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2018 Year in Review – Coffee County Claybusters
As 2018 draws to a close, Thunder Radio Sports looks back at some of the highlights of the calendar year for each of the more than 40 prep teams we follow and report on. Today we look back at the year for the Coffee County Claybusters.
Fielding arguably the most successful youth teams in this area for the last decade, the Claybusters continued to add to their trophy case in 2018. Earning 3 team titles at the American Trapshooting Associations AIM Grand Championship in Sparta, Illinois in August, the Claybusters completed their most successful season ever. Thunder Radio reported on the Claybusters success at the AIM Grand Championships in a story we brought to you on August 6th.
Coffee County Claybusters pose at the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) Grand American World Trapshooting Championships at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC) in Sparta, Illinois.
The Coffee County Claybusters enjoyed their most successful performance ever in the annual AIM Grand Championship which concluded on Tuesday. Four of the five squads competing placed in the national event held annually in Sparta, IL. The Claybusters came home with an impressive three 1st place team finishes and a runner-up.
The Junior Gold Division(18 to 22 year olds) captured a national title as they bested Dirty Mike & the Boys from Arkansas 970 to 968. The Junior Gold team was led by Jordan Osborne who had rounds of 99 and 07 to score 196 out of 200 clays. Mikayla Dickson and Travis Dickson each shattered 194 clays. Neil Slone and Tanner Carlton powdered 193 targets.
The Sub-Junior Division(ages 12 to 14) Class A team also captured a national title as they out shot the Hardin County Hitmen from Savannah 958 to 947. The leading shooter for the Sub-Juniors was Tucker Carlton who shot a 197, including a perfect round of 100 on Tuesday. Landon Meadows hit 195 while twin brother Logan shot down 191 clays. Jonah Wyatt blasted 188 out of a possible 200 while Lexi Stacey shattered 186.
The Junior Division(ages 15 to 17) also captured a first place trophy as they beat Frederick County 4H out of Maryland by 10 targets. The Claybusters were led by Victoria Majors who dropped 195 targets. Cheyenne Martin hit 187, Dylan Hickerson dumped 11 clays, Xavier Bartley shot down 180 and Emily DeFord powders 166.
The Sub-Junior Division(ages 12 to 14) Class C team captured a runner-up finish as they fell to Southwest out of Missouri by a final tally of 874 to 869. Leading the way was Brason Fletcher who shot a 179. Brayden Davenport dropped 176 clays while Aubrey Payne shot 174. Garrett Taylor finished with a score of 171 and Blaine Schreck had a 169
To get more information about the Claybusters, you can visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/145542225487727/ The Claybusters are coached by Scott Dickson, Barry Carlton, and Heath Jacobs.
2018 Year in Review – Boys’ Soccer
As 2018 draws to a close, Thunder Radio Sports looks back at some of the highlights of the calendar year for each of the more than 40 prep teams we follow and report on. Today we look back at some of the highlights of year for the boys’ soccer teams at Coffee County CHS and Coffee County and Westwood middle schools.
The highlight of the year had to be the exciting conference championship won by the Westwood Rockets on penalty kicks. Thunder Radio was on hand to bring you the story, including video of the championship winning kick, in a story we published on April 23rd:
2018 Westwood Rockets soccer team with their CTSC trophy
Dynasty!
For the 4th year in a row, the Westwood Middle School soccer team claimed the Central Tennessee Soccer Conference title. The Rockets nailed down the iconic feat with a thrilling 1 to 0 decision over St. Andrews-Sewanee on Saturday at Dyer-Bouldin Field in a match that was decided by a shootout.
After a scoreless 60 minutes of regulation soccer, the two teams battled through a 10 minutes of extra time without a score. Westwood controlled possession in extra time but were unable to get a quality shot on frame as 5 shot attempts sailed high or wide.
In the penalty kick round, the Rockets’ John Martinez, Keiton Sherrill, Nico Sanfilipo and Kevin Perigrino all nailed their shots; matched by the first 4 shooters of the Mountain Lions. In the 5th round, the St. Andrews’ kicker missed in his attempt to go high left leaving the match and the title on Tucker Brown’s foot. Brown bent a shot to the low left past the diving Lions’ keeper for the win.
Check out the game-winning shot in a video HERE
The Coffee County Middle School soccer team enjoyed a resurgence of fortunes in 2018 with a young roster and a pair of new coaches. One of the highlights for the young Raiders was a dominant conference win over North Franklin on April 3rd. Thunder Radio reported on the win with the following story:
Javier Rodriquez of CCMS soccer
The Coffee County Middle School soccer team welcomed North Franklin to CCMS on Tuesday. Having not played since March 15th, the Red Raiders were able to shake off a brutal loss in their last game. The Raiders used five 1st half goals to roll to a 7 to 2 conference win.
Two goals in the first 10 minutes allowed the Raiders to get control of the match early. Coffee Middle added 3 more 1st half goals to lead 5 nil at intermission. The teams traded a pair of goals each in the 2nd half. Javier Rodriquez scored 4 goals, Reuben Alvarez and Jamie Norris each added a single goal and Coffee County also got the benefit of an own goal by North Franklin. Coffee County also won the JV game 4 to 0 as Norris added 3 goals and Alex Prater added the other goal. The win evens the Raiders conference record at 2 and 2.
Coffee County is back in action on Friday when they open play in the Red Raider Invitational at the Raider Academy. The Raiders open play at 5 PM as they will take on Prescott Middle. That game will take place on the football field at Carden-Jarrell Field.
2018 CHS Soccer seniors being recognized on Senior Night. [Photo by Pascale Randolph]
Celebrating Senior Night on Friday, the Coffee County Red Raider soccer teamed scored early and often as they mauled Fayetteville. Celebrating the careers of 7 seniors, the Red Raiders made short work of the Tigers. Coffee County cruised to the 8 to 0 win.
The Raiders built a 3 to 0 halftime lead, beginning with a beautiful goal from a pair of seniors in the 11th minute. Ben Reid made a long run upfield from his defenders position to convert an assist from David Morales to make it 1 to 0. Senior Tyler Walker added a pair of goals, one off an assist from fellow senior Paco Barrera in the 28th minute and one off a Ben Reid free kick in the 29th.
In the second half, Briggs Haithcock tallied a goal in the 47th minute off a feed from senior Cameron Kistler. Senior Paco Barrera added an unassisted goal in the 48th minute. Walker drove home an assist from Kistler in the 59th minute to make it 6 to 0. Barrera added a goal in the 62nd from Walker and Matteo Meazzi notched a goal off a feed from Kistler to make it 8 to 0 in the 75th minute.
Coffee County will close out the regular season on Tuesday as they travel to Tullahoma for the annual Coffee Cup game. That match will kick off at 7 PM at Tullahoma’s East Middle School.
2018 Year in Review – Prep Tennis
As 2018 draws to a close, Thunder Radio Sports looks back at some of the highlights of the calendar year for each of the more than 40 prep teams we follow and report on. Today we look back at some of the highlights of year for the tennis teams at Coffee County CHS and Coffee County and Westwood middle schools.
Jayda Wright of CCMS tennis
The Coffee County Middle School tennis program continued to show great promise as the girls team finished the year with a perfect record. The Raiders and Lady Raiders got a sweep in their final home match of the year against St. Andrews-Sewanee and Thunder Radio reported on it in a story we brought you on April 17th
The Coffee County Middle School tennis teams welcomed St. Andrew’s-Sewanee to the Raider Academy Courts on Monday. The Lady Raiders won all 3 of the contested singles matches to capture a 7 to 0 win. The Red Raiders eked out a 4 to 3 win as they won all 4 of the matches that they were able to contest.
The Lady Raiders got wins in singles play from Jayda Wright(6-4), Marley Perry(6-0) and Anna Amado(6-0). Lucy Riddle(7-5) and Kylie Millaway(6-0) earned exhibition wins in singles. The doubles teams of Paige Meadows/Mallie Fletcher captured a 6 to 1 decision in an exhibition match. The doubles team of Claire Rondelet/Rylie Tucker also won 4 to 2 in their exhibition match.
The Red Raiders got singles wins from Jayden Brown(6-4), Connor Fox(7-5) and Leon Mayo(6 to 4). They clinched the match with a 6 to 4 win in doubles play from the team of Fox and Brown.
Odalis Garcia of CHS tennis
The Coffee County CHS team also grabbed a team sweep in their final regular season match at home against district rival Columbia. Thunder Radio reported on the wins in a story we brought to you on April 20th
The Coffee County CHS tennis team welcomed Columbia to the Raider Academy courts on Thursday for the final regular season match of the year. The Red Raiders captured 6 forfeit wins on their way to a 7 to 0 shutout. The Lady Raiders won 4 of their 5 singles matches to grab a 5 to 2 win.
Senior Grey Riddle was the only Red Raider netter to compete on Thursday as he breezed his way to an 8 to 0 shutout win. The Lady Raiders got singles wins from Natalie Elzeer(8 to 2), Emily Shelton(8 to 5), Wren Lawson(8 to 5) and Odalis Garcia(8 to 1). In doubles play, Garcia teamed with Jessica Barrera to win their match 8 to 1.
The Raider tennis teams will now await the final regular season matches to conclude for seeding in the team district tournament which is scheduled to begin next week. The district singles and doubles tournament is set to begin on Friday, April 27th at Sewanee’s University of the South.
The Westwood tennis teams closed out their home schedule with a team sweep over Harris Middle School. Thunder Radio reported on the wins in a story we brought to you on April 19th
The Westwood tennis team welcomed Harris Middle to Manchester on Wednesday for a match at Fred Deadman Park. The Lady Rockets captured a 4 to 3 win over the Eagles. The Rockets needed a win in doubles play to grab their own 4 to 3 victory.
With only 1 doubles team available for the Westwood boys, Jonathan Nelson and Caleb Simmons teamed up to capture a 6 to 0 doubles win to give the Rockets the clinching 4th win. Nelson won his singles match 6 to 3 while Caleb won his singles match 6 to 2. Also winning in singles play for Westwood was Jeffery Hale who captured a 6 to 4 win.
In girls’ action, Westwood got singles wins from Lauren Perry(6 to 0), Rylea McNamara(6 to 2) and Anna Johnson(6 to 3). The doubles team of Perry and McNamara grabbed a 7 to 6 win.
Westwood is set to travel to McMinnville on Monday for a match with Warren County. That match will get underway at 4 PM.
State Unemployment Rate Drops
Gov. Bill Haslam says the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has dropped by 0.1 percentage points in November to 3.6 percent.
A news release from the governor says employers added 3,400 nonfarm jobs between October and November. It says the biggest jumps were in retail; transportation and warehousing and utilities; and the accommodation and food services sectors. In the last year, Tennessee has added 60,700 nonfarm jobs.
Tennessee’s 3.6 percent unemployment rate in November rose from 3.3 percent in November 2017, while the national unemployment rate decreased from 4.1 percent to 3.7 percent. Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips says the 3.3 percent last year was the state’s all-time lowest jobless rate.
Winter Heating Safety Tips
With only a few days remaining in 2018, fire fatalities in Tennessee have already exceeded their totals from 2017. The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is advising Volunteer State residents that the cold weather season is the deadliest time of the year, and fire-safe behaviors could be the difference between life and death when it comes to home heating fires.
Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fire deaths nationally and the second leading known cause in Tennessee. From November 2017 through the end of February 2018, 33 Tennesseans lost their lives in accidental residential structure fires. Heating was the most common known cause of these fires, causing seven fatalities alone during that time period.
To help Tennesseans stay fire safe, the SFMO offers the following tips:
• Give space heaters space. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.
• Use space heaters that have automatic shut-off features. If the heater tips over, it shuts off.
• Place space heaters on a solid, flat surface. Keep them and their electrical cords away from things that can burn, high traffic areas, and doorways.
• Always turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys inspected every year.
• Burn only dry, seasoned wood in fireplaces and woodstoves. Never burn garbage or use flammable liquids to start a fire.
• Make sure any fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying out. Ashes should be cool before disposing of them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Install wood burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation. All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• If you smell gas coming from your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.
• Install and maintain working smoke alarms. If you need a working smoke alarm, many fire departments across Tennessee provide and install them for free.
For more information on being fire safe, visit tn.gov/fire.
More Money for Soccer Complex
Manchester Parks and Recreation has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation, whose programs serve as the national model for sports-based youth development in underserved communities. This grant is intended to fund LED lighting on two of the soccer fields at the Manchester Sports Complex.
The Soccer Fields at the Manchester Sports Complex is undergoing the third phase of development with the addition of LED lighting and restrooms. The complex with the restrooms and lights will become a complex capable of hosting tournaments and expand soccer play in Manchester and Coffee County.
This grant was awarded as part of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Safe Places to Play program.
Coffee County Good News
Manchester Police giving a helping hand.
Former Coffee County Sheriff Steve Graves and the Coffee County Rescue Squad teaming up with area churches, the Angel Tree and other organizations to distribute to over 1,000 children and families with toys and food for Christmas.
Christmas gifts lined up at the Coffee Co. Rescue Squad
The Tullahoma Fire Department held their annual Toys for Tots campaign helping nearly 200.
Thank you to the many churches took time to take care of their own congregations with gifts of toys and food.
Pictured: B-Shift Firefighters and Wal-Mart Co-workers
Of course, none of this would be possible without the outstanding donations from area businesses and individuals, each group wants to say thank you for what you did.
From everyone at Thunder Radio, thank you for showing everyone in and out of Coffee County what kind of wonderful place we live in.
Al White Ford/Lincoln Gives Back Throughout the Year
Baxter White(in dark blue shirt center right) presents a $8,000 check to CHS soccer coach Robert Harper and the CHS soccer team on May 1st of 2018
During this season of giving, one local business has quietly been at the forefront of helping local sports teams and organizations. Al White Ford/Lincoln of Manchester hosted 11 different fund-raising events in 2018 helping raise more than $75,000 to fund local sports teams. Working with the Ford Motor Company and Lincoln Automotive, Baxter White has coordinated test drive fund-raising events since 2013 to benefit schools, clubs and teams.
In 2018, White coordinated 11 different test drive events which netted more than $75,000 in donations to local teams. Using the Lincoln “Driven to Give” program and the Ford “Drive 4 Your School” programs, Al White Ford/Lincoln has hosted 39 different fund raisers which have raised over a quarter of a million dollars since 2013.
The test drive events use volunteers from the program raising money to accompany folks on a short test drive of a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle. Ford and Lincoln pledge money for each test drive taken, documented by the completion of a questionnaire. Those taking test drive are under no obligation to listen to a sales pitch and no member of the Al White sales staff is present at the event. Look for more events in 2019 and continue to use every opportunity to help local teams and organizations.
12/28/18 — Randy Lynn “Sam” Solomon
RANDY LYNN “SAM” SOLOMON, age 57, of Estill Springs, Tenn., departed this life on Sunday, December 23, 2018, at his residence with his loving family at his side. Mr. Solomon was born in Tullahoma, Tenn., on March 23, 1961, to JD Solomon and the late Mildred Luttrell Solomon. He was a Truck Driver and was employed for the past 25 years with Ameri Gas P.T.I. as a Smith Driver Trainer. Everyone that knew him knew he thoroughly enjoyed his job. Mr. Solomon enjoyed riding off road and visiting with his neighbors. He will be remembered as a loving and dependable son, brother, husband and father.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Solomon was preceded in death by his daughter, Carolyn Suzanne Solomon. He is survived by his wife, Sheila Eley Solomon of Estill Springs, son, Sam Solomon, also of Estill Springs, daughter, Jerri Solomon of Shelbyville, step-daughter, Megan Sitz of Estill Springs, father and step-mother, JD and Helen Solomon of Tullahoma, brothers; Jim Solomon of Estill Springs, Glen (Kay) Solomon of Lynchburg, Greg (Patti) Solomon of Tullahoma, sisters, Beverly (Steve) Miller, Susie (Chip) Richter all of Tullahoma. Several Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Special friend and Pet, Scooter.
Visitation is scheduled for 5:00-8:00 P.M. Thursday evening, December 27, in the Chapel of Grant Funeral Services. Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, December 28, in the Chapel of Grant Funeral Services with Bro. Jerry Stewart, officiating. Interment will follow in the Gault Cemetery in Winchester.
Online live viewing of the service is available by contacting Grant Funeral Services.
12/28/18 — Terry Lynn Brown
Terry Lynn Brown, 61 of Estill Springs, passed this life unexpectedly on
Friday, December 21, 2018 at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville.
Visitation
with the family will be Thursday, December 27 from 5-7 PM at
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held on Friday,
December 28 at 10 AM at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.
Terry, a native of Manchester, was the son of the late Lucius Emory Brown
Sr. and the late Grace Smith Brown. He enjoyed fishing and restoring old
cars. He loved Volkswagens. His favorite times were spent with his
children sharing his talents and knowledge.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, Lucius
Emory Brown Jr.
Mr. Brown is survived by son, Zachary Shane Brown of Hillsboro; daughter,
Taylor Paige Brown of Tullahoma; granddaughter, Adelyn Kapri Brown; one
grandson on the way; brothers, Wayne Brown and his wife, Vickie of
Winchester, Harold Brown and his wife, Deborah of Hillsboro, Larry Brown
and his wife, Faye of Greenhaw and Bill Brown of Manchester and sister,
Linda Brown Weaver of Hillsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in his honor
to Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.