Reston’s Mei Christensen (South Lakes High graduate), a member of the University of Virginia women’s swim team, earned ACC Swimmer of the Week honors for the week of Nov. 18.

Christensen, a junior backstroker, earned the honors for the first time in her collegiate career. She scored two individual wins and a pair of relay wins as UVA defeated both Florida State and Penn State. She won the 100 back event in 54.59 seconds and took first in the 200 back as well. Christensen, a two-time All-ACC swimmer for the Cavaliers, also swam the backstroke leg of the winning 200 medley and 400 medley relay events.

Her time in the 200 back race broke the record at the Virginia Aquatic and Fitness Center, previously held by two-time ACC Swimmer of the Year Brielle White.
Going into Thanksgiving, the Cavaliers’ women’s team was 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the conference. This weekend, the team is hosting the UVA Invite Dec. 4-6 in Charlottesville.

The Reston Youth Association (RYA) is now eligible for combined federal campaign contributions. Federal employees may contribute to support the Reston Youth Association, which is designated as an eligible charity under the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area (CFCNCA). The CFCNCA is the annual fund-raising drive conducted by federal employees in their workplace each fall. Last year, federal employees and military personnel raised $273.1 million through the CFC. This is the first year that Reston Youth Association is part of CFCNCA's fund-raising drive.

Contributions will allow RYA to continue to provide scholarships that allows lower-income children to participate in football and cheerleading.

Reston Youth Association’s mission is to provide boys and girls of Reston and surrounding areas with opportunities to participate in an organized youth football and cheerleading program. In doing so, it supports an environment of athletic enthusiasm and learning, with a focus on achieving high- academic standards, based on the belief that children who remain active in organized activities will be better students, responsible citizens and grow into responsible adults.

Federal employees may support Reston Youth Association by designating #70202 on the 2008 CFCNCA Election Form. The CFCNCA campaign runs through Dec. 15. For more information, visit restonseahawks.org. For more information about the CFCNCA, go to: http://www.cfcnca.org/.

The Northern Virginia Softball Umpires Association (NVSUA) is seeking new umpires for the 2009 season. The association is responsible for umpiring softball — fast-pitch and slow-pitch — recreation league games, VHSL-sanctioned high-school games and tournaments in the Northern Virginia area. Umpires can earn $23-plus an hour. Schedules are flexible based on ability and availability during the week and weekends. NVSUA uses a Web-based scheduling program. In-depth training is provided and begins in January. Contact Judy Cole at JudyUIC@cox.net or at 571-236-5744.

Jefferson High freshman Sarah Stites of Reston placed first in a race at the USA Track and Field Virginia Association Youth Division competition, held in Mechanicsville Nov. 15. Stites completed the 4K race in 15 minutes, 25 seconds, 22 seconds. The win qualified her for the USATF National Cross Country Championships, set to take place on Dec. 13.

HERN Fusion is seeking motivated players looking for the opportunity to improve their skills and to work hard on an emerging team. Year-round training/competition with Fusion’s new coach, USSF "B" licensed Jamie Rayner. To schedule a tryout, contact Jean Knotts at smknotts@verizon.net or at 703-266-7268. Visit the team at herndonfusion.com.

The Herndon Ice Hockey club didn't rest on its laurels after winning the recent preseason High School Hockey Jamboree. Instead, the squad continued to showcase its offensive dominance by beating Oakton, 7-3, in its regular season opener of the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League schedule Nov. 21 in Arlington.

Sophomore Matt Ellison opened the scoring nine minutes into the first period when, off a pass from Ville Rutanen (four assists), he shot the puck past the Oakton goalie. Additional goals by junior forward Max Kortegast and senior captain Andrew Norman gave Herndon a comfortable 3-0 lead going into the second period. Norman would go on to rack up five points (one goal/four assists) in the win.

By the time Oakton notched its first goal with 21 seconds left in the second period, Herndon had increased its lead with goals from junior Sam Stone and Kortegast. Later, both scored goals in the third period as well, earning Kortegast a hat trick.
Sophomore goalie Robert Goughnour turned away 18 Oakton shots, while the Hornets put 35 on the Oakton net minder.
Herndon's next game is this Friday night, Dec. 5, at 9:30 p.m., against Madison. The contest will take place at Reston SkateQuest.

Herndon readied itself for the regular season by winning the High School Pre-Season Jamboree, held at SkateQuest Reston.

Outscoring its opponents by a combined total of 25-8, the team logged victories over three of its NVSHL Northern Division rivals, defeating Madison, 5-1, McLean 5-2, and Oakton 10-2. The team capped the round-robin tournament with a 5-3 victory over Madison in the championship game.
Herndon juniors Ville Rutanen, Sam Stone and Max Kortegast combined for a total of 20 goals during the tournament, while Herndon's defense and goaltenders repeatedly thwarted the opponents' scoring chances.

The Herndon Ice Hockey Club, comprised of students attending Herndon High School, began its ninth season in the NVSHL Nov. 21 at the Washington Capitals practice facility, the Kettler Center in Ballston (Arlington).

Herndon's home ice is at SkateQuest in Reston. The entire league schedule is posted on the NVSHL web site at nvshl.org. NVSHL teams play a 10-game schedule followed by a round of playoffs. This season, 24 varsity-level teams from throughout Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties will compete for the league championship.