RHS athletes play key roles in All-Star Sports Week victories
Russellville High School was well-represented in Montgomery during North-South competition as a part of the annual All-Star Sports Week.
Three Golden Tigers of the Class of 2023 participated and had success on the playing fields.
Ashly Garcia was a member of the North girls’ soccer team, which defeated the South by a 5-0 score. The North boys’ soccer team defeated the South 6-3, and Yamilson Velasquez of RHS scored two goals, including the first of the match for the North.
Over on the softball field, Jenna Whitfield represented Russellville as a contributing member of the North squad that swept the South in a double-header by scores of 6-3 and 10-5.
The soccer matches were held July 20 at the Emory Folmar Soccer Complex. The North-South girls’ game was played first, and the North team improved its record to 18-3-1 in the series dating back to 1998.
Garcia was the first Russellville girls’ player to participate in the soccer event, and she helped create several scoring chances during the match.
The MVP for the North was Keirson McDonald of Oak Mountain. The North squad was coached by Adam Johnson of Mountain Brook and Brandon Rice of West Morgan.
In the boys’ match, Velasquez played a large role in the North’s victory. His two goals helped the North improve its series record to 14-4-1.
This marked the third time a player from the RHS boys’ program, led by head coach Trey Stanford, has participated in the all-star soccer event.
The North MVP award went to Joshua Owens of Thompson High School. Owens scored three goals in the match for a hat-trick. Coaching the North were Randy Vice of Southside-Gadsden and Michael Farmer from Fort Payne.
Also Wednesday, Whitfield helped the North to two wins over the South in softball action at Lagoon Park. The Russellville standout, representing head coach Josh Graham’s Lady Golden Tiger program, had an RBI single and scored a run during a 6-3 game one victory. Whitfield stole two bases and on defense had three putouts. In game two, Whitfield batted leadoff during the North’s 10-5 win.
Earning MVP honors for the North was Kenleigh Cahalan of Hewitt-Trussville High School. The North team was coached by Trent Taylor of Lauderdale County and Taylor Burt of Hewitt-Trussville.
