<b>Academically Inclined</b>
Kari Morrison is the career and season leader for ground balls as a women’s lacrosse player at Virginia Tech, with 166 over a three-year career after transferring from Colgate and 65 during the 2008 season. She also ranks second in career saves (574) and third for saves in a season (207). But on Tuesday, Aug. 4, Morrison did something else remarkable as a Hokie when she made the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Lacrosse Academic Team for the third straight time. A Bishop Ireton graduate and Springfield native, Morrison recently earned her degree in nutrition and exercise. Morrison, a goalkeeper, recorded 189 saves this past season with a save percentage of .467.
<b>Joseck Shines</b>
Hanna Joseck of the U-16 NOVA Blaze Blue was recognized as a Player of the Game at the 2009 Fast Nationals, fastpitch softball tournament in Ocoee, Fla. Players of the Game are chosen by the opposing team’s coaching staff. The Fast Nationals tournament brings the top travel softball teams and players in the country to one venue, where teams compete to become the 2009 Fast National Champions.
<b>Silver Simone</b>
Competing at the 18th Annual Maccabiah Games in Israel, Fairfax native Simone Friedman had a successful showing. Friedman, who’s a level 10 gymnast and trains at Capital Gymnastics in Burke, brought home three silver medals. She competed in the all-around competition for Team USA and earned a silver medal, and in the finals she earned silver on both the uneven bars and floor exercise.
<b>Coach Wanted</b>
West Springfield High School is looking for an assistant field hockey coach. Experience is a must. Practice times are 8-11 a.m., beginning Aug. 11, and 3-6 p.m. when school starts. Send resumes to director of student activities Andy Muir at Andy.Muir@fcps.edu.
<b>Local Dukes Represent</b>
Two former James Madison University soccer players were recognized as members of the Colonial Athletic Association’s Silvery Anniversary team for men’s soccer. Fairfax native and Robinson graduate Kevin Knight and Springfield native and West Springfield graduate Patrick McSorley were elected to the team, which was voted on by a panel of current and former coaches and commemorates the CAA’s 25th year of existence. During his career as a Duke, Knight became the only player in school history to earn All-CAA honors during each of his four years. McSorley, JMU’s all-time leader in goals (42) and points (103), led the Dukes to a 73-14-6 record during his tenure, including four NCAA tournament appearances and three conference titles.
<b>Site Determined</b>
Beijing had the 2008 Summer Games. Vancouver will host the 2010 Winter Games. And the 2015 World Police and Fire Games? They’ll be right here in Fairfax County. A group of Fairfax representatives from the police, fire and sheriff’s departments, Team Fairfax recently learned that it was awarded the right to host the event, which will include events at George Mason University, the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy, various regional parks, the National Mall, Nationals Park, Reston Town Center and Quantico Marines Corps Base. In its 30th year of existence, the WPFG brings together participants from more than 65 countries, and the event has been going on since 1985. This year will coincide with the 75th Anniversary of the Fairfax Police Department. The WPFG includes over 60 different sporting events, which range from soccer, basketball and tennis to stair climbing, shooting and SWAT exercises.
<b>Lange Booked</b>
After headlining the previous seven professional boxing shows at George Mason University’s Patriot Center, Great Falls native and Bishop O’Connell graduate Jimmy Lange will return to Fairfax on Saturday, Sept. 26 to defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) U.S. National Boxing Championship (USNBC) 154-pound title against Jonathan Reid. Lange is familiar with Reid, too, as both spent time on NBC’s “The Contender,” which is a reality boxing show. Lange (30-3-2, 21 KOs) and Reid (34-11, 19 KOs) will meet in the card’s 12-round Main Event. Tickets, which range in price from $30-$500, are available at the Patriot Center box office and through all Ticketmaster outlets. Lange last appeared at Patriot Center in May, scoring a fifth-round TKO of Frank Houghtaling.