February

Many locals compete in marathon

The marathon is one of the true tests of human endurance.

The effort that goes into making the human body go 26.2 miles in one attempt is a testament to how far the mind can focus, how long the muscles in a runner’s legs can withstand constant stress and arguably most importantly, how strong their spirit is.

Feb. 17 marked the 12th running of the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, and several Chilton County runners will be making an attempt to finish all 26 miles.

They all come from different walks of life, with each having a different motivation for participating.

Regardless of their differences, each has one thing in mind: finish what you started.

On any given morning, Dr. Cecil Pavey can be seen running around Clanton, logging miles before heading to work at Chilton County Optical.

He said his affinity for running, which is going on five years, wasn’t originally his idea.

“It started out with my wife,” he said. “She told me I’d have to get up and do something.”

So, at age 60, Pavey began running.

“I started out on a treadmill,” he said. “I’d run five minutes, then 10. I gradually worked my way up till I ran my first marathon.”

If you think that’s impressive, consider the fact he qualified for the Boston Marathon just two years ago. While some might think his age might be a disadvantage, Pavey said he feels otherwise.

“I consider my age an advantage,” he said. “I’m in perfect shape, and I trust the Lord with my health. I try to take care of myself, but the main thing is I trust God with my health.”

Erron Price will be taking the starting grid for the fourth time at the Mercedes, and while some will join him there for the reason of pride, Price will be running for a different reason.

He’ll be running to raise money for the Speed the Light organization, which provides transportation for overseas missions.

“In four years, we raised nearly $10,000,” he said. “It’s my motivation for doing [marathons].”

Julia Davis really can’t give a specific reason why she began running; she just felt it was the right thing to do.

“I just got involved,” she said. “I felt the Lord was leading me to do it. I was going through some life changes, and it was a time to get closer to God.”

Her husband, Matt, joined her in order to lose weight and get in better shape. Before long, the two made up their minds to tackle the Mercedes together.

“When Matt started running with me, we just decided [to take on a marathon],” she said. “I just think it’s a crazy thing to do.”

March

Tigers dominate county baseball tournament

The Chilton County Tigers coaching staff would have a hard time finding anything to complain about after the team’s performance in the Chilton County Baseball Tournament in March.

Pitching, fielding and batting were solid for the Tigers all week long as they went 4-0 in tournament play, the only participating team not to suffer a loss.

On March 12, the final day of the tournament, the Tigers played the Thorsby Rebels and the Jemison Panthers. The Tigers proved tough to beat on their home turf, winning against the Rebels 5-0 and against the Panthers 16-0 at Jack Hayes Field in Clanton.

Maplesville pitcher hurls no-hitter

Maplesville began baseball area play on March 12 with Colby Chambers tossing a no-hitter in an 11-0, five-inning win over Ellwood Christian.

Chambers struck out eight batters and missed recording a perfect game by issuing one walk.

Chambers helped himself at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored and one run batted in for the Red Devils (6-4 overall).

Rebels finish unbeaten in county softball tourney

Despite what seemed to be improbable odds the Thorsby Rebels captured the 2013 Chilton County Softball Tournament championship in dominating fashion.

A team made up of few seniors, with a first-year coach, and being one of the smaller programs in the county, Thorsby took down Maplesville, 4-0, in the final on Saturday, going undefeated through tournament play.

“We came out to win, and we did,” said coach Christie Eyer. “It proves they can go even further in our area.”

The Rebels defeated Isabella, 9-3, on March 14, and Chilton County, 6-2, on March 15; then on March 16 beat Chilton County in the semifinals, 4-1, never trailing in the game.

April

Auburn coach Malzahn speaks at banquet

Chilton Auburn Club member Brian Paschal needed only two words to introduce the guest speaker at the club’s 47th annual Unsung Hero Banquet on April 23: “He’s back.”

The applause following the introduction told the rest of the story.

Paschal was referring to Coach Gus Malzahn, who accepted the position as Auburn University’s head football coach in 2012 after his one-year stint as head coach at Arkansas State.

But Auburn fans know Malzahn best from the three years he spent serving as offensive coordinator alongside former head Coach Gene Chizik and specifically his role in the 2010 season that saw the Tigers win the national championship.

“First of all, I feel very blessed to be back as head coach,” Malzahn said. “I’m one fired-up guy to be back at Auburn. There are going to be some exciting times ahead.”

Chilton County’s Knight finishes second at state golf tourney

Chilton County High School golfer Forrest Knight finished second in the Class 5A state tournament.

Knight parred the course, with a score of 72, in the tournament’s first round on May 13. He followed that up with a 3-under 69 on May 14.

The score was behind only Robby Shelton of St. Paul’s, whose score of 11-under after two rounds set a state record, according to CCHS coach Mark Knight.

The tournament was played at the Robert Trent Jones course in Florence, one of the home courses of the University of North Alabama golf team, which Forrest Knight will be a member of next season.