By Sam Waller

The last time an Albany entry finished second at the state tennis tournament, Sarah Cotter used it as a springboard to win gold the following year.

Luke Marshall is in position to repeat that after reaching the Class 2A boys singles final last week in San Antonio.

Marshall’s bid to earn Albany’s second state title fell short in a 7-5, 6-0 loss to Mason Hatfield of Mason on April 26. But as a junior, he has one more chance.

“I just need to step up and keep working,” Marshall said.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions will be among the honorees Saturday, May 6, at the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Waco with head coach Denney Faith on hand to accept the Gordon Wood Award on behalf of the program.

By Sam Waller

Weather brought an early end to the evening, but Albany Little League again had a sizable contingent Tuesday, April 25 at Crutcher Scott Field for Abilene Christian’s home baseball game against No. 14 Texas Tech.

The Wildcats led 6-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning when play was stopped.

By Sam Waller

Moran senior Alli Scott won three events at the Region II-1A track meet to earn a trip to state for the third year in a row.

The Class 1A state meet will be Saturday, May 13 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this young lady,” Moran coach John Hughes said. “She has worked extremely hard to get to this point.  Hopefully, she can pull off the trifecta at the state meet, as well.”

Last year, Scott won the 100-meter hurdles, Moran’s first state gold medal since 1972, and finished second in the 300 hurdles.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Although Albany’s municipal pool is not opening until June 1, preparations for the summer season are already well underway.

Applications are currently being taken for a pool manager to join one already hired, as well as for a corps of lifeguards who must complete training by the time they start working.

According to Kenisha Lucas at Albany City Hall, this year’s lifeguard training will be “hybrid,” with online coursework and at least one “pool day.”

By Sam Waller

Three Moran students competed in the Region II-1A academic meet held Saturday, April 22 at Angelo State University.

Terra Thompson was entered in Computer Science, Tyler Waddell in Social Studies, and Ellis Hise in Mathematics.

While none advanced to the state meet, Moran principal Jo Hise said the experience was a positive one for the students.

“All three did better at regional than they did at district,” she said. “We’re very proud of them for qualifying. Two of them get another shot next year.”

By Sam Waller

The 2023 Old Glory Relay will pass through Albany Thursday, May 4 (today), on its way across the country.

The Old Glory Relay is a coast-to-coast trip with military veterans carrying a U.S. flag.

“Over the last several years, an organization called Team Red White & Blue has done this relay across the country,” event volunteer Andrew Pohlmann said. “It typically starts on the west coast and makes its way over 40 or 50 days.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County ResouceCare’s 19th annual spring health fair will take place at the Albany Bank Park on Friday, May 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

ResourceCare programs assistant director Ragan Riley said they expect at least a dozen or so agencies to attend the health fair for Albany and Moran elementary students as well as the general public.

“If you would like to be a vendor, contact Mindy Ary at ResourceCare or via email at mindyary@resourcecare.org,” Riley said.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Representatives of the Shackelford County Youth & Livestock Association were at commissioners court on Monday, April 24 to propose extensive improvements and additions to the county-owned show barn, with estimates falling in the $150,000 to $200,000 range.

Chris Edgar, Bronco Askew, and Reggie Spencer outlined the association’s plans for the facility, which is used mainly for the annual county stock show in January, as well as a major fundraising pig sale in the fall.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Two Albany High students qualified to advance to the UIL State Academic Meet in Austin after placing in the top three at the Region 2 Academic Meet in Denison last Friday.

A total of six local students advanced to the Region 2 meet, with three placing in the top six.

Junior Sidney Russell placed second in Feature Writing, along with sophomore Avery Everitt taking third in the same event to earn their first trip to the state meet.