South Charlotte Sports Report

CMS MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS BACK ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK

When I was a little boy, my Grandmother had an expression that remains so vivid in my mind that I can hear it today. She would say “you could hear that train coming a mile away.” This was usually said in reference to something that was so predictable that no one could miss it.

Unfortunately that statement rings true today as Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Peter Gorman has placed Middle School Sports and its ' 1.2 – 1.3 million dollar budget right back on the chopping block from last year. The shame of the matter is that we have had many months to secure the future of Middle School Sports and chose not to.

Last August when it was announced just weeks before the start of the Fall sports season that Middle School Sports would live another day, I published an editorial on urging Dr. Gorman and the Board of Education to consider a couple of ideas I had to fund this line item. Like my previous emails and interview requests I had made with the Superintendent’s office on the matter, my thoughts basically went unanswered and my promised interview was never given.(complete story)

SWIMMING THE DISTANCE WITH SYD LINDBOLM

Seventeen year old Syd Lindblom has found a wonderful home inside the pool at SwimMac. The daughter of Scott and Cheri Lindbolm is a senior at Providence Day School with a very bright future. Syd is a dynamic student and she has perfected the skill of time management by recording over a 4.0 grade point average and winning the 500 Free NCISSA State Championship. With her high school swim career now in the rear view mirror, Syd will continue to compete for SwimMac before heading off to Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio in the fall.

Syd specializes in the longer distance races, competing primarily in the mile, 400IM, 1000 Free and 500 Free. She says the longer distances chose her more than she chose them.

(complete story)

KRISTA COLLINS REACHES FOR THE STARS IN GYMNASTICS

Very few sports require the level of commitment to reach the top as the sport of gymnastics. One local gymnast knows all about that commitment. Twelve year old Krista Collins has been inside the gym since the age of four and the results are starting to show with her rapid rise to the top. The daughter of Dave and Jane Collins is only a 7th grader at Weddington Middle School, yet she is already a successful Level 9 gymnast.

So how did all begin and where will Krista go from here? Let's find out.

(complete story)

THE WORLD IS HIS STAGE

Very few high school athletes have achieved international success in their chosen sport. An even smaller percentage can say they have competed on the world stage in two unique sports. One South Charlotte resident has been the top in two sports and still has another year of high school to go. Charlotte Catholic High School junior Alex Kilmartin found early success in life in Tae Kwon Do before turning his attention to basketball.

Alex describes the two experiences.

“I have enjoyed the unique opportunities to compete in two different sports at a very high level. For many years I competed both here in the US and abroad in Martial Arts. I also played basketball for a high level travel AAU team, the Charlotte Royals. The most unusual place I have competed in basketball was in Gibraltar two summers ago. I played for the National Team of Wales in the European Championships. We trained in the UK, about 2 hours outside London. It was an honor to represent a whole country in competition. One of the best aspects of both sports was it allowed me to grow and experience new locations and challenge myself.”(complete story)

BEYOND THE GAME WITH JORDAN PIERPONT

Written by Tara Suess, Ardrey Kell High School

As a junior and steadfast swimmer, Jordan Pierpont has already begun her college search and the recruitment process that goes with it. The combination of long practice hours, competitive swim meets, regional and state tournaments has kept Jordan busy. But after talking to her, it’s clear that Jordan is especially motivated to exceed in swimming and seriously committed to every step along the way to accomplish her goals. It is hard to say exactly what this next year will bring for Jordan, but with her positive attitude in the world of extreme competition, it’s certain that her hard work will pay off.(complete story)

SUMMER 2010 CAMPS TO OPEN FOR REGISTRATION IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK

The 2010 South Charlotte Sports Report Summer Camp Tour will open for registration on or before February 1st. This summer will offer 2 Volleyball Camps, 2 Football Camp, 2 Basketball Camp, a Cheer and Dance Camp, a Baseball Camp and a Soccer Camp. Our camps are all staffed by professional adult head coaches who deliver the very best instruction possible. Count on the name you trust in youth sports to deliver an exciting and well-run camp from start to finish!

For more information or to be added to our email list, please send an email to Tripp Roakes- Tripp@southcharlottesports.com

GUARDIANS OF THE GAME

(The following words are part of the closing speech I delivered at The 3rd Annual Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Dinner, a celebration event for youth baseball and softball. These words can and should be applied to every youth sport.)

I come to you today with one of the most important challenges you will ever be given. The challenge of serving as a "Guardian of the Game."

In order to become a GUARDIAN OF THE GAME, we must first understand and accept that the kids are # 1 in baseball and softball. The game is not about the coach, its not about the parents, its about the kids and only the kids.(complete story)

Joy Cheek, former South Meck star and guard/forward for the Duke Blue Devils is up for the 2010 Lowes Senior Class Award, which is given to the student-athlete who displays excellence in character, competition, the classroom and the community. Joy needs your vote. She is slightly behind in the voting. Please vote for Joy by logging on to: www.seniorclassaward.com/vote
or from your cell phone dial 74567 and text W3. You can vote once a day.

BRIAN HOLBERTON, JEN ROSENE AND CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN TAKE TOP HONORS AT 3RD ANNUAL HOT STOVE DINNER

A sellout crowd of over 450 guests were treated to a very special night of awards for area baseball and softball players. The 3rd Annual Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Dinner was held Saturday January 26th inside the 50,000 square foot Carolinas Baseball Center. With special guests UNC Head Baseball Coach Mike Fox, Peace College Head Softball Coach Charlie Dobbins and Former Negro League Player Carl Long on hand, 12 awards were distributed to the top youth baseball and softball players in the Greater Charlotte Area.

Myers Park catcher and UNC Chapel Hill commit, Brian Holberton was named as The Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Baseball Player of the Year. Holberton is one of the leading hitters and catchers in North Carolina and has set all sorts of records for The South Charlotte Panthers Showcase organization. Other finalists included; Ty Linton, Olen Little, Tyler Lewis and Jack Reinheimer.(complete story)

Congratulations to all 2010 Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Award Winners

High School Baseball Player of the Year - Brian Holberton
HIgh School Softball Player of the Year - Jen Rosene
Scholar-Athletes of the Year - Grant Fisher & Alex Baker
High School Team of the Yea - Charlotte Christian
Comeback Player of the Year - Ben Boykin
Travel Team of the Year - Lake Norman Wildcats 14U
Youth Team of the Year - Community House Middle School Baseball Team
Youth Baseball Player of the Year - Daniel Calabretta
Youth Softball Player of the Year - Peyton Jordan
Lou Presutti Award - Mike Shildt
York County Player of the Year - Brad Zebedis
Baseball Pitcher of the Year - Ryan Butler

To view photos from the event, please click here

Ryan Kendall and Collin Lisa played in the National Youth All-American Bowl in Myrtle Beach, SC on January 2nd. They both had a great game. Ryan threw a 65 yard touchdown pass to Collin on the first play on offense. This set the tone for the game and the boys helped lead their team to victory. East beat West 26-6.

MY CHILD IS READY TO PLAY YOUTH SPORTS, WHAT DO I DO NOW?

I hear this question quite often and I wanted to take a few moments to share my thoughts in hopes that it may help someone. First off, Congratulations, I know how exciting it is to have your son or daughter ready to play their first official sport. Just a few years ago, I was in your shoes and it was so exciting, In all likelihood, Dad is three times as excited as Mom or the child, but that's ok!

Here are a few questions and suggestions.

What sport does he/she seem to like?

Is there a sport on television that they like to watch or a favorite sports video game they like to play? You want the first experience to be something that is easy to follow and isn't weighed down by a bunch of rules. (complete story)