The Columbus East football team, struck twice by tragedy in the past six months, will honor the two fallen former players this season.
Olympians will wear helmet stickers to recognize Abbott Garn. The reserve wide receiver and defensive back on last year’s Class 5A state runner-up squad was killed in February when he was struck by a vehicle.
East coach Bob Gaddis mentioned Garn to his team last week on the eve of its scrimmage at Martinsville.
“We talked to them a lot in the offseason, and I’m sure all the guys have talked about it,” Gaddis said. “As the season goes on, I’m sure his closest friends and his teammates from last year are going to play for his memory. It’s just a tough situation, but we want to remember him. He’s going to be with us all the time.”
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Earlier this month, Sgt. Jonathon Hunter was one of two U.S. Army soldiers killed during a suicide bombing attack on a NATO convoy in southern Afghanistan.
The Olympians will honor Hunter at their home opener Aug. 26 against Columbus North. Hunter had played football for East, graduating in 2011.
“Most of these boys don’t know him,” Gaddis said. “They just know who he was. We’ve talked about his legacy with our team.”
Bull Dog sets school record
Danbi Kim’s round of 32 on Tuesday at Hillcrest Country Club in Batesville tied a Columbus North nine-hole school record set last year by Aubrey Smith.
Kim’s 3-under-par performance, however, was a first for the Bull Dogs in a nine-hole match. Four others had gone 2-under — Erinn Sutton with a 33 on a par-35 at Shadowood, Taylor Gohn and Sydney Anderson with 34s on a par-36 at Harrison Lake Country Club and Smith’s 32 on a par-34 at Southern Dunes.
Kim had been medalist in five of the Bull Dogs’ six events this season going into Wednesday’s dual match at Roncalli.
North to host volleyball sectional
Columbus North received some big news this week when it learned that it will host a volleyball sectional this year.
Shelbyville was originally slated to host the sectional, which includes the Bull Dogs and Columbus East. Bloomington North, Bloomington South and East Central also are in the sectional.
The first round of the sectional will be Oct. 12. The semifinals and final will be Oct. 14.
This is the second sectional to be moved to Columbus this fall sports season. Earlier, the girls soccer sectional was moved from Greenwood to Richard Wigh Soccer Complex and will be hosted by Columbus East.
Cougars to honor 1990 team
South Decatur will host a reunion for its 1990 Class A state championship football team at its Sept. 29 game against Switzerland County.
For more information, contact Cougars coach Tony Bell at [email protected].
