GETTING ACCLIMATED to
But freshman Philip Sgrignoli (Massaponax) has quickly adjusted to his surroundings and is positioning himself to become
"It took Philip a little time to pick up on our training routine, but I think he has it now," coach Bill Nicholson said after the rookie's 41-point performance in last weekend's invitational meet in Ashland. "He has a lot of potential, and I think he could
Sgrignoli captured first place
In all five events, the posted times represented seasonal team bests by the Keydets.
VMI outdistanced Catholic, 562-554, for the men's team crown, while host Randolph-Macon had no trouble holding off Catholic, 515-402, for the women's crown.
"A lot of good things happened for us this weekend," Nicholson commented on the showing. "We had five guys win individual events, and a lot of the times we put up were seven to eight seconds better than our previous top times. I tell the guys that to win, it takes ever single person to step up, and they did just that this weekend.
"Catholic shaved down for the match, so I wasn't sure how we would do," he said. "But our guys came out determined, and it came down to the final swimmer in the final event before we won."
Two other area swimmers turned in noteworthy efforts as well. Randolph-Macon's Maggie Frye (James Monroe) was a member of the Yellow Jackets' runners-up foursomes in the 200 and 400 relays (1:47.03 and 3:51.85, respectively) and added fifth-place finishes in both the 200 and 400 IM (2:25.26 and 5:11.55, respectively).
Salem (N.C.) College's Rachel Fichthorn (Liberty) recorded a seventh-place finish in the women's 1,650 free (20:37.06).
Miller raises the barJunior Jerome Miller (Colonial Forge) has been tabbed Georgia Tech's male athlete of the week following a stellar track performance at the Clemson Opener.
Miller won the men's high jump with a personal best and school record height of 7 feet, 2 inches. He set the old record of 7-1 at last season's Kentucky Invitational. He also placed fourth in the men's triple jump (49-4).
Lidlifter suits ClarkSophomore Rachel Clark (Liberty) was in midseason form at last weekend's Christopher Newport University Lidlifter meet, achieving a Division III provisional mark en route to a first-place finish in the women's shot put (44-7).
Clark added a fourth-place finish in the weight throw (37-0), while Captains' teammate Tiffany Jones (North Stafford) claimed 10th place in the long jump (16-4).
Highlights for Virginia Commonwealth included a fourth-place finish by Reagan Merriam (Massaponax) in the women's 5,000-meter run (19:12.37) and an 8, 10 finish by Libby Little (Courtland) and Merriam in the 3,000 (11:13.03 and 11:21.09, respectively).
Brick skins GatorsSenior Lauren Brick (Culpeper) captured Division I national swimmer of the week honors after leading No. 13 Florida State to a 168-138 victory over No. 13 Florida--the first time the Seminoles have bested their archrivals in the pool.
"It is definitely a huge honor and I would not have been able to do it if the team was not behind me," Brick said on the Seminoles' Web site. "Defeating Florida was a really big win and we are trying not to let it get to our heads. I think we will take it and use it in practice to motivate us to work as hard as we can to be the best."
Brick posted an NCAA "A" cut time in winning the 100 breast (1:01.82), added a "B" cut in capturing the 200 breast (2:15.81) and was a member of the victorious 200 medley relay team that recorded a "B" cut time (1:40.37)
Following a tough loss to eighth-ranked Mary Washington, the Shenandoah University women's basketball team posted victories over Notre Dame (Md.), Meredith and Rochester Tech last week. Freshman Alexis Hargbol of Manassas was selected USA South Conference rookie of the week after averaging 15.3 points and
The switchover from fall and winter sports is not stopping area athletes from shining on a number of fronts, including:
Freshman Megan Raddatz (Stafford) was a member of the victorious 800-yard free relay (8:17.02) and added a fifth-place finish in the 1,650 free (19:16.93), helping the Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) women's swimming team to the team title at the James E. Longnecker Invitational meet at Grove City College.
Junior linebacker James Terry (Stafford County) registered six tackles and had one of his team's four interceptions as Youngstown State advanced to the Division I-AA semifinals by virtue of its 28-21 victory over Illinois State.
The Penguins (11-2) travel to Boone, N.C., on Saturday to play defending national champion Appalachian State.
James Madison's Michelle Tyree (Culpeper) ran the anchor leg of the James Madison 1,600 relay that finished second (3:59.82), while VMI's Taili Evans (Brooke Point) placed seventh in the men's long jump (22-0) at the Liberty University Kickoff Invitational meet.
The James Madison men's winter track team was in action as well, competing in the Naval Invitational on Friday. Sophomore Tim Young (James Monroe) placed fifth in the 5,000 (15:29.53).
IUP kicker Nick Wallace (Riverbend) continued to add to his postseason honors by being named to the Daktronics All-Northeast Region football team. The rookie converted 11 of 13 field goal attempts and 30 of 33 points-after this season.
To reach KURT NICOLL:
Email: knicoll@freelancestar.com