West Kentucky Sports September

Volume 3, Issue 9

In Memory:

Legacy of

Cullan Brown extends off the course Page 8

Lyon County team dominates at Bucket Battle in Indiana Page 19

MCHS golf teams start season off strong

Page 20

September 2020 • Page 3

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19 ADVERTISERS INDEX: Akridge Farm Supply — p. 17 Brehm Striping ­— p. 17

Shop-O-Rama ­— p. 5

Magistrate Bobby Cummins— p. 13

Williams Veterinary Clinic — p.13

Buchanon’s Design Center — p. 15

WCCK/WCBL — p. 21

Lake Barkley CrossFit- p. 22

Wilson Law Firm — p. 7

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Photo Credit: Mark Schaefer | www.schaefer11.smugmug.com

September 2020 • Page 5

BIG WIN English takes checkered during break from Lucas Oil Series Staff Report

Some time off from the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series was good for Marshall County’s Tanner English.

English sitting in fifth. He took the lead with two laps to go and won the 50-lap event, earning the $10,000 top prize.

On Saturday, the crew headed north to Brownstown, Indiana. There, English competed in the Hall of Fame Classic. He had the third quickest time overall, finished third in the third heat race and started 11th in the A-Main. Four laps in the first caution flag was thrown with

English will return to the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model series at 10th place in the points, where he has been for much of the season. He is currently leading the Rookie of the Year points chase. He has been employed and driving full-time by Riggs Motorsports this season and drives the 81E car for Scott and Tara Riggs, who are based out of Norris City, Illinois.

During the mid-August break, English traveled to Junction City Friday to compete at the Ponderosa Speedway for a $4,000 pot in the Ironman Series. There he set a new track record of 12.280. He ran second in the 40-lap feature.

This was his second time to victory lane for the Hall of Fame Classic after having also won in it 2017.

Page 6 • September 2020

Local U14 teams sweep Tennessee tournament It’s been nearly a year since soccer teams could battle across pitches across the Commonwealth. With COVID-19 restrictions still limiting play in Kentucky, two area U14 girls teams traveled to Jackson, Tennessee, sweeping the Wolves Weekend tournament. Pumas Futbol Club of Paducah went 3-0 to take first place, while Dynamo of Marshall County took second.

Dynamo’s lone loss came at the hands of the undefeated Pumas. As of presstime, the two teams are slated to play each other again in October.

September 2020 • Page 7

Page 8 • September 2020

GONE TOO SOON

Commonwealth mourns passing of Lyon County native, state champion and University of Kentucky golfer Cullan Brown

By Jody Norwood

Some shoes are too big to fill.

After losing his battle to cancer August 4, Cullan Brown leaves behind a legacy as one of Lyon County’s most accomplished athletes, as well as being its best ambassador.

Brown, 20, died in Lexington after taking a season off from the University of Kentucky’s golf team following his diagnosis with osteosarcoma. On the course, Brown was a perennial champion. He earned Lyon County Schools their first state championship. After graduating, his success continued at UK. . He was an All-Southeastern Conference Freshman Team selection in 2019 after producing a 72.42 stroke average over eight events. He made seven starts for the Wildcats, including the Southeastern Championship and the NCAA Athens Regional, and was awarded the Male Rookie of the Year award at the 2020 virtual CATSPY

awards presented by UK Athletics in April and appeared on an episode of BBN Live to accept his award In his first career postseason event, he tied for ninth at the SEC Championship during stroke play. The consistent competitor led UK to a third-place showing to advance to the semifinals of match play for the first time in program history. He registered 10 par-or-better rounds throughout his freshman season.

Things only got better in his first-ever PGA event, where he shot 10-under par for the tournament and logged par-or-better scores during all four rounds at the Barbasol Championship held at the local Keene Trace Course in Nicholasville in 2019.

(Continued on Page 13)

September 2020 • Page 9

Page 10 • September 2020

Photo Credit: University of Kentucky Continued from Page 9 “Our hearts are simply devastated over the loss of our brother Cullan,” Kentucky head coach Brian Craig said. “I have personally never known a more special or amazing young man. He was simply the most gifted person I have ever coached. He could literally do anything with excellence, but his greatest gift was the way he loved the Lord and

Bobby Cummins

loved people. That is a tremendous legacy to leave behind and one that will last forever within our UK golf family.

“I ask for special prayers for Cullan’s wonderful family. Rodney, Emily and his younger sister, Cathryn, have all been so faithful and supportive of Cullan over this past year. I have witnessed firsthand what unconditional love looks like. It looks like the Brown family. They have inspired all of

us during this battle and I stand in awe of them as a family of believers.

“I cannot properly put into words how much I loved Cullan and love his family,. Our entire team has been blessed to have had him as a member of our family even though it was cut way too short. For as long as I coach at the University of Kentucky, I will make sure our young men know of Cullan’s legacy and impact on every one of us. May

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September 2020 • Page 11

God comfort and bless the Browns during this difficult time.”

But it wasn’t his accomplishments on courses across the country that those who knew him will miss most: it was the size of his heart.

Stepping into the spotlight at a young age, Brown always had composure and a kind word to share, never taking credit for all of his own success. When Brown wasn’t

undergoing treatment, he spent much of the last year serving as an inspiration through his kindhearted compassion and by continuing to talk to fans. Few who achieve as much success in such a short time remain as humble as Lyon County’s Cullan Brown.

Brown was the kind of young man every parent hopes their child will grow up to be: kind, good humored, intelligent, talented. He was a capable outdoorsman, a skilled cook

and an avid reader.

In the days after his passing, fellow local standout and current LPGA golfer Emma Talley shared the thoughts of many with local media.

“Cullan Brown made everyone feel like they were his best friend,” Talley said. “He definitely made me feel like that. He never

(Continued on Page 13)

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Page 12 • September 2020 Continued from Page 11 met a stranger. He always saw the positive side of everything.

“He’s the best person I ever met. The funniest person. He makes me smile more than anyone I know. I know he’ll continue to make a difference.”

Likewise, Brown felt an appreciation for the friendship with Talley and her family.

In a 2019 Herald Leader interview, Brown said their support had helped guide his rise.

“Our relationship with Emma and the Talleys as a whole has just been instrumental in us reaching the levels of success that I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to reach,” Brown told the Leader’s John Clay. “Coming up through the very early stages of junior golf, the Talleys were there to kind of guide us how to go through junior golf in such a way to set up successful college recruitment and then a successful college career, not to mention having a successful big-time junior career as well.”

Brown’s legacy will live on in those who knew him. When Brown was diagnosed, UK teammate Jay Kirchdorfer started a GoFundMe page to help ease the family’s financial concerns. Donations surpassed $25,000 in than a week. As of presstime, it was nearing the $75,000 mark.

Both the Kentucky men’s and women’s teams had the hashtag #B4B, short for “Birdies for Brownies,” stitched into their gear to honor Brown “These are painful moments for the UK Athletics family,” UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart said. “Our university and our state have lost a truly special person in Cullan Brown. The impact he made on so many in his short time as a Wildcat is immeasurable,

Photo Credit: Twitter

whether it was through his heart as a competitor or his simple goodness as a man.

“Even in the toughest times, he never had a bad day. Cullan will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing him. We offer our most heartfelt condolences and prayers to the Brown family in the face of an unimaginable loss.”

Brown is survived by his parents,

Rodney and Emily, and his sister, Cathryn; his maternal grandparents Herschel and Romona Engler of Eddyville; his paternal grandmother, Beverly Brown, Eddyville; two uncles, Jay Brown and Brock Engler, both of Eddyville; and cousins, Hayden and Ayla Engler.

He was a member of Hebron Baptist Church and Eddyville First Baptist Church Youth Group.

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Page 14 • September 2020

September 2020 • Page 15

Local Girl competes in national events at

Keeper Wars Staff Report

On the pitch, goalkeepers are often an under-appreciated part of many soccer teams.

California’s Casey Clark understood the feeling of having every game weighing down ever dive and lunge. The former NOMAD Keeper Wars champion and college player launched

Midwest Keeper Wars Ink in 2019 in St. Louis. In 2020, he expanded it to the first-ever national competition, with events in Missouri, California and Iowa.

Local soccer player Marley Norwood took part in qualifying events in St. Louis, Missouri, and Altoona, Iowa.

(Continued on Page 17)

Page 16 • September 2020

Photos courtesy of Morgan Norwood

Continued from Page 15 Norwood has been part of the Pumas and Dynamo soccer clubs, as well as the Kentucky Olympic Development Team and the International Soccer League. She also played for the North Marshal Lady Marshals in spring 2020..

Page 18 • September 2020

Preston Cope Wiffle Ball Tournament to return Staff Report The Preston Cope Wiffle Ball Tournament will open September 12 at 9 a.m.

The tournament will be played at Calvert City ball fields behind the library.

Teams may be registered at www.play-

likepreston.com

Team sponsorship and donations help benefit Preston Cope Memorial Fund and Scholarships.

The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the celebration of Cope’s life.

Even those who don’t play Wiffleball are invited to bring a chair and come watch all the memories being made.

Proceeds from the event go to help benefit the Preston Cope Memorial Fund at CFSB and scholarships in memory of the Marshall County High School baseball player.

September 2020 • Page 19

Perry, Shoulders lead team to Bucket Battle win Staff Report Two Lyon County basketball players led an all-star caliber team to a championship at the USA Youth Hoops Bucket Battle in mid-August.

The All Kentucky team, featuring Travis Perry and Brady Shoulders, went 5-0 on their championship run in Noblesville, Indiana. The team competed in the 14U Division 1 bracket, winning almost all their games by at least a 20-point margin.

Perry, who led Lyon County during their high school season, hit 42 points in the championship game to help secure the title, including seven 3-point buckets.

For the weekend, Shoul-

ders hit 13 3-pointers during the competition.

The win ranked the team

nationally at 11.

For Lyon County’s 20192020 season, Perry led the

team with 852 points, while Shoulders had 119, including 32 3-point baskets.

Page 20 • September 2020

Leading the field Staff Report

Marshall County’s golf teams are off to a solid start, already pulling away from foes in the First Region.

The Marshals placed first in team play at the Hopkins County Central Invitational in late August, following first place wins at Murray and against St. Mary in Calvert City.

The Marshals also finished second in Lexington at the Bronco Invitational against top ranked teams in the state.

Jay Nimmo has led the way for the

Marshals with multiple performances under par.

At Hopkins County, Nimmo finished one stroke ahead of St. Mary’s Rocco Zakutney. As a team, St. Mary finished in second place, three strokes behind Marshall County’s score of 297.

Trey Wall, Preston Futrell, David Jack Morris and Camdyn McLeod have been consistent competitors for Marshall County.

The Lady Marshals have also had several top place finishes.

Marshall opened the 2020 season with a win at the Lady Scottie Golf Invitational in Glasgow’s Willow Oaks Golf Course.

They successfully defended last year’s team win with a score of 307. Trinity Beth used a 3-under par 69 to medal.

Since then, Marshall has placed second in Hopkinsville, first in Shelby County and first in Bowling Green. In all, the Lady Marshals picked up their sixth tournament win of the year in the Bluegrass Invitational at Heritage Hill Golf Club in Shepherdsville in late August.

September 2020 • Page 21

Page 22 • September 2020

Tilghman coach heads to Bethel as assistant Staff Report Paducah Tilghman’s Lady Tornado soccer team has a new coach. So does Bethel University.

Wes Newsome has been named head coach for Tilghman following the departure of Armando Guell “Tico” Castro. Lady Wildcat coach Misty Aird announced in August the former Cat would be joining her staff in McKenzie, Tennessee.

“We are very happy to add Armando to our staff,” Aird said. “He is a Bethel person who knows our program and we have great expectations to what he can and will add to our program. We look forward to working with him.”

It’s a good fit for Castro, who recently celebrated the birth of his first child, Amelia.

As a four year starter the native of San Jose, Costa Rica Castro played for Bethel from 2009-2013. He received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Bethel as he helped lead the school to three national tournament appearances. The Wildcats were regular season conference champions three times and won the conference tournament championship twice during his career.

Castro led a turnaround with young players during his two-year tenure at Tilghman

5Armando “Tico” Guell Castro | Photo courtesy of Bethel University Tilghman finished 10-10 in 2019, their first .500 season since going 7-7-1 in 2015 and their first season with double digit wins since 2012.

According to a release from Bethel, Castro’s work history and qualifications include: n Technical Director for Pumas Futbol Club since 2015. As a coach: Two Division II

State titles, one Division I State Runner up.

n Olympic Development Program for Kentucky since 2016. Selected to be part of the coaching staff for the International Trip to Dortmund, Germany in 2019. n USSF National C License.

n USC Goalkeeping Level 1 & II

n USC Director of Coaching Diploma.

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September 2020 • Page 23

By Jody Norwood | Editor

Sometimes there just aren’t words to convey a situation. This is one of those times.

On Aug. 4, Lyon County’s Cullan Brown lost his battle to cancer. He was 20-years old.

For me, I met Brown during my years as a reporter at the Herald Ledger newspaper before he was even a teenager. There was a little buzz going around about the youth golfer who was already out-shooting adults. Admittedly, I was taken back upon meeting him.

Here was this kid still four years shy of a driving permit with more confidence and respectfulness than most people three times his age. When asked about how he had managed to master so much of the game at a young age, his answers were always about those who took time to work with him and about being blessed, never about his own sacrifices or ambitions. He spoke with a nearly constant smile, not afraid to laugh when the question called for it.

And at the end of the day, that’s how many of us will remember him: a humble young man with an amazing outlook.

Sure, there were plenty of accolades in his young life.

Lyon County’s first athletic state champion. A top recruit for the University of Kentucky. A competitor in every match he played.

But those characteristics were just things he accomplished, not the person he was.

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