PREPS PLUS: Louisa boys add Region II title to resume

The Louisa County boys outdoor track team picked up where it left off after winning the Jefferson District title, capturing the Region II crown earlier this week.

The Lions, who garnered 116 points to run away with the title, highlighted a strong showing by Jefferson District teams. Fluvanna County was the runner-up, followed by Charlottesville. Western Albemarle was fifth and Monticello finished sixth.

Top performers for Louisa, which won the Group AA indoor title in the winter, included Tyler Jackson, who took top honors in the 100 and 200-meter dash. Teammate Andre Hunter won the long jump and finished second in the triple jump behind Fluvanna County’s Kedarrius Bruce. Louisa’s Dante Davis won the 110 meter hurdles. Louisa’s relay teams also helped to bolster its lead — the 4x100 relay and 4x400 relay teams both took second place.

Western Albemarle swept the distance events, as Tyler Stutzman won the 800 meters, teammate James Howard-Smith took the top spot in the 1,600, and Kyle Satterwhite won the 3,200 in a season-best time of 9:18.98.

Charlottesville’s Stephen Allen won the shot put (52-6.5) and teammates Melvin Carter and Raheim Turner finished third and fourth, respectively.

On the girls side, Jefferson District teams also shined as Western Albemarle finished second overall behind Potomac Falls. Louisa was sixth and Monticello was seventh.

The Warriors’ 4x800 relay team of Mattie Webb, Katie Farina, Claire Johnson and Hilary Wayland won in a time of 9:40.23. Western also swept the top five spots in the pole vault, led by Nicole Harding’s top finish.

Other notable performances included Monticello’s Sherrie Timberlake, who won the 100 and 200-meter dash, Orange County’s Ashontae Jackson, who claimed the top spot in the 400 and was second in the 200. Fluvanna County’s Precious Banks won the 300 meter hurdles and took second in the long jump and Louisa County’s Julie Strange won the 3,200 meters, followed by teammate Hannah Best.

Patriots shore up college plans

The Albemarle boys soccer team has rolled through its competition this year, posting a 19-0 record overall as it captured the Commonwealth District title. A big part of the team’s success has been the play of its core group of seniors — there are 10 on the Patriots’ roster. And six have secured plans to play at the collegiate level.

Ben Coffey, the Commonwealth District player of the year, is headed to William & Mary. Coffey, a co-captain, is one of the team’s leading scorers and also leads the team in assists. Kyle Rose and Brian Natale, who have helped the Patriots’ defense shut out many of their opponents this year, have committed to Christopher Newport. Goalkeeper Brandon Agee plans to walk on at VCU, while James Wittwer and Zach Tyler will walk on at Appalachian State. Michael Madigan, another co-captain and member of a solid defensive backfield, is being urged by his coaches to walk on at North Carolina.

Albemarle will host Osbourne Park in the Northwest Region quarterfinals on Monday.

In other college signing news, Monticello’s Kyle Linkous has signed a letter-of-intent to play golf at Virginia Intermont College. Linkous played golf for four years under the tutelage of Pam Bradley.

“We are extremely pleased to have Kyle join our program at VI, said Cobras coach Louis Collier in a release. “He is a very impressive young man that will work hard, both in the classroom and on the golf course.”

Other area signings include: Buckingham County standout D.J. Jones will continue his basketball career at Southern Tech Academy in Charlotte, N.C. Jones, a first team All-Region B and All-James River District selection, will play for former Buckingham coach Brian Wilson at the school. Louisa County’s Charlie Elkins and Kevin Whitmer have signed letters-of-intent to play football at the University of Virginia at Wise. The pair are good friends and also were members of the Lions’ wrestling team. Louisa County’s Christian Oliver has committed to Barton College to play baseball.

Bossieux earns VHSCA nod

Fluvanna County shortstop Shannon Bossieux recently became the first Flying Flucos softball player to earn a spot in the Virginia High School Coaches’ Association All-Star game, set for July 10 at Christopher Newport University.

Bossieux, the Jefferson District player of the year, batted .538 as a senior with 19 RBI, a .942 slugging percentage and a .571 on-base percentage while recording 89 assists.

“We didn’t have a team that could strike a lot of people out,” said Fluvanna coach Nick Ward, “so we played a lot of defense.”

Clark wraps up senior year

Former Western Albemarle standout Joe Clark recently capped a successful senior season at Division III Frostburg (Md.) State.

Clark, an infielder, batted .293 for the Bobcats with two home runs and 31 RBI, good for third on the team. His 36 runs were tied for second on the team.

He earned the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference player of the week award on April 6 after going 8 for 14 with four extra-base hits against conference opponents Pitt-Bradford and Penn State-Altoona. He also had five walks and a stolen base on the week.

Axelrod earns Whitman honor

Keswick’s Brett Axelrod, a senior goalie on the men’s soccer team at Whitman (Wash.) College, is the 2009 recipient of the R.V. Borleske Trophy, presented annually to Whitman’s top male athlete.

Axelrod, a graduate of Union (N.J.) High School, led the Division III Northwest Conference in shutouts (10), goals against average (0.39), save percentage (.902) and minutes played (1,855:57). He was named NWC player of the year.

Kruithof named to Big South All-Academic team

Adam Kruithof, a Western Albemarle graduate, and member of the baseball team at Virginia Military Institute, was named to the Big South Conference’s All-Academic team.

Kruithof, a sophomore pitcher, made 13 relief appearances and four starts for the Keydets this season. In his first start of the season, Kruithof no-hit Richmond for 5.2 innings, leaving the contest trailing 1-0. Two weeks later, he allowed just one run in 4.1 innings against Liberty, taking a no decision.

An economics and business major, Kruithof is a multiple-time Dean’s List cadet.

Winthrop rallied to beat VMI in Game 4 of the Royal Purple Big South Conference baseball championship on Thursday. The Keydets wrapped up their season at 18-35.

Morris earns NIAAA distinction

Fluvanna County athletic director Scott Morris has been recognized by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association as a Certified Athletic Administrator.

To earn the distinction, Morris has demonstrated the highest level of expertise in the field of interscholastic athletic administration. Morris is part of an elite group of interscholastic athletic administrators to attain this level of professionalism.