CRESTVIEW — Davidson Middle School’s baseball team won the Okaloosa County Middle School Class 2A Conference Championship last week.

The Panthers defeated the Ruckel Rams 8-6 to secure the victory. The game went to the top of the seventh inning tied at six before Davidson catcher Maddox Reeves doubled on the first pitch of his at-bat to score the go-ahead run.

“We played two pretty tough games against Shoal River leading up to the championship game and won both, so we were riding that momentum,” said Davidson coach, Daniel Richards. “They were determined and focus and knew they had a shot to win the game. They wanted to win for each other.”

Richards said he saw his team play hard and with a lot heart during the game.

“It was a team effort from top to bottom,” said Richards. “They all contributed in some way to help us win because each person did their job.”

Looking back at the game, Richards said he can think of three players who really made a difference.

Davidson’s starting pitcher, Brayden Ruschmeier, who had started against Ruckel twice before and did not get the win, finally got the win when it mattered the most.

“I had a lot of confidence in him and I knew if he pitched well and the team helped him, he could do it,” said Richards. “He pitched a great game and kept us in it.”

Rushmeier also hit a 2-run homerun in the second inning of the game.

Reeves, who hit the go-ahead double, also caught his coach’s attention.

“Maddox had a couple of timely hits that we really needed at certain times,” said Richards.

Sixth-grade pitcher, Kameron McCord, was another player who Richards said played exceptionally.

“He went out and finished the game for us,” said Richards. “He showed a lot of poise to go out there as a sixth grader against seventh and eighth graders and shut them out.”

Richards said seeing his team win the championship made him proud not only of them, but for them.

“We have worked hard all year,” said Richards. “They bought in to our process and they got the reward for all of their hard work.

“The history with Ruckel is they have been the team to beat for a long time and to go on a road trip down there and be underdogs, it was exciting to be a part of,” he added.

After the game, Richards could see the satisfaction on his players’ faces, including a few tears of joy.

“They knew they had put in the work and played their best and now they’re able to call themselves champions,” said Richards.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Davidson baseball team wins championship

CRESTVIEW — Allen Turner Chevrolet has joined forces with the national Chevrolet Youth Baseball program to partner with a local athletic program.

Allen Turner provided Davidson Middle School’s baseball team at its April 18 game with new equipment and invitations to free instructional clinics. Community members will also be able to earn donations for the team by taking test drives of vehicles.

“Playing the game of baseball helps kids develop skills like leadership, cooperation, and sportsmanship while bringing families and communities together to show their support.” said Matt Farley, General Manager for Allen Turner Chevrolet. “Allen Turner Chevrolet and Chevrolet Youth Baseball are proud to participate in a sport that brings so many smiles to kids and families in Crestview.”

Jenna Eakin, marketing assistant for Allen Turner Chevrolet, said Davidson was chosen because the organization wanted to keep things local. Eakin said the dealership has donated to other local teams in the past.

“I was familiar with the organization and when they approached me, I was very grateful,” said Daniel Richards, Davidson’s baseball coach. “I was very appreciative for the opportunity to partner with them.

“I think it is important for businesses to support our programs,” he added.

Allen Turner Chevrolet presented Davidson Middle School with an equipment kit that includes items such as equipment bags, first-aid kits, batting tees and T-shirts. The sponsorship also includes youth clinics featuring current and former major and minor league baseball players and coaches, or instructors from Ripken Baseball.

In addition, Allen Turner Chevrolet presented a check representing a one-time monetary contribution to Davidson Middle School. The school will have the chance to earn additional funds as community members take test drives at their partnering dealership to help support the league.

Richards said the money will help with the cost of needed items, such as uniforms, for the team.

This marks the 14th year of Chevrolet’s Youth Baseball program and has benefited over 7 million players since it launched. In 2018, more than 1,100 Chevrolet dealers participated across the country.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Dealership to help Davidson MS baseball program

CRESTVIEW — Members of the Crestview High School track and field team participated in the FHSAA 3A District 2 meet in Santa Rosa Beach on Friday.

While Crestview did not come out on top, the school had many top eight finishes in different events.

On the boys’ side of the event, Jonathan Staples finished fifth in the boys 3200-meter run with a time of 10 minutes and 45 seconds. Reese Gomez, who was that top of the charts during the boys 300-meter run, finished second in the final with a time of 42 seconds.

In the boys 4X400 meter relay, Crestview finished third with a time of 3 minutes and 31 seconds. Rajah Persad brought home fourth in the boys high jump and Marquis McCoy finished fifth in the boys long jump.

The Crestview girls also had some strong finishes at the meet. The girls finished fourth in the girl 4X100 meter relay with a time of 51 seconds and finished fifth in the 4X400 meter relay with a time final time of four minutes and 36 seconds.

Georgia Small finished second in the girls high jump. Jasmine Carson finished eighth in the long jump and took second in the triple jump. Cha’niya Skinner also took a top five in the triple jump, finishing fifth in the finals.

The top four in each event advance to the regional meet on April 26 in Pensacola.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview track and field district meet results

CRESTVIEW — Two Crestview High School seniors have been named to the Florida Dairy Farmers Academic All-State Team.

Weston Tew and Elise Medlock were among 24 graduating student-athletes (12 boys, 12 girls) honored across the state for excelling in both athletics and academics. Each received a $1,700 scholarship and a commemorative medallion.

Athletes must be graduating seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA and have earned at least two varsity letters in different sports during their junior and senior years.

Tew owns a 4.0 GPA and is the valedictorian of his class. He lettered in football and wrestling and was a three-time district football champion.

“It means a lot,” said Tew. “It definitely feels good to represent my school with Elise.”

Tew said he never had a lot of downtime between school and athletics, but credits his family for helping him get through it.

“My school days are basically nonstop, especially when I am in season,” said Tew. “A huge part with helping me get through what I’ve been through has been my family. They were able to help me get through the hard times and stress.”

Tew broke his foot last year and was unable to compete, but said that even then he never wanted to give up on athletics.

“I was almost not physically given the opportunity to continue and that kinda shook me,” said Tew. “My family was in my corner. I wanted to keep pushing forward and progress.”

When it comes to his academics, Tew thanked his teachers for their dedication.

“I’ve had some amazing teachers that have helped guide me down the path that I want to go,” said Tew. “They pushed me and would stay late to answer any questions I had and because of them, I was able to gain that knowledge.”

Medlock owns a 3.96 GPA and is in the top five of her class. She lettered in soccer, tennis and cross country and is the captain of the soccer and tennis team.

“I work really hard in academics and trying to balance everything and to be recognized for that, it really means the world to me,” said Medlock.

Prioritizing and scheduling has helped her to maintain a balance between school and athletics.

“I always prioritize my commitments,” said Medlock. “I really enjoy scheduling, just to be involved in things gives me a sense of purpose and sports are kind of like my stress relief.”

Medlock said there were some points where she felt overwhelmed, but her mother and twin sister helped her stay committed.

“I keep my grades first,” said Medlock. “I love doing what I do. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

“My twin sister and mom pushed me to be the best I could be,” added Medlock. “I feel like when my family is proud of me, then I am proud of myself.”

The All-State Team is sponsored by the Florida High School Athletic Association.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Two local students named to Florida Dairy Farmers Academic All-State Team

CRESTVIEW — Football in high schools was always about the boys — but that all changed five years ago when girls flag football was introduced in Okaloosa County high schools.

The 2014 season began with only four schools fielding teams: Crestview, Choctaw, Fort Walton Beach and Niceville. The league has more than doubled since then.

Crestview head coach David Welch has been with the team for the past three years. After two years as an assistant, he became the head coach this year.

“I love football. I’ve coached for boys football,” said Welch. “I just love coaching. I just love trying to make an impact on young kids’ lives.”

The Crestview flag football team has 35 players, 11 of which make up the varsity team. Welch said he is seeing improvements from the team. Most of the team plays on both the offense and the defense.

“We started getting better last year and this year we’re building the program,” Welch said.

Halee Duncan, the team’s quarterback, is in her first year on varsity. Duncan was supposed to play last season, but was unable to compete due to an injury.

“She’s really impressed me with how she’s matured and starting to read things,” Welch said of his quarterback.

Welch said the defense has been a major part of the team’s success this year.

“They’re the ones that keep us in the game,” Welch said. “Our defense as a group has just really stepped up and shut out other offenses.

“I just think as a group, as a whole, our whole varsity team’s amazing,” added Welch. “They’ve really stepped up the program.”

Welch said that making the program better starts at the junior varsity level.

“The key is you have to build the JV program so that it’s going to feed your varsity program in later years to come,” said Welch.

The team will be losing five seniors after this year, but Welch believes members of the JV squad will be ready to step up next season.

While the rules for flag football are not all the same as regular football, Welch thinks the girls still enjoy the competition.

“It’s a sport that relates with the boys sports that they can compete on another level,” said Welch. “It’s not really a contact sport, but it does have a lot of contact in it. It kind of shows they're competing.

“Plus it’s cool and it’s fun,” he added.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview flag football program is growing

CRESTVIEW — The buzz of a championship still lingers in Crestview.

The Bulldog’s basketball team celebrated its Class 7A state championship Wednesday evening with some of its biggest supporters. Friends, family and fans gathered at Jack Foster Stadium to honor the team.

“We’re very proud of the Crestview basketball team,” said Carolyn Brigante, who was especially proud of her nephew, Chase Moulton, who plays on the team.

The school honored not only the team, but the people who rallied behind it all season long.

“This is an unbelievable time in our school,” Crestview High School Principal Dexter Day said. The support "really means a lot to us and we really appreciate it.

“You look around school, everyone’s smiling. You look around town, everyone’s smiling,” Day added.

Students at the school took notice of how the community supported the team during its playoff games.

“I loved seeing the support and how everyone came to see the games and cheered them on with us,” Crestview cheerleader Maggie Roller said.

School members were not the only ones who noticed the town’s willingness to root on the boys.

“With this team going to state, there was a buzz everywhere I went,” former mayor David Cadle said. “Thank you Crestview High School for what you mean to the city. Onward and upward.”

Cadle said the city is working on new signs that will mention this year’s state championship team. The city is working with the Florida Department of Transportation to determine where the signs can be placed.

Okaloosa County School District Superintendent Marcus Chambers also attended Wednesday's celebration.

”What made me so proud was not only was Crestview High School behind these guys, not only was the city of Crestview behind these guys, but Okaloosa County as a whole was behind you,” Chambers told the players.

He mentioned the Fort Walton Beach baseball team, a Choctaw basketball player and members of Niceville High School, who all congratulated the basketball team on its success.

“For me, the way that this county came together and supported you all is absolutely fantastic,” Chambers said.

Head Coach Greg Watson said the support the team received and continues to receive is a major part of the victory.

“Everywhere I go people are telling me congratulations,” Watson said. “It’s humbling to see the support the community has for us. We’ll always remember this and they’ll always remember this.

“We talk about the ‘one town, one team’ stuff and that’s real here,” he added. “That’s special.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'One town, one team' is real in Crestview

The Shoal River Mustangs came up short on the links to the Destin Marlins in middle school girl’s golf action at Emerald Bay in Destin on Wednesday.

The undefeated Destin Marlins won the six-hole match 125-169.

Shoal River’s No. 2 player, Briane Forte, finished on top for the Mustangs with a score of 41. Second best score for the Mustangs was Lauren Woodward with a 42. Shooting a 43 for Shoal was Sasha Koweslowski and Elise Buddles. Gabrielle Green shot a 45 and Sabrina Handy a 46.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Shoal River falls short to Destin