We recently received word that the National Fastpitch Coaches Association has ranked last spring's Chapelgate softball team No. 26 in the nation academically. The 14 players on the varsity team had an average weighted grade-point average of 3.6. Three starters -- Emily Casey, Amanda Webster and Emily Webster -- had a weighted 4.0, and nine of the 14 sported at least a 3.5.

Chapelgate coach John Isaac said he thought the Yellowjackets' ranking was "pretty cool." More than 200 teams applied to be ranked.

The top four high school teams in the nation had average GPAs in excess of 4.0.

See Dick run. Run, Dick, run!

I've known Dick and Janet Smith for the better part of 30 years, so I knew that Dick was a runner. I was pleased to hear that a three-mile run Sept. 29 upped his accumulated mileage to 20,000 miles, all since 1980. The figure includes runs of all distances, including three marathons (26.2 miles each).

Congratulations Dick, and here's hoping that the wind will always be at your back.

Thunder Hill swimmers raise $5,764 for charity

It's never too late for a little pat on the back. One hundred and nine swimmers from the Thunder Hill swim team swam a total of 189 miles (12,1932 laps) during a 16-hour nonstop fundraising event. Their efforts brought in $5,764. Half of those proceeds will go the Arc of Howard County, which provides housing, job placement, vocational training and other support services for people who have cognitive and developmental disabilities and their families. The other half will go to support the swim team. The swim marathon participants ranged in age from 6 to 18.

Reservoir basketball player commits to Penn

The official start of the high school basketball season is still more than a month away, but Brianna Bradford has already decided where she is playing next year. In June, the Reservoir senior made a verbal commitment to play for the University of Pennsylvania. Bradford, a guard, excels at both basketball and academics, so Penn is a good fit.

Atholton grad wins CAC weekly honor again

For the second time in three weeks, the Capital Athletic Conference chose Atholton graduate Nicole Massarelli as its volleyball Player of the Week. The Salisbury middle hitter led the Sea Gulls to a 5-0 record the week of Sept. 23. Massarelli, a junior, was honored as the Most Valuable Player of the Sea Gull Classic after she contributed double-digit kills in four matches. She has 129 kills on the season. She also was named Player of the Week Sept. 8.

Salisbury has won 22 straight matches since a season-opening loss.

And on the topic of college volleyball, Howard County is well represented on the St. Mary's College of Maryland team. Playing significant roles for the Seahawks are two players from Centennial (Jenn Feldmann and Sarah Gregorini) and two from Glenelg (Megan Graydon and Becca Tursell). Entering the week, Feldmann had 433 assists and Graydon 354, Tursell had 148 kills and Gregorini 168. St. Mary's is 19-4 on the season and 4-0 in conference play.

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