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Home , Aric Almirola, Elliott Sadler, Jeff Gordon, Marcos Ambrose, Petty Enterprises, Yates Racing

THE TOWNS COUNTY HERALD February 4, 2015 Page 9 Towns County Sports Towns County’s Leader In Sports www.townscountyherald.net • E-mail: [email protected] Towns County wrestling sending seven to Sectionals this weekend By Shawn Jarrard Towns County Herald Staff Writer

Seven Towns County wrestlers are headed to the Sectionals Tournament at George Walton Academy on Saturday, Feb. 7, for a chance to compete at the state level. Kaine Hoffman at 106 pounds and Thomas Mitchell at 113 pounds both finished runners up in their weight classes at the 2015 Area 4 Tra- ditional Wrestling Tournament at Commerce High School on Saturday, Jan. 31. Aaron Collier at 132, Daulton Rogers at 152 and Kyle Davis at 220 took third place honors, while Russell Cox at 182 and Daniel Crowder at 285 finished fourth. The Towns County wrestlers staying focused during the Area Tournament last weekend. The Indians had seven wrestlers qualify for State Sectionals. Photo/Shawn Jarrard And that’s all that was qualify us for the state tourna- in the tournament next week. “We had some kids that lost qualify. They work so hard others go on to test their might needed, a Top 4 finish, to ad- ment,” said Head Coach Jeff He could theoretically still win some heartbreaking matches, all year long and get to this at least once more. vance to Sectionals. Stowers. “They take the Top State if he wrestles his way but we won some big matches, tournament, and you can’t “It’s kind of a bitter- Peyton Smith at 120 and 4 out of each Area, you go to back through in State.” we had some big upsets. We afford to have a bad day. And sweet day,” said Coach Stow- Nick Shook at 160 qualified as Sectionals. And then the Top Coach Stowers is proud did some really good things to- I don’t know that anybody ers. “I’m extremely happy alternates for this Saturday’s 4 from the Sectionals will go of his Indians, as more than day, and I’m extremely proud really wrestled badly today for the guys that qualified event, and will get a chance to the State Tournament. And half of the team qualified to of the guys. for us, they just didn’t wrestle and moved on. We did some to grapple if any wrestler from really, every tournament is its move forward to the next “My heart breaks for well enough.” really good things. But, you this area in their weight classes own individual tournament. qualifying round. kids like Nick and Peyton For some Indians, this know, it’s kind of sad, because cannot wrestle Saturday. So, let’s just say something “We wrestled really and Dylan Roberts and Dal- was the last opportunity to several kids’ season came to an “All this does is just happens and Nick Shook gets well,” said Coach Stowers. ton Key, and kids that don’t wrestle for the season, while end today.” TCMS Baseball invites everyone to Saturday fundraiser By Shawn Jarrard helped us out and gave us purchase that stuff.” ning season as well. Coach Towns County Herald prizes. All the local restaurants, New helmets are also Taylor hopes to continue that Staff Writer some local businesses, they’ve needed, as well as a new team trend, and the Indians are al- all donated door prizes for bat. And the team performed ready hard at work, practicing The Towns County Mid- people to come and win for some renovations to the prac- every day after school. dle School Baseball Team is the game that we’re going to tice field, replacing some of the “I’m counting on six kicking its season off with a have, and I might just do a old bases with new ones. kids to be able to pitch for me, fundraiser, and Head Coach few random drawings for door Coach Taylor teaches so I’m glad of that because Shea Taylor and his Indians prizes.” fourth-grade science at Towns pitchers are hard to come by, invite the entire community Patrons of the fundraiser County Elementary School, especially in middle school,” to attend on Saturday, Feb. 7, will be able to purchase tennis and has been coaching middle said Coach Taylor. “I have defi- at noon on the Towns County balls – one throw for $5, three school baseball for four years. nitely got high expectations for High School baseball field. throws for $10 – to throw at He is excited about the upcom- this team, so hopefully we’ll “We’re going to be sell- targets for a chance to win ing season. get it together and it’s going ing hotdog plates for people,” these prizes. “Everybody’s excited,” to turn out to be a successful said Coach Taylor. “They’re The money will benefit said Coach Taylor. “I have year.” $6 apiece, and that’s for people the team’s general baseball 10 returning players from last After turning out to sup- to come get a hotdog, a drink, account, as outfitting the kids year, so that’s always a good port the local children at the chips and slaw.” for the new season has been thing to have a large fundraiser, Towns County resi- The main attraction of quite costly. of kids coming back to be with dents can come and watch the the fundraising event will be “The main thing for the me another year. I’ve got a lot first matchup of the year, a a tennis ball toss game, which fundraiser is to help us cover of good kids on the team, and scrimmage game against Mar- will feature fabulous prizes, equipment,” said Coach Taylor. they come from good families. tins Creek at home on Monday, including a top prize of a $100 “The school, of course, helps I’m looking forward to having Feb. 9, starting at 4:30 p.m. on Visa Card. take care of the uniforms, so the a great season, and we would the TCHS baseball field. But the prizes don’t stop school covered the uniforms for love all the support we can get The first official game there. us. But we’re raising money for from the community.” of the season is on Valentine’s “I have over $500 worth everything else. From equip- Last season ended on a Day at home at the high school of prizes to give away,” said ment to socks, belts, hats. And winning note, as the Indians field, and will feature a double- Coach Taylor. “Home De- it’s crazy, people don’t realize finished 7-6 overall. And the header against George Walton pot, Walmart, all those places it, but it’s really expensive to season before that was a win- Academy starting at noon. Tai Chi and Yoga at Rec Center Tai Chi for Arthritis is a This class will be 4 weeks for program endorsed by the Ar- a total fee of only $30 (drop NASCAR 2015 thritis Foundation of Georgia. ins $10 for each class session). By Gerald Hodges/the Racing Reporter Not only has this exercise been Class will be led by Pat Tomc- shown to be effective in allevi- zyk who has taken the Arthritis ating joint pain, but it has also Foundation training and is an Petty has reasons for optimism been shown to help with other experienced Tai Chi and Yoga has reason thing.” medical issues. Learning Tai teacher as well as a retired RN. for optimism heading into the The team currently fields Chi will improve balance, pro- Our Yoga program con- 2015 racing season. His No. 43 the No. 9 for Sam Hornish, Jr. mote strength and flexibility, tinues with gentle Yoga at 4 car with behind and the No. 43 for Aric Almiro- as well as may be helpful with PM on Mondays and Yoga plus the wheel won the July race at la in the Sprint Cup Series, and memory. This is a short, eas- Pilates Abdominals work on Daytona, and the organization the No. 43 for Dakoda Arm- ily learned Tai Chi form. For Thursdays at 9:30 AM. has moved into larger head- strong in the Xfinity Series. those who cannot stand to do All classes will be held Over the winter, RPM quarters. the form, it will also be demon- at The Towns County Recre- Almirola will be joined moved into new Mooresville, , headquarters strated doing seated in a chair. ation and Conference Center at by Sam Hornish, who replaced This class will meet Foster Park. For additional in- . that was actually its last HQ as . The partner- Thursday mornings starting formation please contact us at “It was a breakout year January 29th at 10:45 AM. 706-896-2600. T(Feb4,F1)SH for us,” said Petty. “I think ship with Roush Fenway is still Sam brings a lot of versatility. in place, but for the first time Marcos (Ambrose) was super in years, the team is building its Baseball registration at Rec Center on road courses and stuff, but own , not waiting on deliv- The Towns County Rec- Towns County Recreation he never got the hang of be- eries from elsewhere. reation Dept. is having regis- Center. Our hours of opera- ing ready. He could have good Former Indy 500 cham- tration for softball and base- tion are Monday thru Friday races and bad races and good and Richard Petty in 2009 pion Sam Hornish Jr. has re- ball for boys and girls ages 8 9 a.m. till 8 p.m. and Saturday times in the races, but I think placed Ambrose, and last week thru 14 beginning February 9, from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. If you tion of being the result of three cated, and again in November CEO Brian Moffitt announced Sam will be much more consis- successful teams (Evernham, when RPM’s four team haulers 2015 thru February 21, 2015. have any questions please call tent with it. that a new sponsorship deal Petty, & Yates) merging after remained parked at Texas Mo- with beverage Twisted Tea will The fee for registration is $45. the Recreation Department at “In our testing, (Hornish falling on hard times. tor Speedway instead of head- Sign-ups are held at the new 706-896-2600. T(Feb4,H1)SH and Almirola) both felt the ensure that Hornish will run the After funding issues due ing to the next race at Phoenix, entire 2015 season. same thing in the car. Whether to the Gillett family’s finan- in both cases due to payment they’d change the air pressure DALE JR. NOT FOCUSED cial woes, in November 2010, issues with engine and equip- ON RETIREMENT Galaxy Bowling Scores or they’d change the springs an investment group including ment supplier Roush Fenway and both of them feel the same With an- Andrew M. Murstein and his Racing. The situation was re- nouncing his retirement at the Monday Night Ladies: League: Paul Napolitano 202, thing. With Marcos, he was one Medallion Financial Corpora- solved in November, when Linda Nichols 193 Monday Dewey Allen 211, Del Neiffer way and Aric was the other way end of 2015, the attention fo- tion, signed and closed sale on Richard Petty partnered with cused on Jr. and Night Men: Bob Brown 208, 203, 212, Mel White 243, Ron and so it was hard to compare racing assets of Richard Petty Medallion Financial and DGB Larry Canaan 227, 227, 234, Wingate 205, Ken Thigpen them. Now we’ve got two cars his future plans. Motorsports. Petty, Murstein, investments to purchase the Unlike Gordon, the “R” Mike Davis 235, 214, 200, 243, Mo Rodgers 231, Ron that we can sit down and say, and Medallion Financial are team for “less than $50 mil- Gary Brown 215, 204, 247, Gaucher 196 Thursday Night ‘OK, you try this and I’ll try word isn’t in Junior’s foresee- the current owners of the team, lion.” Petty once again was at able future. Taz Matetzschk 206, BJ Gil- Fun League : Dewey Allen that and if it works, we’ll put while Evernham and Gillett are the helm of a race team, and 228, Mark Silvers 208, DJ De- it on the other car.’ That should Just last week, he told re- bert 225, 266, 257, 748 Series, no longer involved with the retained a one-third stake in the porters he would like to expand DJ DeJoseph 200, 225, Jay Joseph 248, 246, John Moore be an advantage for all of us.” team. company by investing “sev- 216, Denise Baldwin 200, Richard Petty Motor- his driving to include the Truck Burrell 215, 242, Brett Hogsed After the 2008 season, eral million dollars” of his own Series. 205, Johnathan Everett 234, 234, Zach Moore 208, Tim sports (RPM) is a two-car Sprint turmoil emerged when A.J. money. Cup Series race team owned by “Jeff made his decision 201, John Stevens 216, Ray Moore 247, 268, 195, 710 Se- Allmendinger and Reed Soren- Petty, bolstered by a based on factors in his life, Everett 222, 219, Jeb Plott 233, ries, Taz Matetzschk 224, 213, seven-time NASCAR cham- son were signed to drive for the partnership with New York- pion Richard Petty and New whether it be his health or his 204, Jason Swanson 252, Bob Johnathan Everett 247, Tony team, while was based Medallion Financial kids,” Earnhardt said. “I don’t Bischoff 222, Russ Southcott Lynch 203, 255, Ray Everett York businessman Andrew M. released from his ride in the 19 Corporation, bought out Gil- Murstein. The team was found- have any back issues and I 226, 224, 206, Curtis corn 206, 210, 203, Chuck Reeves 220, car and planned to sue the team lett and was back to actually don’t have any kids on the way. Dewey Allen 207, Bill Smith Russ Southcott 227, 215, 259, ed as Evernham Motorsports in to keep his job. managing a race team and not 2000 by former crew chief Ray I don’t have any factors.” 224, Del Neiffer 217, 234, 701 Series, Jerry Thomas 201, By 2010, RPM’s con- just merely having his name Right now, Earnhardt Joe Teague 212 Hazel Farmer 209, Pam Clark 214 Evernham, entering full-time tinued operation was put into on the door. Still, the margins competition as a two-car opera- said he can’t think about quit- question when lead driver were tight, the ledger was red, ting because he’s enjoying his So that’s made me really think run. So if I run a race, it’ll be tion in 2001. The organization announced his and the results on the racetrack was renamed Gillett Evernham job so much. He said the last I can do this a lot longer. I think at a bigger track where Cole’s departure by the end of the sea- were lacking. five years have been the most I’ll stop racing when my health not quite cleared to run through Motorsports in 2007 after for- son. Kahne’s decision was in It remained that way for mer Canadiens and fun he’s ever had driving a race is an issue or I don’t feel like NASCAR’s process.” the midst of financial problems the next four years, even as car. I’m in a competitive car or I Racing Trivia Ques- Liverpool. owner George Gil- for the Gillett family in several Almirola came on board full- lett bought a controlling inter- “I didn’t even know I feel like I’ve lost a step. tion: How many Cup wins did of their ventures, which includ- time and teammate Marcos could have this much fun,” he “I’ve never driven a truck Richard Petty have during his est from founder Evernham, ed George Gillett defaulting on Ambrose picked up a pair of and took on its current name continued. “Last year, I felt like before and I’ve always had the career? a $90 million loan he had used road-course wins. a kid. I had the same feeling I interest to race a truck. I’d tell Last Week’s Question: after merging with Petty’s team to purchase the team. With “It was a mighty big hole Petty Enterprises in 2009. had when I would drive down you I would run Martinsville, Where did Jeff Gordon win his lackluster performance and ru- we were sitting down in,” Petty to Myrtle Beach with my Late today, but ’s going first Cup race? Answer. It was Known for its factory mors from week-to-week that continued. “Instead of getting backing from since its Model. We were just on top of to get all the shorter tracks due the Coca-Cola 600, May 29, the team would shut down, the frustrated, we just kept work- the world having so much fun. to his age, and we need to get 1994 at Charlotte. inception, the team switched to chaos peaked in October when ing and tried to be patient. But Ford in late 2009 and merged That freedom came back in the him that experience when we You may contact the Rac- RPM’s cars for the second Tal- anybody who knows me knows last couple years to just enjoy can, and it’s a great opportu- ing Reporter at: www.hodges@ with for 2010. ladega race were briefly confis- that patience isn’t exactly my The team has the odd distinc- it and just release the pressure. nity at Martinsville for him to race500.com.