Dawson County Tigers competed across the region this week as the varsity golf teams swung into action for the first time this season, the track and field team competed in a pair of events and the girls’ tennis team squeezed in a regional match before weather once again interrupted the season.

Golf

The Dawson County Tigers golf program opened the season with a nine-hole tournament versus Union County March 13 and brought home their first victory of the year with a resounding 52-stroke margin and a final score of 177-229.

A major concern for boys’ varsity Head Coach Michael Parker was the lack of practice the team had logged prior to the year’s first tournament.

“With the weather, we have not had a ton of practice time,” Parker said. “To see our guys post a solid score was encouraging. As we continue to practice and the weather improves, I expect the score to go lower.”

Sophomore Will Howard led the way with a round of 41 as all six of the Tigers’ top scorers posted scores in the 40’s.

“We have two sophomores and two freshmen amongst our top six,” Parker said.  “So, it was a positive seeing the young guys perform well.”

The Lady Tigers finished the day with similar results as they won their match by a final tally of 160-172.

Kenzie Smith closed out the nine holes with a 48 to lead the way for the Lady Tigers while two newcomers, junior Maddie Anglin and sophomore Mariah Benson, posted low rounds of 55 and 57 respectively to help secure the team’s first victory of the year.

“For Maddie and Mariah this was their first time ever playing a match and actually the first time they have played a full nine holes,” Head Coach William Anglin said. “I was really proud of Kenzie, to shoot a 48 with a soaking wet course is pretty impressive.”

The teams were back in action at the Buford Best Ball Tournament on the Bear’s Best Golf Course March 16. Results were unavailable as of press time.

Track and Field

Dawson County track and field continued to dominate the 2019 season as the team competed against Cherokee Bluff and Johnson High Schools in a tri-meet March 13.

The boys’ varsity team took home the gold medal in 14 of 16 events on the day while the girls snatched victory in 12 events, with both teams winning the overall category in dominant fashion.

“This is one of the best teams we have seen in a long time,” Head Coach Arron Haynes said. “The boys haven’t lost in the regular season in two years.”

Twelve members of each team took home first-place honors with seniors Ethan Cameron and Noah Brock grabbing four each for the Tigers and junior Avery Young picking up four of her own to lead the Lady Tigers.

The teams carried their momentum to the Greater Atlanta Christian Invitational on March 16 where they ran into an entirely different level of competition as the teams encountered state-level opponents from 15 schools across the region.

After a day of tough competition, Dawson County left with only a single gold medal to their credit as senior Frankie Muldoon claimed the team’s sole win in the 3200m long-distance race.

“I bring them here to humble them,” Haynes said. “This event always features some great schools and really good athletes.”

Dawson County opened up a long home stretch of meets as they hosted Pickens County and North Hall High School for an all-regional meet on March 19. Results were unavailable as of press time.

Tennis

The Lady Tigers were the only members of the Dawson County tennis program to see action when they played the Lady Rebels on March 12 and remained undefeated for the season with a 4-1 victory.

Fannin County did not field a boys’ varsity team this season, and the Tigers were idle all week.

Freshman Kathryn Menoche lost her first match of the season after a grueling two-and-half hour battle to start the day, but seniors Tyler Perry and Abbey Haymond posted straight set victories and gave the Lady Tigers a 2-1 lead headed into doubles play.

Dawson County’s tandem of senior Isabella Brown and junior Sammy Hafermalz swept their opponents in two sets as did junior partners Ashlynn Anglin and Kaylee Hamilton to give the Lady Tigers the win.