Silver Dollars & Wooden Nickels: Silver Dollars, not medals, to athletes

The Nevada Appeal's "Silver Dollar" and "Wooden Nickel" feature recognizes positive achievements from the capital region and, when warranted, points out others that missed the mark.

SILVER DOLLAR: To Alana Williams, the former Carson High girls basketball coach, who guided five teams to state titles, and was among 10 to be inducted into the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association 18th Hall of Fame class at the University of Nevada on Thursday. Williams coached at Carson from 1977-1996 and 2003-05 while posting a record of 444-131. "It's very humbling and I'm very honored," Williams said. Also joining Williams in the 2010 class from the area was: Virginia City's Lyle Damon and Bob Gallagher, former Fallon athlete Jack Beach and former Yerington and Wooster track and field coach Phil Person.

WOODEN NICKEL: To Mother Nature - rain or snow, please make up your mind. We are not complaining about the much needed moisture but we are sick of having to take our hats and gloves and rain coats with us each day when we leave the house. Also it makes our roadways very dangerous.

SILVER DOLLAR: To Carson High wrestler Nick Schlager, who captured the state title at 135 pounds last week. The senior became the eighth state champ in school history, and the first since Travis Lamborn won the 160-pound title in 2007. "I worked very hard for four years; never missed a practice. It all finally paid off," Schlager said last week. Carson had two other medalists: Junior Valladares (171) finished third and Ricky Ugarte (119) finished fourth.

SILVER DOLLAR: To The First Tee of Northern Nevada, a nonprofit organization that combines golf instruction with character development. The program has been working with Seeliger Elementary School students to teach them the valuable life lessons that golf instills.

"They learn not only the game of golf, but also integrity," said Chris Dewar, director of golf and life skills for The First Tee of Northern Nevada.

The First Tee is readying for its summer program, for more information or to become a volunteer call 851-2332 or e-mail info@tftnn.org or visit tftnn.org.