Top 10 Russellville sports headlines in 2019
With a big year in sports for Russellville student athletes, these achievements top the list.
1 – RHS alums help Auburn University Tigers continue to College World Series
Former Russellville Golden Tigers Judd Ward and Cody Greenhill helped the Auburn baseball team reach the 2019 College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. Ward was a part of the starting lineup and had highlight plays from his outfield positon all season long, while Greenhill was a key member of the team as well by coming out of the bullpen as a relief pitcher.
2 – Golden Tigers escape Lawrence County with victory
The Russellville football team got off to a 6-0 start in 2019 after a 22-14 win in Moulton against Lawrence County. The win improved the RHS region record to 4-0 at the time. The Golden Tigers would go on to make the playoffs for the second-straight season under head coach John Ritter.
3 – RHS boys’ golf finishes fourth in state
The Russellville boys’ golf team advanced to state in Prattville. Jaceton Murray led RHS, and he finished in a tie for third place in individual scoring. A highlight of the tournament was a hole-in-one by Murray.
4 – RHS tennis teams advance to state
The Russellville varsity boys’ and girls’ tennis teams hosted the 4A-5A section 7 tournament, with both finishing second to advance to state competition. The RHS girls made the trip to state for the third-consecutive season, while the boys needed a tie-breaker to advance to Mobile.
5 – All-Star Week features RCS in football, soccer, tennis, golf events
The 2019 All-Star Sports Week took place in Montgomery and included several Russellville athletes and a coach. Devin Buckhalter participated in football; Andres Campos and Briana Ramirez represented boys’ and girls’ soccer; Anna Woods played in the tennis competition; and Patrick Odom was a member of the coaching staff in golf.
6 – Lady Golden Tigers win Area tournament
Russellville hosted the softball area tournament for the first time in school history and came away with the championship to advance in the Class 5A postseason.
7 – Golden Tigers win area to host sub-region
Russellville’s boys won the basketball area tournament for the third time in four years. The
Golden Tigers took down West Point in round one and followed that up with a victory in the area title game against Hamilton on the home court of the Aggies.
8 – Golden Tigers claw down Lions to advance
Class 5A baseball playoff action got underway at RHS, with the area champion Golden Tigers taking down Sardis in the first round. Russellville swept the Lions, with Caden Parker getting the win on the mound in game one and Gordon White following that up with a victory in game two.
9 – RHS soccer teams snatch second in Area
Both the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams advanced to the playoffs in 2019. The Golden Tiger teams finished second in Class 4A-5A Area 14 to West Morgan during the regular season.
The boys faced Guntersville in the playoffs, while the girls’ season ended with a game at Arab.
10 – Russellville High names new coaches
Two girls’ sports programs got new leaders in 2019. Jermaine Groce got the basketball head coaching job after the departure of Corey Thomaston. Later in the year, Josh Graham took over as head coach of the softball team after previously serving in the same role at Lawrence County.
