Newton Citizen

Mandy Chandler, a junior pitcher at Georgia College and State University, was named the Peach Belt Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week for two consecutive weeks.

The former Eastside hurler picked up the awards for the weeks of Feb. 18-24 and Feb. 25-March 2. She also was named the GCSU Athlete of the Week twice during that same stretch.

During the first week, Chandler recorded victories over Georgia Southwestern and defending national champion SIU-Edwardsville.

The following week, the right-hander pitched 30.1 innings over five games and surrendered no runs while chalking up 47 strikeouts. She struck out 15 in a two-hit shutout against West Georgia to start the week. At the Catawba Tournament, she tossed a two-hit shutout with 14 strikeouts against Lock Haven and she fired eight innings of one-hit ball with 11 strikeouts against Lenoir-Rhyne.

Chandler has now earned the Peach Belt's pitcher of the week honor four times in her career.

SOFTBALL

Lee picks up CAA softball honor for Georgia State

Freshman Catherine Lee was named the Colonial Athletic Association softball Rookie of the Week on Tuesday.

Lee, a former Eastside standout, earned the honor by leading the Panthers to a 3-1 record in the GSU Spring Showdown last weekend. The catcher hit four home runs in 13 at-bats for Georgia State, finishing with 10 RBIs.

On Wednesday, Lee smashed her seventh and eighth home runs for the Panthers in a doubleheader sweep of Toledo. She was 4-for-7 in the twin bill.

LACROSSE

Richardson tallies first collegiate goal

Rockdale's Nicole Richardson, currently a freshman at St. Andrews Presbyterian College, scored her first collegiate goal during a 17-8 victory over Lees-McRae College.

INDOOR TRACK

Denson finishes fourth in OVC indoor meet

Jacksonville State University freshman Chelsea Denson just finished a strong indoor track season with a fourth-place finish in the pole vault at the Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Track Championships in Nashville last weekend.

The former Salem standout produced an effort of 10 feet, 6 inches, which helped Jacksonville State finish third in the meet.

SOCCER

Lamb named captain at Presbyterian

Sophomore defender Rachel Lamb was recently named one of the captains for Presbyterian's upcoming 2008 season.

She has started every game in her first two seasons at Presbyterian and was named the team's Co-Most Valuable Player for the 2007 season.

SWIMMING

Horton helps Catawba finish fifth

Salem's Jaimie Horton helped Catawba College finish fifth at the Bluegrass Conference Championship Swim Meet.

Horton swam finals in the 800-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard freestyle relay. She recorded season best times in the individual 500- and 200-yard freestyle events. In the individual 100 yard freestyle event, Horton achieved a personal best.

Horton, a freshman, participated in all nine varsity meets this year for the Indians.

If you know of former local athlete from Rockdale or Newton counties competing on the collegiate level, we'd like to hear from you. E-mail Kristen Lofton at sports@rockdalecitizen.com.