Local Athletes Shine: Celebrating Achievements and Upcoming Events

By Jerome Bryant

The local sports scene has been buzzing with outstanding achievements and exciting events on the horizon. Let’s take a moment to recognize our young athletes' hard work and dedication who have made us proud and look forward to some thrilling upcoming activities.

A huge congratulations to Alexandria Lofton from Columbus High School for clinching the gold medal with the USA Junior Olympic team in women’s flag football! Alexandria’s journey to this prestigious accomplishment is a tale of incredible talent and relentless hard work. Her invitation to try out for the team was well-earned, and she competed fiercely against top players from across the nation. Securing one of only 12 spots on the roster is a testament to her exceptional skill and determination. 

Congratulations are also for Shaw High School cheerleader Jabria Brown, who has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the only finalist from our area to reach the top 30 for the prestigious Cheerleader of the Year award. Jabria will compete for a spot on the All-State team and the coveted title on August 3rd at CSU. Her hard work and enthusiasm are truly inspiring, and we wish her the best of luck!

Harris County Tigers alum Cole Mathis has made headlines by being drafted by the Chicago Cubs with the 54th overall pick! This is a tremendous achievement and a proud moment for our community. Congratulations, Cole, on this well-deserved recognition and best wishes for a successful career in professional baseball.

Carver High School’s Tony Montgomery has recently committed to Troy University to play Basketball. This commitment marks a significant step in Tony’s athletic journey, and we are excited to see his continued success. Congratulations to Nevaeh Jackson of Central High on signing with Huntingdon College for Girls Wrestling. Nevaeh’s dedication to her sport and her impressive skills have earned her this fantastic opportunity. We look forward to watching her excel at the collegiate level.

Central High School Red Devils’ standout Monterrius Echols is headed to Georgia State to play football, while his teammate Day Upshaw is set to join Miami University. Both athletes have shown exceptional talent and commitment and are both State Champions!

Looking ahead, join Coach Grier and the Columbus High Blue Devil Flag Football Team for an action-packed one-day camp at Kinnett Stadium! This camp is open to all boys and girls, ages 9-12, and welcomes all skill levels. The camp will take place on Saturday, August 3rd, from 9 AM to 12 PM at Kinnett Stadium in Columbus. For a cost of $50 per camper, participants will receive a camp shirt and engage in activities including agility drills, flag pulling, passing and catching skills, and ball techniques. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn and have fun with flag football!

As our local athletes continue to achieve great heights, let’s come together to support and celebrate their hard work and dedication. Stay tuned for more updates and mark your calendars for the upcoming events and games, as high school football kickoffs in less than 20 days!!