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STAFF REPORT
Published on: 06/19/08
Gwinnett has a storied history of great athletes.
From the heavyweight champ Ezzard Charles (who whipped Joe Louis and fought Rocky Marciano to a virtual standstill) to Brian McCann's and Jeff Francoeur's budding stardom with the Atlanta Braves to the promise of Maya Moore (basketball) and Caleb King (football), superb athletes have sprouted from Gwinnett soil.
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We're asking your help to name the top 10 athletes in Gwinnett history.
To get you started, we're providing a list.
You can go on ajc.com/gwinnnett to sound off on these choices, or nominate your own and vote.
In print and online, we'll run some features about your nominees.
And if you have any questions, email Co-editor Larry Hicks at lhicks@ajc.com.
Here are some athletes from Gwinnett that come easily or not so easily to mind.
Ezzard Charles, former heavyweight boxing champ, Lawrenceville(attended high school in Cincinnati.)
George Rogers, 1980 Heisman Trophy winner, NFL offensive rookie of the year, Duluth High
Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves catcher (2x All-Star), Duluth High
Louis Williams, Philadelphia 76ers, South Gwinnett High
Jeff Francoeur, Atlanta Braves OF, Parkview High.
Amanda Weir, 2004 Olympic swimmer (2 silver medals), Brookwood.
Josh Wolff, soccer, 2000 Olympics, 2002/06 World Cup, MLS, Parkview
Maya Moore, UConn basketball, ACC MVP and freshman of the year, Collins Hill
Jason Elam, NFL kicker (Falcons, Broncos), Brookwood
Cindy Brogdon, Womens Basketball Hall of Fame, All-American, 1976 Olympics (silver medal), GAC
Mary Ellen Blanchard, swimming, 8x national champion, Norcross
Caleb King, football, UGA, Parkview/GAC
Jon Stinchcomb, NFL, UGA, Parkview
Matt Stinchcomb, NFL, UGA, Parkview
Marny Westphal, cross country/track, All-American/SEC champ (mile), Brookwood
Clint Sammons, minor league/Braves, Parkview.
Sherryl Baker, WNBA, UGA, GAC
Jeff Keppinger, Cincy Reds, Parkview
Brad Lester, football, Auburn, Parkview
David Greene, UGA, South Gwinnett
Chris Allen, basketball, Mich. State, Meadowcreek
Kyle Maynard, wrestling, ESPY winner, Collins Hill
David Pollack, UGA, NFL, Shiloh
TO VOTE FOR DAVID POLLACK, WHO IS NOT IN THE POLL ATTACHED TO THIS STORY, EMAIL LARRY HICKS AT: lhicks@ajc.com
Vote for this story!
More on ajc.com
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- From toast to ghost 07/12/2008




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Comments
By Johnny Ringo
Aug 16, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Tim Wansley From Buford. He went to UGA then to a superbowl ring. And now He is a CRACKHEAD with NOTHING!!He gets my vote.
By Johnny Ringo
Aug 16, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Tim Wansley From Buford. He went to UGA then to a superbowl ring. And now He is a CRACKHEAD with NOTHING!!He gets my vote.
By ann cofer
Jun 28, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Jason Elam is the best thing that ever happened to the Atlanta Falcons.
I look for great things to happen this year and in the future. I think the Falcons are on the right track now. Looking forward to the season.
By Cindy
Jun 26, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
Don't forget Mary Ellen's 3 American Records of 4 NCAA Titles while at Stanford. She gets my vote!
By Bob
Jun 26, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
Take a look at the record of Mary Ellen, anyone who is an eight time national champion at anything is truly an elite athlete. She gets my vote.
By Kellen Bailey
Jun 26, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Eric Shanteau, swimmer from Parkview High class of 2002 should be included in this list. Not only did he have several individual/team state titles in high school, but he also captained Auburn's men's swim team to 4 consecutive national titles and numeras All-American honors. For the past 4-5 years he has been ranked 3rd in the world in both 400 IM and 200 breastroke behind swimming phenoms Ryan Lockte and Michael Phelps, respectively. There is a rule in place that the U.S. can only take the top 2 athletes per event to the Olympic Games, thus Eric missed out on the last summer games, however, his time still would have earned him a bronze medal. Eric Shanteau is, in my opinion, the best athlete to come out of Gwinnett County.
By James
Jun 23, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
My vote is for Tyler Parker. 4 time large class state champion from Collins Hill and now with Stanford University.
By Jones3
Jun 22, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
What about the Irons brothers from Dacula HS?
By Swim Fan
Jun 22, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this
Olympic swimmer Amanda Wier. Watch her in Bejing!
By Michael
Jun 21, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
Mary Ellen Blanchard is very impressive. Honorable mention to David Greene for breaking those SEC records.
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