Quick takes – October 8th

Columbus North's Holly Anderson watches her tee shot on the 12th hole at Prairie View Golf Course during the 2016 IHSAA Girls State Golf Championships in Carmel, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. The Bull Dogs finished in third place. Anderson won the individual state title with a two round total of 146. Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus North’s Holly Anderson watches her tee shot on the 12th hole at Prairie View Golf Course during the 2016 IHSAA Girls State Golf Championships in Carmel, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. The Bull Dogs finished in third place. Anderson won the individual state title with a two round total of 146. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Terrific finish

Columbus North senior Holly Anderson showed what determination and dedication can produce, as she capped her prep golf career by winning the girls individual state title and helped the Bull Dogs to a third-place team finish.

The result was historic as Anderson became the first North girl to win the individual state title. The previous best finish was a tie for second by Taylor Gohn in 2009.

Anderson won the prize by rallying from a first round 3-over-par 75 that had her in seventh place by carding a 1-under-par 71 in the final round. That allowed her to finish with a 2-over-par 146 and win by two strokes. The state title included selection to the All-State team and concluded a season to remember as Anderson also won medalist honors in the sectional and regional tournaments.

A sizzling finish to her senior season represented a progression of improvement during her four years on the varsity. She tied for 37th individually in the state final as a sophomore. As a junior she won the medalist honor in the sectional and tied for 25th in the state final.

Anderson showed that a commitment to improving and a desire to succeed can yield great results. That’s an example worth following.

Perfect time to walk

Cooler weather and the changing fall colors make October a perfect time to get outside and walk. Columbus residents have a great opportunity to do so by participating in Walktober events.

Walktober is series of events that comprise a monthlong campaign intended to help residents become healthier. As motivation, Columbus Regional Health is offering a free WellConnect fitness pass and a chance to win a FitBit fitness tracker to anyone who completes at least five of 10 challenges.

There’s still plenty of planned Walktober events to participate in and take steps toward improved health. Some that are coming up are the Buddy Walk at 10:30 a.m. today at Donner Park; the Pub Run/Walk at 6:10 p.m. Thursday; and Walk with a Doc at 12:15 p.m. Friday at Columbus Gynecology, located next to Columbus Regional Hospital.

A full list of events can be seen online at gohealthycolumbus.org, or on Reach Healthy Communities’ Facebook page.

Julie Tindell, Paxton Hammond, Landon Tews, and Park Hammond walk for the boys great grandmother, JoAnne Miller, the Walk to End Alzheimers at Mill Race Center, Sunday, October 2, 2016 Carla Clark | For The Republic
Julie Tindell, Paxton Hammond, Landon Tews, and Park Hammond walk for the boys great grandmother, JoAnne Miller, the Walk to End Alzheimers at Mill Race Center, Sunday, October 2, 2016 Carla Clark | For The Republic

Strong support

A strong turnout for the Columbus Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 2 at Mill Race Center showed that local residents are serious about raising funds to support Alzheimer’s research and awareness.

The event drew 510 participants and raised $106,979, organizers said. That reflects significant support and a great willingness on the part of many people touched in some way by the disease — such as family or friends afflicted with it — to do their part to help.

Kudos to those who participated in and organized the event, because their efforts are meaningful.