The 12-under Virginia Xplosion powered its way to a travel baseball championship with an 11-5 victory over the Fauquier Mustangs in the finals of the Old Dominion Baseball League (ODBL) playoffs. The local team, stationed in Sterling, is made up of players from throughout the Northern Virginia area.

The tournament was held at Nokesville’s Valley View Park on Nov. 7 and 8. The title was the Xplosion’s first after three previous trips to the ODBL championship game.

“Good players make good coaches,” said Xplosion Manager Kenny Burch. “I was fortunate to be surrounded by terrific kids, dedicated assistant coaches and supportive parents.”

The Xplosion pounced on the Mustangs early, scoring three times in the first inning on Mike Smith’s run-scoring blast and Joe DiConsiglio’s two-RBI single. Pitchers Jett Manning, Smith and Forest Wagner never looked back, stifling a strong Mustangs squad.
The relentless Xplosion attack was sparked by Dylan Robertson’s booming two-run double. Wagner and Smith both collected three hits. Drew Daczkowski added a hit and scored two runs. And Devin Vigneault iced the game with a run-scoring knock in the final inning.

In the semifinals, pitchers Wagner and DiConsiglio shut down the Alexandria Heat, 11-1. Lead-off batter Manning paced the Xplosion offense with a 4-for-4 performance. Burch and Daczkowski both slugged two hits. In early rounds, the Xplosion bested the Stafford Titans, 6-2. Reid contributed two hits and five stolen bases. Catcher Koerner capped a 9-1 win over Western Loudon by gunning out a base-stealer in the last inning.

Throughout the tournament, the Xplosion received big performances from Corey Burch, Colin Reid and Trent Koerner. Injured Xplosion star Brian Hopkins returned to action after missing much of the season.
The Xplosion assistant coaches are Mike Hopkins, Marty Reid and Todd Vigneault.
The team finished the regular season with an 8-5-1 record, earning the second seed in the ODBL championship tournament.

Cascades Flag Football League in Sterling concluded an exciting fall season. The league consisted of 375 players on 39 teams and four grade divisions. The league held its annual end of season tournaments Nov. 7-8. The tournaments featured 35 games on three fields. Four teams won championships with the Vikings finishing off an undefeated season and winning the kindergarten-first grade division. Other division winners were: the Patriots (grades two and three); the Rams (grades four and five); and Falcons (middle school division). Registration for the Spring 2010 season is now open at youthflag.com/cascades.

Cascades Flag Football is a youth league open to boys and girls grades kindergarten to eighth. The Spring 2010 season starts April 5. Early bird rates apply through Feb. 12. For more info on coaching or officiating call 703-444-8805, ext. 112 or email cascades@youthflag.com.

Loudoun Field Hockey Association will hold its Spring 2010 season at two field locations: East in Sterling and West in Leesburg. The league is open for girls ages 8-to-17 of all skill levels. The season starts April 5. Register online at loudounfieldhockey.org. Early bird rates apply through Feb. 12. Volunteer coaches and referees are needed. Call 703-444-1020, ext. 104 for more information.

Also, Adult field hockey within Loudoun Field Hockey Association is open to players ages 21 and over of all skill levels. Games are played at NVCC-Loudoun. For more information go to loudounfieldhockey.org.

Edric Wung (McLean) finished in a second place tie in the boys’ 12-13 age group division of the recent MAPGA Junior Turkey Two-Day golf event at Fauquier Springs Country Club. Ian Hildebrand of Purcellville finished first. Wung had a two-day total of 164, tying him with Errol Clarke (Mitchellville, Md.).

In the overall girls’ division, Shabril Brewer (Oak Hill) broke away from the field and won by eight shots over April Nimjareansuk (Alexandria). Brewer started the day with birdies at holes one, two, and seven. She fired a 5-over 77 to finish the event at 11-over par. Brewer, a Westfield High student, was part of the Bulldogs’ team that captured the state AAA golf title a few weeks ago.

Shannon Brooks (Vienna) cruised to a victory in the Girls 12-14 division with a two-day total of 166. Her second round 81 was a two-day low for her division. Julie Luo (Herndon) finished nine shots back with 175.

The South Lakes High football team was well-represented in All-Liberty District honors. Seahawks named All-District First Team were: Kevin Ball (offensive tackle), JaJuan Jones (running back), Shawn Khan (linebacker), Sean Price (wide receiver) and Darius Smith (kick returner). Second Team members were: Jamal Cooper (offensive tackle), Tony Jenkins (wide receiver) and Darius Smith (both running back and defensive back). And gaining All-District Honorable Mention honors for South Lakes were: Mikey Bissonnette (linebacker), Mike McKeon (defensive tackle), Lance Petit (linebacker), Shawn Rana (quarterback), Stepfon Sanford (running back) and Jake Slover (center).
South Lakes, under coach John Ellenberger, went 5-6 this season and qualified for the Northern Region Div. 5 playoffs.

Matt McLean (Sterling), a junior at the University of Virginia and a member of the Cavaliers’ swim team, recently received a pair of swimming honors. He earned ACC Performer of the Week accolades (Nov. 10) and was also named the NCAA Division I Men’s Swimmer of the Week by CollegeSwimming.com. McLean, in UVA’s 165-125 team victory over Kentucky, won both the 200 and 500 freestyle events. He clocked a mark of 1:38.08 in the 200, which qualified him for the national `B’ cut. He also won the 500 in 4:26.48, the fastest time in the ACC this season, for another qualifying `B’ cut.

Garrett Roe (Vienna), a junior forward on the St. Cloud State University (Minn.) men’s ice hockey team, recently scored his 100th career point for the Huskies. St. Cloud State is a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).

Roe scored his 100th point during St. Cloud’s 3-1 victory at Michigan Tech on Oct. 31. Roe becomes just the 22nd player in team history, at the NCAA Div. I level, to score 100 career points. He now has 37 goals and 64 assists for 101 points in 85 games played at SCSU.

In his career at SCSU, Roe is averaging almost 1.20 points per game for the Huskies. He is a two-time All-WCHA selection and an NHL draft pick selection of the Los Angeles Kings. SCSU owns a 3-3-2 overall record this season and a 2-1-1 record in the always rugged WCHA.

The Sterling Golf, Swim and Tennis Club held it 5th Annual Mega Scramble. The weather, unfortunately, did not cooperate. Top prize was a four day, three night travel package to each member of the winning team. First place went to Don Christenson, Ken Albanese and Todd Murphy. The second place team, made up of Doug Mallory, Sean Mallory and Thomas Breedan, received a three day, two night travel package. Dave Bryant won the Carnival Cruise in the Putting Contest and Mike Yannello won the opportunity for a 60-foot putt, but was two inches short for the $5,000 prize.

Herndon High’s Danny Camozza recently signed a letter of intent to swim at Old Dominion University next school year. The signing took place in the Herndon High principal’s conference room on Nov. 16.