Keep Madison County Beautiful awarded the Yard of the Month selection for the month of May to Gary and Galendia Merchant, who are pictured with their grandson, Karter Merchant. COURTESY PHOTO Keep Madison County Beautiful awarded the Business of the Month selection for the month of May to Vault Nutrition.

As the lone freshman on the Howard Payne University men’s golf team, Rainer Horne competed in three tournaments this year. The Normangee High School graduate competed as an individual in one fall event and also in one of the two spring events in which he played.

Madisonville’s Sam Bennett was named the first ever Ben Hogan Award Finalist from Texas A&M University last week. He is one of three finalists for the distinction, which annually awards the top men’s NCAA Division I, II or III, NAIA or NJCAA college golfer based on all collegiate, amateur and professional events over the previous 12 months. The winner will be announced at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth May 23. TEXAS A&M ATHLETICS

The Madisonville baseball team concluded their season with losses to Lufkin-Hudson in games one and two of the best-of-three Bi-District series over the weekend. The Mustangs were edged by Hudson 4-3 on the road Friday and fell 4-0 in game two at MHS Saturday.

The Madisonville men’s 4x200 relay squad finished second at Regionals to qualify for the State Meet and set a school record in the category, running it at 1:28.52. The team consists of Ronnie Mosley, Devin Wheaton, Jeramiah Burns, Rayce Hudson, Blessing Ngene and Lorenzo Johnson and will compete at the State Meet at the University of Texas Thursday. COURTESY PHOTO

We had a delightful visit with Joe Williamson and his wife last week while shopping at Tractor Supply in Madisonville. Joe is a warm and caring person and is a joy to visit with in any encounter. Please keep Joe and Betty in your prayers as they face health challenges.