Most times when a student wins a State Championship it can be the highlight of their high school career.

But Carson Dingler easily took home the GHSA pole vaulting title last year as a freshman.

This youngster has her sites set on some big dreams that involve five rings and performing on a national stage.

Every day during summer vacation you will find the soon-to-be sophomore working out.

"I jump on a pole that's 40 pounds over my weight though," she said. That's unusual for a jumper to use a pole heavier than their weight.

But Dingler isn't a typical kid.

Carson's Dad, Kip, coaches her part-time.

"I was a vaulter at FPD in 1978 and I won the state at 13.6," he explained.

Running and jumping goes even further back in Carson's gene pool.

"My Dad traveled in the Circus for 18 years and his first partner was Bert Lancaster and they did aerial tours," Kip said.

Carson has career plans to perform on a big stage too.

" Her hope is to make the Olympic team so we're doing everything we can taking her to all the meets," Kip said.

"I definately want to go out of state for college and then the Olympics," Carson said. "I really want to make three if that's possible so 15, 20 and 24."

She's not kidding and that could be a reality.

She already has a packed resume, including the 12 foot 7 inch jump that broke a GHSA record not only in single A but in every class.

And since the spring, she's improved her leaps into the air by 5 inches, clearing 13 feet, so yes this family that built an outdoor workout facility for Carson feels that one day she could wear the Red White and Blue.

"I think you have to jump 14 feet to qualify for trials, but I probably need to jump fifteen or 15 feet 6 inches for a guaranteed spot," Carson said.

Of course first she will have to make it through high school and graduation is three years down the road.

But in the meantime Carson will keep chipping away at the bar and vaulting herself closer to her dreams.

"It's been a good journey with her," Kip said.

Change is on the way for Jones County High School's baseball program, and for the athletic program as a whole.

Greyhound coach Barry Veal is leaving the diamond, and taking over as Jones County's athletic director. Veal coached Jones County baseball for the last 21 seasons. He was also assistant athletic director with softball head coach Blake Lyons.

After encouragement from Lyons, Veal decided to step away from the dugout, and step into the role of head athletic director.

"Now I'll be able to spend time with athletes that, during baseball, I don't get to see," said Veal. "Soccer, tennis, golf, track... I just look forward to being a part fo the total overall Jones County athletic program."

Jason Page is expected to take over head baseball coaching duties, after approval from the Jones County Board of Education.

Page graduated from Jones County in 1997, before pitching for the Mercer Bears in college.

Mike Garvin's last Mount de Sales football campaign was 24 years ago.

His glasses no longer reflect the glow of Friday night, so the stadium bears his name. A display out front pays tribute to the man who coached, taught, and befriended so many.

"He was the kind of guy you watched, studied, and emulated," said Mount de Sales athletic director, Robert Slocum.

Slocum played for the man in his hay day. The Cavaliers won three championships in four years, going 33-1 in the GHSA during the 1970, 1971, and 1973 seasons.

"We just felt like we were in condition and we could compete with anyone we played against."

The defensive back and bruising tailback took over the head coaching duties for 23 years when Garvin retired. Over two decades removed from his playing days, Slocum remembers the respect that Garvin commanded from opponents and Cavaliers alike.

"If he told us that grass was red, we didn't question it. That grass was red."

Whatever color the grass was, Garvin's defenses found a way to make dust. Line coach Chester Pierce and the rest of the staff knew the priority from day one: keep the other team off the board.

"You could listen to coach Garvin and hear, 'We're going to shut this group out, we're going to shut this team out," said Pierce. "He was bound and determined."

Garvin's obsession with numbers wasn't limited to the gridiron. His other domain was in the classroom. He taught trigonometry and calculus before, and after, his coaching career at Mount de Sales.

Joe McDaniel sat in one of those classrooms, at Willingham high school.

"I wasn't much of a student, but he was a great teacher."

The eventual Mount de Sales assistant first met Garvin as a nine year old on the basketball court.

"Coach Garvin was a Mercer student, and was officiating grammar school sports," said McDaniel.

After playing basketball for Garvin in middle school, and taking his math class in high school, McDaniel was eventually hired to the Cavaliers' staff as a defensive backs and tailbacks coach for the 1972 season.

He is just one of many voices who can tell you what Mike Garvin meant to his students, players and friends.

"He was a man of faith. He was a family man. He was a teacher. He left a great legacy of being a man who cared about others," McDaniel said. "And it was obvious."

That's a man who earned three titles.

Coach. Teacher. Friend.

Mike Garvin is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carolyn, and their sons, Michael, Rob, and Matt.

Follow 13WMAZ's Wes Blankenship on Twitter: @Wes_nship

Mike Garvin, longtime head football coach at Mount de Sales Academy, has passed away after a lengthy battle with illness.

Garvin's teams won 160 games in 23 years with the Cavaliers, including three GHSA state championships in 1970, 1971, and 1973. The 1971 and 1973 seasons were undefeated campaigns. Garvin's teams also won 10 region titles in the GHSA (5) and GISA (5).

Coach Garvin's legacy is well known at Mount de Sales, where the football stadium bears his name, and will continue to mark the winningest coach in the school's history.

Summer basketball camps give high school teams a few days to put in early work toward a new season.

Northside High School is using this weekend for its 18th annual summer camp. Former girls coach Ron Wilson says there is no shortage of competition at this year's camp, called "Hoop dreams."

"You got class AAAAAA all the way to class A," Wilson said. "Teams that have been to the state playoffs and in the finals, as well as teams that are just starting young programs."

Wilson's wife, Casaundra, is the current Northside coach. She helps run the camp, and explains that a big change was in store for this year's group:

For the first time ever, college coaches were invited to come watch the action.

"We think the girls of middle Georgia have opportunities to go to college just like up in the Atlanta area, but they don't get enough exposure," Wilson said. "We decided to invite college coaches from division two, division three and NAIA to come watch the camp this year."

The "Hoop Dreams" camp closes Saturday evening after another full day of summer games.

13WMAZ's Wes Blankenship takes a look back at central Georgia's state championship teams.

The halls are empty and the final grades are in the books.

Students can rejoice, and some have more reason to celebrate this summer.

A select few groups of athletes brought their schools the banners and pride that come along with winning a state championship.

Mid-October brought the first state championship to Central Georgia.

Tattnall's early autumn GISA softball title game win over Westfield was also their first in the fast pitch era.

The girls' cross country team at Mount de Sales, the boys' teams at Trinity Christian and GMC, and the Veterans cheerleading squad won first place in state contests as well.

As the air cooled another school had a chance to win the first championship in an era. The Westfield Hornets ran to victory over Stratford, giving coach Ronnie Jones a long sought-after GISA state title.

Aaron Geter brought a wealth of championship knowledge into this season. He had six in the trophy case with Wilkinson County before the Warriors blew past Turner, giving Wilco and the man in black championship number seven.

Stratford Academy had a state championship drought before a high-flying boys' basketball win over Augusta Prep. Coach Jamie Dickey and the Eagles won the first hoops title since the 1986 season.

Crisp Academy's girls clinched a GISA state basketball championship the same week.

The Houston County Sharks were back for more after winning it all in the 2013 season. Their championship win over Henry County wrapped up back to back GHSA wheel chair state basketball titles.

Westfield won it all on the wrestling mat, while Mount de Sales' girls took home first place medals in the pool.

Winter sports concluded and spring sports came out of hibernation, bringing two baseball state titles to central Georgia.

In boys' sports, Stratford tennis, Hancock Central track and field, and Lamar County track and field won championships, and the Houston County Sharks football team tacked on a title in April.

Tattnall hammered Tiftarea on its way to a baseball championship, ending its days in the GISA before moving to the GHSA next season.

The Houston County Bears fell in game one of the championship series at Whitewater High School. Hoco made comebacks in games two and three to win its first ever baseball state championship.

Summer months just rolled up for a break from all the action, until August fires it up all over again.

Follow 13WMAZ's Wes Blankenship on Twitter: @Wes_nship

The Tattnall Trojans swept past Tiftarea to win the Gisa AAA State baseball championship for the third year in a row.

The Trojans pounded Tiftarea in Game 1 18-3 utilizing the long ball including a Grand Slam off the bat of Cole Gaylord.

Tattnall won Game 2 7-3 to complete their 3-Peat in their final athletic compeition as a member of the Gisa. Tattnall will begin play in the GHSA in the fall along with fellow Gisa members Mt. de Sales and Stratford.

Senior Taylor Ferringer picked up the win in Game 1 and Cory Bartholomew was the Game 2 winning pitcher with Ferringer coming on to get the final two outs.

Tattnall went undefeated in this year's playoff run rattling off eight straight wins including Friday's Championship series sweep.

Connect with Central Georgia's leading news source on Twitter. Follow @13wmaznews for the latest breaking news and top headlines.

Trinity Christian and Piedmont will decide the Gisa AA state baseball championship in a Best of 3 series that begins Friday afternoon in Monticello.

Both teams are red-hot with Trinity unbeaten since May 1 and Piedmont not having lost a game since April 12.

Trinity swept Terrell Academy last week to advance into the finals while Piedmont took care of Frederica in two games to punch their ticket to the finals.

Trinity last won a baseball state championship in 2008.

The two schools will play a doubleheader on Friday with the first game starting at 2 pm.

A third game would be played on Saturday afternoon if necessary.

Rutland High School Basketball Camp

Mayy 30 ^th -June 1 ^st

Come have a great weekend of basketball with us. For rising 4th-8th graders. Camp will be Friday May 30th (3pm – 7pm), Saturday and Sunday 9am – 3pm. Lunch will be catered by McDonalds and Dominoes and snacks will be provided during camp. Morning and Afternoon sessions have built in learning for skills, drills, and challenges. I can't wait to hear the sound of the vibrating wood from the campers this year. Close your eyes and if you're a baller you can feel it too. Camp is only $60. See you there!!!

Coach Ron Christian at (912) 687-0172

Sharone Wright Basketball Week

Camp starts on June - 2 and ends on June 5
Opening day starts at 8pm with registration.
Camp goes from 9AM-130pm daily.
Our website has many many FAQs.This site has many photos , testimonials from parents, schedules, blogs and lots of fun.
Lunch is served each day of camp .
Camp address is 1931 Rocky Creek Rd.
Macon, GA

http://www.swbbwk.webs.com/

(909) 753-6070

Southwest (Macon) Basketball Camp

June 9-13

SW High School - Duck Court

Mon - Thurs 8am -2pm

Friday 8am - Noon

Cost $60

K-12

Coach Robert Worthy at (478) 960- 4871