Full Place Results From Santa Slam -- Newport News Warriors Overtake Great Bridge and Poquoson

Over 200 wrestlers took part in Sunday’s Santa Slam, held at Woodside High. The event, which drew grapplers from as far away as Ohio, was sponsored by the Newport News Warriors and was open to athletes in three different categories – Pee Wee (K-2^nd grade), Elementary (3-5) and Intermediate (6-8).

The host Warriors, behind the strength of four Pee-Wee titles from Gabe Izzo (46-47 lb.), Carmine McDaniel (55-59), Christian Corbin (73-86) and Troy Solomon (94-107), won the team competition with 298.5 points. Great Bridge placed second with 199.5, and  Poquoson took third with 198.5.

2014 Santa Slam Tournament Results 

PEE WEE (K-2nd) - 36-40

1st Place - Kameron Harrell of Raider Nation                                   

2nd Place - Skiles Burkhead of Kellam Mat Rats 

3rd Place - Kaiden Sutton of Great Bridge 

4th Place - Justice Collins of Great Bridge 

5th Place - Wade Burroughs of Newport News Warriors 

PEE WEE (K-2nd) - 41-42 

1st Place - Logan Keesee of Poquoson 

2nd Place - Brayden Bunting of Poquoson 

3rd Place - Gavin Dewitt of Smithfield Wrestling Club 

4th Place - James Cravey of Newport News Warriors 

5th Place - Tyson Solomona of Newport News Warriors 

6th Place - Aiden Layman of Newport News Warriors

PEE WEE (K-2nd) - 43-45 

1st Place - Manley Nalls of Team Cobra 

2nd Place - Camden Yonamine of Ocean Lakes 

3rd Place - Aiden Kehoe of Newport News Warriors 

4th Place - Alex Ebersole of Newport News Warriors 

5th Place - Kai Smith of Newport News Warriors 

PEE WEE (K-2nd) - 46-47 

1st Place - Gabe Izzo of Newport News Warriors 

2nd Place - Keegan Webb of Poquoson 

3rd Place - Dralon Wooley of Newport News Warriors 

4th Place - Evan Zimmerman of Guerrilla 

5th Place - Corey Skay of Guerrilla 

PEE WEE (K-2nd) - 48-49 

1st Place - Darryl Hawkins of Ocean Lakes 

2nd Place - Issac Drummond of Williamsburg 

3rd Place - Caden Stokes of Guerrilla 

4th Place - Brayden Muniz of Williamsburg 

5th Place - Gage Gibson of Raider Nation 

6th Place - Landon Peck of Newport News Warriors 

PEE WEE (K-2nd) - 50 

1st Place - Jackson Fitzpatrick of Poquoson 

2nd Place - Isaiah Barringer of Williamsburg 

3rd Place - Roman Izzo of Newport News Warriors 

4th Place - Cooper Coleman of Williamsburg 

5th Place - Kodiak Kehoe of Newport News Warriors 

6th Place - Stone Wagner of Kellam Mat Rats 

PEE WEE (K-2nd) - 51-52 

1st Place - Jarod Goodson of Poquoson 

2nd Place - Fisher Plessinger of Guerrilla 

3rd Place - Bryson Floyd of Fort Lee 

4th Place - Levi Knight of Poquoson 

5th Place - Josiah Turner of Individual 

PEE WEE (K-2nd) - 52.6-54 

1st Place - Mason Deas of Poquoson 

2nd Place - James Miller of Pin 2 Win 

3rd Place - Zephariah Palicious of Newport News Warriors 

4th Place - Tyler Hawkey of Guerrilla 

5th Place - Everett Tennant of Newport News Warriors

PEE WEE (K-2nd) - 55-59 

1st Place - Carmine McDaniel of Newport News Warriors 

2nd Place - Joshua Ray of Newport News Warriors 

3rd Place - Diontrae Barkers of Newport News Warriors 

4th Place - Clyton Smith of Guerrilla 

5th Place - John Mattox of Guerrilla 

PEE WEE (K-2nd) - 61-65 

1st Place - Isaiah Elliott of Williamsburg 

2nd Place - Caleb Wood of Poquoson 

3rd Place - Treavyon Ellison of Newport News Warriors 

4th Place - Owen Bates of Smithfield Wrestling Club 

5th Place - Brayden Agnese of Poquoson 

PEE WEE (K-2nd) - 73-86

1st Place - Christian Corbin of Newport News Warriors

2nd Place - Aj DiMiceli of Ocean Lakes 

PEE WEE (K-2nd) - 94-107 

1st Place - Troy Solomona of Newport News Warriors 

2nd Place - Jr Jones of Guerrilla 

3rd Place - Juan Gayden of Newport News Warriors 

Elementary (3rd-5th) - 50.0-54.0

1st Place - Jase Roberts of Williamsburg 

2nd Place - Carson Ashe of Raider Nation 

3rd Place - Jordyn Anderson of Newport News Warriors 

4th Place - William Mattox of Guerrilla 

5th Place - Ethan Dewitt of Smithfield Wrestling Club 

6th Place - Cayden Floyd of Fort Lee 

Elementary (3rd-5th) - 56.0-58.6 

1st Place - Shamar Sutton of Great Bridge 

2nd Place - Jacob Dooley of Great Bridge 

3rd Place - Ashton Withrow of Poquoson 

4th Place - David Rhoads of Newport News Warriors 

5th Place - Shane Reimann of Newport News Warriors 

6th Place - Jalen Flores of Newport News Warriors

Elementary (3rd-5th) - 59.0-61.0 

1st Place - Austin Pollard of Powerhouse 2nd Place - Brady Norris of Raider Nation

3rd Place - Cedric Griffin of Newport News Warriors

4th Place - Ashland Rasmussen of Great Bridge 

5th Place - Carter Chapin of Raider Nation 

6th Place - Ray Artega of Great Bridge

Elementary (3rd-5th) - 61.2-64.0 

1st Place - Owen Rawls of Smithfield Wrestling Club 

2nd Place - Zack Lake of Guerrilla 

3rd Place - Zack Smith of Smithfield Wrestling Club 

4th Place - Matthew Wornom of Poquoson 

5th Place - Corey Fazekas of Great Bridge 

6th Place - Jeremiah Palicious of Newport News Warriors 

Elementary (3rd-5th) - 65.6-70.8 

1st Place - Carson Hicks of Raider Nation 

2nd Place - Jayden Bryant of Great Bridge 
3rd Place - Tyler Reimann of Newport News Warriors

4th Place - Sharrod Taylor of Newport News Warriors

5th Place - William Marsh of Great Bridge 

6th Place - Hunter Roche of Kellam Mat Rats

Elementary (3rd-5th) - 72.0-77.50 

1st Place - Joseph Chiappazzi of Poquoson 

2nd Place - Max Martin of Great Bridge 

3rd Place - Zachary Ray, Jr. of Newport News Warriors 

4th Place - Parker Gourley of Great Bridge 

Elementary (3rd-5th) - 79.0-81.70 

1st Place - Brooks Coleman of Williamsburg 

2nd Place - Marlon Lawson of Newport News Warriors 

3rd Place - Jack McAdoo of Smithfield Wrestling Club 

4th Place - Caleb Hogge of Raider Nation 

5th Place - Julianna Burkett-Erice of Rangers Wrestling Club 

6th Place - John Turner of Individual 

Elementary (3rd-5th) - 83.0-88.2 

1st Place - William Fay of SWYC 

2nd Place - Josh Seaton of Guerrilla 

3rd Place - Cole Richardson of Newport News Warriors 

4th Place - Connar Ellison of Newport News Warriors 

5th Place - Seth Murphy of Smithfield Wrestling Club 

6th Place - Casen Shifflett of Newport News Warriors 

Elementary (3rd-5th) - 92.0-98.60 

1st Place - Shane Shirley of Powerhouse 

2nd Place - Cameryn Heath of Great Bridge 

3rd Place - Bryan Hunt of Newport News Warriors 

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6th-8th) - 62.0-67.0

1st Place - Karon Smith of Newport News Warriors 

2nd Place - Carson Hicks of Raider Nation 

3rd Place - Jack Creamer of Rangers Wrestling Club 

4th Place - Trevon Gray of Newport News Warriors 

5th Place - Jacob Seale of Raider Nation 

6th Place - Evan Malanson of Smithfield Wrestling Club

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6th-8th) - 70.5-76.0 

1st Place - Josh Whitow of Great Bridge 

2nd Place - Jamey Saunders of Poquoson 

3rd Place - Evan Rawls of Smithfield Wrestling Club 

4th Place - Damon Tenney of Raider Nation

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6th-8th) - 80.0-84.1 

1st Place - Temonte Gray of Newport News Warriors 

2nd Place - Bradyn Waddell of Raider Nation 

3rd Place - Hayden Head of Raider Nation 

4th Place - Hunter Edwards of Smithfield Wrestling Club 

5th Place - Dan Coffey of Great Bridge 

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6th-8th) - 85.0-90.9 

1st Place - Riley Starcher of Great Bridge 

2nd Place - Harrison Smith of Great Bridge 

3rd Place - David Reid of Raider Nation

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6th-8th) - 93.0-98.8 

1st Place - Kolby Allred of Great Bridge 

2nd Place - Gannon Jones of Pin 2 Win 

3rd Place - Josh Lake of Guerrilla 

4th Place - Ethan Bates of Smithfield Wrestling Club 

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6th-8th) - 101.0-107.0 

1st Place - Jackson Desaulniers of Smithfield Wrestling Club 

2nd Place - D`Angelo Wilson of Newport News Warriors 

3rd Place - Caleb Filicko of Williamsburg 

4th Place - Jessienna Burkett-Erice of Rangers Wrestling Club 

5th Place - Kieran O`Dell of Bandits 

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6th-8th) - 109.0-114.8

1st Place - Chris O`Brien of Great Bridge

2nd Place - Darryl Patrick of Individual 

3rd Place - Traigan Bealer of Newport News Warriors 

4th Place - Kieran O`Dell of Bandits 

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6th-8th) - 115.0-121.0 

1st Place - Luke Grubbs of Poquoson 

2nd Place - Keyel Halls of Raider Nation 

3rd Place - Christian Shoemaker of Great Bridge 

4th Place - Finn O`Dell of Bandits 

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6th-8th) - 129.0-136 

1st Place - Robert Creamer of Rangers Wrestling Club 

2nd Place - Turner Johnson of Williamsburg 

3rd Place - Finn O`Dell of Bandits 

4th Place - Braden Akers of Great Bridge 

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6th-8th) - 137.0-144.7 

1st Place - Carson Yogi of Amelia County 

2nd Place - Donte Collins of Newport News Warriors 

3rd Place - Samantha Ellis of Newport News Warriors 

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6th-8th) - 148.0-159.0 

1st Place - Cameron Holt of Great Bridge 

2nd Place - Corbin Ansarob of Great Bridge 

3rd Place - Douglas Pruim of Guerrilla 

Yes Virginia, I'm Still On The Wall; Southeastern (Wrestling) Slam Tomorrow 12/28 at Woodside

These past six weeks have been a whirlwind. Between thirteen consecutive weekends of covering high school and college football games, the completion of classes at William and Mary, the launching of our book, Christmas, and a series of tests for my students at DOC, there has been little room to do much of anything else. Unfortunately, after the middle of November, this wall bore the brunt of most my extracurricular activity; hence, I haven't posted in six weeks.

Get up and get busy!! Happy Holidays!

Oh yeah, Happy Holidays!!!!

I am happy to report that this will be changing soon. 2015 is already priming to be a game changer, and in future weeks I'll be happily explaining the reasons why. There are a couple of things I shouldn't talk about yet. But, others are open for conversation. Obviously (as if the hundred or so reminders didn't give you a clue) "Life Treats You.." is alive and kicking. We got out just in time for the holidays, and last Saturday's book launch went very well. There is a lot of work to be done. D'Shawn, Derrick Jamison (who did an awesome job with the cover!) and I met this afternoon to start the process of getting the book on Amazon and Kindle. Barnes and Noble is on the way, as well as some other outlets. And now that we have identified some editing and printing mistakes, we're going to get the minor bumps and scrapes out of the way before starting another printing run. Fortunately, our first run of 200 books is almost sold out.

Tomorrow, I will be visiting the Southeastern Virginia Santa Slam. It's a youth wrestling tournament co-hosted by the Newport News Warriors team and the directorate duo of Corey Beckner and Oliver

Southeastern Santa Slam - Sunday, December 28th at
Woodside High School in Newport News

Walmon. We just saw Oliver last weekend with the Adidas 757 All-Star Football Game, and that event is going to be a keeper. Almost 3,000 fans showed up to ODU's Powhatan Field on a cold, blustery Christmas shopping day to see the Peninsula guys lose a 7-6 nailbiter to the team from Southside. That event will gain momentum, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the attendance double next year. Anyhow, here's a blurb about tomorrow's match:

"The 2nd Annual Santa Slam is Back!!! December 28, 2014 at Woodside High School! Exceeding the 328 that attended last year!! See you there and please share on your page!!"





I'll be visiting the tournament tomorrow and providing some results on this site come Monday. I promise to be back in a regular swing in 2015, with the intention of having a post ready for every Monday. On tap for next week is the Tabb H.S. Holiday Basketball Tournament in Yorktown, VA on Monday and Tuesday, and then the inevitable 600th coaching win for Isle of Wight's Benny Vaughan, a story I have been following for three weeks now, as the Chargers have hit a mild slump and holiday break. Coach Vaughn, who pulls double duty as the school's headmaster, is on #599, and they will start up the schedule again on January 8th against Stonebridge School in Chesapeake.

"Life Treats You the Way You Treat It" -- Book Finished!!!!

Available at 

www.dshawnwright.com. 

The book IS finished! We will have the launch party this Saturday at Body By D Gym in Yorktown from 2-5 PM. Stay tuned for ordering details, but the plan is to be available on Amazon by next week. Thank you all again for your support.


Please bear with me. Because I am spending a great deal of my "free" time editing and formatting the book, there wasn't really time to write a post this week. BUT, for next week, I'd like to highlight something quite important to me -- that is, the progress of the girls cross-country team at Menchville. I coached the Monarch girls two years ago, and am thrilled to see their progress, which culminated in a 9th place finish at the 5A state meet a couple of weeks ago! Stay tuned for that story.

We are getting there. Today, I'll be meeting with D'Shawn Wright and going over some of the final adjustments. In my case, this means finishing one more profile (of the seven which will be featured) while awaiting some information to complete the seventh and final one.

This week, I'll be in the process of editing and alignment. In other words, putting the chapters together. The book isn't long, about 32,000 words, but the idea is to format it as something that can be carried around. Anyhow, I am aiming to present the final product to D'Shawn for a final read through just before Thanksgiving.

Peninsula Catholic Boys, Girls XC Win "Triple Crown" of Championships

The term “Triple Crown” is utilized to signify a rare and extraordinary accomplishment of some honorable measure. In the sporting world, we tend to interject these two words to categorize the achievement of a “once-in-a-generation” horse or a powerful baseball player who is adept enough to lead his league in batting average as well as home runs and runs batted in.

Triple Crown is not associated with teams quite as often as individuals, and Three-Peat looks to be the more popular term for a team which wins three titles in a row. Regardless of which moniker we use for the feat, it is still befitting of any team which glides into rarefied air when they complete a championship trifecta.

The girls team from PC with Coach Susan Bender (far right)
after defeating 36 other teams to capture the
VISAA Division II championship for the 3rd straight year

It’s even more amazing when two teams from the same sport at the same school dare to dream of earning this distinction.

But, as the Virginia Independent Schools (VIS) cross-country championships got under way on Friday afternoon over the rolling hills of Woodberry Forest High in Orange, VA, Peninsula Catholic entered both boys and girls teams who had completed two-thirds of the act. By winning the Virginia State Catholic and TCIS championships in the past two weeks, only a swift 5,000-meter run by 14 individuals (seven runners from both the boys and girls teams count in the scoring, although ten may compete) separated the Knights from their date with destiny.

And succeed they did!The girls won their fourth straight championship and both teams completed a triple crown sweep by winning the Virginia State Catholic meet, the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools (TCIS) meet and the Virginia Independent School meet. It is believed to be the first time in history that one school has fielded two teams that swept all meets.

The PC boys team placed seven out of the top 22 runners. The Knights finished with 38 points, outdistancing runner-up Veritas (58) of Richmond. Williamsburg's Walsingham Academy was fourth.

Peninsula Catholic’s Max Weidman, as expected, led the way for the Knights, placing third in 18:41.21 seconds. Teammate Collin White was fourth, and Walsingham’s Jack Grimson finished fifth. Freshman Andrew Via was seventh.

Martine Hunnicutt, the Lady Knights ace all season, led PC’s girls with a fourth-place finish in 20:25.85, while Julia MacMasters finished ninth.

Here is the box score, as it read on HR Varsity (hrvarsity.com) yesterday.

BOYS

Team scoring: 1, Peninsula Catholic 38. 2, Veritas (Richmond) 58. Others: 4, Walsingham Academy 227. 

Individuals: 1, Clikeman, Veritas, 17:42.24. 

Peninsula-area runners in top 25: 3, Weidman, Peninsula Catholic, 18:14.21. 4, White, Peninsula Catholic, 18:22.19. 5, Grimson, Walsingham, 18:26.66. 7, Via, Peninsula Catholic, 18:34.28. 11, Khalsa, Peninsula Catholic, 18:42.16. 13, Gustke, Peninsula Catholic, 18:46.65. 17, Taleghani, Peninsula Catholic, 19:49.39. 22, Keegan, Peninsula Catholic, 19:00.35.

GIRLS

Team scoring: 1, Peninsula Catholic 82. 2, Walsingham Academy 112. 

Individuals: 1, Lewis, Veritas (Richmond) 19:38.45. 

Peninsula runners in top 25: 4, Hunnicutt, Peninsula Catholic, 20:25.85. 5, Mann, Walsingham, 20:51.63. 8, Kinney, Walsingham, 21:17.97. 9, MacMasters, Peninsula Catholic, 21:18.43. 12, Theurer, Peninsula Catholic, 21:36.43. 18, Riggs, Walsingham, 21:47.70.

And here's an unedited (not better) version of the article I wrote for the Daily Press, which appeared in yesterday's sports. The official version can be found at:

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/highschool/dp-spt-pc-cross-country-feature-20141106-story.html

In the VIS meet alone, it had been seven years since a boys and girls team swept the team titles, with Covenant from Charlottesville taking both trophies home for the Division II classification in 2007.

PC also ran in the D-2 category, but only because of school size (under 161 students per gender), not ability. According to the latest statewide Milestat.com rankings, the Knight boys are ranked second among all independent schools, just behind Trinity Episcopal, while the girls stand in third overall behind traditional D-1 powerhouses St. Catherine’s and Bishop O’Connell.

But there’s always room for a scare, even for the girls team, which has won the past two VIS Division II crowns and completed the triple crown last year.

“(Going into the TCIS meet) Norfolk Academy was looking tougher each week. We knew they were going to be hard to beat. And we hadn’t faced Walsingham at all, so it was hard to say how we would fare against them,” said girls coach Susan Bender.

As it turned out, the scare from Norfolk Academy (a VISAA Division I team) was real. The Lady Knights won with 39 points, but NA was close behind with 48. Walsingham placed third with 69.

Martine Hunnicutt, the Daily Press cross-country athlete of the year from 2012, has paced the team in both races. She won the State Catholic race at Newport News Park with a time of 19:48, then dropped 25 seconds the following week to place second to Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s Chandler Bergeron at the TCIS meet, also run at Newport News Park.

Hunnicutt’s improvement over one week has been indicative of each runner’s individual growth over the course of the season.

“I think we have all surprised ourselves by how much every single member of the team has improved their times,” said the senior team captain.

Not to be outdone, the boys team, led by Coach Mike
Pilola, also won the State Catholic, TCIS and VA
Independent School (Div. 2) titles in 2014

Emily Theurer and sophomore Julia MacMasters also placed in the top seven at both meets to earn first-team State Catholic and TCIS honors. To win on Friday, the Lady Knights will also have to rely on their depth in the fourth through seventh slots, as the cross-country scoring system (lowest score wins) is unique in that the fourth and fifth best runners can help a team more than the fastest runners as long as they place high in the standings. A core of runners will look to help box out opposing harriers, including Grace Miner, Abby TAnko, Emily Bennick, Maria Mummert and Jessica Luff.

Junior Max Weidman has led the boys team for the duration of the fall season. Weidman placed second in both the State Catholic (16:26) and TCIS (16:24) meets, followed to the finish both times by teammates Troy Gustke, Collin White and Ryan Duregger. For their efforts, Gustke and White earned first-team honors for both the VSC and TCIS, while Duregger, Guru Bandaa Khalsa, Eric Taleghani made the second team. Freshman Andrew Via (10^th in TCIS) also earned second team honors.

Previous to Friday's meet, boys coach Mike Pilola looked at the significance of the moment, noting that “it would be tremendous  for both teams to accomplish something this significant in the same year.”

Reflecting after the TCIS meet, Bender added, “It is an even greater blessing when the Peninsula Catholic boys and girls accomplish these goals together.”

Adidas 757 All-Star HS Football Game Prepares for December 20th Kickoff

Attention to all Hampton Roads high school senior football players:

Craig Spruill is looking for you!

Well, maybe not all of you. But as the Adidas 757 All-Star Football Game prepares for its inaugural kickoff on December 20^th, Spruill is happy to share that there is still some room on the rosters for what looks to be a high-octane game and an annual highlight of the Peninsula and Southside high school football seasons.

“Right now, were at about 30-35 players who have confirmed,” says Spruill, the event’s director. But even as the online announcement, found on the game website at www.adidas757game.com states, there is room for 70 players on the rosters.

But the slots are filling up quickly, and the list is turning into a Who’s Who of Hampton Roads high school gridiron stars.  Phoebus’ Harry Lewis, who recently committed to Virginia Tech is on the list. So is Bethel QB Beau Morgan, Ocean Lakes guard Hudson Dunaway, and Hickory tight end (and U. VA commit) Richard Burney Jr.

But this game is about diversity, and one may play for any high school team to accept an invitation. Spruill’s wish list of players encompasses Peninsula, Southside, private schools and Bay Rivers District teams.

On a grander scale, the event is all about helping the community.

To kick off the series of events leading up to the game, four game participants, Ben DeBastiani of Indian River; Menchville’s Xavier Keys, Blake LaRussa from Bishop Sullivan Catholic, and Landstown’s Eric Magwood, paid a visit to the Norfolk CHKD last Saturday, where they spent an early afternoon spending time, playing games and presenting toys to local youths.

The toys were sponsored by Walmart and reflect the heavy corporate backing for the event. With the impetus of sponsorship director Oliver Walmon, at least a dozen businesses have thrown their backing into the event. One, Buffalo Wild Wings, will host a pre-game dinner for the players and families.

But in the spirit of its mission to encourage community involvement, social responsibility and academic excellence, there will be more to the Adidias757 than football. First Advantage Credit Union will host a Financial Literary Workshop on the day before the game.

Says Spruill, “our players will be going to college next year, and we want them to be prepared for their personal financial responsibilities. First Advantage will be teaching them about the importance of credit scores, personal budgeting, and other areas.”

While the Hampton Roads community is sure to benefit from the game, it is also a unique opportunity for players to test their mettle against the cream of the local crop. In the past, the few outlets for high school senior players have included spring combines and the Virginia High School Coaches All-Star Game, which has been held in July. For the borderline college prospect, the December date might be crucial.

“We wanted to play the game while the kids are still in fairly good football shape,” added Spruill.

And given the nature of college scholarships, an opportunity to excel in December may allow colleges to find a few more scholarship athletes before their allotment of athletic money runs out.

That’s why so many schools are interested in being involved with the game.

Says Walmon, “We have commitments from the University of Connecticut, U. VA, Virginia Tech, ODU, Norfolk State – really, just about every college team around here wants to see this game.”

(L to R): Blake LaRussa, Bishop Sullivan; Ben DeBastiani, Indian River; Craig Spruill; Eric Magwood, Landstown; Xavier Keys, Menchville — at CHKD, Norfolk.

There is one problem. NCAA rules allow Division II and III coaches to physically attend the event, but for BCS and FCS (Division I) coaches, the perimeter of Powhatan Field (the game site in Norfolk, and ODU’s home field) is off limits.

Spruill found a solution to that problem.

“We will be broadcasting the game on Huddle (www.hudl.com) and hopefully get some time with Cox Cable, so that the Division I coaches can watch the game on TV.”

For more information on attending or playing in the game, please visit the website. You can also log in to the game’s Facebook page by searching “Adidas 757 All-Star Football Game”

Revisiting the ESL Teachers of Hampton, VA

As some of you may know, when I'm not covering high school football, or writing about the latest and greatest 17-year old (boxer, wrestler, swimmer, fill in the blank), I have been known to pay some attention to contemporary educational issues. Makes sense, seeing as I am a post-graduate degree earner, and current student, in educational administration, as well as policy.

M'kay-y-y-y!!??

This week, I'm making plans to re-visit an old pilot study which I conducted for a Qualitative Research course. Three years ago, I conducted interviews with four (of ten) ESL teachers in the city of Hampton, VA. In 2011, the English as a Second Language (ESL) program was in its embryonic stages in Hampton. Knowing that increased diversity in the Hampton Roads region will force the program to grow and develop, I wanted to see what strategies the newest teachers were using for survival in a position that barely existed within the city limits.

Thinking back, here was my original idea:

My main research question for the original study was:


·     What are the personal and pedagogical characteristics specifically focused toward teaching ESL students? (compared to a traditional classroom teacher)

I even had some other questions constructed:

Tell me why you became an ESL teacher. (Warm-Up – should provide some personal background)

·         Describe a typical day in your school (Warm-Up – might help to shed light on how school system/Title III funding affects one’s job)

·         Describe the classroom methods or strategies that you use to teach ESL students?

·         What role does resources play in helping you develop lesson plans to teach ESL students?

·         How do you use the resources available to you to teach ESL students in your classroom?

·         Do you think your school system properly provide you with the necessary resources to work in an ESL classroom? (is improvisation important?)

·         Do you think there are differences between the classroom needs of ESL students and students for whom English is a first language?

·         Do you think that your cultural and social background plays a role in the classroom? Why or why not?

·         What is your favorite lesson to teach to ESL students? (can ask…might be more for background)

·         What is the greatest challenge you face as an ESL teacher?

·         What are some of the ways you work to overcome this challenge?

·         What are some of the ways that you utilize the course curriculum? Is there room for creativity and thinking “outside of the box?” Give me some examples.


·         How would your students describe you as a teacher?

Three years later, I am curious of a few things. First of all, how many ESL teachers work in Hampton now? Out of the original ten teachers, how many are still in the position? And most important, what developments in budget increases, resources, and support have been added to insure the continued success of this program?

In 2011, the ESL teachers I interviewed were enjoying success within the program, but also worked from the seat of their pants - gathering resources which other teachers were tossing out, and remaking lessons on the fly. I wonder if this was an empowering experience, or one which eventually caused burnout. perhaps having the ESL teachers work from an existing self-efficacy instrument (i.e. -- survey) can add some richness to this post-study.

Stay tuned!

America's Next Great Boxing Hope - Meeting Shakur Stevenson

Original version of article which appeared in Daily Press sports (front page) on October 15, 2014. To view the link, visit:

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-stevenson-feature-20141014,0,2370904.story

It’s easy to be caught off guard by Shakur Stevenson’s laid-back demeanor. As the senior from Bethel High School gets comfortable on the family living room couch, few people would recognize the young man as possibly America’s best hope for a boxing gold medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

But as Stevenson begins to speak, in a voice brimming with self-confidence and awareness of his unique talents, the 5’7”, 120-pound teenager suddenly appears larger and much older than his 17 years of age.

Perhaps it stems from a toughness that could only be built up in rough-and-tumble cities such as Newark, N.J., where the young boxer spent his first 16 years before relocating, to be with his grandparents in Hampton, last year.

How tough is Stevenson? He started boxing at the age of five, under the direction of his other grandfather, Wali Moses, simply because he loved performing and improving at something. While singing or acting, or really, just about any other sport would have been a less painful pursuit, the decision to box has paid off in huge dividends, namely in the form of gold medals at global competitions.

Stevenson is a perfect 17-0 in international matches, and most recently won the flyweight (52 kg.) division at the Youth Olympic Games, held in Nanjing, China last month. As if the trip halfway around the world wasn’t hard enough, he found one more challenge in the final bout – an opponent with a genuine home advantage – China’s Ping Lyu.

“It was like me against the crowd,”  said Stevenson, bringing to mind the final sequence of scenes in Rocky IV. “But, it hyped me up even more. I was nervous at first, but that went away in a hurry.” The American went on to win all three rounds, making him 9-0 on all judges scorecards for rounds in the tournament.

It’s performances like that which earned Stevenson the AIBA World Junior Fighter of the Year award, making him the first American to earn that distinction.

Surprisingly, his toughest opponent to date is one he has fought twice, with the second bout being the semifinal at the Youth Olympics before matching up against Lyu.

“Yes, Muhammad Ali was my toughest opponent.”

Come again?

Stevenson hesitates for a second, then snickers. “No, not that one! Mohammed Ali from Great Britain.” He starts to spell the first name to show the difference. “Ali gave me a hard fight the first time in Bulgaria; he’s a tough competitor.”

How was the rematch?

“After my first fight in China (the one leading to the Ali bout), his father called me from the stands. “Hey Shakur! I looked up and he flashed his Mohammed Ali shirt, tugging at the bottom for emphasis.”

Asked if the attempt to psych him out worked at all, he laughs a bit. “No, not at all. The second fight was so easy. I didn’t think it would be that easy, but it was.”

Stevenson, who was named for his mother’s favorite rapper Tupac Shakur, is enjoying a rest in Hampton until his training begins in earnest again this November. “I know how to start myself up,” says Stevenson, in a broad understatement. With his regular coaches (Kay Koroma is the other) stationed in Newark, he trains alone in his grandparents’ garage, where a heavy bag hangs from a wooden beam. However, he will go to a gym in Norfolk when he needs to spar.

“Pernell Whitaker is from Norfolk,” notes Stevenson, who studies the history of the sweet science.

So who’s his favorite boxer?

“Sugar Ray Robinson. He’s the best boxer of all time!” He also likes Floyd Mayweather and Andre Ward. Speaking of Ward, Stevenson adds that “he added me on Facebook, and we chat every once in a while.”  Ward also happens to be the last Olympic boxer to win a gold medal, back in 2004.

The tie-in is remarkable. Stevenson’s first goal and current focus is to emulate Ward’s gold medal performance, then move directly to the pro ranks where his plan mirrors Mayweather’s. Asked what division he’d like to compete at, he quickly exclaims “147! That’s where the money’s at.”

It’s also Mayweather’s division, a fact that he is very well aware of.

“He (Mayweather) started in the lower weights, and worked himself up to 147.” For the Rio Games, Stevenson is aiming to compete in the 123-lb. class. To date, he has competed in this division once, at the Ringside World Championships in Missouri, where he won.

“Yeah, but it wasn’t really a world championship. They had some good national level boxers there.”

But the plan for the next two years is quickly taking shape. Next year’s schedule includes the Olympic Trials or a last chance competition to make the U.S. team, and this will begin Stevenson’s Road to Rio, a road which has a predictable ending, at least according to the young boxer seated on his grandparent’s couch.

“I’m going to win.”

  

Stevenson’s honors include:

2014 YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES GOLD MEDALIST
2014 YOUTH WORLD CHAMPION
2013 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPION 
2013 VICTORY DAY CHAMPION
2012 JUNIOR OLYMPIC NATIONAL CHAMPION
2013 JUNIOR WORLD TEAM OPEN CHAMPION
2012 VELES CUP CHAMPION

Hindrances to Student Creativity - A Few Thoughts

In recent months, I have strayed away from my blog posts on creativity. While the subject remains relevant, particularly as it relates to the youths of today, I haven't had many reason to drop into the subject matter. I did have an excuse recently, as a myself and a couple of classmates (Pete Goodrich and Sakhavat Mammadov) took a shot at explaining some possible problem areas, as well as solutions, to the creativity crisis.

Since I hadn't told my partners about this post, I'll just give a brief overview. Pete Goodrich examined the reduction of emphasis on standardized testing as a possible way to help children retain their creativity. It is widely understood that giving tests to kids might not hinder their creative ability, but it surely does not enhance their capabilities. While the reduction is a great idea, and something that has been considered here in Virginia (number of required SOL tests has been reduced from 22 to 16), one could also argue that the practice cannot be eliminated. In fact, Dr. Richard Phelps, who has been the topic of a blog post here, believes that the practice, although unpopular, needs to be maintained at some level, simply because of the wide variance in teacher grading. With standardized testing, at least we can use the same measuring stick to determine a student's retention of a subject matter.

I took a brief look at the technological aspect with creativity, but went to the other side of the argument. Of course, technology in its existing form can do wonders to enhance the creative mind of a child. But, it must be used properly in a school setting. I examined the idea of online testing. While students can use technology to take a test, there are other great distractions that can get in the way of that function - most notably video games and checking social media sites. Technology is a plus, but it must be harnessed in order for young students to retain focus.

Sakhavat looked at the topic through the lens of the evolving teacher. As he wisely noted, teachers need to enable certain characteristics to help enhance the creativity of their students, even if they do not possess high levels of creativity on their own personal level.  He examined some notable articles, and I am sure that he will offer more to the rich literature offering himself as a doctoral candidate.

I will revisit this concept of wisely utilizing technology to enhance student creativity in the near future.

The Next Great Boxing Hope - Meet Shakur Stevenson

I had the great pleasure last Friday afternoon to meet a young boxer who many believe is the best American hope to win a gold medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Shakur Stevenson in training. Remember the name.

His name is Shakur Stevenson, and last year he moved from Newark, NJ to Hampton, VA which is how he found his way into my sights. Actually, Andi Petrini @andipetrini, the sports editor at the DAILY PRESS, put him on my radar. As I did some research, it was amazing that this assignment fell to me. The article sent by Shakur's "people,"  was a recent one from USA Today, and written last month after the 17-year old had won yet another world amateur title. He's 17-0 in international competition.

I had a great talk with Stevenson at his grandparent's house in Hampton, where he is taking a break from boxing, but getting ready to begin training again in November. Amazingly, both of his coaches are still based in Newark. But, it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility. Mary Cain, the young phenom distance runner, who recently turned pro, has legendary Alberto Salazar as a coach, and he's still coaching runners in Oregon, while Mary just graduated from Bronxville HS, just outside of New York City.

I'm not going to give the highlights of the interview away, because it will be shown in a soon to be released DP sports page. Could be as early as tomorrow (Wed.), and I'll put an addendum on the top of this post with a link to the story. As I like to say, stay tuned. :)