Preston Bacon of Oak Hill was a recent recipient of the Champions of Character Awards in ceremonies held last month at the Fairfax County Government Center. Members of the Fairfax County Athletic Council and the Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation Services presented the honor to Bacon and other members of the athletic community throughout Fairfax County.

Bacon, who is 9 years old, is a member of the Fairfax Stars’ traveling basketball team. He is an outstanding young athlete and, as important, a top notch student in the classroom. For the Stars, he is the starting point guard for the programs’ 9-under boys’ Gold Team.

Last month, the Stars participated at the AAU Div. 1 National Championships in Orlando. Preston and his teammates had a successful tournament and finished ninth nationally in their age group. Preston is considered the Stars’ floor general at point guard. He has displayed solid leadership skills and is known for encouraging and inspiring his teammates. On the floor, young Bacon is an exceptional shooter and scorer but focuses on team play first and passing to open teammates. He is a true competitor but always displays good sportsmanship. The young man has respect for game officials and his opponents and he is well respected within the league.

On most evenings, one can find Preston playing basketball at home with his two older brothers. He loves being an athlete and also enjoys doing his best at school.

The Champions of Character Awards were designed to honor young athletes like Bacon as well as other deserving members of the local athletic community.

"Youth sports play a key role in youth development,” said Mark Meana, Chairman of the Fairfax County Athletic Council. “The relationships kids build with adults and peers through sports, and the lessons they
learn on the playing field are integral to keeping kids safe from gangs, violence, drugs, and other problem behaviors. Fairfax County values the benefits youth sports programs provide our community."

For more information about the Champion of Character Awards or a complete list of all recipients, please contact Jesse Ellis at 703-324-5704.

The Capital Area Golf Tour (CAGT) will hold a November tournament event Nov. 28-29 at the Raspberry Falls Golf Club in Leesburg. The tour consists of nationally-ranked junior golf events in Suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia during a split fall/spring season.

Several local players are among the points leaders in various divisions. Jackson Lizardo of Fairfax (Oakton) and Chas Bassing of Great Falls (The Heights School) currently sit in second place in their respective age divisions. In the boys' 10-12 division, Nathan Chuwait of Herndon is the points leader. Among girls, Nicole Flores of Ashburn (Briar Woods High) leads in the 13-15 age division, and Amber Liu of Vienna leads the 10-12 year-olds.

Lori Walker of Reston experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity by taking pictures from the sidelines of the Redskins’ game against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 18. It was part of Canon U.S.A.’s ‘Shoot Like a Pro’ Sweepstakes. Walker had Redskins team photographer Ned Drashman by her side throughout the afternoon. Drashman offered advice, suggestions and tips on how to shoot action sports photographs. In addition to shooting from the sidelines, Walker received four tickets to the game along with a Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i SLR camera kit.

AC Cugini, an official Italian soccer school, is conducting weeknight tryouts in Reston for guest spots on its 10, Play Soccer in Italy tournament teams, which will be traveling to Rome and the Italian Adriatic beach during the 2010 World Cup (June 23 through July 7). A three-day training camp with the Italian Olympic Committee is included in addition to tournament
play against Italian teams and a review by talent scouts for professional Italian teams. Boys and girls, ages 10-to-16, are eligible. Entire teams are welcome. For every 14 registered, the 15th person travels free. For further information, contact Cugini President Fabio Diletti at 703-477-5957; or go to info@cuginisoccer.com.