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PAGE 9 May 2025 E-edition
Snead State Head Softball Coach Earns 300th Career Win
SIDELINE SPORTS SEC SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF YEAR - Sophia Groth, a senior on the Auburn gymnastics team, has been named the Southeastern Conference Gymnastics Scholar- Athlete of the Year. The honor is the first for Groth and Auburn’s third straight. In addition, it is the program’s ninth scholar award from the conference, which is the most by any school in the sport. Groth, a West Des Moines, Iowa product, earned her undergraduate degree in exercise science last May, graduating with a 3.92 grade-point average. She is in the process of completing her master’s in adult administration, owning a 4.0 GPA and giving her two degrees in four years at Auburn. JAX STATE'S STEWART NFL BOUND - Jax State running back Tre Stewart has signed a free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings Stewart was a First- Team All-Conference USA selection in his only season with the Gamecocks. The running back spent his first three seasons at NCAA Division II Limestone before finishing eighth in the FBS in rushing per game at 117 yards per game. His 25 rushing touchdowns were the third-most nationally. He was named the Conference USA Co-Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for a season-best 232 yards and four touchdowns against Liberty. Stewart had three games with 200 or more rushing yards, adding 201 and three touchdowns in the Conference USA Championship against Western Kentucky and had 210 yards and a score against Middle Tennessee. Stewart had seven total 100-yard games in his 14 appearances with the Gamecocks. In 45 career games, the Winston-Salem, N.C. native rushed 700 times for 4,616 yards and 49 career touchdowns. SEC MENS GOLF CHAMPIONS - The Florida men's golf team is back on top of the Southeastern Conference, defeating Texas A&M 4-1 in the conference finals for the program's 17th SEC Championship on Sunday, April 28, 2025 at Sea Island Golf Club. Head Coach J.C. Deacon led the Gators to its second Southeastern Conference Championship in the last three seasons and 17th in program history, No. 2 among all league men's golf programs. The victory is fourth this season and the 31st tournament title under Deacon in 11 seasons. This is the third straight season of four-plus wins under him and the seventh season of multiple wins, including the last five consecutive. In the last four years with Deacon, Florida has won the NCAA National Championship, two SEC Championships, NCAA Individual Championship, SEC Individual Championship, 16 tournaments titles and 13 individual titles. WKU FOOTBALL - The Three WKU Football players signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents following the 2025 NFL Draft. Linebacker Kylan Guidry signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, wide receiver Kisean Johnson signed with the Baltimore Ravens and running back Elijah Young signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Draft weekend started for the Hilltoppers when defensive back Upton Stout was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the NFL Draft, making him the fifth WKU Football player drafted in the last four years. That includes a player selected in the third round in each of the last four NFL Drafts. WKU is the only non-Power Conference program to have a player drafted within the first three rounds in each of the last four NFL Drafts. SEVEN GATORS DRAFTED - Seven Florida Gators were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. With the selections, Florida continued its streak of having a pick in every NFL Draft since 1967. UF is one of three schools, along with USC and Michigan, and is the only SEC program to achieve the mark. The seven draft picks also mark the most for the Gators since eight were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. The players drafted include: Chimere Dike, Cam Jackson, Jason Marshall Jr., Shemar James, Graham Mertz, Jeremy Crawshaw and Trikweze Bridges. Read more about each player online at www.thesportsledger.com. STARS OF TOMORROW - The Stars of Tomorrow Youth Basketball Camp will be held at Fort Payne High School on June 25, 26, and 27 from 8:30-11 a.m. This is for boys and girls in grades K-6th grade. The cost is $50 per student. For more information contact Coach Sparks at 256-845-0535 Ext. 1502 or email ssparks@FPCSK12.com. JAKE PEEK NAMED FPHS COACH- Jake Peek has been named new varsity head boys' basketball coach at Fort Payne High School. He replaces Robi Coker, who left the Wildcat's program to become at assistant coach at McNeese State.
Snead State Community College Head Softball Coach Tracy Grindrod reached a major milestone in his coaching career with his 300th career victory following the Lady Parsons’ 12-2 win over Coastal Alabama Community College-South on April 16. The accomplishment was commemorated during Sunday’s game against Gadsden State Community College. Snead State President Dr. Joe Whitmore presented Coach Grindrod with a hand painted softball with details of the milestone game. They were joined for the presentation by Athletic Director Casey Underwood. Coach Grindrod, who has led the Lady Parsons since 2014, has built Snead State into one of the premier softball programs in the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC). Under his leadership, the team has twice reached the NJCAA World Series, including a historic 2022 season in which the Lady Parsons became the first Snead State team to win a World Series game. “Coach Grindrod has shaped a program that values excellence on and off the field,” said Dr. Whitmore. “He is not only a tremendous coach, but a mentor and role model to his players. This milestone is a reflection of years of dedication and leadership.” Prior to joining Snead State, Coach Grindrod spent nine years as an assistant coach at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, where he helped guide the Lady Lions to two national championships (2008, 2013), two national runner-up finishes (2009, 2010), a third-place finish (2012), and seven ACCC and Region XXII titles. He was recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as part of the NJCAA Division I Coaching Staff of the Year in 2013. “Coach Grindrod’s legacy goes far beyond wins,” said Coach Underwood. “He’s built a culture where players succeed academically, athletically, and personally. We’re proud to have him leading our program.” Grindrod’s coaching career began in 1988 in slow-pitch softball and transitioned to fast-pitch in 1996. In addition
Photo Courtesy of Snead State
Snead State Community College Athletic Director Casey Underwood, left, and President Dr. Joe Whitmore, right, honored Head Softball Coach Tracy Grindrod, center, Sunday for his 300th career win by presenting him with a softball hand-painted with the details of the milestone game on April 16. to his collegiate success, he has coached competitive travel softball and continues to emphasize the development of student-athletes as scholars and leaders. The Lady Parsons have consistently maintained team GPAs among the highest in the conference, with Coach Grindrod fostering a program centered on faith, character and service. During the 2024-2025 season so far, the Lady Parsons have compiled a 26-29 overall record, with a 16-14 mark in conference play. Over the past four seasons, Snead State has remained competitive under Coach Grindrod’s guidance, highlighted by a 37-27 record and 20-9 conference finish in the 2021-2022 season.
Photo Courtesy of Snead State
Snead State Head Softball Coach Tracy Grindrod with the 2024-2025 Softball Team, President Dr. Joe Whitmore, Athletic Director Casey Underwood, and Assistant Coach Kaitlyn Clark.
Callie Rae Bonds (43-1) helped the Sardis Lions claim the program's first State Tennis Title with No. 1 doubles win, and No. 1 singles runner-up finish. Sardis, coached by Dustin Young, dominated the AHSAA Class 4A/5A girls’ state tournament at Mobile Tennis Center from start to finish. The Lions totaled 65 points to win by 23 points over runner-up Deshler High School (42). Photo By David Holtsford, AHSAA State Tennis Champs
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Fyffe Senior Catcher Madelyn Hawkins (#34) attempts to tag out a Geraldine runner for the final out in regulation during the Class 3A Area 13 softball tournament on April 28. The runner was called safe. Geraldine's score tied the game 2-2 and forced extra innings. However, Fyffe regained the lead on a wild throw to first base in the 11th inning, and held on for a 3-2 victory over the Lady Bulldogs.
Members of the Sylvania varsity girls softball team depart their school bus after arriving in Geraldine to compete in the Class 3A Area 13 Tournament on April 28, 2025. Sylvania defeated Asbury and fell to Geraldine 9-2. Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Geraldine's Jaleece Edwards
Fyffe Senior Pitcher Kendra Fay
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