By Rubin E. Grant Pippa Roy has traveled extensively this summer, playing in various tennis tournaments. At every stop, Chanel has been right there with her. And no matter how Roy has done, win or lose, Chanel has been there to support and comfort her. Chanel is a furry friend, a 3-year-old Persian cat that has been a constant companion for Roy since she was a kitten. “She … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantIt’s been quite a year for former Mountain Brook High School golfer Gordon Sargent.He played in two of golf’s majors and in two other PGA Tour events, which has brought him to the cusp of earning his PGA tour card.Sargent, who will be a junior at Vanderbilt in the fall, holds 17 points in the PGA Tour University Accelerated program, which was … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. Grant Josh Donaldson added another state championship to his coaching resume in the spring when he guided the Homewood Patriots to the boys Class 6A title.But Donaldson wasn’t content just being a successful high school track coach.After 11 years at Homewood High School, including the past six as the Patriots’ head cross-country coach and the past … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantKierson McDonald was already a month beyond the end of her high school soccer career at Oak Mountain when she received the highest honor of her career.McDonald was named the 2022-23 Gatorade Alabama Girls Soccer Player of the Year in late June.“It was so amazing when I found out,” McDonald said. “I knew I was up against some very good athletes. It’s … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. Grant Alex Leath didn’t want to be left out. He had seen two of his former Vestavia Hills track teammates get recognized as Gatorade Players of the Year, and he wanted to join them.In late June, Leath did just that when he was selected as the 2022-23 Gatorade Alabama Boys Track & Field Player of the Year.“First and foremost, I am honored to be … [Read more...]