MOULTRIE — The University of Georgia diving team will have a unique look to its roster next season. Coach Dan Laak’s team will feature a rare brother-sister combination.
Colquitt County High and Moss Farms diver Ann Perry Blank, sister of current Bulldog Owen Blank, signed a letter-of-intent this week to dive for Georgia.
And when Ann Perry gets to Athens, she will be joining former Moss Farms teammate Hannah Moore on the reigning national runner-up Georgia women’s swimming and diving team.
Ann Perry had also visited Arizona, Florida and Clemson, but decided to remain in state.
“The facility is amazing,” she said. “And I love Athens. Of course, my brother and Hannah are there and I’ve gotten to know the rest of the swimming and diving team.”
And she has known Laak for a number of years.
“He’s a great coach,” she said. “He’s very encouraging, just like the rest of the team. It’s exciting to be able to dive for him.”
Ann Perry began diving when she was 6 years old and also was involved in the Moultrie YMCA’s gymnastics program. She soon decided to concentrate on diving and it has paid off.
When she gets to Athens next year, there will be six Moss Farms alumni diving collegiately. In addition to Owen Blank and Moore, Anna Aguero is at Auburn, Ryan Helms in at Tennessee and Kelsey Goodman, also a Colquitt County senior, will be at Florida State.
Goodman signed with Florida State on Monday.
Ann Perry has continued to improve her list under Moss Farms coach Ed Goodman, father of Kelsey Goodman.
“With him being Kelsey’s father, he understands that my goals are very similar to hers,” Ann Perry said. “He’s been able to cater to our needs.”
Ed Goodman said he expects Ann Perry to excel at Georgia.
“It’s a good fit,” he said. “Her’s and Dan’s personalities match real well. She’ll blossom in their conditioning program. And she’s a kid who likes to dive tower and she’ll get a good opportunity to do that for Dan.”
That would be fine with Ann Perry.
“Dan’s encouraging me to have a tower list,” she said. “I love tower.”
Ann Perry has had an outstanding junior career that includes a 2003 East National championship.
She also qualified for Junior Nationals last summer and finished in the top 25 on both boards and was the Class AAAAA state runner-up last February.
She said she plans to major in criminal justice at Georgia.
Local Sports
Ann Perry Blank signs with Georgia
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Swimmers and divers head to state
Five swimmers and three divers are in Atlanta today to compete in the Georgia High School Association’s 2012 State Swimming and Diving Championships at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center Friday. The Class AAAAA diving championships will begin at 9 this morning. The Class AAAAA swimming prelims will start at 6:30 p.m. today. The finals will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday. Representing Colquitt County High are, front, from left, divers Anastasia Jimenez, Elizabeth Ann Kirkland and Haley Goodman; back, swimmers Peyton Childs, Austin Vines, Ethan Sobalvarro, Cole Wilkes and Austin Hawkins. The swimming and diving finals will video stream live on GHSA.tv.
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Cokely to take over Marianna football program
Former Colquitt County head football coach Tim Cokely is leaving Greater Atlanta Christian to take over the program at Marianna (Fla.) High.
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Tennis teams to open seasons today in Tifton
The Colquitt County High tennis teams will travel to Tifton today for Chick-fil-A Tift County High School Invitational to begin a season in which both teams appear to have legitimate shots at Region 1-AAAAA championships.
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Middle school soccer sweeps openers
Olivia Griffin connnected on a penalty kick in overtime to give the Colquitt County middle school girls soccer team a victory over Lee County in their season-opener in Leesburg on Thursday.
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Peach signs with Thomas University
Cook High senior Kaitie Peach signs to play softball next season at Thomas University. She is the daughter of Wesley and Sheila Peach, formerly of Moultrie. She is granddaughter of Darrell and Gayle Burgess and Thomas and Helen Peach, all of Moultrie. She was a first baseman for Cook the last four seasons, was an all-star for Adel-Cook for five years and plays travel softball for CHOAS. Shown with Kaitie as she signs are, front, from left, Wesley Peach, Sheila Peach and Thomas University coach Bill Wilson; back, Cook head softball coach Scott Ray and assistant coaches Christy Duke and Paula Simmons.
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10-and-under champions
- Middle school soccer teams to open today
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Heading to Arkansas State
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Conference champions
The Colquitt County seventh-grade girls basketball team celebrates its South Georgia Athletic Conference championship. The team includes, front, from left, coach Sheila Williams, Za'Nautica Downs, Akia Sutton, Ty'Asia McNeal, Shy Seay; and back, Sydnee Dalton, Shay Stanfill, Kiarra Lovett, Abiyah Spencer, Coach Jon Scroggins, Angel Kinchen, Chyna Calhoun, Michaela Bennefield, Istajhe Johnson, Ashuntee Stewart and Ja'nysia Brown. Not shown, Coach Tamika Seay and Emily Dozier.
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Lady Pack clinches top seed for region tournament
Makeba Ponder’s free throw with 6 seconds remaining gave the Colquitt County girls a 55-48 victory over Lowndes on Tuesday on the William Bryant Court at the Gladys Espy Gymnasium and ensured the Lady Packers would have the top seed in next week’s Region 1-AAAAA tournament at Tift County.
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