By Rubin E. GrantThe exuberant reaction of Grace Kingrey’s dad, Dave Kingrey, was priceless.After failing to medal in the 2021 WUKF Karate World Championships in Romania, Grace Kingrey earned a bronze medal in the event this year, held July 3-7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.“I was so happy,” Grace Kingrey said. “I ran over to my dad and he was smiling and said, ‘You … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantKellye Bowen isn’t looking back. A year after guiding Spain Park to its first state volleyball championship, Bowen has put it in her rearview mirror. The only thing that matters to the Jaguars’ head coach is the 2022 season.“I always say it’s a new year and a new opportunity,” Bowen said. “I said that in 2021 after we had a successful season in … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantMountain Brook volleyball coach Mattie Gardner can be forgiven for seeing double as she embarks on her second season.And it’s not just because she has a chance to win her second consecutive state championship. She also has two sets of twins on her team as well as two girls who go by the name Mae Mae.Juniors Mae Mae and Annie Lacey are identical … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantAmanda Wood is ready to embark on the next phase of her volleyball coaching career, although the beginning was somewhat bumpy.Wood was hired as Hoover’s new coach in February after spending the past 10 years at James Clemens in Madison, but it took her a few months to find a place to live near her new school.“I am not going to lie to you, from … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantMountain Brook senior Reagan Riley has served notice that she’s the one to beat when the 2022 high school cross-country season commences in the fall.Last week, Riley blew away the competition during the Alabama High School Athletic Association All-Star Sports Week North-South cross-country competition. In the girls 5,000-meter race at … [Read more...]