Sports

Above are the undefeated Gilmer Recreation and Parks 13 and under girls softball team. From left, coach Jeff Wilcox, Layla Duvall, Parker Blue Williams, Trinity Johnson, Isabella Teams, Natalie Wilcox, Jesse Wheeler, Melissa Rasmussen, coach Roberto Murillo, Jocelyn McCollum, Abby Murillo, coach Joseph McCollum and Bailee Cartin. ​​​​​​​

Above are the undefeated Gilmer Recreation and Parks 13 and under girls softball team. From left, coach Jeff Wilcox, Layla Duvall, Parker Blue Williams, Trinity Johnson, Isabella Teams, Natalie Wilcox, Jesse Wheeler, Melissa Rasmussen, coach Roberto Murillo, Jocelyn McCollum, Abby Murillo, coach Joseph McCollum and Bailee Cartin. ​​​​​​​

Jennifer Woods competes in the trick portion of the event.

Jennifer Woods competes in the trick portion of the event.

Summer started

Whitestone Lake Estates held the annual Summer Starter June 8-9. Skiers participated in slalom, trick and jump. 
Gilmer High 2024 graduate Austin Zabala will enroll at Shorter University this fall, and he will pitch for the Hawks.

Gilmer High 2024 graduate Austin Zabala will enroll at Shorter University this fall, and he will pitch for the Hawks.

Ace pitcher Zabala joins Shorter Hawks

Austin Zabala was the winning pitcher in Gilmer High’s state playoff victory as a senior, and he is ready for more success at the next level. Zabala will continue his educational and baseball pursuits at Shorter University.
Safety Grant Ballew intercepts an Indian pass on the goal line.

Safety Grant Ballew intercepts an Indian pass on the goal line.

Bobcats let it fly

Football season is right around the corner, and the Gilmer High Bobcats have entered their third week of preseason preparations. Seventy-five players are on the roster, and they report at 6:45 a.m. four days per week. By 7 a.m., the Bobcats are stretching in the gym ahead of weight lifting.
Above are members of the Gilmer Swim team prior to their first meet of the summer at the Cherokee Aquatic Center.

Above are members of the Gilmer Swim team prior to their first meet of the summer at the Cherokee Aquatic Center.

Gilmer swimmers continue improvements

Gilmer swimmers were in Cartersville for their latest meet of the summer. The Bobcats took on the host Cobias and Pickens Sea Dragons at Dellinger Park. Twenty-one Gilmer swimmers were in attendance, and the meet was the third of the season.
Gilmer’s Sara Mosley is overjoyed following another big hit for the University of Georgia this past season. She wrapped up her Bulldog softball career with a third straight selection to the All-SEC first team. (Photo Courtesy of UGA Athletic Association)

Gilmer’s Sara Mosley is overjoyed following another big hit for the University of Georgia this past season. She wrapped up her Bulldog softball career with a third straight selection to the All-SEC first team. (Photo Courtesy of UGA Athletic Association)

Mosley cements UGA legacy

Sara Mosley is simply one of the best players to ever set foot in UGA’s Jack Turner Stadium. The Gilmer County native and University of Georgia slugger endured the demands and expectations of softball at its highest level, and she came away a better person for it.
Above is Gilmer’s Cheyne Smith and below is Yana Jones, who swam in both meets held in Cherokee County last week.

Above is Gilmer’s Cheyne Smith and below is Yana Jones, who swam in both meets held in Cherokee County last week.

Summer swim season begins for local youth

The summer swim season got rolling last week for the county’s youth. Gilmer was at the Cherokee Aquatic Center Thursday for a four-team meet, and the Bobcats and Lady Cats came away with numerous top placements. Ronald Sturgis (15-18 age group) led the way in the 50-yard breast stroke (33.
Gilmer Bobcats

Gilmer Bobcats

Sports Shorts ...

Summer vacation has arrived for the county’s students, and Gilmer High School will hold its annual slate of summer youth sports camps, which continued this week. Homegrown Wrestling Camp will be June 20-21 at the new Noah Harris Center (old LWEC gym) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
New Gilmer cheer director Lori Cantrell is joined by husband Jody Cantrell and daughters Lola Howard and Jada Howard.

New Gilmer cheer director Lori Cantrell is joined by husband Jody Cantrell and daughters Lola Howard and Jada Howard.

Cantrell set to lead GHS cheer

Lori Cantrell has been tabbed to lead cheerleading in the county. Cantrell, 41,  was hired to be Gilmer’s new cheer director May 21 following Noami Esparza’s resignation. Cantrell will oversee the competition and sideline cheer teams at Gilmer High.