Coaching against familiar faces

By Brent Kennedy
Posted: October 15, 2008

Some interesting side stories have developed during the final week of the regular season for the River Hill boys soccer coaching staff.

Head coach Matt Shagogue has ties to both of the Hawks’ final two opponents, Reservoir and Howard. Shagogue is a full-time teacher at Reservoir and has taught several of the players on the Gators’ squad. He also is a graduate of Howard High School and played on the Lions’ soccer team.

His assistant coach, Derrick Jameson, also graduated from and played for Howard. Jameson was a second-team all-county goalie in 2001 for the Lions.

“I pull for those two (programs) every game except for when we play them,” Shagogue said. “It’s been especially nice to see the kids at Reservoir do so well this year, because they’re great kids and Ivan (Croft) is a great coach who really has put in a lot of time to get that program off the ground.”

River Hill did end up beating Reservoir, 4-0, on Oct. 14 to hand the Gators their fourth loss of the season, but Croft has already led his team to its best year in the school’s brief history.

That win, coupled with a Mt. Hebron loss to Atholton, enabled the Hawks to clinch a spot in the county championship game against Marriotts Ridge on Oct. 21. The teams met on Oct. 7 and the Mustangs won, 3-1.

A win over Howard on Oct. 16 would give River Hill some momentum.

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30-second Time Out with…

By Brent Kennedy
Posted: October 13, 2008

Sean Heintzelman, Reservoir senior

Heintzelman burst onto the golf scene this season after first picking up a club just over a year ago. He put together a round of 43 points to tie for seventh at the county tournament. Two days later, on Oct. 3, he fired a 76 to finish sixth at the District V tournament and qualify for states as an individual.

TV show I can’t miss: That 70s Show
Lowest 18-hole score you ever shot: 71
What’s harder, real golf or mini golf?: mini golf
How many holes-in-one do you think you’ll make in your life?: 3
Best movie I saw recently: Tommy Boy
Hardest class you ever took: English 12 Honors
When I grow up I want to: Live in Arizona and be an Engineer
Pepsi or Coke: Sprite

Note: 30-second Time Out with local high school athletes will be featured in Sidelines throughout the season.

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30-second Time Out with …

By Brent Kennedy
Posted: October 10, 2008

Alex Taylor, Glenelg junior

… Alex Taylor, Glenelg junior golfer.

Taylor put together a round of 74 at Fairway Hills during the District V tournament Oct. 3, which was good enough for a second-place tie with Atholton’s Morgan Hill. Taylor’s round also was the best score on a Gladiators team that qualified for states with a combined four-man total of 327. Two days earlier at the county tournament, Taylor finished in a tie for seventh after shooting 11-over par at the Timbers at Troy.

TV show I can’t miss: The Office
Lowest 18-hole score you ever shot: 74 (at Districts)
What’s harder real golf or mini golf?: Real golf
How many holes-in-one do you think you’ll have in your life?: 1
Best movie I saw recently: Tin Cup
Hardest class you ever took: Math
When I grow up I want to: Make my own golf course
Pepsi or Coke: Pepsi

Note: 30-second Time Out is an ongoing glimpse into the lives of athletes around the county. Check back for more throughout the season, including updates next week on golfers Sean Heintzelman (Reservoir), Seong Lee (Atholton) and Matt Philie (Glenelg).

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30-second Time Out with …

By Brent Kennedy
Posted: October 9, 2008

Morgan Hill, Atholton junior

… Morgan Hill, Atholton junior golfer.

It was an exciting couple days for Hill last week as he captured first place at the county tournament on Oct. 1 and then finished tied for second at the District V tournament Oct. 3. His round of 53 points (using the Stableford scoring system that awards four points for a birdie, three for a par, two for a bogey, etc.) at counties was six better than the runner-up and helped his team capture the team title as well. At Districts, he fired a round of 74.

TV show I can’t miss: Golf Central at 7
Lowest 18-hole score you ever shot: 70
What’s harder real golf or mini golf?: Real golf
How many holes-in-one do you think you’ll make in your life? As many as I can, but one will be enough
Best movie you saw recently: Dark Knight
Hardest class you ever took: Chemistry
When I grow up I want to: Play on the PGA tour
Pepsi or Coke: Pepsi

NOTE: This is the first of several 30-second Time Outs with golfers around the county. Check back tomorrow for Glenelg’s Alex Taylor.

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You’re all wet if you don’t think runners are tough

By Brent Kennedy
Posted: September 26, 2008

Boys soccer, girls soccer and field hockey all had games postponed this weekend because of the rain, which arrived in the area yesterday and, as of this afternoon, was still coming down.

But for other sports, the show goes on, rain or shine.

One of the biggest regular-season cross country meets, the Bull Run Invitational at Hereford, is scheduled for tomorrow (Sept. 27 ), and indications are that the weather isn’t going to keep things from going off as scheduled. The Running Maryland Web site has been providing updates all week on the condition of the course, which also serves as the home to the season-ending state championship meet.

The truth is that, aside from football, cross country is as all-weather as it gets during the fall season. It doesn’t matter if it’s cold, windy, rainy or muddy, these athletes go out and run.

If you’re looking for good news — and I know when you’re cold and wet there isn’t much — the county runners already have a soggy experience to draw upon. Earlier this year, at the Howard County Invitational, the boys and girls races were run in a steady downpour.

As for the races themselves, the county is expected to do well in both of the elite races. Atholton, Mt. Hebron and River Hill are contenders for the boys, and River Hill should be right there for the girls.

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