THEDecember NORTH 9, 2015GEORGIA THE NEWSNORTH December GEORGIA 9, 2015 NEWS Page Page 13A 13A Union wrestling 10th at KOM; returns to Both Union Swim teams compete Towns Co on Friday for program showcase at Habersham twice in November By Todd Forrest sixth in the 50-yard Freestyle team of Savannah Damon, North Georgia News and the guys’ 200-yard Free- Megan Foster, Leannah [email protected] style Relay team of Aiden Gambrell, and Kaiya Wilkes. Wilkes, Sloan Sutton, Payton Gambrell went on to record Ivester, and Nathan Cobb was a 10th place finish in the 50- Clarksville - Union also sixth. yard Freestyle event. County placed 22 swimmers Cobb picked up a ninth Megan Wiarda of among the top 10 when both place finish in the 100-yard UCMS took home ninth in the high school and middle Freestyle event. the 50-yard Freestyle. The school teams attended a swim UCMS’ Aliceyn Cov- Middle School’s 200-yard meet on Nov. 7th at Haber- ington came in seventh in the Freestyle Relay girls team of sham County. girls’ 100-yard Breaststroke. Vincent, Hannah Patterson, They returned to Haber- The high school’s 200- Katelynn Rash, and Brittany sham the following week and yard Medley Relay guys team Pendley also finished in ninth those results are listed in the of Gavin Thompson, Jeremy place. box below. Herum, Adian Francis, and In the high school’s UCMS’ Grace Weldon Tyler Harkins placed eighth. 100-yard Backstroke event, was Union’s top performer They would pick up a 10th Ariel Caputo-Sullivan placed with a first place finish in place finish in the 200-yard 10th. the 50-yard Freestyle event, Freestyle Relay event, as More results from both setting a new school record well. the Union County Middle and in the process. Also coming in eighth High School swimming teams Weldon also set a new was the high school’s 200- will be in next week’s edition record while taking second yard Freestyle Relay girls of the North Georgia News. place in the 100-yard Indi- vidual Medley. The middle school boys’ UC Panther Swim Team competes relay team of Jack Wiarda, in “Rocking Raider” Swim Meet Hunter White, Brian Wil- liams, and Steven Williams On Saturday, November 14th, Union County High School and Middle School Panther Swim Teams journeyed to Clarks- brought home second in two ville, GA to compete in the Habersham Central “Rocking Raid- separate events, the 200-yard er” Swim Meet versus many other teams from across North Medley Relay and the 200- Georgia. All gave valiant efforts and represented the Panthers yard Freestyle Relay. and Union County with outstanding results, fierce competition Individually, Brian Wil- and excellent sportsmanship. Below are the results for their sec- liams recorded a fourth place ond meet of the season: finish in the 50-yard Freestyle Men’s Results: and Steven Williams took 200-yd / Medley Relay / HS – 5th Place home fourth in the 100-yard 200-yd / Medley Relay / MS – 2nd Place Backstroke - setting new 100-yd / Ind Medley / MS – 8th Place (Top UC Finisher: Pictured (L-R): Freshman Alex Jack Wiarda / 6th Grade) Barrett - 4th at 106 pounds, fresh- school records in the pro- man Tyree Mackey - 4th at 126 cess. 50-yd / Freestyle / HS – 6th, 8th, 13th, 16th, 19th, 23rd pounds, sophomore Grizzly Breed- Kaiya Wilkes’ fifth place (Top UC Finisher: Aidan Francis / 10th Grade) love - 3rd at 182 pounds. finish in the 50-yard Freestyle 50-yd / Freestyle / MS – 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 23, Sophomore Adrian Shaw reached was the high school’s best 24, 25 (Top UC Finisher: Steven Williams) the semis at 132, Freshman Isaac performance of the day. 50-yd / Butterfly / MS – 2nd (Top UC Finisher: Tritt reached the semis at 138, Noah Brian Williams) Bierce left the tournament early due Katie Yaboni placed 100-yd / Freestyle / HS – 10th, 11th, 21st (Top UC Finisher: to sickness at 145, freshman Logan sixth in the high school’s 500- Jeremy Herum / 11th Grade) Tritt reached the semis at 152, yard Freestyle event. 100-yd / Freestyle / MS – 9th, 12th, 13th, 14th (Top UC freshman Dakota Havard reached The middle school fin- Finisher: Michael Gernannt / 7th Grade) the quarters at 195, and freshman ished the meet with a sixth 200-yd / Freestyle Relay / HS – 4th Place Christian Robertson reached the place finish in four different quarters at 220. Union had no one 200-yd / Freestyle Relay / MS – 3rd & 7th Places competing at 113, 120, 170, and 285. events. White took sixth while 100-yd / Backstroke / HS – 8th, 11th Places (Top UC Finisher: The JV: At 106, freshman Ben setting a new school record in Gavin Thompson / 9th Grade) Howard went 3-2, at 113 sophomore the 100-yard Individual Med- 100-yd / Backstroke / MS – 2nd, 5th, 12th, 14th, 18th, 21st Brendan Mason went 5-0, at 132 ley. He also placed 10th in the (Top UC Finisher: Brian Williams / 8th Grade) sophomore Kyle English went 5-0, 50-yard Freestyle. 100-yd / Breaststroke / HS – 2nd (Top UC Finisher: sophomore James Rosser went 4-1 Aidan Francis / 10th Grade) at 138, freshman Bryan Smith went Allison Vincent broke a school record with her sixth 50-yd / Breaststroke / MS – 4th, 8th, 10th (Top UC Finisher: 4-1 at 152, freshman Chad Buzzard Hunter White / 6th Grade) went 4-0 at 160, freshman Liam place finish in the 100-yard Green went 2-3 at 160 as well, and Backstroke. Women’s Results: junior Zach Payton went 4-0 at 220. Steven Williams was 200-yd / Medley Relay / HS – 4th Place Union is at Towns on Friday at 4:30 200-yd / Medley Relay / MS – 6th Place p.m. the varsity, JV, middle school, 100-yd / Ind Medley / MS – 2nd Place (Top UC Finisher: and youth wrestlers will all compete. Grace Weldon / 8th Grade) 50-yd / Freestyle / HS – 3, 6, 14, 17, 19, 24, 25, 26, 30, 33, 34 (Top UC Finisher: Kaiya Wilkes / 9th Grade) 50-yd / Freestyle / MS – 1, 8, 10, 14, 18, 22, 28 (Top UC On-line registration is now Finisher: Grace Weldon / 8th Grade) NASCAR 2015 open for Upward Indoor Soccer 100-yd / Freestyle / HS – 5th, 13th, 27th Places (Top UC By Gerald Hodges/the Racing Reporter for boys and girls in grades Kin- Finisher: Kaiya Wilkes / 9th Grade) dergarten through 8th Grade at 100-yd / Freestyle / MS – 5th, 17th Places (Top UC Finisher: Harvick Is Top Money Winner www.hopb.org or at www.fumcu- Brittany Pendley / 7th Grade) The 2015 NASCAR Sprint there be another year? No, there nioncounty.org. 500-yd / Freestyle / HS – 4th, 10th Places (Top UC Finisher: Cup season is over. won’t be. I am so ready. I am so The registration price to Leannah Gambrell / 9th Grade) was honored as the champion last content because I’m just so proud participate is $60, through De- 200-yd / Freestyle Relay / HS – 4th, 10th, 12th Places Friday night at the season ending of all that I’ve done. I will say it’s cember 10, 2015, and an addition- 200-yd / Freestyle Relay / MS – 6th Place banquet in Las Vegas, but Kevin been absolutely amazing, and I al $10 will be applied thereafter. 100-yd / Backstroke / HS – 8, 9, 14, 18, 19th Places (Top UC Harvick, the 2014 champion, was couldn’t have ever imagined how Payment plans are available, if Finisher: Maggie Davis / 12th Grade) the big money winner. my life would turn out. needed. Convenient weekly prac- 50-yd / Backstroke / MS – 9th, 12th, 19th Places (Top UC In addition to many manu- “Motorsports has provided tices commence January 11, 2016, Finisher: Allison Vincent / 7th Grade) facturer and sponsor contingency me lifelong memories and sto- while games will be held every 100-yd / Breaststroke / HS – 4th, 8th Places (Top UC Finisher: awards, Harvick’s track winnings ries that I get to reminisce and Megan Foster / 11th Grade) totaled $9,012,821. talk about for years and years to Saturday between January 30 and Any way you look at it that’s come. NASCAR in particular has March 5, 2016. Each swimmer is awarded points for their finish and those a pretty good paycheck. Harvick changed my life in ways that I Registrants should attend points are tallied for overall standings: will not collect all of that. Depend- could never really even describe. the evaluation that will be held on Men’s High School Category – 6th Overall ing on his contract, his percentage It’s still really just a blur to me. It Thursday, December 10, 2015 on Women’s High School Category – 5th Overall will be somewhere between 50-60 seems like it was just, you know, a drop-in basis between the hours Men’s Middle School Category – 3rd Overall Women’s Middle School Category – 5th Overall per cent. The remainder goes to the not that long ago that I was travel- of 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the House Stewart-Haas Racing team, owner ing from Indiana to of Prayer Family Life Center lo- Overall High School Standing – 5th Place of his No. 4 . to see what NASCAR was even all crew chief. cated behind the sanctuary. Overall Middle School Standing – 4th Place “It’s just exciting,” said Har- about, and now here I am 25 years has been named For more information re- These swimmers performed beyond expectation for this vick. “I think when you race your later stepping away from one of the crew chief for the No. 10 team garding registration, contact (706) meet and are excited for their next competition! Congratula- whole life and you accomplish most prestigious series in all of mo- of . The 38-year- 745-5925. Information regarding tions to all the members of the UC High/Middle School Swim what you’ve raced for your whole torsports and a fulfilling career. old from Land O’ Lakes, Florida, Teams! life, it’s exciting. I’ve been fortu- “Thank you. Thank you.” comes to SHR from Michael Wal- Upward Sports can be found on- nate to experience that last year EARNHARDT IS MOST trip Racing where since 2014 he line at www.upward.org. and know that feeling and know POPULAR DRIVER was the crew chief for the No. 55 how gratifying that is. You know, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won team, which featured drivers David it’s fun to see that excitement. his 13th consecutive Most Popular Ragan, and Michael “It’s been a great couple Driver Award, becoming the first Waltrip years, and I know we’re disap- driver to have won the award since He also served as crew pointed about finishing second, but 16-time winner was chief for MWR’s No. 15 team and it’s kind of the theme of the year, named the recipient at the conclu- driver from June finishing second. sion of the 2002 season. 2015 through the end of the season. “Unfortunately it’s just Earnhardt was awarded the Prior to that role, Scott was a race one short, but all in all, it’s been a trophy and the National Motor- engineer working under crew chief great couple years, and I couldn’t sports Press Association will donate Rodney Childers, who joined SHR be prouder of our bunch of guys. $10,000 in Earnhardt’s name to the in 2014 and led Harvick to the 2014 At least we know what we have to charity of his choice. NASCAR Sprint Cup championship. shoot for next year.” fans cast 410,000 votes during the Meanwhile, Michael Bu- The remaining top-10 year’s 11-week voting window that garewicz has been promoted from money winners: 2. ended with the Sprint Cup Series race engineer on the No. 4 team, - $8,400,213, 3. finale race at Homestead. driven by Kevin Harvick, to crew - 7,238,747, 4. Denny Hamlin - WINS chief for the No. 14 team of Tony 6,537,373, 5. Stewart. The 33-year-old from - 6,497,691, 6. Dale Earnhardt PENSACOLA, Fla.—Kyle Lehighton, Pennsylvania, replaces Jr. - 6,095,610, 7. Jeff Gordon Busch developmental driver, Chris- , who has left SHR - 6,026,506, 8. - topher Bell took the checkered flag to work as a crew chief on the No. 5,973,076, 9. Martin Truex Jr. in the 48th Snowball Derby, but 42 of . - 5,391,296, 10. Clint Bowyer - was disqualified during a post race We have great people at 5,223,413. inspection for illegal weight place- Stewart-Haas Racing and these Note: Kyle Busch missed ment, and runnerup, Chase Elliott changes prove that,” Stewart, said 11 races due to injuries, and that is was declared the winner. in a press release. “We were able why his winnings (4,892,617) are Fans that remember the to promote from within while also not equal to the other top drivers. 2013 Derby, the driver who inherit- adding new talent. An emotional Jeff Gordon ed the win was KBM’s , “Change isn’t easy, and received a standing ovation by ev- after Elliott was DQ’ed. This year that’s particularly true when it eryone at the banquet after being there was a role reversal as Bell comes to my relationship with introduced by Tom Cruise. was disqualified and Elliott took Chad Johnston. He served as my The pair chatted and kid- home the trophy. crew chief during two very difficult ded each before Gordon began to The win was Elliott’s sec- seasons. He was always supportive, speak, struggling several times as ond, the other coming in 2011. and he’s become like a brother to he tried to hold back the tears. “We gave him (Bell) three me. I think very highly of Chad.” “Now I’ve had a lot of chances to get the weight right this The SHR shake-up was people this year ask me, why not week,” said Five Flags Pit Steward expected following disappointing just one more year?” said Gordon. Ricky Brooks. seasons for both drivers. Patrick “Make it an even 24. It made me Remaining unofficial top- finished 24th in the standings, think, yeah, for a second about it, 10: 2. Zane Smith, 3. , 4. while Stewart finished 28th. but then I really quickly responded, , 5. , Stewart announced in Sep- hey, this goes all the way back to 6. Casey Smith, 7. Preston Peltier, tember that the 2016 season would April of 1977 for me. When I first 8. William Byron, 9. Derek Thorn, be his last as a driver. was introduced to a quarter midget, 10. . Racing Trivia Question: so to me it’s more like 38 years. It’s Defending winner John How many Cup championships did been a long time. It’s been an amaz- Hunter Nemechek’s car caught fire Richard Petty win? ing ride. To all those who know while he was leading the race with Last Week’s Question: my stepfather, John Bickford, 25 laps to go in the 300-lap race. He Where is Martin Truex Jr.’s home- they know that by maybe August finished 21st. town? Answer. It is Mayetta, New or September of 1977, I was rac- PATRICK AND STEWART Jersey. ing professionally. That’s just the NEW CREW CHIEFS You may contact the Racing way it worked in my family, and I For the third time in four Reporter by e-mail at: hodges@ couldn’t be more thankful. So will years, Danica Patrick has a new race500.com. NT(Dec9,Z17)CA