Aiken wins Fiddler 5K

The Annual Fiddler 5K and One-Mile Fun Run, held each year before the Jamboree begins on Saturday, boasted more than 300 runners, with profits from the event earmarked for Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County.

The overall winner for the 2015 Fiddler 5K was Cookeville’s Caleb Aikens, with a time of 17 minutes, 34 seconds on the 5K course. Kristen VanVranken of Silver Point set a new women's record for the 5K at 19:12. VanVranken broke a record she set herself in 2013.

Male Masters (age 40 and older) winner for 2015 was Scott Fanning of Lebanon with a time of 17:50, while the Female Masters winner was Allison Brooks of Smithville, who posted a time of 24:34.

One-Mile Fun Run (age 12 and younger) overall winners were Conner Close of Smithville at 6:59 for the male division, and Ella VanVranken of Silver Point at 7:45 for the female division.

Wilkins wins Fair 5K

Jordan Wilkins of Smithville took the overall top spot in the third annual DeKalb County Fair 5K on July 18 with a time of 24:15.

The win marked the second consecutive year that Wilkins has come out on top in the contest, held in downtown Alexandria the weekend before the fair. The event also features a one-mile fun run.

Carly Vance of Smithville came across the finish line in second place overall with a time of 26:41, and Kelly Pyburn of Alexandria took third place with a time of 27:01.

Connor Vance was the first-place winner in the Fun Run with a time of 5:34, while Jordon Agee finished second with a time of 9:20.

Proceeds from the run benefit Paislee's Foundation, an organization which reaches out to families dealing with stillbirth and infant loss up to three years of age.

Jennings commits to Ole Miss

DCHS Junior Steven Jennings made a verbal commitment to play baseball for Ole Miss in August.

Jennings, who also had an offer from MTSU and a visit to Vanderbilt scheduled before choosing to commit to the Ole Miss Rebels, could become the first DCHS Tiger ever to play Southeastern Conference baseball. This outstanding pitcher and short stop for the DCHS program has already earned an SEC offer from Ole Miss and has given a verbal commitment to play for the Rebels after his high school career is completed.

In addition to his roles as a star shortstop and pitcher for DCHS baseball, as well as an outstanding quarterback for the Tiger football program, Jennings also plays for Team Nike 17U, a travel team based in Davidson County and made up of seventeen of the best young players in Tennessee, with a record of 30-4-1 last season. He was noticed by Ole Miss coaches while playing for Team Nike.

While he can’t sign with the Rebels until his senior year, a trip to Oxford was scheduled and an offer was made. After a talk with his parents, Randy and Jill Jennings, the young athlete decided to go with the Rebels upon graduation from DCHS. A scholarship was offered and accepted, and a verbal agreement was reached until November of his senior year, when he can officially sign with the Rebels.

Jennings nearly 90 mph fastball, along with his ability to field, reportedly attracted the Ole Miss scouts to him.

Tigers defeat

In a game in which the DeKalb County High School football team managed just 257 total yards of offense, the Tigers came home with a 23-14 momentum-building win over the Warren County Pioneers during the season in August.

With the offense struggling, the Tiger defense stepped up, producing five sacks and three turnovers in the season opener. The Pioneers started the game with the football then marched down the field with a four-play 65-yard scoring drive that put Warren County ahead 7-0.

On the Tiger’s ensuing possession quarterback Steven Jennings capped a 12-play drive with a six-yard touchdown run. The extra point was a no good, so the Tigers still trailed the Pioneers 7-6. The Tigers took the lead at the :35 mark of the first quarter with a 39-yard field goal by Matthew Poss that put the score at 9-7.

On their second possession of the second half, the Tigers expanded their lead to 16-7 on a one-yard plunge into the end zone by Jennings for his second touchdown of the night. However, the Pioneers would not give up, scoring a touchdown on a 10-play drive to pull within two points with the score at 16-14.

After a muffed punt by the Pioneers, the Tigers’ Riley Sexton recovered the fumble on Warren County’s 31-yard line. Four plays later, freshman Tyler Bundy crossed the goal line for his first high school touchdown. The extra point was good by Matthew Poss, and at 9:12 mark of the fourth quarter the Tigers extended the lead to 23-14.

The Pioneers had two more chances to score, but with 38 seconds remaining in the game, the Tigers’ A.J. Mooneyham sealed the victory for DeKalb with an interception on the 34-yard line.

Walker crowned DMS homecoming queen

The DeKalb Middle School Saints celebrated Homecoming activities prior to their Sept. 3 game against Macon County. The Saints suffered a loss of 42-0 at the ending buzzer.

Seventh-grade attendant and DeKalb West School student Abigail May Lawson is the daughter of David and Melissa Lawson. She was escorted by Dylan Denson.

Seventh-grade attendant Skylar McKinlee Fuson is the daughter of Aleisha Burchett and Scotty Fuson. She was escorted by Raven Cantrell.

Seventh-grade attendant Alexis Grace Atnip is the daughter of Veronica Atnip. She was escorted by Isaac Robinson.

Eighth-grade attendant, and DeKalb West School student, Alaysia Christian is the daughter of Shelia and Woody Christian. She was escorted by David Bradford.

Eighth-grade attendant Lizzie Guinn in the daughter of Rick and Kenra Guinn. She was escorted by Raiden Martin.

Eighth-grade attendant Mya Ruch is the daughter of Joe and Melissa Ruch. She was escorted by Alan Munoz.

The 2015 Homecoming Queen, Megan Walker, is the daughter of Jason and Renne Walker and the sister of Morgan Walker. She is a member of the Jr Beta Club, Student Council and plays basketball and softball for DMS. Megan hopes to play college softball someday. She wants to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy. Her escorts for the evening were Connor Vaughn and Isaac Cross.

Lady Saints honor eighth graders

The DMS Lady Saints soccer team held eighth-grade night ceremonies before hosting Cornerstone Middle School in September.

Recognized in their last year as Lady Saints were Malia Stanley, Sarette Aranda, Mercedes Bogle, Taylor Foutch, Harper Wallace, Malia Stanley, Brooke Gannon and Chloe Braswell. The ladies tied Cornerstone 1-1 in the game.

Walker named DCHS homecoming queen

The DCHS Homecoming Queen for 2015 was Hannah Renea Walker, the 17-year-old daughter of Scott and Misty Walker of Smithville.

Her Senior Attendants were 17-year-old Jailyn Paige Bolding and 17-year-old Kaylene Marie Ferguson.

Bolding is the daughter of Lori and Bradley Hendrix and Brad and Marcy Bolding, all of Smithville. Ferguson is the daughter of Diane and Rickey Hale and James Ferguson of Smithville.

The Junior Attendant was 16-year-old Kaitlyn Elizabeth Roller, daughter of John and Michelle Roller of Dowelltown. The Sophomore Attendant was Breanna Leigh Gibson, the 15-year-old daughter of Shelley and Erin of Dowelltown.

Lynlee Taryn Judkins was the Freshman Attendant. She is the 14-year-old daughter of Shana Judkins of Smithville.

Tiger golf takes

The DeKalb County Tiger golf team took second place in the district tournament in October, finishing second overall out of 14 different schools in the competition. Two Tigers finished in the top five in the event. DeKalb’s Isaac Walker finished second out of 43 players in the tourney, while Austin Poss ranked fifth for the Tigers.

Jennings, Pruitt named Region MVPs

The results are in, and DeKalb County Tiger Quarterback Steven Jennings has been named the Region 4-3A Offensive MVP for 2015.

On his way to the award, Jennings gained 906 total yards on the season, averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 91 yards per game, while scoring eight touchdowns for the Tigers. Jennings led DeKalb to a 7-3 season record and the second place spot in the region, with a 5-1 record.

Meanwhile, the Most Outstanding Tight End of Region 4-3A is DeKalb’s Christian Pruitt. Pruitt put 259 yards on the books catching the ball in 2015, receiving 19 times for 259 yards, averaging 13.6 yards per catch and 37 yards per game.

Matthew Poss was selected as a co-Most Outstanding Punter in the region. He punted 24 times for 865 yards, averaging 36 yards per kick, and getting the ball inside the 20-yard line five times.

Rounding out the awards for DeKalb were Eli Cross as co-Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman and A.J Mooneyham as a co-Most Outstanding Defensive Back.

Tigers elected to the 1st Team All-Region were Jesse Smith, Luke Green, Jordan Whitehead, Riley Sexton and Tayvian Nokes. Isaiah Jones, Gage Delape and Devin "Big Catt" Zaderiko represent the 2nd Team All-Region for DeKalb.

Martin Marks 250th win

DeKalb County High School Tiger Basketball Coach Lynus Martin marked a milestone in November, getting his 250th win as he began his 14th year of coaching.

The Tigers’ 53-42 win over Greater Gwinnett Christian of Norcross, Georgia in the Cannon County Thanksgiving Classic put the coach’s record at 250-149. Martin took over for former Tiger Coach Danny Bond after first three games of 2002 were played.

Martin said he would like to recognize his family as his greatest supporters, along with everyone who has supported Tiger basketball over the years.

"I’d like to thank my wife and my kids for allowing me to do what I love," the coach shared. "Without their love and support these things wouldn’t be possible. To all my family, all the players that I’ve coached that have bleed Tiger basketball, and to all the parents and administration who have supported me for the last 14 years. Hopefully there will be many more wonderful years ahead. Thanks to you guys at the Review for all your support and tireless dedication in making DeKalb County basketball very successful.