Sports Archive

David Oglesby started the Baker girls weightlifting program and is now in his 19th season as its head coach.
And once again, he had Gator lifters competing at the 1A state meet Saturday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

Madi Muse stood on the floor of the RP Funding Center Friday night wearing the medal around her neck she had always dreamed about.
“It’s really emotional,” Muse said. “I’ve been building for four years for this. I finally got the No. 1 spot. I went out with a bang.”

John Toolan was officially named the head softball coach at Crestview High School in the fall. His team was on display for the first time on Tuesday as the Lady Bulldogs hosted the Lady Gators of Baker in a preseason game. Toolan, the father of standout sophomore, Cambell Toolan, has embraced the opportunity to lead the team.

First-year Baker softball coach Mark Wilde had his first look at the Lady Gators in live action against Crestview last week and overall, he was pleased with what he saw from the team in the 8-6 loss. “I see them going pretty good,” he said. “We had a few errors out there or the score would have been closer. But as far as putting up a battle, I think we did really good. But as far as putting up a battle, I think we did really good. “It turned into a pitching game the last several innings.”

The Crestview baseball team was fortunate that Tuesday’s game with Niceville was only a preseason contest. The Bulldogs played good defense executing a couple of impressive pickoff plays. But as far as hitting and pitching goes, there wasn’t much to smile about in a 6-1 loss.

Crestview’s boys basketball team hosted Navarre in the opening round of the District 1-6A basketball tournament last Tuesday.

And Navarre had no answers for a Bulldog team that played its best game of the season.

Just as players must get ready for the new baseball season, those that officiate the sport have to prepare as well.

One way the baseball umpires from the Emerald Coast Officials Association knock of the winter rust is at a clinic where local high school teams face each other in a situational scrimmage.

Anthony St. Vincent will be staying close to home as he continues his baseball career. The Crestview third baseman/pitcher/outfielder signed a scholarship with Northwest Florida State College on Wednesday at a Signing Day Ceremony at Pounders in Crestview.

One can only wonder what might have been for Lazarius Parks in his Crestview High School football career had he avoided injuries. Parks, who, when healthy, was one of most dynamic play makers in the area from his running back position never played a full season, but he was plenty good.

Ray Palacio didn’t grow up a Laurel Hill Hobo. The senior point guard on the boys basketball team is a first-year student at the school after transferring from Crestview High School.