"Where Are They Now" Laura Baird

Published in the January 12 issue of The Madison County Journal

Laura and husband Will

By Dallas Bordon

Laura Baird Class of 2005

Laura Baird, class of 2005, gave up playing Junior Varsity basketball for the Lady Raiders after two years to concentrate on tennis and softball while at Madison County High School. Her decision paid off in the long run. In her senior season, Laura was named to the All-Northeast Georgia Tennis team. Along with her doubles partner Sarah Tippins, Baird was named to the number one doubles first team. Baird and Tippins held a 19-2 record and helped the Lady Raiders capture their fourth region championship in five years and held a perfect 12-0 record in region play. Laura played under current coach Keith Strickland. Strickland, who coaches both girls and boys teams at Madison County, has his Raiders in the state playoffs with one or both teams often.

Laura Baird recalls her favorite moment in high school sports occurring during her freshman year. Baird, a 2004 All-Northeast Georgia First Team selection for class AAAA in softball, remembers her Lady Raiders (at that time in class triple “A”) placing second in the state class AAA tournament. Upon their arrival back to the high school from the state tournament in Columbus, Baird recalls seeing the lights on at Raider field and much to her surprise, people in the community had gathered there to celebrate the team’s success, complete with roses and balloons. Under the direction of Coach Doug Kesler, Laura received class AAAA All-State Honorable Mention. Baird holds the school record for most career doubles (28) and singles season doubles (18). Laura credits coach Kesler for much of her success at the plate. “Coach Kesler instilled a confidence in me that I was going to get a hit and he often let me swing away in critical times in a game,” said Baird. Kesler, who continues to coach the Lady Raiders, led his girls to a second place finish in state quad “A” this past season.

Baird graduated from Valdosta State University and was actively involved with intramural sports. She is currently living in Fitzgerald, Georgia with her husband Will and Bailey their dog. Laura teaches kindergarten at Ben Hill Primary School and hopes to one day coach softball for the Fitzgerald High School Hurricanes. 

"Where Are They Now" Michael Youngblood

Published in January 12 issue of The Madison County Journal

By Dallas Bordon

Michael Youngblood Class of 98

Michael Youngblood graduated from Madison County High School in 1998. He now serves as Head Coach of the Oconee County boys’ varsity basketball team as well as Head Coach of the girls’ golf team (2010 State Champions). Michael currently teaches social studies; American Government and U.S. History. He has been at Oconee County High School for 5 years.

While at Madison County High School, Michael was a member of the Red Raider baseball team for one year, but his passion was being part of Raider basketball - playing all four years. After graduating from Madison County, Michael continued playing basketball for two years at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Georgia.

Youngblood graduated for the University of Georgia in 2003 and in August of 2010 he earned his Master’s Degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University.

Michael credits his parents as well as Allen McCannon, Mike Osborne, Brad Bolemon, and Benjie Wood for being positive influences in his life throughout high school. “They were positive influences that molded me into the person I am today,” said Youngblood. “Even though I’m not around MCHS much, I am very fortunate to have these men in my life and I feel as if I can reach out to these guys any time.”

Although Michael’s time at Madison County was filled with many great memories and friendships that he stills values today, he claims his junior year of playing basketball as his most exciting year. “In my junior year we won our region tournament and advanced to the state tournament. We were very talented and led by a large group of seniors. We lost in the state tournament to Rome High School,” said Youngblood.

Youngblood was also very involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Other great memories for Youngblood included Black Mountain Winter Recharge, summer basketball camps, and Friday night high school football games.

Michael is happily married to Jennifer Elizabeth Queen. Michael and Jennifer were married this past summer in Jekyl Island and are expecting a baby boy in the near future. Michael also has a step daughter, five year old Alexa Ryan.