Sports Archive

The story of the year for 2024 is an easy one to pick. Navarre alum Emily (Madril) Sams winning a gold medal tops anything else across the local sports scene over the last 12 months.

But there were certainly other big stories worth highlighting this year, including a new Raider football coach, success in weightlifting, a big year for the volleyball team and former Raiders doing big things in the pros.

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are hosting a New Year’s Eve event for the first time in six years.

Michael Carter had an opportunity to play in an NFL game for the first time this season.
Brought up off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad due to injuries in the running back room, Carter was on the field for the Cardinals’ game against Carolina on Dec. 22 in Charlotte.

Former Navarre Raider Kenzie England is playing well in her first season on the basketball court at LaGrange.
In fact, England was named the Collegiate Conference of the South Rookie of the Week for the first time in her career on Dec. 16.

Two flag football players represented Northwest Florida on the national stage.
Navarre’s Natalie Busch and Pace’s Amaya Pablo competed in the U.S. Army All-American Flag Bowl on Dec. 20 in Texas.

Navarre alum Daysha Taylor earned all-region honors this past season at Holmes Community College in Mississippi.

Grady Kelly is on the move again. The former Navarre Raider has committed to Michigan State.

Navarre’s girls weightlifting team made a statement earlier this month, winning the Power of Christmas Invitational in Suwannee.
The Raiders won the Olympic and traditional titles, and head coach Garrett Bagley loves that his team handled its first big meet of the year so well.

Abby Fogg has known all along her Navarre Raider girls basketball team has the potential to be pretty good. Sure, the roster is youth-heavy, and there is little returning experience on it.
But that hasn’t stopped the Raiders from making progress, from taking steps forward that have helped make this team one that isn’t an easy out for any opponent.

Rob Simon won his 250th as the head coach of the Navarre Raider girls soccer team last month.
As big of a deal as that is, he is quick to share the credit.