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BEYOND THE GAME WITH WILL KAMIN

Wil Kamin has been the starting kicker for the Charlotte Christian’s varsity football team for the last four years. All four seasons he received all-conference and all-state honors. Wil also punted for the Knights, along with lettering four years as a part of the school’s soccer team. He received all-state honors in soccer as well. He will attend the University of Richmond next season on a football scholarship. 

How did your football season go this year?
        
"Football season went great this year. We won the state championship against our arch rivals Charlotte Latin. I received all conference and all state honors." (complete story)

DON’T GET BENCHED….GET IN THE GAME

NAIL THE SAT!

BY Sara Skavroneck

Every year, the SAT looms over the heads of college-bound students like a foreboding thunderstorm. And who can blame them? This one test can make or break these kids’ college admission choices and scholarships. Many college admission boards won’t even consider an application if it doesn’t meet a cut-off score. But, the SAT can be beaten with practice! The SAT is a standardized test…meaning there is a certain formula that those tricky test-makers have to follow when they write the SAT each year. It takes hard work. It takes dedication. But with the right mind-set and Superior SAT’s specific strategies that break down the SAT, you can and will beat the SAT and raise your score by at least 100-150 points. (complete story)

BEYOND THE  GAME WITH JOSH LANEY

Written by Hannah Davis, Providence Day, Class of 2008

Josh Laney is a fourteen-year-old 8th grade student at Carmel Middle School.  With support and inspiration from his family and friends growing up in the Charlotte United family, Laney continues developing as a soccer player.  After doing very good things for his middle school team, this center defender will surely succeed at the high school level next year at South Mecklenberg.

What is your favorite subject in school and why?
“Math because you have numbers and use new formulas to find solutions.  I like to solve problems in general and I’m good at it.”(complete story)

TYLER MILLER SIGNS WITH FRANCIS MARION FOR BASEBALL

Hard throwing right handed relief pitcher, T. J. Miller, a recent graduate of Marvin Ridge High School, has signed a baseball scholarship with Division II national power Francis Marion University in Florence, SC. The Patriots ended the season ranked 14th in the country.

Miller, 6’3” weighing 190 lbs., recently clocked at 88mph, continues to add velocity through dedicated hard work. He attributes his success and landing the scholarship directly to his instructor, Jake Robbins, of Carolina Baseball Center. In addition to his fastball, his pitching repertoire includes a curve and split finger fastball. Only 5’7” as a freshman, TJ has added 8 inches and 35 pounds since then. “Having to readjust a number of times to get used to his “new” body kept TJ under the radar”, according to Art Inabinet, head coach at Francis Marion; “his best baseball is ahead of him.”

TJ’s dedication and work ethic are proof that anything is possible, when chasing one’s dream.

“Jake Robbins is the only reason I am here today. He believed in me when other coaches did not.” TJ is shown here signing his National Letter of Intent on June 11 at CBC. “It was important to me that I sign this with Jake present”, said TJ. Miller also graduated with high honors from Marvin Ridge with a 4.35 GPA. TJ is shown here with Jake after his signing.

ARDREY KELL KNIGHTS WIN 4A BASEBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Ardrey Kell HIgh School pitcher Ryan Butler led his team to a win this afternoon with a 4 hit shutout over Raleigh Sanderson.  The win in game two of the three game series gives Ardrey Kell the State 4A Championship in Baseball.   Head Coach Hal Bagwell also claimed his first state title in a long and distinguished coaching career.

The South Charlotte Sports Report salutes The Knights on a fantastic season.  This group of young men never gave up in the face of adversity this year and are now The Champions!

“I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S BEEN THREE YEARS”
Today marks three full years of publishing The South Charlotte Sports Report. It is hard to believe that three years ago, a big truck dumped 20,000 papers in my driveway and I went to work getting our story out to you. Yes, I had planned the paper for many months, but on that day, the green flag dropped and we were off on our journey. I never thought we would get all those papers distributed. Just hours after their arrival I walked into my garage and found a six foot black snake sitting on top of the papers... at that point, I didn’t know what to do. Was it a sign, that maybe I didn’t need to be doing this? I know a black cat is supposed to bring seven years of bad luck when it crosses your path, but what does a six foot black snake sitting on top of first issue of The South Charlotte Sports Report lead to?
The snake was removed and I went back to work. Fortunately, at least so far, no real bad luck! I have spent the last three years building The South Charlotte Sports Report into what I believe is an asset for our community. I have met so many wonderful young athletes and their families along the way. I have made some wonderful new friends and learned so much more than I ever thought I knew about youth sports and this community.
Our paper has grown beyond the newsprint; we now operate about 15 sports camps a year, a wonderful youth sports photography company, The Battle of the Border Showcase Games for baseball and softball and The Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Dinner. None of these things would have been possible without the support of our advertisers and readers.
From the very bottom of my heart, I want to thank every company that has ever used The South Charlotte Sports Report as a marketing tool. Your support has allowed so many youngsters to see their names and photos in print. If you could only see the joy in a Childs eye when he opens The South Charlotte Sports Report and finds his name!
On behalf of my family; Grace, Hannah, Will and Tyler, we want to thank South Charlotte and Northern Union County for the amazing support of the last three years.
Thank You,
Tripp Roakes
Publisher
South Charlotte Sports Report
Tripp@southcharlottesports.com

TWO SABRES FIND LACROSSE SUCCESS

Four years ago South Mecklenburg High School seniors Cherilyn Hallyburton and Nicole Nixon didn’t know a single thing about the sport of lacrosse.  Now as they prepare for graduation in two weeks, both of these young ladies are set to play lacrosse at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC.  It’s been quite a journey for the pair.

Four years ago Nicole’s mom Sherry Put her foot down and refused to let Nicole play football.  The decision led to a whole new journey for Nicole and her close friend Cherilyn.

“I wanted to play football because a girl at my middle school played and I thought it was really cool but of course my mom said no. Then one day at lunch these two senior girls randomly came up to me and my friends asking if we wanted to play lacrosse. We had never heard of it before. Well no one said anything and I felt bad so I signed up.  I think it was the best decision I have made because I have loved it ever since.” (complete story)

SUMMER WRITING WORKSHOP
SELF EXPRESSION THROUGH CREATIVE WRITING 

Charlotte, NC. June 2009 - Creative writing is the written form of artistic expression; it is original thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Writing for fun, especially through creative writing exercises, is important. It helps students formulate their own opinions and develop the ability to clearly express them - keeping them away from the pitfall of plagiarism. This summer the Tutoring Club is offering a Writing Workshop for students of all levels.

Most experts agree that plagiarism is usually done accidentally as many students don’t know how to properly paraphrase or cite work correctly. Unfortunately, for some, plagiarism is a “quick fix” that leads to academic deficiencies.(complete release)

In the final box score, the record will show that Charlotte Catholic’s Ladies Lacrosse Team came up one goal short in the state championship match. The loss will sting for a few more weeks, but eventually the focus will turn to the incredible season for the team.

Behind the success was a group of Lady Cougars that played all four seasons; Taylor White, Caroline Pedlow, Lexi Jankum, Tarra Dahlke, Elizabeth Hubbell and Elizabeth Immel.

This group of girls began playing for Catholic at the same time the lacrosse program started in 2006. They have seen the ups and downs of building a successful program. Their leadership and dedication to hard work have been at the core of the team’s success.(complete story)

The Carolina Rise 16U girls AAU team won the State Championship this past weekend in Greensboro. This team is a first year team coached by Connie Brown (Charlotte Christian) with help from Novia Sturdivant and Zachary Barjona (Marvin Ridge). Many of the players on this team play for South Charlotte schools, including Claire Watkins who has committed to Duke University.

The Rise include:

Quay             Barrino      Butler
Erica             Chandler    Ardrey Kell
Latifah           Coleman    Central
Kasey           Haynes      Lake Norman
ShawnMarie  Heiliger       Charlotte Catholic
Tiffani            Stephens   Myers Park
Johnna          Stripling     Spartanburg
Monet           Tellier         East Meck
Amanda        Tyson        Ardrey Kell
Clair             Watkins      Butler

TYLER ZUPCIC WAS BORN TO PLAY BASEBALL

Believe it or not, Providence High School senior Tyler Zupcic was not born with a baseball in his hand, it only seems that way.  The 17 year old son of Bob and Becky Zupcic has become one of the top baseball players in the state.  Following graduation next month, Tyler will head to Appalachian State University in Boone, NC to continue his baseball career.

The speedy centerfielder has played well enough this season for Coach Danny Hignight at Providence that most area observers consider him the player of the year in the Southwestern 4A Conference.  In a league with at least three potential major league draft picks (Alex Wood, Richie Shaffer and Chris Overman) that is quite an achievement.

Tyler’s drive to the top began early with a Father-Son game at Fenway Park. When he was three years old the Boston Red Sox hosted a father son game with all the players and their sons.  His Dad Bob was playing for the Red Sox at the time.   Tyler was decked out in his jersey and cleats.(complete story)

Still Looking for Summer Sports Camps?

 ROCsports
A Ministry of Carmel Baptist Church

To more information or to register go to

www.ROCsports.org
704-815-1172

NEVER TO YOUNG TO BE SOMEONE'S HERO

Growing up as a child in Salisbury, NC I had my share of heroes and idols.   On the professional side, I always cheered for Hank Aaron,  Catfish Hunter , Reggie Jackson, David Thompson and others.  Those guys were idols to many during the 70's.    I also had a set of local athletes that I thought were bigger than life at the time.  Amazingly, I can still remember their names and the way they swung the bat or pitched the baseball.  Two names come to mind,  Coe Brier and David Eury.  They were local high school baseball players, but as a youngster, in my eyes they were major leaguers.  My dad would take me to watch them play American Legion baseball and boy did I get excited when they were on the field.   Brier was drafted out of high school by The Reds, but decided to attend Clemson and then later was drafted by The Twins.   He must have been one heck of a player, because people around my hometown still talk about him. (complete story)

Charlotte Christian pitcher Luke Bard was named the Charlotte Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA) baseball player of the year. Bard, a senior righthander, has led the Knights (25-3) to the conference title.  In January, Luke was honored as one of the four finalist for the Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Player of the Year Award.   He has signed to play baseball with Georgia Tech next season.

The All-CISAA team:

Pitchers
Andy Clifford (Charlotte Christian), Sr.
William Frazier (Charlotte Country Day), So.

(complete release)

ASHLEY WAGONER SET TO SWIM FOR EAST CAROLINA

Ashley Wagoner, a senior at Ardrey Kell High School has accepted a swimming scholarship with East Carolina University for the 2009-2010 swimming season.

“I choose East Carolina because it's a wonderful campus and the swim team is intense. One of my older brothers went there and I knew I always wanted to go there. The moment I went there for a recruiting trip is when I really fell in love with the school.  I hope to swim the 1650, 1000, 500, 200 Free and the 200 Fly in college.”

Ashley, the daughter of Ron and Cheryl Wagoner, began swimming at the age of 7 at Swim MAC Carolina. After 10 years of swimming her favorite events are the 1650 yard free, 1000 yard free and the 500 yard free. Ashley has made the state 4A swimming team all four years in high school.(complete story)