(Archives) Aaron Rodgers Visits All-Pro Campers at W&M

(Note: Digging into the archives again, I dug up this gem, back from when I was writing for WYDaily in Williamsburg. I am proud that it is still used as a reference on Aaron Rodgers' Wikipedia page (#47?). Was also proud at the time because it became of the most read articles in WYDaily history, as Green Bay fans sought it out and even left comments. In fact, it was the last article I'd write with them as then-sports editor Andi Petrini at the Daily Press answered my email and offered to let me work as a HS football stringer. Also the only time I saw former Daily Press reporter Melinda Waldrop at work. I didn't know her then.)
Aaron Rodgers threw a pass to each of the campers at
the William and Mary All-Pro Camp, back in 2011


By Jim McGrath
Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The first things you notice are the hands.

Even from far away, it is apparent that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has good-sized hands. As one observer on the sideline at Zable Stadium called them yesterday, “catcher’s mitts.”  Certainly large enough to wrap around a football like most of us wrap ours around a double-decker sandwich.

However, these hands have worked wonders. Five months ago, they were the key to precision passes to Packer teammates Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson en route to a rousing post-season performance of almost 1,100 yards and nine touchdown passes in four playoff games, the last a 31-25 Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The hands that held not only the Vince Lombardi trophy, but also that of the game’s Most Valuable Player. The hands that might be holding an ESPY award in two weeks as either the Best Male Athlete or Best NFL Player, or both.

Not bad for a guy who was only 5’10” and 160 pounds, with no scholarship offers, out of high school.

What? Not true?

Rodgers bluntly interrupted the first reporter’s (fortunately from another outlet) question at yesterday’s press session, held inside the Laycock Football Complex, adjacent to the Stadium. “That’s incorrect. I was 6’2”, 195.”

But the part about no scholarships may have been true.

“I didn’t have any expectations coming out of high school,” noted Rodgers, the star guest of William and Mary head football coach Jimmye Laycock's Colonial All-Pro Camp, which ended yesterday. “I was a realist. I wasn’t a great player yet. I knew that I had a lot of hard work between where I was at and where I wanted to be, at a big-time Division I program.”

Only one, Illinois, made an offer, as a walk-on. In a surprising move, Rodgers turned down the offer and decided to play at tiny Butte Community College, near his hometown of Chico, California. In 2002, after leading his team to a 10-1 record while throwing 28 touchdowns, other schools took notice. California, led by Coach Jeff Tedford, was one of them.

Immediately, Rodgers took charge of the Bears offense, throwing for almost 5,500 yards and 43 TD’s in his first two years at Cal. In spite of having one year of eligibility remaining, the junior made himself available for the 2005 draft and fell all the way to the 24th pick before being scooped up by the Packers.

Rodgers was groomed to be the heir apparent to future Hall-of-Famer Brett Favre. However, Favre began his on-again, off-again relationship with the topic of retirement early in Rodgers’ career, not leaving until finally being traded to the New York Jets in 2008, soon after talking himself out of retirement for a third time.
While many players may have faltered from the unwillingness of the mentor to leave, Rodgers only grew stronger.

“It (the experience) forced me to improve as a football player, but also as a person. I knew that the opportunity was going to come and I was going to have to make the most of it. People were going to be watching, and I knew that the way I prepared for that situation would go a long way in the locker room with those guys (teammates).”

It may have also taught the quarterback something about humility. Yesterday, the large hands of the quarterback who has thrown for over 12,000 yards over the past three years while posting the highest passer rating in regular and post-season history, was lobbing soft passes for hundreds of young campers, waiting patiently for their opportunity to catch a ball from perhaps the hottest hand in the NFL.

For the record, neither hand was sporting the Super Bowl ring that Rodgers and his teammates collected earlier this month.

Back to the camp subject, it would seem that Rodgers was simply emulating his own camp experience as a youth. Again, no?

“I remember being a kid in California and not having this opportunity. To be able to spend time at a camp setting, with college players and Clay (Matthews), Ndamukong (Suh) and myself (Matthews and Suh appeared on Sunday and Monday, respectively), it’s just exciting to be here. Hopefully, we’ll inspire the kids in some way because I remember being that little kid with a dream.”

One parent, Hoss ("Everyone calls me Hoss," he said), brought his wife and children for the festivities. Although living on the Peninsula, both parents are from the Green Bay area, and were happy as Packers fans to be able to see Rodgers and Matthews. “We try to make it here whenever a pro player visits,” he said. The children appeared to be in possession of a Packers helmet which may or may not have been signed over the course of the morning.

Looking at next season, Rodgers is hopeful that in spite of the lost time, his teammates and he will be ready when and if the strike ends.

“I miss the guys. I’m probably in the best shape of my life, but getting ready to play, whenever that happens.” On the team front, he added, “I’m getting ready to begin my seventh year. Capers (Dom, the defensive coordinator) is in the third year with his system. (Head coach) Mike McCarthy is starting his sixth year. We’re not going to lose a lot of players. We don’t have to make a lot of adjustments as a team.”

Hampton Roads Sports Media Hall of Fame Ceremony Postponed

The Hampton Roads Sports Media Hall of Fame will have to postpone, or even cancel, its third induction ceremony, which was scheduled for May 9th at Langley Speedway in Hampton, VA.

"There are just no guarantees. Langley's (Speedway) not even open," said Greg Bicouvaris, who with Speedway promoter Chuck Hall, founded the organization in July 2017.

The Hall, which inducts five members each year, had announced the 2020 class last November - a list which included Calvin Jacox, Harry Minium, Wayne Nooe, David Teel, and Debbie White. But for now, the future of the ceremony remains in limbo.

"Whether we have a ceremony or not is up in the air. Chuck and Langley will have to follow what the Governor says," added Bicouvaris, known for his work as a veteran local sportscaster, and network television stage manager. "The good thing is that we had already announced the class, but we may end up having to mail their plaques to them."

More information about the history and inductees of the Hall can be found on its website at hrsmhof.com.

(Archives) Menchville's Perry Brothers Reunite at Penn Relays to Honor Mom

(In honor of this being Penn Relays week, I decided to go back to the archives for an older story that combined Peninsula athletics with the Relays. Somewhere in between is my favorite article to write - about the Perry brothers, all track stars at Menchville High in Newport News. Their mother Mary was ailing and four of them got together in her honor as the "Sons of Mary" to run one last relay. This ran in the Town Square sports section of the Daily Press back in 2012, and I thank Lynn Burke for allowing me to write so many great local sports stories. These assignments served as my lead-in to eventually writing the weekly Community Sports Notebook for two years. Mother Mary passed away a couple of weeks after this article was published, which added extra meaning for me, 

BY JIM McGRATH

Within the confines of the Newport News track and Menchville athletic halls of fame, the Perry brothers have built their own wing. From the mid-1970s to the early 1980s, the brothers dominated local and state high school track and helped the Monarchs, under coach Steve Lewis, to three consecutive state titles from 1979-1981.

Each brother had his own niche.

Clifton owned the middle distances, winning a state title in record time in the 880 in 1975, followed by a high school national record in the 600-yard run the following year, a record which still stands. James was a half-miler who competed on Menchville's school record 4x880 yard relay. He also ran cross-country.

Eric was a three-time high and intermediate hurdles state champion who earned All-American status. Ray was also a state champion in the 330-yard intermediate hurdles. In all, the Perry brothers built their legacy on excellence.

It was a trait inherited from their mother Mary. Last November, the family gathered for Mary Perry's 80th birthday celebration. On that day, all of the Perry brothers celebrated their mother to the tune of the Intruders "I'll Always Love My Mama," while each brother (nine, in all) presented a single gold rose to their matriarch. It was a special day for Mary Perry and her 14 children.

Just weeks later and three days after Christmas, she complained of stomach pain and was taken to the emergency room. The doctors' initial prognosis was confirmed and in early January of this year, she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

Now in hospice care, the brothers said they all realized that their mother doesn't have much time left. Still, her spirit continues to inspire them.

"She is such a fighter," Eric Perry says. "Her spirit is so strong as is her passion for love and passion for life."

Now a detention officer in Texas, Eric shared one of the stories which best describes his mother's passion.

"My mother has a favorite window at the home. Every day, there's a squirrel that comes up to her window as if he knows she is going to be there. Mom even gave the squirrel a name… 'Runner.' We like to say that the squirrel is sending nature to her window every day."

Now in their 50's, five of the brothers (Mike was added as an alternate runner) decided to bond and compete one more time in honor of their mother. So they turned back to their track background.

Thinking of the prestigious Penn Relays meet in Philadelphia, they signed on to run as a 1,600-meter relay. Under the moniker "Sons of Mary," the brothers entered the 50-and-older Masters race. Uniforms were designed and pictures were taken to commemorate the event.

Last Saturday, the brothers took to the track at Franklin Field, to relive their past glory in front of the 42,000 fans who commonly attend the last three days of the meet. Ray led off, followed by Eric, James and finally Clifton with the anchor leg. Their time of 4:15.13 was good enough for a ninth-place finish of 22 teams.

"We wanted," Eric said, "to have an opportunity, before the Lord calls her over, for our mother to see her sons together, focusing on one cause … one more lap."

Gunderson Tapped to Head CNU Women's Soccer

CNU women's soccer
coach Jamie Gunderson
Hot off the presses from Christopher Newport University, the Captains have found their new women's soccer coach. In fact, he was already there, as athletic director Kyle McMullin took the interim tag off Jamie Gunderson, and made him the full-time coach.

According to their press release, Gunderson, has been with the Captains since the fall of 2012, and previously served as an assistant coach under Dan Weiler for seven seasons before stepping into the interim position earlier this year.

"I am extremely pleased that during a time of great uncertainty, we are able to move forward with someone who will bring steady leadership and exceptional ability as our Head Women's Soccer Coach," said McMullin. "Jamie's presence has been key to the success of our women's soccer team for the past seven years and his ability to lead our students has become evident over the past month. Jamie will excel as our Head Coach."

Prior to taking the reins as the top assistant coach in 2014, Gunderson also served under head coach Ruth Keegan as a volunteer assistant coach in 2012 and started his tenure with then head coach Dan Weiler in 2013. Gunderson was elevated to the full-time position in the Spring of 2014 after helping guide CNU to 12- and 14-win seasons in his first two years on the sideline. He has helped lead the Captains to six straight regular-season conference titles and five NCAA Tournament berths in his tenure under Weiler. In a three-year stretch between 2016-18, the Captains set and re-set the program record for wins in a season while capturing the program's first three Capital Athletic Conference Tournament Championships.

In 2018, Gunderson was a part of the coaching staff that led Christopher Newport to the NCAA Division III National Semifinals and wrapped up the season with a 21-2-0 overall record. For his efforts, he was honored as part of the United Soccer Coaches Atlantic South Region Coaching Staff of the Year.

In addition to his time with the Captains, Gunderson has spent four years coaching with the Virginia Legacy Soccer Club. He also excelled as an athlete both collegiately and in the professional ranks.

A four-year starter for Methodist, Gunderson starred on the field and also represented the Monarchs on the USA South All-Sportsmanship team. Following his collegiate career, he competed professionally as a member of the Norfolk Sharx in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He also played with the Lionsbridge FC team in the PDL in each of the past two summers. the Captains set and re-set the program record for wins in a season while capturing the program's first three Capital Athletic Conference Tournament Championships.

In a statement, Gunderson wrote, "I could not be more honored and grateful for this opportunity. I would like to thank President Paul Trible, Vice President Bill Brauer, Director of Athletics Kyle McMullin, along with Carrie Gardner, Matt Kelchner, and the entire search committee. Also, I would like to send a special thank you to Dan Weiler for helping me start my journey at CNU. Dan's passion and drive to run a successful program has helped develop me into the coach I am today. I am looking forward to continuing the growth and traditions of the CNU Women's soccer program."

Lionsbridge FC Soccer Season to be Delayed

The United Soccer League, keeping in line with other school and professional sports has announced that its season will also be delayed to an unknown date.

At the local level, that means the Lionsbridge FC squad, based on the Virginia Peninsula, will have to wait a while longer to begin their 2020 season.

In a statement, the USL sai, "in close collaboration with the USL League Two Executive Committee, the start of the 2020 League Two season will be delayed in order to align with recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on restricting public gatherings of 50 or more people through Sunday, May 10.

In Virginia, that number for public gatherings has been lowered to 10. The Lionsbridge team plays in the South Atlantic Division of the Southern Conference, and are now scheduled to open the season on May 9 in an away match against the Wake FC.

Lionsbridge, who plays its home game at CNU's TowneBank Stadium, finished the 2019 season just outside of playoff contention with a fifth-place standing and a record of 5-6-3. Since their inception in 2017, the team has built a solid fanbase and helped revive the local soccer scene.

Meghan's Home!! -- A Football Trip to Honduras Goes Awry

A lighter moment of the trip -- plenty of
toilet paper in Honduras
For Smithfield resident Meghan Gianni-Bradford, the opportunities presented to her by the AFE Team USA All-Stars have been too good to pass up. The organization, which promotes football through community service and by sending men’s and women’s American teams to play games and tournaments in other countries, had agreed to play in the American Women’s Bowl in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and offered Gianni-Bradford, an up and coming tight end and receiver, a chance to play at the international level.

The Newport News Shipbuilding employee took great pride in making the trip. She had played with local teams, but joined the AFE squad last July, and was part of the team that played against a squad from Mexico in Cancun last December. Still, any opportunity to join her new team and represent her country was an honor, and as she told Recruit757 on Saturday, “It was extremely selective to get on the national team.”

The AFE All-Stars team arrived early, on March 11, and spent some time practicing for the games, as well as volunteering their collective time for various forms of service in the Tegucigalpa region. The first two days of the tournament went well as the US squad won its first three games, against Mexico, Costa Rica, and host Honduras,. However, on the third day, and with news of the Coronavirus making its way to the Western Hemisphere and points south, the decision was made to suspend the tournament before its conclusion.

However, the evening before the team was to head to the airport to fly home, Honduran officials made a second decision – this one to close its country’s borders for at least seven days, and shut off all forms of travel, essentially stranding the American team at their hotel without enough food, money, and in some cases, medicine, to last the duration of the suddenly extended visit.

Said Linda Gianni, Meghan’s mother (both of her parents made the trip), who was with the contingent of 55 players, coaches and staff in Honduras, “We learned the night before from social media and our Honduras team representative that the borders were being closed in five hours.” Gianni added that even days later, the team had received no notifications from the State Department regarding the border closing, even though they had signed up for the State Department's notifications for Honduras through their STEP program.

There was another, more pressing problem, that being the availability of food and supplies for the group of 55. They were left in a hotel with only a handful of other patrons, according to Sandy Glossenger, operations manager for American Football Events, and wife of head coach Dale Glossenger. The hotel offered limited types of food, which it had recently cut further in an effort to conserve. Their stay and meals were discounted, though they were still expected to pay, she said.

“It gets to be a scary situation because we don’t know how many days it will last,” Dale Glossenger told the Chicago Tribune.

The hotel did set up a room for them to watch movies together, and one of the players, a fitness trainer by day, led them through workouts.

In a social media post, Linda further explained the arrangements.

“The AFE Team USA All-Stars negotiated the (hotel) rates and food. Room service (was) required because the hotel closed the restaurant and only allowed "take out", just like in the US. The AFE negotiated food options for us to choose from in order to keep the food expense reasonable for the team. We had to work out a schedule with the hotel so that they could cook all the meals for the team and deliver them hot to each room. We basically ordered ahead of time from a small list of food options, like in a hospital, and handed in our slip by a set time for the next meal. John (Meghan’s father), Meghan, and I missed lunch one day because we were so busy making phone calls to legislators and news organizations that we forgot to order our food.” She noted that the team shared their food with the police guarding the team outside the hotel, as they didn't have time or a chance to get their own.

With the possibility of an extra-long stay shadowing the non-profit team, they turned to the resources at hand to explain their situation, and eventually receive permission to return home. A call for donations was posted on the team web site (afeteamusa.com), and the push was made to alert the US Embassy in Honduras, as well as the American media.

Thanks to the efforts of local and national lawmakers, the process started to commence. Yet, it took six more days to finish the job.

As assistant coach Billy Avalos told the Las Cruces Sun News, "(On Day 9), we settled in to bed and an AFE USA Football message came in reading “Lobby now - bring your passports,” An embassy spokesperson was there and said, good you passed (we were all there in 10 minutes) Good news and bad news - I will check all passports and thank the President. You are all coming home tomorrow."

The Gianni’s felt that there was one other person deserving of special recognition for helping to secure the two Air Force C-130 cargo planes that delivered 25, and then 30 members of the group to Joint Base Charleston (SC), where they arrived early Sunday morning.

In a separate Facebook post from Saturday afternoon, Meghan wrote, “Emily Brewer  (VA Delegate – 64th District) is one of the main reasons that all 55 members of the Women’s USA football team were able to get airlifted by the US Air Force, via two military planes, from the Air Force base in Honduras to an Air Force base in South Carolina. Emily worked tirelessly with every local, state, and federal government resource she could to push to ensure we all got home safe. Emily didn’t just fight to bring me home as someone who lives in her district, to bring the three Virginia residents’ home from her state, she fought to bring all 55 fellow Americans back to the United States safely and quickly. That itself shows the kind of beyond outstanding individual she is.”

Donations are still needed, as the team landed in South Carolina, but some still need help getting to one of the 23 states represented by the AFE team. In the Gianni’s case, they rented a car and drove the rest of the way to Isle of Wight County.

As for the AFE Women’s All-Stars, they are scheduled to travel to Spain this December to play against their national team. At this time, there are no plans to cancel or postpone the trip. Said Meghan, “At the moment Honduras doesn’t affect Spain at all. That’s all based on the coronavirus. So as of right now, we are still playing in December.”

But as she arrived home on Saturday, one line summed up her Gianni-Bradford’s relief.

“Feels good to be back on US soil!”












Vipers Emerge As Newest Women's Football Team


When athletic events resume in Hampton Roads, there will be a new women’s football team taking to the gridiron as the Tri-City Vipers begin their inaugural season.

The Vipers recently became the newest members of the United States Women’s Football League (USWFL), which is the same league that the region’s first women’s team, the Hampton Roads Lady Gators, started play with before moving to the Women's Tackle Football League last season.

And if their fortune is good, the Vipers hope to enjoy the same success as the Gators, who posted a 2-6 record in Year One before clinching the league Ironwoman championship in 2018, their sophomore season, with an 8-2 mark and a 20-14 win over the Tri-Cities Thunder in the USWFL Division 3 title game.

It is a prospect that league co-owner David Johnson found intriguing to his organization, which is based in Tennessee.

“We are excited to welcome them to the USWFL. The talent pool in that area is just never ending, so we know they will be a great team right off the bat.” Johnson said of the Vipers and Hampton Roads. Although he and wife Jennifer sold their interest in the league to William Access last December, there are a number of changes that should ensure an exciting brand of football when play resumes.

Soon after the Vipers signed on, yet another local team, the Hampton Roads HERricanes, also joined the USWFL, while up I-64, the River City Sting, based in Richmond, should provide another instant rivalry. The Vipers and HERricanes were scheduled to clash in the season opener, on April 4, at Wanner Stadium in James City County.

For now, the most important step is maintaining the positive momentum.

“We had a roster prior (to the COVID-19 pendemic), and we have been able to get in some practices with limited numbers, as far as our season, the league has pushed back the season's first game and I've asked them to keep it open for adjustments,” said team director Burden El-Bey, also known as “Coach Bee.”

For more information on how to join the Vipers, one may visit their website at www.tcladyvipers.com.



Axsom Dojo Wins Nine State Championships at NC AAU

The Axsom Martial Arts dojo team took a smaller group than usual to the 2020 AAU NC State Championships in Greensboro two weekends ago. However, as usual, the martial artists collected a fair share of the championships, with nine of the 11 competitors winning at least one state championship. In fact, each athlete placed in the top three in one or more divisions.

Said John Axsom, the team’s sensei and coach, “We didn't have our biggest group but did very well!”

The members of Axsom’s Army to compete at Greensboro, with their age group, included:

Advanced Division:

▪︎Jessica Sigsbee (18-22) Female - Bronze in Kobudo (Weapons), and Silver in Kumite  (Fighting).
▪︎Ryan Sigsbee (15-16) Male - Silver Kobudo, and GOLD in Kumite.
▪︎Jaylen Nicholson (13-14) Male - Silver Kobudo, and Bronze Kumite.
▪︎Amiyr Gordon (11-12) Male - Silver Kobudo, Bronze Kata (Forms), and GOLD Kumite.

Novice Division:

▪︎Chris "Hercules" Gordon (5-6) Male - TRIPLE STATE CHAMPION IN all 3 Divisions + Chris moved up to the 7-8-year-old division getting GOLD in Kobudo, Silver in Kata, and Bronze in Kumite!
▪︎Jalyn Wilks (9-10) GOLD in Kumite
▪︎Joe Fuscia (11-12) Male - GOLD Kobudo,  and Silver Kata.

Beginner Division:

▪︎Brett Fallen (15-16) Male - Silver Kobudo, GOLD KATA & KUMITE + he moved up to novice and won Silver in Kobudo, GOLD in Kata, and Silver in Kumite!
▪︎Alex Tomaino (15-16) Male - GOLD Kobudo, Silver Kata, Bronze Kumite + he moved up to Novice and won GOLD Kobudo and Silver Kata!
▪︎Lucas Ramey (7-8) Male - Won GOLD in Kobudo.
▪︎Shianne Freeman (5-6) Female- Won Silver in Kata, and GOLD in both Kata and Kumite.

Road Racing Results From Jamestown 5K Swamp and Gloucester 8K

Roger Hopper and Emily Honeycutt brought home the top spots at last Saturday's 19th Annual Jamestown High School Swamp Run 5K, held in Williamsburg.

Hopper set a new men's 25-29 record with his winning time of 15:50, ten seconds ahead of Williamsburg's William Thompson. Another RevCity mainstay, Adam Otstot, was third with a men's 35-39 age group record time of 16:24.

Honeycutt was a couple of minutes off Alison Holinka's record time of 18:24, but her 20:34 showing was good enough to put her 12 seconds ahead of the jean sisters, Sorenna and Thorin who shared the next two places.

Isaac Lamprecht won the men's 14-and-under in 19:38. In all, 138 runners completed the race, which was sponsored by the Colonial Road Runners as part of its Grand Prix series.


Men Overall

**1. Roger Hopper, 29                        Chesapeake                              15:50
[race record is 15:44 by Adam Otstot, 24, Williamsburg in 2007]
2. William Thompson, 27                      Williamsburg                             16:00
**3. Adam Otstot, 37                          Williamsburg                             16:24

Women Overall

1. Emily Honeycutt, 28                         Newport News                         20:34
[race record is 18:24 by Alison Holinka, 23, Williamsburg in 2002]
2. Sorenna Jean, 17                              Williamsburg                             20:46
3. Thorin Jean, 19                                 Williamsburg                             20:46

Meanwhile, in Gloucester, 474 runners gathered for the Ninth Annual 8K Run and 3K Run/Walk, held at Gloucester High School. The race was sponsored by the Peninsula Track Club.

Brian Flynn of Mechanicsville was the top-dog on the Middle Peninsula, finishing almost three minutes ahead of second place in the 8K, with his time of 25:45.

TOP OVERALL MEN

    1     1 BRIAN FLYNN                 36 MECHANICSVILLE VA     25:45  5:11 
    2     2 NATHANIEL PETERSON          26 GLOUCESTER VA    28:35  5:45 
    3     3 CONNER O'BEIRNE             17 GLOUCESTER VA         30:16  6:06 

TOP OVERALL WOMEN

    1    16 LINDSAY NEWELL              40 MATHEWS VA            39:15  7:54 
    2    18 BETSY LITTLE                     44 MATHEWS VA            39:41  7:59 
    3    22 JENNIFER VESS-MORGAN        36 HAYES VA           40:45  8:12   

Jackson, Spencer To Be Inducted To VA Golf Hall of Fame


Two golfers with Peninsula ties will be part of the Class of 2020 Virginia Golf Hall of Fame.
Wayne Jackson and Wynsol Spencer will join Kandi Kessler Comer, David Partridge and Richard Smith as the newest members of the Hall, in a ceremony to be held at Hermitage Country Club in Manakin-Sabot on May 5. Their addition will boost the Hall of fame’s membership to 24.
CBS Sports broadcaster Dottie Pepper is scheduled to emcee the ceremony. Pepper is a two-time major champion, a 17-time winner on the LPGA Tour and a six-time member of the United States’ Solheim Cup team.
Here are the bios on the two newest members as chronicled by Chris Lang, editor of Virginia Golfer magazine.
Wayne Jackson
Jackson won his first VSGA Amateur Championship in 1956, jumpstarting a career that included six trips to the U.S. Amateur and an appearance in the 1963 U.S. Open Championship. Jackson won a second VSGA Amateur in 1965.
In 1977, Jackson became the first winner of what has become the nation’s longest-running championship for the 25-and-older set, the VSGA Mid-Amateur. Jackson also counts the 1967 VSGA Four-Ball Championship among his victories.
A Hampton native, Jackson graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, where he is enshrined in the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He is a longtime member of James River Country Club, where he won 17 club championships. On four occasions between 1959 and 1966, he was the low amateur at either the VSGA or VPGA Open championships. He also won a record 10 consecutive Peninsula Amateur Championships and was a member of the All-Army Golf Team that won the Interservice Championship.

Wynsol Spencer
Spencer, who was born in Kentucky but moved to Newport News at age 5, died in 2013 at age 94. He was a dominant player both on the Peninsula and statewide. As a youth, he helped lead the Typhoon of Newport News High School to two state championships. He won the first of five VSGA Amateurs in 1939 before departing to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Upon his return, he won four more Amateur championships in 1948, 1953, 1955 and 1959. He was a finalist on three other occasions.
In 1959, Spencer turned professional and was the head professional at Fort Eustis Golf Club. He played in the 1965 PGA Championship, missing the cut by a stroke.
Spencer was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 and is one of 10 individuals to have been elected into both the Virginia Sports and Virginia Golf halls of fame.

Spring Kickball League Returns to Newport News


It’s almost spring, and in Newport News, that means it’s just about time for kickball season.

Yes, the sport that captured so much of our outdoor recreation time as kids has been played at the adult level for a few years now. Through the Kickball League of Hampton Roads, the sport started on the Southside and three years ago made its way to the Peninsula, with approximately 12-16 teams per season spending their Thursday evenings bouncing the familiar red rubber orb around the diamonds at TowneBank Park, which is located next to the South Morrison Learning Center on Adams Drive (off Dresden).

Rainbows and Lollipops team - "B" league
kickball champions
The Keep Calm and Kick team
"C" league winners after finishing
the regular season 1-9
The fall 2019 season came to a close with the Rainbows and Lollipops team (9-2-1) upending the previously undefeated Coome Juggle My Balls squad to capture the “B” league crown.  In a bigger surprise, the Keep Calm and Kick On team, which finished the regular season 1-9, snuck into the playoffs of the “C” league and won the championship.

Registration is $55 per player (minimum 15 players per team), and includes:
  • Kickball League of Hampton Roads t-shirt
  • A minimum of 8 weekly games of kickball, plus postseason games (everyone's eligible!)
  • Drink and food specials after the games at sponsor bar
  • Plenty of opportunities to hang out with old friends and meet new ones
  • Midseason & postseason parties for all players!

Charlotte Kirby Is The Newest Lady Gator - And She's 12!


At first glance, Charlotte Kirby comes across as a typical 12-year-old girl. At 5-foot-1 and a shade over 100 pounds, she is relatively slight in build, but possesses a limitless reserve of energy that has helped her develop a love for sports and the impetus to participate.

The petite pre-teen, a sixth grader at Page Middle School in Gloucester, has become quite an athlete. She plays small forward for the Page girls’ basketball team, and used to be a backstroker for the summer swim team when her family lived in Bridgeport, West Virginia. She’s also trying to find a local lacrosse team to join as a middle fielder.

But it was back in Bridgeport where Kirby found her true calling. After playing flag football for three years, she decided that pulling flags from a belt wrapped around someone’s waist was fun, but not exhilarating enough for her athletic want.

Football could be more interesting, she figured, if perhaps she could put on pads and strap on a helmet.

Kirby joined the local youth boys’ football team in Bridgeport. The Bridgeport coaches would let Charlotte play, but just enough to stave off the questions about why she spent so much time on the bench.

“They’d give her five or six plays a game,” said mother Belynda. “But it didn’t seem to matter what she did on the field. Once, on third and four, she was playing defensive end, and tackled a kid in the backfield. On the next play, fourth and nine, she tackled the runner before he could make the first down.  And then the coaches took her out, and she didn’t play again that day.”

Upon arrival at their new Virginia home, Belynda and husband Scott started scouring the Middle Peninsula landscape for football opportunities. They found the first with the 12-U Gloucester Outlaws. It was a blessing in disguise, it seemed, until Charlotte and Mom arrived at the first practice, only to be reacquainted with the first comment that coaches usually make when seeing Charlotte on a football field for the first time.

“Is she a kicker?”

Charlotte will aim to prove the Gloucester coaches wrong next season, but in the meantime, she has found a unique way to prepare.

It all started with a phone call, from Belynda to Katisha Simpkins, owner of the Hampton Roads Lady Gators, a semi-pro team based out of Newport News, and 2018 champion of the United States Women’s Football League (USWFL).

Simpkins had played for the Richmond Black Widows of the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) before launching her own team three years ago. With the WFA, she saw the development of women’s football firsthand as she saw athletes such as Katie Sowers, who now coaches with the San Francisco 49ers, and recently became the first female coach to be involved with a Super Bowl team. Jennifer King, recently hired by as a coaching intern by the Washington Redskins, was an opponent of Simpkins, who played for the D.C. Divas.

Simpkins had already invited one high school player (Elizabeth Halfhill of King and Queen Central High) to compete with the Gators last year, but even she was surprised when Belynda and Charlotte showed up for their first practice.

“I was blown away,” said Simpkins. “I had no idea about her age, but she’s a gem. We love having her out here.”

The feeling is mutual.

“There’s no development team for women, especially at this age,” said Belynda. “We were hoping that she could get some conditioning, but we had no idea she’d be part of the team.”
There are some caveats. A player must be 15 years of age to compete in games with the USWFL, but Charlotte gets to participate in scrimmages and 7-on-7 competitions. And she fully intends to join the team upon reaching the required age. Preparing ahead, Gator head coach Michael Smith has been working with Charlotte as a running back and wide receiver.

Smith is at no loss for words when talking about his youngest player.

“Most young adults would be intimidated, but not Charlotte. She embraces opportunity and adversity and falls right in. She does not want special treatment because of age or size. She has the “it” factor with her, and each week she gets better and better. I guarantee you she will be one of the top women’s players around.”

Charlotte’s drive transcends to her off-the-field activities. She is an A-Honor Roll student at page, and is taking eighth grade classes in spite of her sixth-grade status.

But it’s her heart for giving back to the community that adds a special dimension to this twelve-year-old.

In Bridgeport, Charlotte started the Charlotte Toy Drive, at the age of four. Each December, she supplied toys to 150 West Virginia families who lacked the financial needs to purchase them. During one holiday season, she collected 15,000 toys.

She is also an aspiring pastor who plans on attending divinity school. “She already preaches,” said Belynda. With her church, Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church, she has received the Jefferson Award, which is given to select individuals for their impact of positive change in their local community. Eventually, Charlotte would like to take her story, and testimony, to the Ellen DeGeneres show, where she relishes the opportunity to inspire kids all over the country.

But she does plan on continuing with football at the high school and college levels. Her next hurdle will be noteworthy as she plans on trying out for the Gloucester High JV team.

“The coaches said it was OK,” said Belynda. “They did tell us that they haven’t had a girl make it through conditioning,” added Scott Kirby, with Belynda interjecting, “conditioning is not a problem.”

It is obvious that Charlotte does not like to lose. Watching her run sprints with her Gator teammates at a Sunday morning practice at Dozier Middle School, the youngster finishes in the top-five out of 15-20 players. Afterward, she is grinning from ear to ear as she runs into her father as if he were playing linebacker.

“I love it,” said Charlotte, speaking of her time with the Gators. And while running wind sprints is fine, she hates sitting on the sideline waiting for her chance to play in a real game. In fact, running is not her favorite part of football.

“I like it when we get to hitting,” adds Charlotte, just before bashing into Scott’s side one more time. She has experience. Before moving to the skill positions, Charlotte was a formidable nose tackle, albeit one who tipped the scale with a double-digit number.

She’s definitely not a kicker.



Glass, Wilson Win at 10-Mile Run For The Heart

Eighteen-year-old Paul Glass led 152 runners (131 finished) to the finish line of the 8th Annual 10-Mile Run for the heart, which was held last Saturday morning, and started and ended near the Surrender Field on the Yorktown Battlefield.

Glass' time of one hour, one minute and five seconds put the Williamsburg resident over three minutes ahead of runner-up Randy Shelton (1:04:31). Chris Novakoski placed third in 1:06:47.


Five new course records for the 10-Mile Run for the Heart were set on Saturday.

1st Male Overall, Paul Glass, 18 of Williamsburg, VA bettered the age group record for Men 15-19 with a time of 1:01:05, improving on the mark of 1:02:50 that he set in 2019.

1st Female Overall (and 3rd Overall finisher), Saki Wilson, 28 of Norfolk, VA set a new Overall Women's course record and an age group record for Women 25-29 with a time of 1:04:41, beating the mark of 1:06:20 in both categories set by Jaclyn Hoffman in 2018.

2nd Female Overall, Bethany Spector, 30 of Virginia Beach, VA set a new age group record for Women 30-34 with a time of 1:08:05, beating the old mark of 1:13:26 set by Christine Anderson in 2013.

For Men 75-79, Ronald Kellum, 75 of Hampton, VA set a new age group record with a time of 1:47:27 beating out the time of 1:47:35 set by Joseph Polinski in 2018.

For Women 70-74, Barbara Biasi established a new age group record with a time of 1:44:46.  Barbara also currently holds the age group record for Women 65-69 of 1:35:19 set in 2014.

The finish line and results services were provided by the Peninsula Track Club.  A copy of the results, links to pictures from the race and listings for future road races can be found on the PTC website: www.peninsulatrackclub.com


The race was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 5480 with proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association.

Menchville Chill 5K Results


       The Menchville Chill lived up to its name as 89 finishers braved frigid conditions to traverse the Menchville High School campus over 3.11 miles.

Andrew Osborne captured the overall title with a quick time of 15:50, while Jennifer Anderson of Williamsburg paced the women in 18:47.

 9th Annual MENCHVILLE WINTER CHILL 5K


Menchville High School,    Newport News, VA                         January 18, 2020 


               benefitting the Menchville High School Chorus

                  A PENINSULA TRACK CLUB GRAND PRIX EVENT

TOP OVERALL MEN


1    ANDREW OSBORNE       26 YORKTOWN VA   15:50 
 2     JIM HIGHSMITH      37 NEWPORT NEWS VA 17:28     

 3      DILLON BRITT               23 PENDLETON NC  17:36     
 
TOP OVERALL WOMEN


    1      JENNIFER ANDERSON  39 WILLIAMSBURG VA      18:47   

    2      MEGAN SCHULZE         37 GLEN ALLEN VA           19:03   
    3     EMILY HONEYCUTT      28 NEWPORT NEWS VA    19:37     


A number of age-group records were also established at Menchville -- 


Men 25-29, the 1st Male Overall, Andrew Osborne, 26 of Yorktown VA set an age group record with a time of 15:50, besting the mark of 16:39 set by David Brakman in 2014.


Women 35-39, the 1st Female Overall Jennifer Anderson set an age group record with a time of 18:47, besting the mark of 18:54 set last year by Female winner Sika Henry.

Women 25-29, 3rd Female Overall, Emily Honeycutt, 28 of Newport News improved on the age group record of 20:10 she set last year by running a time of 19:37.

Men 10-14, Joshua Guthinger, 11 of Yorktown VA improved on the age group record of 22:14 he set in 2019 by running a time of 21:15 this year.

Men 70-74, Dale Abrahamson, 70 of Yorktown VA set a new age group record with a time of 22:24, eclipsing the mark of 24:46, set by Larry Arata in 2015.

Men 80-84, Charles Terrell, 81 of Newport News improved on the age group record he set in 2019 of 35:16 by running a time of 34:53.

Women 9-and-Under, Kaitlyn Scicchitano set a new age group record of 39:34 smashing the previous record of 47:51, set by Isabel Gilbert in 2016.

Women 65-69, Helen Worthington, 65 of Bena VA set a new age group record of 26:44 beating the previous record of 28:52, set by Patricia Travis in 2019.

Women 80 - 84, Pauline Ely, 81 of Hampton VA set a new age group record with a time of 48:42 besting the previous record of 52:33, set by Thelma Lambley in 2014.

Axsom's Army Collects 125 Medals at State AAU to Finish 2019 Season

The Axsom Martial Arts dojo finished its 2019 campaign at the AAU Virginia Fall Invitational Karate Tournament. They had 38 total competitors in the four divisions of Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced. The categories of competition were Kobudo (Weapons Forms), Kata (Empty Hand Forms), and Kumite (Point Fighting), and Team Rotational Kumite (Three Man Teams that rotate through each fighter for at least 15 seconds). Axsom's Army had 38 competitors garnering an impressive 125 total medals: 48 GOLDs, 39 SILVERs, 38 BRONZEs + 5 Gold Team Rotational Kumite Cups & The Dojo Spirit Award for being the most spirited dojo! Coach Axsom was assisted by Austin Galeski (Assistant Coach/Dojo Team Captain) and Nicholas Keane (Assistant Coach), and many volunteers who helped work the scorekeeping, timers, and rules.

Advanced Division:

  • Jessica Sigsbee: (18-34) Jessica is 17 but wanted to fight in a more competitive division so she moved up. She brought home Silver in Kobudo and Kata, and Gold in Kumite + Gold in Team Rotational Kumite.
  • Will Whitaker: (18-34) Will brought home silvers in all three categories + Gold in Team Rotational Kumite with Jessica & Austin Galeski on the Team "Bull-Moose Bruisers).
  • Ryan Sigsbee: (13-14) brought home Bronze in Kata, and Golds in Kobudo and Kumite + he captained the team of "Moose Strike Force" for a Gold Cup win in TRK.
  • Preston Wilkinson: (15-16) brought home 3 Bronzes in each category and joined Ryan, Braeden Monroe for a Gold Cup in TRK.
  • Austin Galeski: (18-34) led our TRK team to a Gold Cup, but did not compete in the regular divisions. 
Intermediate Division:

  • Finley Sirieys: (18-34) won Silver in kata, and Golds in Kobudo and Kumite, and was joined by Jon Duarte and Blaise Silverman for TRK and brought home a Silver.
  • Marcellus Wiggins (18-34) won silver in Kobudo and Bronze in Kumite.
  • Anna Deller (15-16) had an amazing tournament winning the most medals. She won GOLD in all 3 of her divisions and competed in exhibitions in the 18-34 division winning Gold in Kobudo and Kata and Silver in Kumite. She also Captained the "Power Puff Girls" with teammates Miranda Chellis-Martinez and Maimouna Outtara winning a Silver.
  • Jordan Costello: (11-12) won Silver in Kumite and Gold in Kumite + he was a member of the "Triple Threat" TRK that won GOLD.
  • Amiyr Gordon (9-10) won Bronze in Kobudo and was the Team Captain for the TRK team "Triple Threat" that won GOLD.
  • Geoorgian Metang (11-12) won Bronze medals in Kobudo and Kata, and GOLD in Kumite, and led his trk team "The Boom" to a Silver finish.
  • LJ "Diesel" Latham (9-10) gained valuable experience in each category, and helped his TRK team with Amiyr and Jordan secure a GOLD medal finish in TRK kumite.
Novice Division: 

  • Jon Duarte (18-34) won silvers in Kata and Kumite, and Gold in Kobudo + a Silver finish in TRK with Fin and Blaise on the H-SC Tiger team.
  • Joe Fuscia (11-12) won Silver in Kata and GOLD in Kobudo and Kumite + Silver finish with Georgia and Hunter on "the Boom"
  • Hunter Feicht (11-12) won Silvers in Kobudo and Kumite, and GOLD in Kata and was the 3rd man on the "Boom" team for a silver.
  • Jalyn Wilks (9-10) won Bronze in Kumite and 2nd Silver Finish in TRK kumite with the "Dream Team!"
  • Conner Strickland: (9-10) won bronze in Kumite and GOLDs in Kobudo and Kata + a silver finish with the "Dream Team."
  • Amari Cox: (9-10) won silvers in all categories + he was the 3rd member of trk "The Dream Team" for a silver,
  • Chris Gordon: (5-6) won silver in Kata, and GOLDs in Kobudo and Kumite + he was a member of the "X-MEN" that won GOLD in trk.
Beginner Division: 

  • Maimouna Outtara: (15-16) won Bronze in Kumite and GOLDs in Kobudo and Kata + a Silver finish in trk on the Team of "Power Puff Girls."
  • Alex Tomaino: (15-16) won Silvers in all 3 categories + was a member of the "Young Bulls" trk that came in with a bronze.
  • Jonah Smead (13-14) won Silver in Kumite and GOLDs in Kobudo and Kata + a bronze in trk on " the young bulls."
  • Brett Fallen (13-14) won Silvers in Kobudo and Kata, and GOLD in Kumite + a bronze in trk on the "Young Bulls."
  • Braeden Monroe (13-14) won Bronze in Kobudo and Kumite + a Gold in trk on  a team with Ryan and Preston as the "Moose Strike Force."
  • Miranda Chellis-Martinez (13-14) won GOLDs in all 3 categories + a Bronze with "the Power Puff Girls."
  • Daniela Chellis-Martinez (11-12) won Silvers in Kobudo and Kata, and GOLD in Kumite + Silver finish in trk on the team of "Speed, Power & Glory."
  • Dakota Parnell: (11-12) won Silvers in Kobudo and kata, and Bronze in Kumite + Silver in trk on the team of "Speed, Power, & Glory."
  • Zia Posey: (11-12) won silver in Kumite and Gold in Kobudo and Kata + a Silver finish on TRK team of "Speed, Power & Glory."
  • Jon Kohaut: (9-10) two bronzes in Kobudo and Kumite, and Silver in Kata + Bronze on trk "Moose Avengers."
  • Bryce Boyles: (9-10) bronze in kumite + bronze in trk "Moose Avengers" team.
  • Moustapha Outtara: (7-8) Silver in Kobudo + bronze in trk "Moose Avengers" team.
  • Jace Boyles: (7-8) Bronzes in Kobudo and Kata + GOLD in TRK "X-Men" team.
  • Lucas Ramey (7-8) Gold in Kobudo + GOLD in trk "X-MEN" team,
  • Shianne Freeman: (5-6) Bronze in Kumite, Silver in Kata, and Gold in Kobudo + Silver finish in TRK "Bone Crushers" team.
  • Jacob Jarrin: (5-6) Silver in Kobudo and Kumite + Silver finish in TRK "Bone Crushers" team.
  • Sophia Smith: (5-6) Bronze in Kumite + Silver in TRK "Bone Crushers" team.
  • Colten Feicht (5-6) Bronze in Kata + Bronze in TRK "Punch Factory" team.
  • Isaiah McClain: (5-6) Bronze in Kobudo and Kata + Bronze in TRK "Punch Factory" team.
  • Ben Anderson" (5-6) Bronze in TRK "The Punch Factory."