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Wednesday, June 11, 2014
SPORTS
The Journal
www.journalpress.com
Taylor Brandts takes UVA-Wise Cavalier softball by storm Leonard Banks Sports editor
UVA-Wise sophomore pitcher, Taylor Brandts
Adam Zundell
Taylor Brandts has lived up to collegiate expectations and more. In fact, the sophomore UVA-Wise Cavalier pitcher literally dominated during her freshman year on the mound. The King George High School alumni established a school 22-2 record, two saves, struck out 141 batters, two saves, 1.77 ERA during 158.1 innings of play. Her ability to shut down opposing teams resulted in numerous athletic honors, including a Mountain East Conference Softball Championship (MEC). It was the first MEC championship (6-2 win over West Virginia Wesleyan) for UVA-Wise in any sport, and the seventh league championship for the Cavaliers softball program since 2002. In addition, she also made the second-team All-Atlantic Region team. The Cavaliers softball team finished the season with a record of 34-17. As the old saying goes, “Where there is smoke there is fire” - that is certainly true in the case of Brandts. From the moment she left King George, her legacy for setting the standard of competitive excellence
extended into the UVA-Wise softball program. “Taylor had a tremendous season,” UVA-Wise head softball coach and ICAA Coach of the Year, Karen Bitters said. “The impact she made is obvious in her stat line; 22-2, with a 1.77 ERA. She worked hard in the weight room on her pitch location and also added another pitch to her repertoire. Because of all that hard work in the off-season, she was able to step in and do her job; I am really proud of her.” Along with being named MEC Pitcher of the Year and the All-MEC First Team, Brandts was named MEC Pitcher of the Week on two occasions. After starting the season with a 3-0 record, Brandts posted a 1.45 ERA, while striking out a season-high 12 batters against West Liberty; in addition, she pitched a one-hit complete game shutout against Glenville State. In spite of her athletic accomplishments, Brandts has not lost sight of the importance of academics and her career goals. Although she is currently undecided on a major, she has an interest in nursing and education. After considering a number of schools, including several Division 1 colleges, her mind was made from the
“None of us are surprised at her success, mainly because her work ethic is stellar; she is a team player, and she is very coachable.” —Renee Parker moment she set foot on the campus of UVA-Wise. “I am comfortable at UVA-Wise, and I didn’t want to go to a school where my focus was just softball,” Brandts said. “I wanted to be in a school where I could enjoy my major. When I visited UVA-Wise, I was sold.” UVA-Wise is a NCAA Division II university, located near the borders of Kentucky and Tennessee, in southwest Virginia. During her senior year at King George High School, the Battlefield Pitcher of the Year played a major role in bringing both a Battlefield District and Regional Championship to King George. Also, during her senior year, the softball program at KGHS achieved its highest playoff goal by competing in the VHSL Group AA semi-championship. Upon reflection, KGHS softball head coach Renee Parker fondly
remembers the work ethic attributed to Brandts’ success. “None of us are surprised at her success, mainly because her work ethic is stellar; she is a team player, and she is very coachable,” Parker said. “She is the epitome of the example you want for your younger players. Also, she has proven that hard work and desire get you time on the field and result in wins. We will continue to follow her success and wish her well!” In the fall, UVA-Wise softball will have a new addition in the form of Taylor’s sister, Monica. Known for her versatility, Monica can play in the outfield, first base and catcher. Together, the Brandts duo has the potential to take the Cavalier program beyond the conference championship level. After 2015, the UVAWise softball program will have the opportunity to compete in post-season play beyond the MEC playoffs.
King George Foxes track & field brings home All-State honors Leonard Banks Sports editor They saved their best for last! After it was all said and done, with 19 Foxes competing, 21 VHSL 4A State Outdoor Championship medals were brought back to King George High School. The coveted event marked a turning point in Fox sports history. Long-time (18 years) Fox track & field head coach, Rudy Pekarek has officially hung up his whistle, and gone into retirement. After numerous championships indoor and outdoor - including the last five girls’ Battlefield/Conference 22 championships, the force behind the magic that made King George one of the best programs in the state will now cheer for his beloved school from the sidelines. As for the girls, Nansemond won the team title with 103 points, while the Foxes finished 12th (19 points). Arch-rival Fauquier finished 11th with 14 points. Throughout the season, the Falcons have hung on the coattails of the Foxes, finishing second in indoor track, and in the 4A Conference 22 Championship. The Foxes also established two new school records in the pole vault, and the girls’ 4x800-meter relay (4th, 9:44.16), and Jonathan Graham, who placed second with a vault of 14’6”. Graham actually tied E.C. Glass’ Matt Crawford, but lost by one in number
of attempts made. “Watching Jonathan was a thing of beauty on Friday night,” Pekarek said. “He was on like I’ve never seen him before.” In light of his performance, on Friday, Graham was selected to compete in the Emerging Elite Class, at North Carolina A&T, in Greensboro, N.C., in the annual New Balance Outdoor Nationals competition. Foxes seniors Miranda Green, and Brittany Williams decided to forgo their graduation to compete in the state championship. Green finished with All-State honors, with a third place finish in the 1600-meters (8th, 5:06.88). Both Green and Williams won medals in the 4x400 (4:08.25) and 4x800 (4th, 9:44.16) meter relay events. Along with All-State qualification in the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays, Heidi Colwell placed fourth in the pole vault (9’6”). Davion Hutt, Ezugo Agulou, Jonathan Graham, and the boys 4x100-meter relay team (Jordan Aley, Jacolby White, Matt Brown, Davion Hutt) produced the All-State qualifying points for an 11th place finish for the Foxes boys (20 points). The placement was one point ahead of Fauquier, which finished 12th (19 points). Individually, Hutt finished fourth in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.25. Graham finished second in the pole vault (14’6”), while
“Watching Jonathan was a thing of beauty on Friday night. He was on like I’ve never seen him before.” —Rudy Pekarek
Ezugo Agulou finished fourth in the 400-meter dash (50.34). The Foxes boys’ 4x100 meter relay team finished a second ahead of Churchland High School with time of 43.16. Thrilled with the results of both the Foxes girls’ and boys’ relay teams, Pekarek said, “The meet really optimized what King George track & field is all about. The teamwork involved in getting four different relays of four varying speeds and distances to all make it to the state level, and all placing in the states is remarkable.” Although the Foxes will lose a legendary coach, and a number of key members of the team due to graduation, they will inherit a cast of talented athletes anxious to shine under the spotlight of a potential championship next season.
Kids love Fredericksburg Orthodontics YMCA Triathlon Leonard Banks Sports editor On Sunday, June 8, at the Ron Rosner Family YMCA, in Fredericksburg, the summer competitive running season for kids officially began. The Fredericksburg Orthodontics YMCA Youth Triathlon was the first of many area YMCA affiliated endurance competitions focused on kids. Triathlon coordinator, and fitness instructor Becky Weber truly realizes the importance of exercise and building self confidence through swimming, biking and running. “It’s so amazing to watch these young kids do something they have never done before,” Weber said. “While they may have biked, swam, and ran
before, most are not accustomed to putting it all together—which is really awesome,” Weber said. The triathlon is now in its eighth year of bringing kids throughout the Fredericksburg area together for fellowship and a morning of friendly competition. As for the triathlon, the YMCA is collecting books to be donated to children and programs in need within the community. On race day, families were encouraged to bring new or used books to the packet pick up area. At the start of the event, over 100 kids, ages 5-15 gathered outside the swimming pool to get instructions on how to engage each phase of the event. Kids, ages 5-10 would swim the distance of 50-yards, bike 1.6
miles, and run .75 miles. Older kids, ages 10-15 would swim (100-yards), bike (3.2 miles), and run (1.5) twice the distance of their younger counterparts. Other summer area kids and adults races include: July 12, Pohanka Honda of Fredericksburg Colonial Beach Sprint Triathlon (adult); July 13, Pohanka Honda of Fredericksburg Colonial Beach International Triathlon (adult); June 21, F.R.E.S.H20 mile; June 28, 1 Mile Leo Mud Run; Aug. 10, Fawn Lake Sprint Triathlon Relay (adult and kids); Sept. 13, Ladysmith Village 1K; Sept. 20, Deuce Braswell Mile Run Against Teen Violence; Sept. 27, Wily Pup Trail Dash.
Christie Britt
Miranda Green, Ashley Perkins, Kristen Hornbaker, and Brittany Williams surround their track & field coach of four years, Rudy Pekarek (center).
PCB Idol
Register, Sing, Compete, Win! Preliminaries held on July 25, 2014, Final competition held on August 16, 2014
Grand Prize of $500!!!
email rphelps@peoplescommunitybank.biz to receive contest rules and registration form. To enter must be 12-18 years old and have permission from parent or guardian Preliminaries will be held on Friday July 25th at the Peoples Community Bank in Warsaw Virginia. The start time will be 6pm. At the preliminaries, the participant will be asked to perform one song for up to 4 minutes. The song will be performed without musical accompaniment. Three judges will rate each participant on a weighted scale on each of the following criteria: song selection, talent, and overall performance. ALL OF THE JUDGES’ DECISIONS WILL BE FINAL. There will be 10 slots available for the finals. Final participants will be performing at the Richmond County Fair on Saturday August 16th at 7pm. As with the preliminaries, the participant will be asked to perform one song for up to 4 minutes. The song will be performed without musical accompaniment. Three judges will rate each participant on a weighted scale on each of the following criteria: song selection, talent, and overall performance. ALL OF THE JUDGES’ DECISIONS WILL BE FINAL. Once all of the tabulations have been completed, and the finalist has been chosen, then all finalists will be called to be informed of the decision. The competition will be held at the Richmond County Fair Grounds located at 315 Community Circle, Warsaw, Virginia inside the Peoples Community Bank booth. Participants must register at the PCB booth no later than 30 minutes before their start time. The final decision of the winner of The PCB Idol Contest will be made by the judges as a group. ALL DECISIONS MADE BY THE JUDGES WILL BE FINAL. The winner will be announced by Saturday August 16th 11pm via the Peoples Community Bank facebook page. The winner will receive a $500 prize. Winner will be responsible for any and all taxes. Winner will be contacted by phone number that was used when registering.
Visit any branch, our website, or our Facebook page for rules and registration form.
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King George: 8065 Kings Highway (540) 775-2914 Montross: 15960 Kings Highway (804) 493-8031 Dahlgren: 5082 James Madison Pkwy. (540) 644-9706
Warsaw: 4593 Richmond Road, (804) 333-3500 Fredericksburg: 175 Kings Highway (540) 371-6889
Peoples Community Bank reserves the right to reject any song and or video if they believe that the subject material is deemed offensive. This includes deleting a video post from the Peoples Community Bank facebook page and or refusing to allow a participant to enter the competition.
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