Page 11 THE TOWNS COUNTY HERALD May 14, 2014 May 14, 2014 THE TOWNS COUNTY HERALD Page 11 Towns County Sports Towns County’s Leader In Sports www.townscountyherald.net • E-mail: [email protected] Special Olympics athletes shine during Towns-Union Spring Games “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” By Michelle Pyrlik Towns County Herald Sports Special

Thursday, May 8th was a wonderful day for the Towns- Union Spring Special Olympics, held at the Towns County High School track and field. Thank you to all the parents and community members who came out to support us. Parents & students of all age levels from both Towns and Union Schools had a day that they will long remember. The support from Towns County Elementary, Middle, and High Schools was enormous. Students from all three schools The Towns County representatives at Spring Games. Special Olympics photos by Lowell Nicholson The Games’ Emcee Rodney Anderson (right) is an inspiration to all. rallied around their peers to cheer them on and support them along the way. My thanks go out to Amy Gibby Rosser, Erin Schuette, Tonia Weaver, and Becky Tracy as they have served on the Special Olympics committee that meets in Young Harris monthly to col- laborate with Union County for as long as I can remember. That is where the organization of the event comes together. They make sure the forms are completed, physi- cals are up to date, and students are listed for their chosen events among many other things. We appreciate Jeff, Brit- tany, Katie, and Sara Scott for helping us remember Lisa Scott, a long time para-professional in the special education department, at The Special Olympics are very dear to Coach Jeannie Ledford (left). Avita and its clients and staff at the Towns-Union Special Olympics Spring games. Photo/submitted the event that she loved the most. of the day. medal in javelin and two silver one laughing all the way to their venir. 21st Century made a very with the sound system, tables, All Towns County shirts were McConnell Memorial Bap- medals for shot put and discus. He event. We appreciate Jimmy taking pretty Olympics themed banner. chairs, etc. We appreciate the many donated by the Scott family in lov- tist Church provided an excellent made the 2000 Paralympics team time out of his busy schedule to There aren’t enough words tables & chairs that you brought ing memory of Lisa Scott. Lisa’s lunch as well as drinks to the and traveled to Sydney, Australia, come by. We could tell that he truly to say what Jeannie Ledford ac- out for the comfort of the athletes 11 month old grandson, Bryer, thirsty athletes during and after the to compete. He is a competitive loves what he does. complishes for Special Olympics and families. Thanks to all of the was there to watch the events and events. Many people volunteered hunter & fisher, ranking in the Dr. King and the robotics each year. She not only coordi- student helpers. seemed to enjoy the atmosphere. from the church to make this an top 10 for the 2010 PVA Bass club brought out some fascinat- nates all the athletic events, but So many people baked The Blue Ridge Mountain excellent meal for the athletes, Tour. He has actually completed ing robots built by Towns County she also coordinates the Battle for us and brought desserts that EMC has been gracious enough their parents, and the staff. a “Grand Slam” in turkey hunting students. Mrs. Main and the LEO Buddies. They become friends were delicious: Julie Wilson, Ra- to loan us their tent(s) now for Rodney Anderson did an which means you must harvest club have been volunteering to and partners with our athletes chael Queen, Melissa McConnell, years. We loved the extra large outstanding job as the announcer. one of each subspecies of turkeys: help with this event for several throughout the events. Heather Moss, Erica Chastain, replacement tent they provided as Mr. Anderson is a local hero, a par- Osceola, Eastern, Rio Grande, and years now and once again pro- Thank you to Mrs. Bridges Lisa Cole, Kathleen Chiri, Aman- their others were destroyed in the alyzed veteran who has competed Merriam’s. He served a source of vided a booth for entertainment. & Mrs. Berrong’s BETA club and da Woodward, Rachel Pietz, and wind. Thanks to Jason Holdaway in the National Veterans Wheel- inspiration to all the athletes that Mrs. Vardo and the HOSA club to Jeff Stowers & crew for the Christie Melton. and the students who helped him chair Games and was selected he came to know that day. made personalized glittery posters beautiful paper flames & crowns. Thank you to all the teach- with the set-up and take down of for the World Games in 1999 as The athletes were enter- for each athlete. All the kids got No child left theirs behind. Thank ers & para’s who brought your this tent. The shade is much ap- part of Team USA. He traveled tained before the events began by to take them home after the event. you to Mr. Perren, Pat & Cody students and helped them have a preciated during the hottest time to New Zealand and won a gold Jimmy the clown! He had every- Each athlete took theirs as a sou- for taking care of all of ours needs great time. tee and start taking some prac- Joe tice swings being careful to not Collins hit the tee but simply swing over NASCAR 2014 the top of it to make sure you By Gerald Hodges/the Racing Reporter can maintain your balance. If about that and keep that between you can barely brush the top of Gordon outlasts Harvick at Kansas me and Jack (Roush) and Steve Tips from the Range the tee then your balance is close showed he of his first Cup victory, which Newmark.” I have heard it said that to being proper. Now comes the can still get the job done, as he came in 1994 at Charlotte in the Biffle was more reluctant there is only one swing for more difficult part of finding the held off a hard charging Kevin Coca-Cola 600. to discuss his contract, even every club and I agree with this exact location to place the ball Harvick to win Saturday night’s “Yeah, that was just a implying that his contract talks statement, for the most part. in your stance. Cup race by less than two-car- very special moment to relive,” center around the 3M Corpora- Every swing has consistent To find the best ball po- lengths. Gordon said. “Such a great mo- tion, the sponsor on his No. 16. fundamentals and is dependent sition, place the head of your “I am absolutely, 100 per- “Kevin was extremely ment in my career. Hard to be- upon certain repeatable motions 3-wood behind the middle tee fast,” said Gordon. “I got a lieve it’s 20 years ago. But what cent lined up with where I am,” and make your normal take said Biffle. “I enjoy being at but every swing is not the same. little loose there at the end and an amazing day to go to Char- Each club is unique in its design away. Make sure you swing I knew it was going to be close. lotte in the 600, such a tough Roush Fenway. I love 3M. We the club down the same way as have a great relationship and and function, therefore; the “We had a fast car, but race, compete against the best swing involved with each club you always do and try to make the key to our win was the fast guys. Jeff Gordon wins at Kansas Fur- the program works really, really well for 3M ... Plain and simply. will be unique. contact with the forward tee. pit stops, and how we were able “ was cer- nished by GM The spot where the club hits the second. There is a bunch of new people When striking most iron to get out ahead of him as we tainly very strong that day and shots, you will make a divot. ground is the exact position your cycled through our last stop.” the car to beat. Then Ray Ever- “He had a very, very fast trying to get their arms around truck,” Crafton said. all of the business. A wedge will typically make a ball needs to be in order to make Polesitter, Kevin Har- nham made a great two-tire longer and deeper divot than a good contact with a fairway vick dominated early, but found call. We had a fast race car, but “We were just a little “They’ve got a lot of bit scared. We wanted to make business units inside that ‘3M’ 5-iron. These divot patterns are wood on a normal shot or in himself stuck in the middle of that two-tire call made the dif- in direct relation to the length other words, the spot where the the field about midway of the ference. another track bar change, but I ... which likes having all these was afraid to make any more ad- sponsors in the garage part of of the club you’re using, so the club head impacted the ground race. He struggled with an ill- “To see the emotions that is the ball position spot you handling car that hampered his I went through because it meant justments, because it might hurt one company. longer the shaft then the shal- more than help.” “I’ve got options. I know lower the divot. Since this is should use when playing fair- ability to return to the form he so much. Twenty years, wow, way woods. As I stated earlier, showed early in the race. His was third, I’m going to be racing. I know true, then it stands to reason that it’s hard to believe, but it’s been your fundamentals need to be team continued to make chas- amazing. followed by , Tay- I’m going to be driving a car. So there should be little evidence sis adjustments, which helped “I know that time is run- lor Malsam, Jeb Burton, German I’m not worried about it.” of impact when using a fairway solid to make consistent impact him get back to the front. On ning short. I can’t say I’m sit- Quiroga, Ron Hornaday, Joe Edwards finished sixth wood. In other words, a fairway with fairway woods. Do not let lap 208 Harvick reclaimed the ting here concerned about it. Nemechek, and Mason Mingus. in the Kansas race, while Biffle wood should simply sweep the your head move and make sure race lead, but he had to make I’ve had an amazing career. I’ve Top-10 leaders after 3 came in 16th. ball off of the turf and this is one you keep your eye on the ball. one last stop for fuel. accomplished more than I ever of 22: 1. Crafton-120, 2. Pe- Weekend Racing: The of the most difficult actions to Impact has to be precise to hit He struggled on pit road, thought that I would. This year ters-112, 3. Hornaday-112, 4. Truck and Cup teams will be perform with a golf club. This a good shot off the fairway so and was unable to make up the my focus is on what a great race Quiroga-109, 5. Sauter-105, 6. at the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor fact alone is why fairway wood swing smooth and keep your ground he lost and had to settle car and race team that we have. R. Blaney-101, 7. J. Burton-98, Speedway for two night races, shots demand precision and the grip light. Stay away from the for second when the checkered “I think it’s just part of 8. Kennedy-96, 9. D. Wal- while the Nationwide teams swing must be nearly perfect to ball and always let your arms flag waved. my personality or maybe part lace-90, 10. Townley-87. travel to Newton, Iowa (a 7/10ths consistently hit good fairway straighten through impact. Prac- “What put us in second of a race car driver’s personality EDWARDS AND BIFFLE mile track). The Charlotte Cup wood shots. tice is crucial when learning to is, I didn’t get down pit road that I don’t look too far ahead. I CONTRACTS UP IN AIR race will be a non-points race. Proper impact with a fair- hit this shot. very good there coming to the worry about the things that I can The 2014 NASCAR sea- Fri., May 16, Truck Se- way wood is totally dependent Okay, we have now cov- pit box,” Harvick said. “I kind control. Right now the things I son isn’t half over, and already ries race 4 of 22; Starting time: on solid fundamentals. It is ered the basic swing develop- of ran out of gas, and I was pay- can control is that race car on the there is talk about driver con- 8 pm; TV: FoxSports1. extremely important to have the ment aspects and I hope it has ing attention to the fuel pres- weekends, working as hard as I tracts. Sat., May 17, Sprint Cup correct ball position and to main- been helpful. I would like to sure gauge instead of the pit can with the team to get the best Two of the drivers, whose Series All Star race; Starting tain your balance throughout the start having some fun by helping road light. I lost some results. contracts will expire at the end time: 7 pm ET; TV: FoxSports1. swing. The bottom of the swing you with your swing problems. time there, but I was able to “We’re off to a great start. of this season are Sun., May 18, Nationwide arc must coincide with the posi- I will need to know if the ball is find a groove that worked really Right now I’m healthy. I’m in and . Both drive Series race 10 of 33; Starting tion of the ball almost perfectly. starting off on the target line and well near the end. I slipped with good shape. I’m having a lot of Roush Fenway Racing Fords. time: 1:30 pm ET; TV: ESPN. If the ball is too far forward in moving one way or another or if about eight or nine laps to go. fun. We’re very competitive out Last week at Kansas, Racing Trivia Question: the stance then you will hit it thin the ball is starting off left or right I was able to make the ground there. That’s taking all of my at- Biffle talked to the media about What year did Carl Edwards be- and end up with what many golf- of where you are aiming. Please back up, but not get by Jeff.” tention. Besides the time I spend his on-going negotiations, while gin his NASCAR career in the ers call a “worm burner”. If the e-mail me at ngnews@wind- , Joey Lo- with my family, that’s where my Edwards maintained a wall of Truck series? ball is too far back in the stance stream.net with any questions gano, Jr., Carl focus is.” silence. Last Week’s Question: then you will top the shot and you have. You will be surprised Edwards, Danica Patrick, Aric “ROWDY” KYLE RUNS “You guys know that I Who won the first Kansas Cup the ball won’t go very far. So, by how common your flaws Almirola, and AWAY AT KANSAS don’t like to talk about that stuff race, which was in 2001? An- how do we determine the correct are among most golfers. I will were the remain- completely in the media,” said Edwards. swer. Jeff Gordon. ball position to use when playing analyze your issue and discuss ing top-10. dominated Friday night’s Truck “To me, that is business and I You may contact the a fairway wood shot? I am so it here in “Tips”. Go ahead and Top-16 Chase leaders Series race at Kansas Speedway. have made the mistake of letting Racing Reporter at hodges@ glad you asked. give it a shot. I bet I can help. after 11 of 36: 1. Gordon-394, He led 8 times for 104-laps in that turn into a big media thing race500.com. First, take your normal Good luck and I will see you on 2. Kenseth-379, 3. Kyle the 167-lap race.. before so I would rather not talk stance and push a short tee into the course! Busch-373, 4. Earnhardt-368, 5. The victory was the sec- Summer baseball camps the ground aligned just inside Edwards-367, 6. Logano-346, 7. ond of the season in a truck for your front foot and in line with Johnson-340, 8. Newman-332, Busch. It was his 37th in the YHC’s Head Coach Rick the swing path so that the top VFW Golf 9. Biffle-328, 10. Vickers-327, series and it came by 3.021 sec- Robinson & his staff of college of said tee is the same height as League news 11. Keselowski-326, 12. Ham- onds over second-place Matt coaches coordinate all insruction the turf grass and located at the lin-318, 13. Larson-318, 14. A. Crafton. to ensure a professional experi- Bill Kiser is back, the proper distance away to play crafty Kiser led his team of Dillon-306, 15. Harvick-302, The win helped ease the ence for your player(s)! This is a a 3-wood shot. Next, place 16. Kahne-294. pain of four DNF’s that he has camp that will help the motivated Frontz Goring, Gary Nichols another tee about 8 inches back and Richard to 10 strokes under Gordon became the experienced in the Cup Series at player to get better in a positive from the front tee, at the same ninth driver to win a Cup race Kansas. atmosphere. for a par 62 for the day. They height, but still in line with your had an outstanding eagle on hole this season. It was his 89th ca- “It was a really good Two Camp Weeks: June take away path. Now, place reer victory. He is third behind race for us,” said Busch. “We 17. I am sure we will be seeing 23-27 & July 14-18. Three camps another tee 12 inches behind (200) and David unloaded fast, just made some are offered each week to accom- more of Kiser’s teams this sum- Pearson (105) on the Sprint slight changes to it, and played the middle tee again at the same mer. June 3rd we will be playing modate players of all ages and height and on the same line as Cup all-time win list. around with some things trying levels of play. Visit us on the web Registration open: 10% in Helen, tee time 9 a.m. sharp. the other two. Place the head of Last week Gordon cel- to make it better in practice.” for more details @ www.TheRock- discount for early registration Again a reminder all Thursday ebrated the 20th anniversary Matt Crafton finished Sports.com (before June1). your 3-wood behind the middle play starts at 9 a.m. sharp.