Athletes who call St. Simons Island home have been making some waves in sports lately. While sports reporting isn’t our forte, we thought we’d highlight a few noteworthy moments in case you missed them.
Glynn Academy alumnus Jack Podlesny started the New Year out in stellar style for the Georgia Bulldogs. With only two seconds left in the game, “Hot Pod” kicked a career long 53-yard field goal that gave the trailing Dawgs a 22-21 lead over the Cincinnati Bearcats and led to their ultimate victory in the 2021 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Jack Frost might be a better nickname for the former GA soccer and football standout for the ice in his veins that it took to make that kick! The walk-on redshirt sophomore who had the daunting task of filling the shoes of Rodrigo Blankenship was 10/13 on field goals and 37/37 on PATs prior to the Peach Bowl. Podlesny was a 2020 semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, which goes annually to the nation’s top collegiate placekicker and was won by Blankenship in 2019. The Golden Isles community was bursting with pride to be able to claim this young man as one of our own. Way to go, Jack!
Jack Podlesney Peach Bowl 2021 GA Bulldogs
Another former Red Terror made sports history in the world of baseball. All-Star pitcher Adam Wainwright was named the recipient of the 2020 Roberto Clemente Award, the most prestigious honor bestowed on individual players by Major League Baseball. Wainwright earned the honor for his outstanding philanthropic work around the world through Big League Impact, which he founded in 2013. He becomes the sixth Cardinals player to win the award.
Addressing the honor, Adam said, “This is the crown jewel of any award I have ever received! But, to me, it's more than just an award. What Mr. Clemente stood for, and the way he lived his life on and off the field, goes beyond what any award could fully embody. Even being mentioned in the same sentence with him is an incredible honor. I feel very blessed and honored to receive the Clemente Award, and I will continue to try and live up to his standards as long as I live. And, the reason we feel led to help people is not for trophies or accolades of any kind.... but I have to admit... this trophy is pretty awesome! Thank you so much to everyone who helped make this happen. It is truly a dream come true.”
St. Louis Cardinals
Adam Wainwright Wins MLB’s Roberto Clemente Award
Turning to golf, local PGA TOUR player Harris English recently won the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii with a birdie on the first hole in a playoff with Joaquin Niemann. This is English’s third career PGA TOUR win, and his first since the Mayakoba Golf Classic in November of 2013. English was the third-round co-leader at 21-under, but was even par through 11 holes on the Plantation Course and had to chase down Niemann, who closed with a 64. Birdies on 5 of the last holes kept him in the hunt. English’s win nearly came on the final hole after bringing his second shot within 10 feet of the cup on the par-5 18th. He missed the eagle putt, but tapped in for birdie to close with a 4-under 69 for the day and 25 under for the tournament. Back on 18 for the playoff, he wrapped up the win with a 6-footer birdie.
QBE Shootout Photo Gallery
Matt Kuchar, son Cameron acting as caddy, and Harris English at QBE Shootout 2020
English also paired up with another St. Simons Island PGA TOUR golfer, Matt Kuchar, to become the first team to win the QBE Shootout at Tiburon Golf Club in Buena Vista three times, breaking several records they had previously set. Matt’s 13-year old son, Cameron, caddied for him at the shootout, then took up the clubs himself to play with Matt at the PNC Championship 2020 Father-Son Challenge at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Grande Lakes. While they led through Round 1, they didn’t ultimately take home the win, ending the tournament T-5 (ahead of Tiger and Charlie, in case you were wondering). They sure did play some fine golf and have a great time that was fun to watch.
Can’t wait to see what 2021 holds for our hometown athletes, wherever they may play!