Teams are to be congratulated
Like almost all of Franklin County, here at the Times we are bursting with pride for all the athletic success our local teams have had this year.
The Russellville High School Class 5A baseball championship is the latest in what seems to be an unparalleled stream of sports victories that have come to student athletes in 2017. The Golden Tigers three-peat as the state champs, and we want to join every Golden Tiger fan in congratulating them on an awe-inspiring season.
Baseball isn’t the only sport where the Golden Tigers have seen success this spring. For the third year in a row, the Russellville boys golf team clinched an opportunity to compete at state. Although the team fell short of last year’s second place finish, coming in fourth, the state appearance alone shows the skill and determination of these high school golfers, and they too are to be commended. The girls golf reigns as sectional champs for the third consecutive year. Golden Tiger tennis also sent representatives to state after the girls won, and the boys came in runner-up, in Section 8.
Of course, Russellville’s inaugural soccer season went beyond anyone’s expectations. We all thought we would have a great season, but who could have foreseen such an outstanding performance from the fledgling team? We certainly extend our congratulations to these boys, who advanced all the way to the quarterfinals in their first season.
In softball and track, also, our Golden Tigers showed great skill and determination, and we are proud of their success, along with every other team.
When it comes to state victories, Golden Tiger baseball wasn’t the only team coming home as champs. We’d like to extend a hearty congratulations to the Phil Campbell Fishing Team, which took first place in the state in the Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association. We’ve heard there are those who say, “fishing isn’t a sport” – well, we have a feeling these young men would beg to differ. Their dedication to bass fishing is impressive and not something just anyone can do. We hope you will join us in congratulating them on their success.
It doesn’t stop there. Phil Campbell and Belgreen’s softball teams both competed at regionals. Several of our county schools, including Belgreen, Red Bay and Vina, sent track athletes to state. Red Bay’s Anna Seahorn competed at state for golf. And the list goes on. And that’s not even to mention all the senior student-athletes who have signed scholarships to continue their athletic careers at the college level, of which there are many.
Time – and space in this paper – would fail us to mention every instance of success our student-athletes have claimed this spring, and to us that is something that calls for celebration. As we cover news and events across the county, we find that everyone has a story to tell. What amazing stories can be told by these high-achieving athletes! If you know one of these winning students, be sure to take the opportunity to give them a high five or a slap on the back and tell them how proud you are. Everyone enjoys a little praise now and then – and these scores of young people certainly deserve it.
