You hear the same words spoken almost everywhere you go, "I just can't believe another year has come and gone," and while the year just flew by, it left many lasting memories in sports.

While I can't write about all things that have happened in area sports this year, and I'm bound to leave out some that I'll regret later, there are those that quickly come to mind.

First and foremost were the losses of two great men, Wallace "Red" Wilder and Larry Ginn. Both men were great athletes, were beloved coaches, husbands and fathers, and in a personal sense, great friends. We still hurt from their loss but their memory will always be with us.

Jacksonville High School will remember this year as the year of "seconds" as their boys' tennis team came in second in the state finals, the boys' soccer team came in second in state and the girls' volleyball team came just short of a three-peat in volleyball with their second place finish at the Elite Eight.

As I think of the volleyball team I will always remember three girls who have signed scholarships to play at the next level, Taylor Palmer, Meagan Cabrer and Caroline Neisler. Each of these girls contributed to the success that the JHS volleyball team has had over the past four years and will never be replaced.

The Golden Eagle football program went to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years and while that was a major milestone what most avid fans will remember is one score, 22-21. That was the score of the Jacksonville win over Alexandria in overtime. The win marked the first time the Eagles had beat the Cubs at the Valley since 1989.

There have also been many interviews that I will remember with people that have both inspired and impressed.

Recently I was able to talk to David Schumaker who was chosen All-America in soccer and will be honored for his accomplishment in January. David is a JHS graduate.

Another JHS graduate, Todd Cunningham, was another rewarding interview to do. Cunningham, who plays for the JSU baseball team, flirted with a .400 batting average in the Cape Cod League over the summer and has been named by Baseball America as one of the top 20 Major League Baseball prospects.

This couldn't happen to a finer young man who is a role model both on and off the field; we wish Todd the very best in the upcoming season.

And staying with JSU, what a year they have had! Coach Jana McGinnis and her JSU softball team finished the year ranked in the top 25 in two polls, listed at No. 21 in the ESPN Softball poll and 24th in the USA Today poll.

The team garnered the first ever-Division I at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament and won the Knoxville Regional to advance to the Super Regional at Tuscaloosa where they lost to Alabama.

Coach McGinnis picked up her third OVC Coach of the Year award which she certainly deserved.

The volleyball team had its year of firsts also as they won their first-ever NCAA tournament game beating Florida A&M before losing to Florida.

JSU, once again OVC champs, were further honored when Coach Rick Nold was named Midwest Region Coach of the Year.

The JSU football team, sporting the best OVC record at 8-3, was unable to compete in post-season play. However, that didn't stop voters from naming quarterback Ryan Perrilloux and defensive back T.J. Heath to the Sports Network All-America team.

There have been many more memories, like the Woodstock 5K and the over 1,000 runners that participated in an event carefully planned out by race director Brooke Nelson. This event has gone from just a few runners to a top national event.

Surrounding schools like Cherokee County and Piedmont, who both won state championships in football, have made us very proud of the quality of athletes we have in this part of the state.

As I said, there have been many memories, too many to mention, but all that have made an impression.

It was a great year in sports and I loved being able to cover all the great things going on, and the great coaches and athletes that were involved.

It makes me really excited to see what happens in 2010!