Miranda Adkins | So Salem

Behind Emily Richardson are (from left) retired Coach David Turk, Glen Richardson, Coach Kim Crist, Nikki Schlafman, Sarah Peters, Katie Helvey, Justice Halstead, Kathi Richardson and Sandy Hadaway at the signing on Friday, Nov. 13.

Salem High School pitcher Ellen Weaver made it official and signed her National Letter of Intent (NLI) on Thursday, Nov. 12, to play softball in the SEC for the University of Kentucky next fall.

Weaver led the Spartans to back to back River Ridge District titles (2008, 2009) and 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 and 2009.

As a result, Weaver was named Region IV Pitcher of the Year (2008), selected to the Virginia High School Coaches Association All-State Team, and twice named a First Team All-Timesland selection by the Roanoke Times in 2008 and 2009.

Weaver verbally committed to the University of Kentucky last January during her junior year.

Weaver choose Kentucky over Virginia Tech, Penn State, UNC, Ole Miss, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Louisville, Pitt, 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," Weaver said.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge of playing in the toughest conference and against to best competition in the country," she said.

In 2009, the Kentucky softball team concluded perhaps the best season in school history as they played in its first ever NCAA Regional.

Second year Head Coach Rachel Lawson was responsible for the biggest turn-around in school allure and lead her team into its first NCAA post-season appearance.

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 ASA Gold National Championship.

The Shamrocks play a rigorous national schedule in order to face the best competition and to qualify for the ASA Gold National Tournament in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Other notable local Shamrock alumni include Virginia Tech All American and USA National Softball Player of the Year Angela Tincher (VT).

North Salem Tigers U10 girls soccer team

Proud coach Todd Neff of the North Salem Tigers U10 girls soccer team of the Salem Parks and Recreation League sent this account of their great season:

"This age group doesn't keep official rankings but our girls did VERY WELL. We lost our first game, made some adjustments then won the next 8 games in a row. Our record was 8-1 and we (unofficially) came in 1st place in our division. The next 2 best teams came in at 5-2-1 by my account.

Our girls were a joy to coach and improved DRASTICALLY as the season progressed. We avenged our only loss (4-2) with a 1-0 victory!

Info on the Coach and assistant coach: My name is Todd Neff and I'm the Mechanical Engineering Manager at ITT Night Vision (coach). My wife, Debbie Neff, was the assistant coach and team coordinator. We loved coaching and look forward to being involved in Salem Parks and Rec league next season."

The team included Alexa Warme (forward), Sydney Willingham (defense), Molly Willingham (forward), Marlie Gregory (halfback), Isabel Baynum (goalie), Mackenzie Neff (forward), Saylor Bane (defense).

Summing up Scott Obenshain's 2009 golf season

The 2009 golf season is over for Scott Obenshain, and here's a summary of how the Glenvar senior did:

1. Three Rivers District -- First team all district

2. Won Three Rivers District Championship, played at Draper Valley CC.

3. Region 3 -- won 3rd place and made First Team All Region

4. Only Glenvar golfer who qualified to go to state. Per his coach, he was in second place at the end of the first day and on the second day the rules were changed which put him playing with golfers that were not in the top 10 on the first day and that distracted Scott from him normal rythm and he came in sixth place for the State Championship which was played at Independence CC.

5. All Metro Team 2009 Season Series points winner Second Team Bob McLelland All Metro Team 2009

6. Most Valuable Player 2009 Glenvar Golf Team