Sports

The Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, was the place to be July 22 through July 25 as the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) conducted its 2015 world Tournament. Nearly 5,000 student archers from all over the world including the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom (UK), South Africa and Namibia were in town.
In all, 29 flights of nearly 190 archers per flight competed. The kids in NASP destroyed the NASP World Tournament record, as 4,871 actually shot in this year’s world. [Full Story »] 

By Travis Niblett
This is our first installment of what I hope to be a long running series of articles. Our aim is to better inform all of the citizens of Dodge County what we can offer them at the Eastman-Dodge Recreation Department. Here is a run down on our current events.
It’s almost football season, and we just held fall registration for football, cheer leading and soccer from August 4-8. Turnout was good, but in an attempt to make sure no child is left out, we are extending our registration through August 17. We hope to have tables set-up at North Dodge and South Dodge Elementary to take registrations the night of open house, August 17. [Full Story »] 

On July 20, 2015, Conservation Ranger Allen Mills offered a hunter safety course to Dodge County 4-Hers. Five Dodge County 4-Hers participated in and fully completed the course and received their certification. 4-H Competition Shotgun Team participants must be upcoming seventh through twelfth grade students and must hold a hunter safety certification. The competition BB team consists of students nine years of age through eighth grade. If interested in participating in either of these programs, please contact the Dodge County 4-H office at 478-374-8138.

The Dodge County 10 and under (10U) all star softball team finished up its season by placing fourth at the state tournament held in Adel from July 7 to July 10. Dodge began the tournament by defeating Cook County in the opening round. They then fell to the eventual state champion team, Jeff Davis, in a hard-fought game. Dodge then faced Reidsville, the team that defeated Dodge in the district tournament. Dodge avenged the district loss by defeating Reidsville 5-3, advancing to the final four of the state tournament. Dodge concluded the tournament by falling to state runner-up Bacon County in a very rigorous game.  [Full Story »] 

By Taelor Rye
Five tennis players from Dodge County competed in the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) state tournament, which began on Tuesday, July 14, and will continue until Thursday, July 16. The tournament is the culmination of performances from this season and takes place in Moultrie.
The competitors from Dodge County are the champions for Region 1: Logan White, Dallas Hardin, Mattie Grace Hutcheson, Meredith Hutcheson and Brenna Hutcheson. [Full Story »] 

The Eastman-Dodge County Recreation Department 10 and under (10U) girls softball all-star team will be completing its season this week as it competes in the state tournament in Adel. The girls have competed in numerous tournaments during the all-star season. The team began the season by placing third in the Telfair All-Star tournament. It followed that showing up by winning the Hawkinsville All-Star tournament. After winning sub-regions, the team finished as runner-up in the very difficult district tournament, earning a spot among the final eight teams in the state tournament this week. The team faced Cook County on Tuesday in the first round of state play. Team members (first row, l-r) Ashlyn Grauberger, Rebecca Bowling, Alyssa Reed, Ava Maxwell, Kadee Walker and Reagan Boney; (second row, l-r) JaiunaVae Patillo, Dylana Barton, Graci Mann, Kate Jones, Halle Wise and Skye Meadows; and (third row, l-r) coaches, Chip Mann, Dylan Barton and Josh Maxwell.

The 12 and under (12U) Dodge County All Stars girls softball team traveled to Claxton to compete in the district tournament June 19 through June 24. The girls went undefeated in district play. They began on June 19 with their first win against Hawkinsville 1-0. Dodge went on to play Metter, winning 17-10 and also adding a win over Bleckley 19-3. Dodge advanced to the championship game, defeating Hawkinsville 10-1. The girls advanced to the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association State Playoffs to be held in Adele July 7 through July 10. The first game will be on Tuesday, July 7, at 6:00 p.m. Pictured (first row, l-r) Jessie Trawick, Annie Jones, Logan White, Kyla Howell and Mattie Grace Hutcheson; (second row, l-r) Bailey Harvey, Gracie Lewis, Makiyah Roberson, Sydney Powell, Kaylee Mullis, Linzy Bowen and Jacey Hickman; and (third row, l-r) coaches Al Lewis, Shawn Powell and Derek Hutcheson.

The fifth annual Derek “Dee” Taylor Memorial Softball Tournament will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2015, at the Eastman-Dodge County Recreation Department. [Full Story »] 

Gone fishin’. That’s what 190 kids from across Georgia did when they took to the waters of the Dodge County Public Fishing Area on Saturday, June 6, 2015. They came from near and far… from Eastman to McRae, Cochran to Jonesboro, to participate in the 32nd annual Dodge County Kid’s Fishing Rodeo.
Like last year, all of the children were allowed to fish from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., the entire duration of the rodeo. Some were bringing in their prized fish to be weighed early while others waited until the last few minutes to keep trying for that “big one!” [Full Story »] 

A men’s softball and church co-ed softball league will start at the Eastman-Dodge Recreation Department soon.
Teams are being sought for the league play.
The Eastman-Dodge Recreation Department is located on the Dublin Highway in Eastman.
For more information, please contact Keith Peterson at 478-308-3543.

On Thursday, May 28, 2015 Cain Peterson signed a baseball scholarship with Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton. Peterson played baseball with the Dodge County High School Indians and batted .517 with three home runs and 23 runs batted in this past season. He has a 3.7 grade point average and graduated from DCHS on May 29. Peterson is the son of Jonica Peterson and Tierre McNair and has a sister, Harley Peterson. Pictured (l-r) ABAC coach, Brandon Reeder, Peterson and DCHS head baseball coach, Matt Herring.

The weather was perfect on Saturday, May 16, as the Eastman-Dodge Kiwanis Club held their 23rd annual Kiwanis Golf Tournament. The tournament was held at the Dodge County Golf Course in Eastman.
Nineteen teams enjoyed the friendly competition, fellowship and the chance to win money prizes and bragging rights on that day. [Full Story »] 

The Dodge County High School varsity boys will hold a summer basketball camp Tuesday, June 2 through Thursday, June 4. This camp will be for boys and girls, age seven to 17. The camp will be held at the Eastman-Dodge Recreation Department from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. [Full Story »] 

Two Dodge County High School golf team members competed in the state AAA sectionals on Monday, May 4 in Waycross. Representing the Indians was Michael Clardy and Kristin Holland represented the Lady Indians. Clardy made a strong showing by shooting a 91 at Laura Walker State Park. He missed qualifying for the state finals by four strokes. Holland qualified for state finals by shooting a 94 at Okeefenokee Country Club. She will travel to Roswell on Monday, May 18 and compete in the state golf finals.