Donna on the Side Before the Meet Mobile - 2004 - Day 1
If it's early April, Mobile and the Challenge of Champions is the place to be. The city is ready, the track is brand new The meet is in its 12th year and showing those special touches and upgrades that Meet Director, Steve Schoenewald and Assistant Director Mike Cambre make each year.
Downtown Mobile |
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On Day 1, participants checked in to the meet hotel, the Holiday Inn Bellingrath at I-10. The facilities provided include: nicely decorated rooms, swimming pool, exercise room, lots of open space for meetings and Trends restaurant. Russell Block, Manager, and his staff provide fine and friendly service.
The UMS-Wright Scene
The Open Division is held Friday evening at UMS-Wright school in Mobile.
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Smiles from California |
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Scottsboro AL Parents |
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From Bayside Academy Eastern Shore AL: (from left) Grandmom Grace Pilot; Miler- Hunter Pilot; StepMom, Dawn Pilot;
Coach Allan Foster; Mom, Nancy O'Rourke (bottom) Dad, Curtis Pilot. |
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Manning the Front Gate was Lisa Drew with her sons Dan (r) and Will |
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Shot Putters: (from left) Denise Gunning (Baker),
Tracy Osazenmwinde (Baton Rouge LA) Courtney Dortch (LeFlore AL), |
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Pole Vaulters from Florida: (from left) Rick Monsorno, Katherine Love,
J.P. Goshco, Claire Spurling |
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From Smiths Station AL: (from left top) Selima Walker, Joe Roy
(from left bottom) Sherrie Stephens, Rashaeda Bryant Chandler Ferguson, Shemilia Richardson |
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From Warren East KY: (from left) Mattie Rich, Ahley Harkness,
Heather Brood, Kayln Bowers |
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| From LeFlore AL: (from top left) Brandon Spradley, Tim Johnson, David Dortch, George Williams (bottom left) Brent Washam, Israel Hughes |
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| From Manual in Kentucky: Coach Debra Moore and Emily Pellegrini (r). Emily was on her way to taking the ACT. You just got to make the best of the situation. |
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Saturday Morning Breakfast Scene
A Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast was held Saturday morning. Motivational remarks were made by Jake Jensen, an athlete who is hoping to get to Athens for the Olympics in the 200 meters. A few of the boys participated in Jake's ice breaker that he calls "Karate, Guns and Gorilla"--a technique he uses to move into some scriptural verses.
The Radio Show
The Challenge of Champions gets good coverage in Mobile from the media including radio, TV and newspaper. Arthur Mack from the Mobile Register started the ball rolling with a preview article on Thursday. TV coverage followed at the press conference on Friday and then at the Open meet. On Saturday there was a radio show to preview the exciting Saturday events. The session was highlighted by athlete interviews with Elzie Coleman NY (400m and the 4x400 relay) and Gayle Hunter CA (long, triple jump and hurdles).
| Mobile's Prep Sports Report Voice, Rick Cleveland led the broadcast. He was joined by Challenge of Champions Director, Steve Schoenewald, Arthur Mack, Sports Writer from the Mobile Register; Mike Byrnes from the National Scholastic Sports Foundation (NSSF) and John Dye from DyeStat. |
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Gayle Hunter CA listens as she is introduced to listeners. |
Elzie Coleman NY waits to answer a question from Rick. |
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John Dye-DyeStat |
Rick Cleveland-Mobile's Prep Sports Report Voice |
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Mike Byrnes- NSSF |
Steve Schoenewald-Meet Director |
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Steve and Elzie |
Arthur Mack-Mobile Register |
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Potpourri
Athletes from McGill Toolen and St. Paul's Episcopal were recognized for their accomplishments last week by the Mobile Optimist Club. Arthur Mack of the Optimist Club presented the awards to athletes: John Brigham and Allysin Kneip St. Paul's Episcopal High School and Emily Sawyer and Trey Morgan from McGill Toolen. Arthur Mack, sports writer with the Mobile Register, is a runner himself . The Optimist Club is dedicated to "Bringing Out the Best in Kids."
Arthur Mack presents the award to John Brigham- St. Paul's. John won the 3200meter at the Nokia Sugarbowl meet last week. He will be going to
Mississippi State next year. |
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Allysin Kneip, a freshman-St. Paul's, receives the athlete of the week award for her performance in the 800 meter at the Nokia Sugarbowl meet last week. |
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| Arthur Mack presents the award to Emily Sawyer-McGill-Toolen, winner of the girl's pole vault competition at the Nokia Sugarbowl Meet last week. |
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| Awardee, Trey Morgan-McGill Toolen, was not able to attend. He was in Florida participating with his school Choir. Trey won the boy's pole vault at the Nokia Sugarbowl meet. |
Mobile Challenge of Champions home page
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