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The Lady Centurion Cross Country Team followed up last week’s Regional win, with an outstanding race at the Kentucky State Horse Park, to defend their State Runner-Up Title. The girls team has now placed in the top 3 at State in three of the las tsix years. It was a spectacular way to end the season, as the team had its best race when it counted the most.The pre-season rankings only had the Lady Centurions ranked 8th and spent most of the season outside the top 5.While flying under the rest of the state’s radar, the girls quietly put in the work to be ready for the races that really matter- Regional & State.Even with the convincing win over two of the top teams in the state, North Oldham and Collins, at the Region 3 Championships, still the Centurions got little attention. Most predicted the team to come in 4th. The girls were content to show what they were capable of on the race course.

Lining up in the box right beside 2-time defending State Champion Highlands, the girls were able to keep a close eye on the prohibitive favorite. As the gun went off, all the girls got right in to their own individual race plans. For senior Hannah Herd that meant a conservative opening 2K, before launching her attack at a top finish position. As she has done so many times, she executed flawlessly, as she quickly surged into the top 10.With 800 to go, Hannah pulled up alongside one of the state’s most decorated runners -Paducah Tighlman’s Aleja Grant – and then preceded to put 13 seconds on her to an outstanding 3rd place finish. Hannah’s effort won her recognition from the KHSAA, as she was given the “National Guard KHSAA State Championship Best & Brightest Award”. Hannah’s time of 19:01 broke Jenna Rogers’ school record by an amazing 27 seconds. Sophomore Clara Lynch ran a very strong race on the challenging course to put the Lady Centurions in the hunt for the State Title. Clara’s 13th place finish in a time of 20:05, earned her 2nd straight cross country All-State honor. As they have much of the season, Madalyn O’Dea and Callie Donaldson raced side-by-side for most of the race. Mad-O’s scorching kick gained several valuable places in the last 50 meters as she finished 26th, with Callie following closely in 30th. Junior Kenzie Stovall had her best race of the season, with her 95th place wrapping up the scoring for the Centurions. In the end, Highlands depth enabled them to escape the scare from our team, taking the win with 107 points to Christian Academy’s 140. The strength of Region 3 was seen as North Oldham and Collins swept the remaining podium spots. Freshman Morgan McIntire gained valuable State experience, with her 23:59 run and Maddie Luette wrapped her her high school cross country career with a strong 25:28. The four seniors, Hannah, Callie, Maddie and alternate Rachel Amin, go out as the most decorated class in the program’s stellar history. And on the strength of State veterans Clara, Mad-O, Morgan and Kenzie, plus up-and-comers Faith Brickzen, Lauren Robinson and Kilie Morgan, the Christian Academy dynasty will continue.

Christian Academy Individual State Championships Places & Times
3. Hannah Herd, 19:01 *All-State
13. Clara Lynch, 20:05 *All-State
26. Madalyn O’Dea, 20:49 *All-State Honorable Mention
30. Callie Donaldson, 20:53 *All-State Honorable Mention
95. Kenzie Stovall, 22:46
147. Morgan McIntire, 23:59
181. Maddie Luette, 25:28

The Lady Centurion Harriers won their first Regional Championship since 2007, by upsetting # 2 ranked North Oldham squad. The defending State Runner-Up team has been State ranked all season, but had not beat the Lady Mustangs all season. The two teams have plenty of history battling for Regional titles and top places at State, as they compete in the toughest Region in the State.

Last year, North Oldham took the Regional title by 3 points, before Christian Academy turned the tables in taking 2nd at State, to North’s 3rd. KYtrackXC.com projected another North win in the automated rankings and in the pre-race predictions. But the race on the cross country course is all the matters and the team came in with a very specific race plan to go after the Championship trophy. The girls executed the plan flawlessly. Hannah Herd and Clara Lynch worked together for most of the race, nestled in a pack of 4 behind National Elite Collins runner Gabby Karas. Hannah exploded over the last 1000 meters to finish Runner-up to Karas. Clara chopped nearly a minute off her only previous race on this course, to place 5th. Madalyn O’Dea and Callie Donaldson also worked together throughout the race, keying off North Oldham’s # 3 runner,knowing that putting four Centurions in front of herwas very important in winning the team title. It all came down to the last200 meters, as Mad-O and Callie both crossed the finish line ahead of the Mustang. Morgan McIntire ran a very aggressive race,placing 4 spots higher than predicted to seal the 8 point win. Kenzie Stovall and Maddie Luette also ran strong races in the cold blustery conditions. Now it is on to the State Meet next Saturday atthe Kentucky State Horse Park. The team is seeking to earn their 3rd podium finish in the last 6 years.

Christian Academy Regional Places and Times
2. Hannah Herd, 19:44
5. Clara Lynch, 20:12
8. Madalyn O’Dea, 21:15
9. Callie Donaldson, 21:19
22. Morgan McIntire, 23:07
24. Kenzie Stovall, 23:40
35. Maddie Luette, 25:53

After a 36 to 6 win over Somerset Meece on Saturday, the 8th grade CAL Centurions played in the state final game on Sunday against the Letcher Central Cougars.

On CAL’s first possession of the game after several first down achievements, Milton Wright ran in for CAL’s first touchdown. Defense, led by Luke Chambers, Harrison Zimmerer, Jack Griffin and Nathan Green held strong to keep the Cougars from scoring. When CAL’s offense took the field several first downs were achieved by Austin Carr and Wright. Soon after Carr’s pass to Anthony Palombino resulted in another Centurion touchdown. Carr trucked through the defense to score in the 2 point conversion to end the 1st quarter 14-0.

The top of the 2nd quarter Letcher Central looked to be posed to score when they threw a pass and Wright intercepted to gain another 6 for the Centurions. Defense continued to keep LC scoreless with Trent Wilburn sacking the quarterback. CAL did allow one touchdown late in the second quarter when a pass from LC quarterback was caught, no 2 point conversion. At the end of the quarter CAL pulled out their passing weapons with Palombino and Kaden Weiter catching for significant gains. Carr kept the ball and ran in for the last touchdown of the half and completed 2 point conversion for a CAL lead of 28-6.

The 2nd half started with CAL’s defense again being strong lead by Austin Richardson, Luke Paulson and Weiter stopping the Cougars again. At the end of the 3rd, Wright ran for another TD to make it 34-6 for the Centurions. Fourth quarter was much of the same for CAL as balls from Letcher Central were intercepted by CAL, passes were caught by Paulson and Weiter and the QB Carr pushed into the endzone for another score. 40 to 6. Letcher Central passed for one of their own, but it was a little too late. CAL won with a final score of 40 to 14. Go Centurions!

It should be noted that the CAL Middle School cheerleaders won the State trophy as well! Hardware coming back to Louisville!

Your Christian Academy Varsity Football team moved to 8-0 on the season as they defeated Ft. Knox 43-0 on a cool, drizzling night at the Ft. Knox Military Installation. The Centurions jumped out early and never looked back. The CAL Special Teams put the offense in favorable field position as Cade Sparrow took the opening kickoff 60 yards to the Ft. Knox 10 yard line.

Nick Payne swept left for a 5 yard touchdown behind the block of Chuck Williams. The Centurion defense held for a quick three and out. Cal Lewellyn brought in the punt and exploded down the left sideline for a 51 yard punt return to the Ft. Knox 5 yard line. Payne went in from the 4 yard line to put CAL up 14-0. Later in the quarter Tanner Young lofted a rainbow 30 yard TD pass to Clay Davis and Payne rushed in a third score as CAL went to half 28-0.

The CAL defense continued its dominant play on this night and several new faces were seen on the defensive side of the ball. Logan Young and Nathan Lawson stepped in and made an immediate impact totaling six tackles each. Other significant contributors were Joel Shelton (3 tackles), Zac Zimmerer (2 tackles) and T. Wolfe (4 tackles). Hayden Pass picked up a quarterback sack and Alec Jessie recovered a fumble deep in Centurion territory to keep the shutout alive. Shelton has been a steady force on special teams this year. The CAL defense held Ft. Knox to 72 yards rushing on 25 carries and zero passing yards.

In the second half new faces were also seen on the offense. Tristan Cusick assumed control of the team and CAL was able to steadily move the ball behind a myriad of rushers including K. Wilson (5 rushes for 18 yards), Tanner Palin (5-26, First Varsity TD), Nathan Clemons (1-14) and Christian Babin (1-42, 1 TD). The backs ran behind the CAL O-line of Logan Young, Paxton Tucker, Howard Ensor, Luke Greene and John Harvie. The rush of the game goes to Babin’s 42 yard touchdown to end the fourth quarter. The catch of the game goes to the 30 yard Clay Davis touchdown reception. Special Teams tackle of the game goes to Joel Shelton. The hit of the game goes to Logan Young in on the fumble causing tackle at the CAL 5 yard line. The block of the game goes to freshman Luke Greene who helped spring Babin for his touchdown run.

Well, this is what we have all been waiting for…..DeSales week. Friday night. 7:30. Road game. District title on the line. Rivalry. Passion. Fun. Victory! You don’t want to be that person that misses this game. Let’s go CAL!!!!

Senior guard Max Godby has been named the Southeastern Conference Football Community Service Team Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.

In an athletics department that emphasizes community service, Godby is one of the most hard-working and giving student-athletes Kentucky has ever seen. During his time as a Wildcat he has been very active in the community with hundreds of service hours.

Among his activities are:

• Created and developed a project with the help of Catholic Action Center, called Bucks for Backpacks, which provided 150 homeless men and women in Lexington with a backpack filled with items essential for survival and dignity. Godby made phone calls to ask for donations for the backpacks and items placed inside, packed the backpacks and distributed them to the homeless.
• Participates in numerous events for the UK Christian Student Fellowship and Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Mentor and member of leadership team of the UK sector of Athletes in Action
• Has done speaking and/or service events at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Veterans Hospital, Fayette County “Walk a Child to School” event volunteer, Franklin County High School, Bracken County High School, Bullitt East High School, Rosa Parks Elementary, Lexington Christian Academy, Christian Academy of Louisville, Athletes in Action, Salvation Army, Lakewood Baptist, Turning Point Church, Centenary Church, the All-A Classic Soccer Tournament, Chapel Bible study, Consolidated Baptist Church, FCA/AAU  Basketball Tournament, Lindsey Wilson College, Special Olympics, UK Athletics Back-to-School Picnic, UK Women’s Football Clinic, middle school track meet, middle school powerlifting camp, UK Children’s Hospital and Beaumont Middle School
• Co-led a UK student-athlete effort to provide tornado relief for the city of Joplin, Mo., and the Haiti Food Drive
• Volunteered for Big Blue U, helping UK freshmen move in their dorms
• Volunteered to pack and deliver food for God’s Pantry BackPack Program, while also staying to interact with the children at the school

In addition to his community service, Godby has numerous other awards and activities:

• Three-year member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll
• UK Athletics Society of Character, which honors Wildcats who have shown extraordinary commitment to academic excellence, athletic participation, personal development, career preparation and serving as a role model
• Chosen as a teacher’s assistant for UK’s College of Communication in the fall of 2013 where he not only helped grade tests and homework but acted as a mentor for more than 60 students
• Serves as both the SEC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative and UK’s football SAAC representative where he is responsible for setting up team study hall hours, coordinating team community service activities and serving as a liaison between the team and the UK Athletics Department
• Nominee for the 2014 AllState AFCA National Good Work Team

On the field, Godby came to UK as a walk-on in 2010 and was awarded a full scholarship last year by Coach Mark Stoops.  He is a reserve offensive guard and also plays on special teams.

Article Posted 9/3/14: http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/max_godby_named_to_sec_football_community_service_team/17186819?mb_edition=3677&linksrc=mb_favorites_head