Sports

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Andrew Wall, 15, wins the Rabun Ramble 5K on Independence Day in Lakemont. Wall is a rising sophomore at Rabun County High School.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Andrew Wall, 15, wins the Rabun Ramble 5K on Independence Day in Lakemont. Wall is a rising sophomore at Rabun County High School.

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Ramble rumbles to record number of runners

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, July 9, 2026
reached multiple milestones with its annual 5k and 10K races as not only did the 2026 Independence Day event have its 20th running on America’s 250th birthday, but nearly 1,000 participated to make it a record total.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Several participants of the Lake Burton Fun Run showed their patriotism by wearing red, white and blue, or by dressing up in costumes like the trio celebrating here as they cross the finish line. Despite the warm temperatures, thousands were in attendance on July 4 for the 42nd annual Lake Burton Fun Run from Moccasin Creek State Park to LaPrade’s Marina.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Several participants of the Lake Burton Fun Run showed their patriotism by wearing red, white and blue, or by dressing up in costumes like the trio celebrating here as they cross the finish line. Despite the warm temperatures, thousands were in attendance on July 4 for the 42nd annual Lake Burton Fun Run from Moccasin Creek State Park to LaPrade’s Marina.

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1,700 have really fun run

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 9, 2026
The Lake Burton Fun Run, one of several Fourth of July festive events in Rabun County this past weekend, boasted a record-setting 1,700 runners on Saturday, July 4, for its 42nd annual run as the nation commemorated its 250th birthday.
Submitted photo. Recent Rabun Gap graduate RJ Lacossade (center) high fives teammates during a practice with the Turks & Caicos national team in preparation for the 2029 FIBA AmeriCup Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers. Lacossade, who is signed with Southern Wesleyan University, was born in Turks & Caicos and left his home country at the age 14 to chase his basketball dreams.

Submitted photo. Recent Rabun Gap graduate RJ Lacossade (center) high fives teammates during a practice with the Turks & Caicos national team in preparation for the 2029 FIBA AmeriCup Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers. Lacossade, who is signed with Southern Wesleyan University, was born in Turks & Caicos and left his home country at the age 14 to chase his basketball dreams.

Rabun Gap graduate to represent Turks & Caicos in international games

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Nacoochee School graduate and Southern Wesleyan signee RJ Lacossade is taking his basketball talents on to the international stage. This week, July 8-12, Lacossade will suit up for the national team of his home country, Turks & Caicos, for the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap players run onto the field ahead of kickoff before the Eagles’ game with Christian Brothers College on Oct. 3, 2025. Rabun Gap will face CBC once again this season, as well as four other nationally ranked teams. The Eagles are the preseason No. 115 team in the nation.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap players run onto the field ahead of kickoff before the Eagles’ game with Christian Brothers College on Oct. 3, 2025. Rabun Gap will face CBC once again this season, as well as four other nationally ranked teams. The Eagles are the preseason No. 115 team in the nation.

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RGNS football earns No. 115 preseason national ranking

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 9, 2026
As the countdown to football season rolls on, High School Football America released its preseason top-300 rankings on June 27, featuring the top high school football programs in America. For the third consecutive season, Rabun Gap was featured amongst those top programs. The Eagles slotted in at No.
Submitted Photo. Former Rabun County High School teacher and coach Janice Wayne (center) poses with the Rabun County softball team after throwing the first pitch at a game during the 2025 season. Wayne, the first-ever softball coach at RCHS who also assisted athletics in a plethora of ways, passed away on June 24 at the age of 72.

Submitted Photo. Former Rabun County High School teacher and coach Janice Wayne (center) poses with the Rabun County softball team after throwing the first pitch at a game during the 2025 season. Wayne, the first-ever softball coach at RCHS who also assisted athletics in a plethora of ways, passed away on June 24 at the age of 72.

Long-time Rabun coach, teacher Wayne passes

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 2, 2026
A fixture in Rabun County for decades and beloved by the community, Janice Wayne passed away on Wednesday, June 24, at the age of 72. Wayne – who many will remember as “Coach Wayne” – moved to Rabun County in 1976 and spent 38 years as a teacher and coach in the Rabun County School District.
Submitted. Simeon Conjagic works at the AC Milan camp as a coordinator and safeguarding officer.

Submitted. Simeon Conjagic works at the AC Milan camp as a coordinator and safeguarding officer.

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As world watches soccer, TFS grad builds his career in global game

News Staff
Thursday, July 2, 2026
When Simeon Conjagic left his hometown of Sabac, Serbia, to attend Tallulah Falls School, he brought with him a passion for soccer, learning, and life itself. That journey has since carried him to Belgium, Italy, and the world of professional soccer.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Huey Blalock (center) poses with his family for a photo after being administered his oath of service at VFW Post 4570 in Clayton on June 24. Blalock, who is a midshipman candidate, will head to NAPS, the Naval Academy’s 10-month preparatory school. Blalock was an All-State basketball player for Rabun County.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Huey Blalock (center) poses with his family for a photo after being administered his oath of service at VFW Post 4570 in Clayton on June 24. Blalock, who is a midshipman candidate, will head to NAPS, the Naval Academy’s 10-month preparatory school. Blalock was an All-State basketball player for Rabun County.

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Blalock takes oath of service for Naval Academy

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 2, 2026
CLAYTON – Recent Rabun County graduate and basketball standout Huey Blalock was administered his oath of service to the United States Naval Academy at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4570 in Clayton on Wednesday, June 24.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County campers perform their routine in front of a large crowd inside the Rabun County Elementary School lunchroom on June 25 at the RCHS lil’ Wildcats cheer camp. The Wildcat campers aged 3-13 participated in cheer classes, dance classes, arts & crafts and more during camp.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County campers perform their routine in front of a large crowd inside the Rabun County Elementary School lunchroom on June 25 at the RCHS lil’ Wildcats cheer camp. The Wildcat campers aged 3-13 participated in cheer classes, dance classes, arts & crafts and more during camp.

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Wildcat Cheer hosts summer camp, camp showcase for community

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 2, 2026
TIGER – The Rabun County cheer program hosted its “Lil’ Wildcats Cheer Camp” last week at Rabun County Elementary School from June 22-25, as a record 88 campers attended.The total was the largest turnout the camp has ever had, Rabun County High School head coach Cristina Weber said.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap linebackers Kaylan Brown (left) and Praise Chane (right) close in on a Christ School ball carrier in the Eagles’ 42-0 regular season win over the Greenies on Oct. 17, 2025. Brown announced his commitment to East Tennessee State last week and Chane announced his commitment to Navy.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap linebackers Kaylan Brown (left) and Praise Chane (right) close in on a Christ School ball carrier in the Eagles’ 42-0 regular season win over the Greenies on Oct. 17, 2025. Brown announced his commitment to East Tennessee State last week and Chane announced his commitment to Navy.

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Four Rabun Gap football seniors announce college commitments

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Four more Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School rising seniors announced their college football intentions last week as the peak of recruiting season continues. The Eagles’ football program now has seven rising seniors who have committed to Division I programs, with more collegiate decisions still expected.
File Photo

File Photo

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Independence road races at lakes Saturday

News Staff
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Saturday, July 4, Rabun Ramble Road Race, 5K and 10K races begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Lake Rabun Pavilion. Registration opened on April 1 at Active.com. It is now $45 from until July 3; and $50 on July 4, which is race day. Details: rabunramble.com.Saturday, July 4, Lake Burton Fun Run & Fireworks.