Georgia
Body of 17-year-old boy found in Georgia lake: Local racing, rodeo communities mourn loss
“He started his racing career this year and was on a path to make his mark in the industry,” Dixie Speedway Vice President Mia Green wrote about Croft in a Facebook post.
Authorities located the body of a 17-year-old boy in a Georgia Lake on Friday after he went missing the day before.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Game Wardens located Jackson Cole Croft just before 4 p.m. ET on Friday, June 6 from Allatoona Lake, Georgia DNR Public Affairs Officer Mark McKinnon told USA TODAY. Croft was recovered shortly after, from 22 feet in the water, by local divers. Located in northwest Georgia, Allatoona Lake is about 35 miles north of Atlanta.
Croft was reported missing on Thursday, June 5 after a boat he was on was found circling in the lake with no driver, McKinnon previously told USA TODAY.
Georgia racing, rodeo communities mourns loss
Croft and his family were avid members of the racing community in Woodstock, Georgia. The 17-year-old had recently begun driving racing car No. 9 at the Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, about 30 miles north of Atlanta.
“This precious family has been a huge part of Dixie Speedway’s history and dear friends for many years,” Dixie Speedway Vice President Mia Green said in a Facebook post on June 6. “Jackson had been around racing his entire life with his dad, Jason Croft. He started his racing career this year and was on a path to make his mark in the industry.”
The Tri-County Racetrack in Brasstown, North Carolina also extended its condolences on social media.
“The entire Tri-County Racetrack family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jackson Croft, a vibrant young man whose life was tragically cut short,” a Facebook post reads. “While words can never ease the pain, please know that your racing family stands with you in prayer, love, and support.”
Croft was also involved in Georgia’s rodeo community, specifically through RockN’5L Rodeo Company’s Jr. Pro Division.
To celebrate Croft’s life, the rodeo company, located in Cedartown, Georgia, is hosting a tribute to the late teen on Saturday, June 14. Attendees are encouraged to wear green, as Croft’s favorite color was camo green.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
Gulfstream recently announced a $5 million investment in Georgia education, welcoming students and leaders to its Savannah headquarters.
ATHENS, Ga. – Designated hitter Daniel Jackson and centerfielder Rylan Lujo combined for nine RBI Sunday, leading fifth-ranked Georgia to a 12-1 win over LSU at Foley Field.
Georgia improved to 41-11 overall, 21-6 in the SEC, while LSU dropped to 29-24 overall and 9-18 in conference play.
The Tigers return to action at 6:30 p.m. CT Thursday when they play host to Florida in Game 1 of a three-game SEC series in Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field. Thursday’s game will be broadcast on the LSU Sports Radio Network and streamed on SEC Network +.
“Georgia won the moments in this series,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “They’re going to score, so you’ve got to capitalize against them when you have scoring opportunities on offense.”
Georgia starting pitcher Caden Aoki (8-0) was the winner, limiting LSU to one run on four hits in 5.0 innings with two walks and seven strikeouts.
LSU right-hander Casan Evans (2-3), making his first appearance since April 17 versus Texas A&M, started the game Sunday and was charged with the loss, working 1.2 innings and allowing four runs on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts.
“I thought Casan’s stuff looked great, and that’s good for him from a health standpoint,” Johnson said. “He’s a guy that the more he pitches, the better he is, so there might have been a little bit of rust, but I thought he competed fine.”
Georgia struck for four runs in the bottom of the second inning in an outburst highlighted by Jackson’s two-out, two-run single and an RBI single by second baseman Ryan Black.
The Tigers narrowed the gap to 4-1 in the third when designated hitter Omar Serna Jr. delivered an RBI single.
Georgia extended its lead to 7-1 in the fourth as Jackson launched a two-run homer and centerfielder Lujo lined a run-scoring single.
Lujo unloaded a grand slam in the fifth, giving the Bulldogs an 11-1 advantage.
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