The end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013. It's the "Coach's Corner Year in Review" and predictions and hopes for the next 365 days of local sports. The Old Coach has failed miserably during the past year in his New Year resolution to master some of the complexities of the modern world. I've been outsmarted by my smartphone, rooked by my Nook, effaced on Facebook, and, I confess, a twit when it comes to Twitter. Not only that, who the heck is Kim Kardashian? Thank goodness, I can rely on the world of sports to provide some sense of sanity.
Are you off your rocker, Coach? This past year has been full of sad stories about Jerry Sandusky and Joe Paterno, NHL lockout, murders, suicides, Lance Armstrong cheating, New Orleans Saints Bountygate, countless drug suspensions, and a slew of college football players who have been removed from bowl-bound teams for unspecified breaking of team rules. Do you call that sanity?
OK. You've got me there. But "Coach's Corner" is going to counter with some of the many positive, feel-good stories that happened this year that deserve our attention. As we bring down the curtain on 2012, let's focus on some of the events and people that should have given our local sports fans something to sing about (fade to music in background: "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things"). So here is a "shout out" to all those athletes, high school, college, and pro, who did things the right way for the right reasons. Notice I used the term "shout out" instead of recognize in an effort to be more in tune with the times.
Frederick County high school players, coaches, parents, and communities can take pride in the quality of our sports programs. Once again, our teams and individuals have collected their share of state titles and have done so while still maintaining a good balance between athletics, academics, and community involvement. If you know any of the following athletes, be sure to give them a pat on the back (that's an old school term) for representing our county with their hard-earned achievements.
2012 Maryland State Champion Teams (6): Middletown football and girls soccer, Catoctin boys cross country, Brunswick boys soccer, Thomas Johnson boys indoor track and girls outdoor track.
2012 Maryland State Runners-up Teams (8): TJ boys cross country and boys outdoor track, Urbana golf and boys soccer, Brunswick girls soccer and boys outdoor track, Walkersville boys indoor track, Linganore softball.
2012 Individual State Champions (38), Name and school (number of titles this year): David Dorsey-Catoctin, Emily Mulhern-Urbana, Justine Kalisz (2)-Urbana, Tamara Ovejera (2)-TJ, Braden Bruning-Linganore, Jeremy Lewis/Eric Villenueva/Austin Hayslett/Frederick Ugast-Urbana, Avon Davey (2)-TJ, Savannah Steinly-Catoctin, Hannah Stone (3)-Cat, Emma King (2)-Oakdale, Megan Mounts-Walkersville, Scott Berryman-Walkersville, Chris Lamont/Karl Sasse/Evan Kolovich (2)/Timmy Krajewski-Oakdale, Mitchell Reynolds-Frederick, Philippa Rogers-Oakdale, Mathew Walchuck/Eric Darby/Andrew Pressly/Zachary Lilley (2)-Middletown, Austin Wenzlaff-Tuscarora, Judd Ziegler-Middletown, Rachel Watkins (2)/Brie Thompson/Mary Mowoe/Krystal Clarke-Tuscarora, Breana Brownfield-TJ, Patrick DuBoyce-Linganore, Hassan Omar-TJ, Megan Kelly-Middletown, TJ Gamble-Walkersville, Zach Welch-Middletown, Daniel Trettel-Brunswick, Luke Campbell (3)-Brunswick.
As you see, every one of our 10 high schools has had teams or individuals who are the best in their sport in Maryland this year. That is a credit to the men and women who spend countless hours for the purpose of not only helping our athletes compete at the highest level, but helping them develop into responsible young men and women. Be sure to thank a coach for the coach's dedication. Coaches appreciate a little positive feedback every now and then. And athletes, be sure to thank your parents for all the sacrifices that they have made in supporting your efforts.
What can we expect in 2013 from our Frederick County athletes? The same high caliber of play that has made our area a mecca for college coaches who are out to recruit the best students for their programs. The same pursuit of the highest goals in sportsmanship and in achievement on the field and in the classroom. The Old Coach predicts that many of our top athletes will be awarded opportunities beyond high school. Even if an athlete doesn't participate after graduating from high school, almost all individuals who take part in extra-curricular sports programs will benefit immensely from their experiences. Discipline, team work, time management, and being goal-oriented are just a few of the skills they will learn.
Now, let's take a quick look at 2012 on the local college scene. This past year was a mixed bag for Maryland Terp fans. Mark Turgeon's first season after replacing legendary Gary Williams as head basketball coach was a season of adjustment. Turgeon only had a handful of scholarship players and had to establish his own way of doing things. He was able to bring in 7-foot Ukrainian Alex Len, who, so far this season looks like a future NBA prospect. Turgeon, the disciplinarian, ran off one-man-show Terrell Stoglin and has recruited a high-quality group of players who are buying into the coach's team style of play. After a 17--15 2012 season, they are off to a 11--1 start, albeit against smaller, less-talented schools, but they are full of potential. The Old Coach sees the Terps as a real threat in the ACC by the end of the season, with a legitimate shot at making the NCAA tournament field.
And don't write off Maryland football just yet. The 2012 season started with a lot of positives before going down the tubes after multiple quarterback injuries. Coach Randy Edsall did a pretty good job of getting his team to compete respectably, even with an unbelievable number of injuries to key players. The Terps got a lot of young players on the field and this coming year's recruiting class will add many more high-quality players to the roster. I predict that Maryland football will be much better in 2013 and will make an appearance in a postseason bowl.
Finally, what could be better than the Baltimore-Washington area pro sports picture? Bryce Harper brought excitement and success to the Washington Nationals and helped them make the playoffs with the best won-loss record in regular season baseball. And the Nats are stockpiled with tons of young talent and probably the best pitching staff in the National League. And "how 'bout dem O's?" The Baltimore Orioles made one of the biggest turnarounds in all of sports, using some clever roster maneuvering to experience their first playoffs in 14 years. They, too, are a young team with their own 20-year-old rookie star in Manny Machado. I see both the Orioles and the Nats being able to compete for the pennant in their respective leagues and hopefully meet in the 2013 World Series. And the Redskins' first-round draft choice, quarterback Robert Griffin III, is possibly the most exciting player to arrive in the capital area since Sammy Baugh.
So, 2012 was a pretty good year. Coach's Corner is expecting 2013 to be even better. Who knows? I might even learn how to tweet.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/fredericknewspost/ucqi/~3/CUuin8Xcz3A/display.htm
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Public release date: 24-Dec-2012
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