Courtesy of D. Mike Weaver

Salem High pitcher Ellen Weaver plays for the Shamrocks, as well.

Ellen Weaver led the Spartans to the 2008 VHSL State Tournament for the first time since 1991. She also led the River Ridge district in strikeouts and ERA and was selected as the River Ridge Pitcher of the Year in 2008. As a result, Weaver was named Region IV Pitcher of the Year, selected to the Virginia High School Coaches Association All-State Team, and named a First Team All-Timesland selection by the Roanoke Times. Weaver was also invited to the adidas Futures National Camp held in St. George Utah last August.

Weaver choose Kentucky over Virginia Tech, Penn State, UNC, Ole Miss, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Louisville, Pittsburg, ETSU and several other mid majors like JMU and George Mason.

"Last year the SEC was the top-rated conference in the country and having an opportunity to compete at that level for a university like Kentucky is a huge opportunity for me," says Weaver. "I'm looking forward to the challenge of playing in the toughest conference and against to best competition in the country."

Weaver plays summer ball for the Virginia Shamrocks Gold, www.shamrocksoftball.org. The Shamrocks were founded in 1972 and are one of the nation's elite fast pitch softball organizations. The Team is coached by Head Coach Tommy Orndorff and is one of only two coaches on the east coast to win the Gold National Championship. The Shamrocks play a rigorous national schedule and this fall traveled to Florida and Houston Texas to face the nation's best competition.

During her fall campaign, Weaver led the Shamrocks pitching staff with a 0.05 ERA and a batting average of .563. Last summer, the Shamrocks competed in the National Championship tournament which consisted of 144 elite teams from across the country. During the tournament, Weaver again led the Shamrock pitching staff with a 0.43 ERA while batting .384 and hitting 2 home runs. As a result, the Shamrocks finished in 9th place, capturing the organizations second highest finish in the tournament and the best finish of any team in the state. Notable Shamrock alumni include Virginia Tech All American and USA National Softball Player of the Year Angela Tincher.

She prepared for her rigorous high school and summer softball schedule by training at the Edge. "Training at The Edge enabled me to compete at the highest level during my season," says Weaver. "My preparation at the Edge has helped me achieve my goals in the past and will be a big part of my preparation to play in a highly competitive conference like the SEC."

Submitted by the Edge Sports Performance Center