<b>Series Starts Strong</b>
The Northern Virginia Youth Mountain Bike Series opened its season with several impressive performances. Maddie Simpson (13-14-year-old girls’ division) and Michelle David (U-10 girls’) began the season with two consecutive victories, while Laura Martinez and Carolina Aravello battled it out for first in the 15-16 girls’ category with one win each. Laurette Expinoza is leading the 11-12 girls’ division. On the boys’ side, the competition is just as tough, as Cameron Mader leads the U-10 category with one win and one second-place finish. Michael Raiti leads the 15-16 boys’ series, while David Taylor and Joneil Angeles are battling it out in the 17-18 boys’ category. In what may be the toughest category of the year, Collin David improved upon his opening second-place finish to capture a victory and the lead in the 13-14 boys’ category. With five more races this season, the Rider of the Year awards are still up for grabs.
<b>Representing Her Country</b>
Fairfax resident Simone Friedman along with five other junior gymnasts will represent the United States at the 18th Maccabiah Games, which will be July 12-23 in Israel. Friedman trains at Capital Gymnastics in Burke as a U-10 competitor. She’s excited for her first international competition and feels that it’s an honor to represent her country, and her trip will also include some sightseeing as a way to celebrate her Jewish heritage. Friedman has been training as a gymnast since she was a toddler and has been an All-Around Virginia State Champion at Levels 7 and 8. She’s also been at the top of the Level 9 and 10 standings, taking third in Level 9 and fifth in Level 10.
<b>Lyles Looks Smart</b>
Lake Braddock graduate Kristin Lyles, now a junior on the women’s crew team at the U.S. Naval Academy, was recently recognized as a member of the Patriot League’s Academic Honor Roll. A chemistry major, Lyles had a 3.24 grade-point average during the spring semester. In order to garner eligibility for the academic honor roll, a student-athlete must have a GPA of 3.20 or higher during that semester and earn a varsity letter. Across the Patriot League this spring, 96 women’s crew team members earned the distinction. In 2009, the Navy women’s crew team was 11-4 and finished second in the Patriot League.
<b>Recognize Those Rams</b>
Three members of the Robinson girls’ lacrosse team were honored by U.S. Lacrosse, earning All-American and All-American Academic Team honors. Megan Dunleavy, the Northern Region Midfielder of the Year, was named to the first team, along with Sam Barber, a standout defender and the region’s Defensive Player of the Year. Meanwhile, Sarah Moody, a first team All-Region midfielder, was selected to the first team All-Academic squad. Dunleavy will play lacrosse for Virginia next spring, while Barber will suit up for Maryland and Moody for Villanova. Robinson captured Concorde District and Northern Region titles this spring but suffered a 13-4 loss to Chantilly in the Virginia AAA state title game.
<b>Softball Registration</b>
The Pioneer Softball League is conducting registration for the fall 2009 season. Teams form Aug. 17 and practice starts Aug. 20. The season will run from Sept. 8-Oct. 31. Registration fees are $70 for Rookies (7-8-year-old, coach pitch) and $70 for Minors (9-10, kid pitch), Majors (11-12) and Seniors (13-16). A 10-percent discount will be given to those who register before Aug. 1, and there’s a maximum cost of $250 for families with multiple players. Assessments for players will be held Aug. 8 and 15. For more information or to register, contact director Scott Keith at 703-933-2389 or scott_w_keith@yahoo.com or visit the team’s Web site at www.pbsl.org.
<b>Senior Olympics Registration</b>
Register now for the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics, which take place Sept. 12-23. Registration forms are available at senior centers and residences or by calling 703-228-3600 (Ext. 9996). Seniors can also download registration forms, rules and other details at www.novaseniorolympics.com. The deadline for registration is Aug. 28; however, early registration is appreciated. Cost is $10 for one event and $1 for each additional event. Last year more than 500 adults competed in 25 events that range from track and field to team line dancing. New this year, too, will be Wii bowling and mini-javelin throw. The track events will be at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 S. 2nd St., Arlington, following the Opening Ceremonies on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 10:30 a.m. A health fair sponsored by Virginia Hospital Center will also take place that day, from 9-11 a.m. All events are open to the public at no charge.
<b>Fastpitch Softball Tryouts</b>
The Virginia Crushers fastpitch softball team will hold tryouts for the 2009-10 (fall-spring) season at Hylton High School in Woodbridge. Tryouts for the U-10 (10 a.m.-noon), U-12 (noon-2 p.m.) and U-14 (2-4 p.m.) teams will be Saturday, Aug 8. and Sunday, Aug. 16. Tryouts for the U-16 and U-18 teams will be Saturday, Aug. 15 (2-4 p.m.) and Tuesday, Aug. 18 (6-8 p.m.). There are no boundary restrictions for the Crushers. For more information, visit the team’s Web site at www.vacrushers.com, call 571-233-0174 or email va.crushers@yahoo.com.