Christian was a guest on Y-101.  Audio

All-Stars with coach

The Lyons Midgets are learning a new game  Last year they were facing the pitching machine, this season it is live pitching- but the Lyons 12 and under boys are starting to win games.  Audio Story

Josh Mims

Chris Mobley

Tiffany Fowler

Lyons Junior Girls eliminated in nail biter The Lyons Junior Girls were knocked out of the Lyons Youth Tournament by Vidalia in a 9-8 nail biter. Lyons scored eight runs in the fourth to take an 8-2 lead. Megan Hayes singled in two runs, Skylar Moore singled in one and Ashley Polk drove in three with a bases loaded triple. Vidalia scored six in the fourth to tie the game and Vidalia won the game in the bottom of the sixth with a bases loaded walk by Kim Goethe. Kortney Williams, who tripled to lead of the frame, scored the game winning run. Game story with interview with Megan Hayes  Audio Earlier in the tourney, Lyons beat Claxton 13-0 and Metter 11-3 and lost to Appling 11-2.   Audio story on Lyons' first three games

Fowler singles

Tyler Wilds

Lyons Junior Boys are getting ready for district The Lyons Junior Boys open up district play on June 25 at 4 p.m. versus Vidalia in Dublin on Y-101 Radio (pregame at 3:45). Until that big Monday afternoon game Lyons is playing practice games. Lyons roared back from a 5-1 deficit and scored six runs in the fourth and beat Evans county 7-5. Lyons won the second game 5-1. Audio  Lyons swept Swainsboro 10-4 and 15-3 on the road. Coach Ryan Rodgers talks about the wins. Audio  Vidalia swept Lyons 5-4 and 6-1 at Ed Smith. Game story   Junior Boys archive

Little guys and big guys like to wrestle There is a growing population of little guys who like to wrestle in Toombs County. Both Toombs County and Vidalia High School have produced state champions over the years and there are more potential champs on the way. These little guys to the left were participating in a camp at Toombs County High school. They were instructed by wrestlers from Anderson College. Audio Stories Young wrestlers  Older wrestlers  More pictures

Bulldog basketball team is improving this summer The Toombs County High School boys basketball team is improving during its summer schedule of games. The Bulldogs started off losing five straight games, but since then they have won six of nine. The starting five includes T.J. Smarts, Chase Arrington, A.J. Fletcher, Terrence Johnson and C.J. Scott. Listen to the Bulldogs talk about their summer.  Audio

Bulldogs swing wood The Toombs County Bulldogs played host to a wooden bat tourney involving area schools like Richmond Hill, Bryan County and Treutlen. The Bulldogs beat Bryan County 8-2 with Seth Stroud picking up a complete game win on the mound. Toombs County lost the other two games to Richmond Hill and Treutlen. The Dogs talk about swinging and throwing against wood.  Audio (pictured left- Neal Rodgers leaning on his wooden bat and pictured right Rodgers swinging wood)

Josh Dees excells in classroom while playing for Western Carolina Former Toombs County Bulldog basketball player Josh Dees was the only student/athlete at Western Carolina University to maintain a 4.0 grade point average this past school year. Josh was also named to the Southern Conference All-Academic team.  Audio   Y-101 profile

Jared Allen signs with Georgia Southwestern Toombs County's Jared Allen signed with Division II Georgia Southwestern on May 18. Allen hit .518 and was 7-3 as a pitcher in his senior season at Toombs County High School. Jared joined me on WLYU FM, Y-101 Radio moments after signing and you can listen to that conversation.  Audio  Georgia Southwestern coach Bryan McClain talks about Jared and his program, which just completed its first season at the Division II level after moving up from the NAIA.  Audio  Jared Allen Photo Gallery

Toombs County's Chase Arrington plays on AAU team that earns trip to Nationals  As a freshman on the Toombs County Bulldog basketball team, Chase Arrington averaged 9.8 points and led the Dawgs with 40 made 3-point shots. This spring and summer Arrington is, once again, playing for the AAU Georgia Hawks. In May the Hawks went down to Orlando and finished second in the Under 15 bracket which qualified them for the national tournament.  Chase talks about the team and his role as the starting point guard.  Audio  (Pictured- Chase shooting in the lane in an AAU Tourney in Orlando in May of 2006). Chase was playing for the Georgia Hawks based in Moultrie. This picture was used on the AAU web site on a page with results from the Spring Classic II.  More Chase pictures

Ashley Collins is playing third and batting .400 for South Georgia College Former Vidalia Lady Indian Ashley Collins is one of the top hitters in the GJCAA.  She has moved from shortstop to the third base for the South Georgia Lady Tigers. Collins (pictured left) is ready for action as Brianna Whitlow pitches.  Audio Story

Sam Bhimani wins junior golf trophies RTCA golfer Sam Bhimani wins trophies for not only his skill, but also his sportsmanship. (pictured left) In February, Sam received the SJGT Sportsmanship Award. (pictured right) Last March, Bhimani shot a 73-71 to win a SJGT Tournament at Callaway Gardens. Sam talks about what he is doing in his senior season in this audio story. Pictures courtesy SJGT

The J.R Trippe Middle School Chiefs The J.R. Trippe Middle School Chiefs have opened up region play with three straight wins and are 6-3 overall. Derek Hammock pitched a one-hitter and went 3-for-5 in an 8-1 win over Swainsboro. He also pitched the team to a 8-0 win over Dublin. Zach Burton hit his first middle school home run against Dodge County. Check out more in this Audio Story  Toombs Now has more on the Chiefs, including pictures and the upcoming schedule.

The Toombs County Middle School Bullpups  The Toombs County Middle School Bullpups opened up the baseball season with a 10-6 loss to Glennville, but since then they have won five straight, beating Claxton 8-4, Bryan County 18-1 and Long County 12-0. In a double header on March 17, the Bullpups swept Dodge County 12-1 and 17-4.  (More) on the Bullpups, including pictures and audio

This former Bulldog is now wearing blue Last baseball season Nick Hayes, in his senior year, was playing second base, for the Toombs County Bulldogs. This season Nick is still involved in baseball. The 18-year old is an umpire working high school games with players in his own peer group.  Audio Story

Vidalia High golf sesaon is underway The Vidalia Indians golf season has begun and the Indians, as usual, are taking on some tough competition in preparation for the Indian Invitational, the Region 4 Tourney and the Double A State Tournament.  Audio Story  More Pictures  Photos- Cody Achenbach (left) and Miles Arnold (right)

The Vidalia Indians rally and beat Swainsboro  After yielding three runs in the sixth inning, the Vidalia Indians rallied and broke a 5-5 tie with two runs in the bottom of that inning and beat Swainsboro 7-6.  Audio Story    Pictures- Michael Madison (left) and Chris Dykes (right)

Former Toombs County Bulldog Cory Polke ended his career at North Country Community College with 16 points and 13 rebounds in an 83-79 overtime loss to Broome Community College in the first round of the Region 3 Tournament. Cory averaged 11 points and nine rebounds in his sophomore season. North Country, 17-11, started off the season with nine straight win and was ranked as high as third in the Division III Junior College National Poll.  Game Story

Josh Sasser is a Brewton Parker Baron Josh Sasser is playing college baseball in Mount Vernon, just down the road from Vidalia, where he played on a Double A state championship team. Josh is batting fourth for the Brewton Parker Barons and so far has had two multi-hit games. Josh talked to ToombsNOW and you can hear his thoughts on playing at BPC in this audio story.  Audio  Picture to the left (former Indian teammate Matt Stanley watches as Sasser hits)

Christian Newton is apart of something big at Bama Former Robert Toombs Christian Academy golfer Christian Newton is on top of the Division I golf world. Christian is an assistant coach for the University of Alabama, ranked as high as number one in the country. Newton, who spent two seasons as an assistant at his Alma mater Georgia Southern, is in second season coaching the Crimson Tide.  Christian discusses Tide golf and his role at Bama in this audio interview.  Audio

Former Toombs County Bulldog Chuck Hill has a big game for Middle Georgia  Audio  

Logan Lollis led Shorter College in tackles in his freshman season  Audio

Jared Collins was red-shirted by Georgia Southern Audio

Jared visited Duke's Cameron Indoor Arena early in the season Audio

Cory Polke talks about playing junior college basketball in New York  Audio

Benny Dees celebrated his 70th birthday by coaching a game  Audio

Billy Merritt talks about officiating basketball games  Audio

In January the BPC Barons beat two of the top teams in the SSAC- Emmanuel Audio   Faulkner Audio  

Paul Anderson Youth Home staff and students go on a long bike ride to raise money  Audio  

November 26, 2006 was the 50th anniversary of Paul Anderson's gold medal lift  Audio