YORKTOWN’S PRINZEL PLACES NATIONALLY IN MLB PITCH, HIT & RUN

Josh Prinzel (circled) was invited to the third round of the
MLB Pitch, Hit and Run competition, held at Nationals
Park in Washington, DC.

Joshua Prinzel of Yorktown recently spent a day at Nationals Park that was quite different from what most of us are used to.

Prinzel, a 14-year old star pitcher for Tabb Middle School and his York District 7 Junior team, recently advanced into the third round of the national MLB Pitch, Hit and Run competition, earning him a chance to perform all three baseball skills on the same field that Ryan Zimmerman and Bryce Harper call home.

It was the culmination of a fascinating year for Prinzel. First, his Tabb Middle team won the middle school district championship and finished undefeated for the first time in school history. From there, the young pitcher transitioned to his York District 7 team, which won the regional championship 7-2 over Deer Park, with the fireballer striking out 11 in the finale.

Still, his biggest athletic moment this summer may have come from the result of a suggestion.

“One of my coaches suggested that I try out for Pitch, Hit and Run,” said Prinzel, who was unaware of where the path would lead.

On a Saturday in early May, Prinzel showed up to the York County Sports Complex to try his luck in the 13-14 age group. Because of baseball games taking place around the complex, the athletes were allowed to toss their six baseballs for strikes from 45 feet, hit a baseball off a tee for distance, and then allow themselves to be timed on a run from second base to third to home at any point in the day.

For this reason, the rising Tabb High freshman completed his circuit and then went home, not knowing how he placed, or even how many other players took part in the event.

That was until almost a week later when he received a call inviting him to compete in the regional competition at Harbor Park in Norfolk.

A couple of weeks later, Prinzel and his father Lance left Yorktown “very early” to make the 7:30 AM start time, as the event took place before the Saturday Tides game. This time, Prinzel got to see who he was up against.

“There were about 15 for each age group,” Asked about nervousness, he added, “I thought I had a shot (to win), but just wanted to have some fun.”

However, Prinzel, being a natural pitcher, jumped to a great start in the Pitch portion, then held his own in the hitting, leaving only the Run to complete his turn.

“I didn’t know how I did in the other two events, but don’t think I won the hitting or running,” said Prinzel, who once again left the ballpark unaware of his placing.

Again, several days passed before the phone rang again. This time, it was from Jason Bethea, the national point-of-contact for Pitch, Hit and Run, who called to inform Prinzel that he had advanced to the next round, and that his next stop would be Nationals Park in Washington, DC on June 11, as one of the top-three finishers in the Washington Nationals viewing market.

Although Prinzel did not make the top-three nationally to earn a trip to Miami for the “World Series” finals during All-Star week, he did draw attention from one important sports outlet. During the Hit portion, Prinzel drove a ball off the tee well over 300 feet, a feat worthy of his baseball hero and Washington National, Bryce Harper.

His father Lance happened to be sitting next to the representative of Major League Baseball’s website, MLB.com, and recalled the words he heard.

“He said that he had never seen anyone that age hit a ball that far off the tee,” said the elder Prinzel. In a moment’s notice, the MLB.com representative turned into reporter and captured the Yorktown resident for an on-field interview, which was featured on the MLB.com website and can be found at:  http://m.mlb.com/news/article/235746274/nationals-host-pitch-hit--run-competition/

Over 600,000 athletes in eight age groups took part in this year’s Pitch, Hit and Run competition. In spite of not making the Miami event, Prinzel placed in the top-30 nationally for his age group.

Sarah Osborn Wins USA Rifle Shooting Nationals

Hampton’s Sarah Osborn, the nation’s top high school recruit in rifle shooting, won the USA Shooting 3PAR match in Camp Perry, OH on June 22-23.

The 3PAR is a three-position precision air rifle match, and an event which the recent Summit Christian Academy graduate captured last year.

With the win, the 18-year old completed her junior career as a three-time National Champion for USA Shooting, and two-time national champion for CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) 3PAR precision air rifle. In August, Osborn will begin her collegiate studies at West Virginia University. She will also be the prized newcomer for the Mountaineers rifle squad, which won its fifth consecutive NCAA rifle team title in March.

At the time of her signing last November, Mountaineer rifle coach Jon Hammond said, “We’re really excited to add Sarah to the WVU rifle program. She has shot at the national level for many years. Sarah is not only a talented shooter, but she’s also very motivated and a hard worker. She also places a lot of value in academic success. Sarah is a great fit for this program.”  

Osborn, who learned how to shoot as an eight-year old when her father bought a BB gun for her older brother as a Christmas present, scored a 591 out of 600 possible points. Although the score was somewhat lower than usual for her, it was good enough to put her in second place entering the finals, where she matched Justin Kleinhein of Ohio shot for shot, before finally overtaking him to win by .02 points.

Osborn’s performance helped to propel her Patriot team, which also included Michael Zanti, Shae Cardwell and Owen Goad, to a second-place team finish of 46 teams.

Louis and Brebnor Jr. Spell Trouble for Potomac at 5A Boys State

Donovan Louis is giving up football at Potomac High
to concentrate on track. The Panthers next offensive
weapon might be ... track teammate Rawle Brebnor Jr.

For the past two years, juniors Donovan Louis and Rawle Brebnor Jr. have been football teammates and track workout partners. For the first two years, Louis was easily the standout, as a star running back with the Panthers, and premier jumper and sprinter for Jeffrey Foy’s team.

Life on the gridiron was less than satisfying for the pair, as Potomac stumbled to a 3-7 mark during their freshman year, changed coaches, and finished 2016 with a 4-6 mark. There were no playoff games in two seasons. Louis saw plenty of time as a 6-3, 200-pound featured running back, while the slighter Brebnor (5-9, 150) played wide receiver and cornerback.

Track was more successful for the Panthers. Potomac held a spot in the middle of the team standings last year, finishing 19^th indoors and 14^th outdoors. However, during the last indoor state meet, the Panthers flirted with the team lead throughout much of the weekend, only to see Bethel win the team crown on the last leg of the last event - the boys 4x400 relay.

Last year, Louis showed the most promise, hedging his 100 and 200 times to the brink of breaking 11 and 23, while Brebnor lumbered behind at 11.68 and 23.67 – good, but not worthy of points at the state level.

This year has seen the emergence of Louis to state champion level. Yet, the deciding factor in Potomac’s state winning effort may have been Brebnor’s scoring contribution, as he too has become a top-flight sprinter, and one who had the fastest 200-meter time in Virginia for several weeks this season.

The Panthers won the 5A championship with 65 points, and captured the title when the 4x400 meter relay team of Kevin Mayers, Xennis Mensah, Johnathan Panda and Kofi Boateng placed fourth in 3:21.12, giving Potomac the five points needed to seal the championship.

However, up through Saturday morning, it was Louis carrying the torch, winning the long jump (24-8) and 100 (10.66) to give the Dumfries school 20 crucial points.

The 100 may have been the turning point. Along with Louis’ win, Brebnor placed fourth in 10.86, while Bryan Ahouman earned three points for his sixth place finish (11.10).

Soon after, the trio combined with Anthony Cole to place second in the 4x100, running the same time as Prince George (41.90), but losing by a piece of lint on the chest of a Royals uniform jersey.

Matthew Mitchell added a fourth place finish in the 110-meter hurdles (14.59), while Mayers placed fifth in the 400 (49.53). Jesus Gibbs also added a wrinkle to the Panthers’ arsenal with his fourth place effort in the shot put (51-9.5).

In spite of neither winning the race, it was the 200 that showed the difference between last year and this one. Louis, tired from four previous races, faltered slightly in the last 30 meters, and Keith Brown of Prince George charged to a 21.67 victory. Louis was fifth (21.94), but it was Brebnor who held his ground, hitting the tape in third (21.85). The pair gave Potomac ten points, and pushed the Panthers to within a half-point of Lee-Davis, setting the climactic tone for the 4x400.

After the meet, Louis said, “It’s a blessing to be in this position and rep my school.” Louis suffered with dehydration issues, especially in the long jump where there is nary a tree near the pit. To get over the hump, Louis, who has dropped 12 pounds from his football weight of 200, relied on verbal encouragement, mainly from his father.

Brebnor was excited about the win, and thankful for all of the outside support.

He may have another reason to be excited. Louis has decided to solely concentrate on track and will not be playing football for his senior year for the Panthers. With his loss, the starting tailback spot has opened up for Keith King’s team with one player having an inside track for the job, mainly because of his newfound game breaking speed.

He’d have to move from his receiver position, and may stay there to save his 150-pound frame from the punishment that a running back has to endure. Regardless, the newest weapon in the Panther offense this fall could be – Rawle Brebnor Jr.