This past Saturday morning, Sylacauga native, Dima Pacha McCuiston was inducted into the Huntingdon College Athletic Hall of Fame. She played a vital role in helping build the women’s tennis program at the Montgomery school.
She was named her team’s Most Valuable Player and Best All-Around Player. In 1999, she won her conference Women’s Singles Championship, earning the school’s first ever women’s tennis selection to the NAIA National Tournament. She topped that “All American” honor as an Academic All American, as well.
After the induction ceremony, she did not want to talk about her tennis career. She wanted to talk about the help and support of her high school coaches – Randy Carter and Nathan Brown, who attended her ceremony with his wife, Laura.
She wanted to talk about her college coach, fellow Huntingdon Hall of Famer, legendary John “Coach Johnny Mac” McWilliams. Prior to the induction, she was presented with a classic antique “Chris Evert” tennis racquet from her late coach’s son, even carrying it to the podium to receive her honor.
She wanted to talk about the support she has received from her team mates throughout her tennis career, along with the unwavering support from a family of outstanding tennis players.
“There are so many who contributed to my athletic and academic career at Huntingdon, said Dima, “It’s one of the things that makes this place so special. I feel very fortunate to have been inspired to be my best.”
And Dima reserved her biggest smiles for the non-athletic side of her time at Huntingdon, the role played by Dr. Lisa Olenik-Dorman, “She was so much more than a professor, an academic advisor, a mentor. She inspired my passion. We worked together to develop a physical activity program for those who had many challenges to overcome in life that would have otherwise limited their opportunities to find the joys of athletic activities that most of us take for granted.”
Competitive tennis was, for sure, a highlight for Dima Pacha McCuiston, that earned her a deserved place in the Huntingdon College Athletic Hall of Fame. But it was the Huntingdon Motto, “Enter to grow in wisdom; go forth to apply wisdom in service,” that became the difference-making life lesson that put a “heart” on her time at Huntingdon College.
A great crowd gathered on a crisp Childersburg morning for the 4th Annual Childersburg Kiwanis 5K & Fun Run, and the third year in a row the event honored the man who created the original fund-raising event, the late Ben Nelson.
“It’s an important event for the community, and one that has become an important means for Kiwanis in Childersburg to be of financial support in so many ways for youths in the area, from Kiwanis Park to scholarships for our graduating high school seniors,” said project chair Robbie Riddle, “It was great having Ben’s family out in support of a project that meant so much to our beloved former member.”
Scenes from the 5K & Fun Run
Riddle went on to thank those who came out to particiapte, along with many community sponsors, “Support from the community helps us do more for youths in the area. We still have some accounting to do, but it looks like the bottom line for the event will be close to 8 or 9,000 thousand dollars raised,” added Riddle.
5K Medalists
Sylacauga’s Caleb Pollard was the Overall male 5K participant, with Tammy Thornburg of Anniston leading the way as the overall female runner. The other top finishers were:
Harlyn Parrot (F – 9 & Under Division) Makayla Lambert (F – 10 to 14 Division) Macy Taylor (F – 15 to 19 Division) Eden Kornegay (F – 20 to 29 Division) Amber McDickenson (F – 40 to 49 Division) Kim Puckett (F – 50 to 59 Division) Timothy Ricks (M – 15 to 19 Division) Tyler Arnold (M – 20 to 29 Division) Tyler Culberson (M – 30 to 39 Division) Ron Carroll (M – 40 to 49 Division) James Chatman (M – 60 to 69 Division
