TOO MANY PLAYERS and misplaced shots can result in the most unfortunate consequences, even for the most experienced of golfers.
Sophomore Eric Stinson (Spotsylvania County) of the U.S. Naval Academy overcame a case of mistaken ball identity to record a sixth-place finish in Monday's Rehoboth Beach (Dela.) Invitational tournament.
On his opening drive, Stinson knocked the ball into the right rough and, after finding a new Titleist ball that he assumed was his, proceeded with his second shot. Reaching the green, the Woodberry Forest School graduate realized his mistake, forcing him to go back to play his original shot--with a two-stroke penalty.
Stinson regrouped to shoot a 2-over-par 144, leading the Midshipmen to a three-way tie for fourth place with Army and the Navy's gold team.
"It was superb effort after carding a triple-bogey on the first hole," Navy head coach Pat Owen said. "[The mistake] can happen to anybody. I happened to see him two holes later and he was very upbeat about his play."
With two teams, the competition for starting berths on the Navy team is quite intense with
After splitting time between the two squads his rookie season, Stinson has clearly staked a claim to one of the first team's starting six spots.
"Eric's game has improved considerably," Owen commented following Stinson's second career top-10 finish. "He's more consistent in his ball placement and he's added distance through flexibility and strength exercise. And his course management has improved."
Up next is a trip to West Point for the annual Army-Navy showdown. Navy had a six-match win streak in the series, but Army has won the past two years.
Catholic rookie standing tallOther than wanting her to become a little more vocal, the Catholic University field hockey team has nothing but positive things to say about the play of freshman defender Julie Ehrmann (Brooke Point).
Going into yesterday's game against Mary Washington, Ehrmann had started all seven games for the Cardinals (4-3, 1-0) and received a game ball for her stellar work in the season-opening 2-0 victory over Virginia Wesleyan.
"Julie is a mature player and she doesn't panic in pressure situations, so that is why we're using her in the backfield," coach Gia Cillizza explained. "She definitely is a key contributor and makes big plays when it counts."
For smoother play, though, Ehrmann and the other seven freshmen on the team need to communicate more, according to the coach.
Traylor subdues HornetsJunior Ashley Traylor (Colonial Forge) netted three goals as the Christopher Newport field hockey team defeated Lynchburg 7-3 for the Captains' first-ever victory over the Hornets.
Teammate Rhiannon Thomasson (Colonial Forge) added another goal, while freshman Emma Stout (Courtland) took over goal-tending duties in the second half and shut the opposition out.
CNU (5-2) plays at Eastern Mennonite Friday night prior to visiting Mary Washington next Wednesday. Also expected to make the trip here are Kelly Broadhurst (Colonial Forge), Haylee Gunnoe and Anna Stout (both from Courtland) and Amber Marsh (Spotsylvania).
Anne Gehring (Stafford) won't play, but the sophomore hopes to join her teammates on the sidelines after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn ACL to her left knee.
No bugging FichthornSalem College team captain Rachel Fichthorn (Liberty) shook off a weeklong bout with a virus to run a personal-best 21:19 at the Old North State Championships at Greensboro, N.C. Besides being the highest Division III finisher for the third time this fall, Fichthorn finished ahead of eight Division I and 23 Division II runners.
Shining starsArea athletes continue to make valuable effort in a variety of sports, including the following:
Junior midfielder Ben Nason (Colonial Forge) had a goal and two assists in Virginia Tech's 7-1 victory over Virginia Military to snap the Hokies' four-game winless streak. The Hokies (5-3-1) take on fifth-ranked North Carolina Friday night in Blacksburg.
Running back Phillip Carter (Spotsylvania) rushed for 111 yards and two scores on 15 carries as the ninth-ranked, unbeaten Bridgewater football team rolled to a 58-21 victory over LaGrange.
Junior Marsha Hermes (Liberty) captured tournament MVP and ODAC player of the week honors after averaging 4.64 kills a game and finished with a .452 hitting percentage in leading the Bridgewater women's volleyball team to a 4-0 mark at the BC Invitational.
To reach KURT NICOLL:
Email: knicoll@freelancestar.com