Oak Ridge Today

Gaddis returns to Oak Ridge in 51-14 win over Clinton

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Jaylin Henderson and Clinton Defender

Oak Ridge quarterback Jaylin Henderson is pursued by Clinton Dragons linebacker Shane Hooks during a 51-14 victory for the Wildcats at Blankenship Field on Friday.

Oak Ridge Wildcats Coach Joe Gaddis returned to Blankenship Field on Friday with a 51-14 win over the Clinton Dragons.

The Wildcats, who started and stuck with senior Jaylin Henderson at quarterback this week after trying three quarterbacks last week, are now 1-1.

“I am definitely happy,” Gaddis said after the lopsided victory. “We’re going to do this a bunch more.” [Read more…]

Wildcats play first home football game tonight

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Oak Ridge Wildcats and Farragut Admirals

The Oak Ridge Wildcats play their first home game of the 2013 season against Clinton at 7:30 p.m. today at Blankenship Field. It’s also Former Wildcat Night. The Wildcats are pictured above playing the Farragut Admirals last week.

The Oak Ridge Wildcats play the Clinton Dragons in their first home game of the 2013 season at 7:30 p.m. today (Friday) at Blankenship Field.

It’s also Former Wildcat Night, and organizers said they hope to have a large group of former players walk down the steps at Jack Armstrong Stadium. They will meet at the top of the steps at 6:46 p.m. and, led by former player Jackie Pope, walk down the steps at 6:55 p.m. [Read more…]

Down at halftime, Wildcats rally but fall to Farragut 31-24

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Oak Ridge Wildcats Interception Tommy Kaczocha

An interception by junior defensive back Tommy Kaczocha, right, early in the third quarter helps set up Oak Ridge’s first touchdown.

FARRAGUT—Down three touchdowns at halftime, the Oak Ridge Wildcats rallied in the second half against Farragut on Friday, keeping the football game close but falling to the Admirals 31-24.

It was, in part, a test of the high expectations that had been set for returning Coach Joe Gaddis, who led the Wildcats to their last state championship in 1991 and returned to Oak Ridge in March after 15 years away.

Fans disheartened by the score at the end of the first half at Bill Clabo Field in Farragut were encouraged by the turnaround in the second. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Wildcats open 2013 football season at Farragut tonight

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Coach Joe Gaddis at Wildcat Day

Wildcats Coach Joe Gaddis leads a pep rally last week, one week before the season opener against Farragut.

The Oak Ridge Wildcats open their 2013 football season at 7:30 p.m. today (Friday) at Farragut.

It’s the first game for returning Coach Joe Gaddis, who came back to Oak Ridge in March after 15 years away. Gaddis led Oak Ridge to its last state championship in 1991, and his 119-24 record here is the best in the school’s history.

Still, the Wildcats could have their work cut out for them tonight. During a pep rally last week, Gaddis said Oak Ridge has lost the last six of seven games to Farragut. But Oak Ridge also played the Admirals in last year’s season opener, and the Wildcats won 28-24. [Read more…]

Stand up paddleboarding races at Oak Ridge Marina on Sept. 8

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Chattanooga Stand Up Paddleboarding Competition

A stand up paddleboarding competition in Chattanooga. (Photo courtesy ORCVB)

People in the recreation industry call it a fast-growing sport with a Hawaiian heritage.

It’s stand up paddleboarding, or SUP, and it’s coming to Oak Ridge in September in a new event called the Secret City SUP Classic. It will feature two races starting at 2 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Oak Ridge Marina on Melton Lake Park.

“SUP is a new sport that’s taking the waterways by storm, and Oak Ridge provides the perfect venue for these races,” said Katy Brown, executive director of the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We hope paddleboarders of all ages will come out to the waterfront as we introduce the region to a different side of the Secret City.” [Read more…]

High school football Week Zero in the books

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Information from WYSH Radio

Wrapping up Friday night’s Week Zero high school football action, Anderson County got 310 total yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns from Tyler Hicks and 140 yards and four rushing touchdowns from Matt Fox to beat Clinton 53-13 in each team’s opener.

Maryville debuted new quarterback John Garrett and picked up a 35-15 win over Webb on Friday as Garrett accounted for 260 total yards and three scores. In other area action, William Blount gave new coach Justin Ridge his first win as the Governors pounded Loudon 40-7. Oliver Springs hammered Unaka 40-0 and Campbell County clobbered Cumberland Gap 41-6. For a complete look at last weekend’s action and this week’s schedule, visit the Local Sports Update page on our website.

New coach hired at Oak Ridge Rowing Association

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Marc DeRose

Marc DeRose

Marc DeRose has been hired as the new head coach and director of rowing at the Oak Ridge Rowing Association.

“We were absolutely blown away by the quality of the applicants,” said ORRA President Bob Franks. “Even with such great applicants, Marc was clearly the person for the job.”

DeRose comes to Oak Ridge from the University of Central Florida, where he has served as assistant coach of women’s rowing. His resume includes coaching the 2011 Canadian National Champion in men’s eight at St. George’s School in Vancouver, British Columbia. [Read more…]

First Wildcat Day for all sports draws players, fans, Coach Gaddis

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Oak Ridge High School Wildband at Wildcat Day

Members of the Oak Ridge High School Band play at the opening of a Wildcat Day pep rally at the Ben Martin field on Saturday.

Enthusiastic fans and players flocked to Oak Ridge High School on Saturday for a first-of-its-kind pep rally that incorporated all sports and featured a football coach that helped the Wildcats win their last state championship and is leading the team once more.

The pep rally was part of what had officially been proclaimed Wildcat Day by the Oak Ridge City Council. The rally featured short cheerleader routines, music by members of the Oak Ridge High School Band, short speeches from city and school officials, an introduction to the ORHS Wildcats football team and coaches, and fireworks. [Read more…]

CAK takes lead over Robertsville in double overtime

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Robertsville Middle School Rams Play CAK

The Robertsville Middle School Rams lost 18-12 in double overtime Thursday to Christian Academy of Knoxville at Ben Martin Field.

The Robertsville Middle School Rams lost 18-12 in double overtime Thursday to Christian Academy of Knoxville.

The Rams are now 1-1. They beat Webb 22-18 on Aug. 8 and play Wartburg this week at Blankenship Field in Oak Ridge, Coach Chris Layton said.

This past Thursday’s football game had been moved to Ben Martin Field, the Oak Ridge High School practice field, because of field conditions at CAK, where the game had originally been scheduled to be played.

Swimmin’ Wimmin offer workout sessions

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Swimmin’ Wimmin will resume lap workouts on Wednesday, Sept. 4, in the Oak Ridge Civic Center pool. Workout sessions are scheduled from 8-8:45 a.m. and 8:45-9:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays when public school is in session.

Whether swimming for improved health or for competition, women of all ages who can swim laps are welcome to join Swimmin’ Wimmin for workouts. Fees to swim are $30 per month, or $5 per workout. For more information, contact Ginny Eyman at (865) 482-7946.

Oak Ridge cross country working back to the top

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Oak Ridge Cross Country Girls Team

The Oak Ridge Cross Country Girls’ Team is pictured above. (Photos by Allen Etheridge)

Oak Ridge Cross Country has a legacy of winning at the state level.

“I plan to be at that level every year,” Head Coach Allen Etheridge said. “I go into every year thinking that we may have a shot at winning.”

His teams have backed that up with girls’ state titles in 2007, 2009, and 2010, and boys’ titles in 2005, 2006, and 2007. [Read more…]

Robertsville Rams play football at home tonight

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The Robertsville Rams football game tonight against Christian Academy of Knoxville has been changed to Ben Martin Field, the Oak Ridge High School practice field, at 6:30 p.m. today.

The game was originally set to be played at CAK, but it has been moved due to field conditions there. Admission is free to everyone, and concessions will be sold to benefit the Robertsville Middle School Football Boosters, a press release said.

The varsity game will kick off at 6:30 p.m., and it will be followed by a JV quarter-game, the release said.