When Carly Van Zanten decided to transfer from Spalding, a private school in Anne Arundel County, she had several options.

But she and her family decided on Pallotti, in part due to the support she would get as a student with dyslexia.

"I wanted a smaller school," she added.

In turn, the Laurel private school received a standout lacrosse player. Van Zanten, who came to Pallotti for her junior year, is now a senior who signed a partial scholarship Nov. 19 in order to play lacrosse at Jacksonville University in Florida.

Van Zanten is the first Division I recruit in women's lacrosse for Pallotti, according to athletic director Steve Walker. Jacksonville plans to field a Division I team for the first time in 2010.

"She did so much for us last year," said Jill Lasheski, the Pallotti head coach who is on maternity leave. "She was such a crucial part of our team. We are so lucky to have her."

Van Zanten played attack last spring for the Panthers and put up big numbers. She had six goals in wins against Bowie and Towson Catholic, for instance. She had three goals as Pallotti beat Baltimore Lutheran, 12-10, for the IAAM C conference title in 2008. The Edgewater resident ended the season with 79 goals, 24 assists and 81 groundballs.

The Pallotti senior made a verbal commitment to Jacksonville this past summer. She said she has been recruited to play defense for the Dolphins. She also considered Longwood College in Virginia, among other schools.

Van Zanten has overcome a knee injury and car crash in recent years. Her mother, Lori, cited the support at Pallotti during the past two years.

"It has meant the world to us," said the elder Van Zanten during a signing ceremony at the school. The event was attended by other members of the lacrosse team and several members of the school administration.

The Jacksonville coach is Mindy McCord, who grew up in Carroll County, graduated from Virginia Tech and is a former coach at McDaniel in Westminster.

Norris steps down at Pallotti

Greg Norris, who coached several sports at Pallotti in recent years, resigned earlier this month, according to athletic director Steve Walker.

Norris was slated to be the swimming coach this winter. He held the same position last season. Norris was the varsity volleyball coach this past fall and was the boys tennis coach in 2008. He earlier decided to step down as the tennis coach, Walker said.

Walker has been interviewing potential coaches for the swimming team, he said Nov. 19.

New coaches at Laurel High

Irwin Poelinitz is the new wrestling coach at Laurel High, according to athletic director Terry Parfitt. He has coached at Suitland and Parkdale. He replaces Chris Acosta, who was also the softball coach for the Spartans. The new Laurel softball coach is Julie Provino, who coached at High Point High last season.

Thomas starts off well

Jerel Thomas (Pallotti), of Laurel, is a senior forward on the men's basketball team at West Virginia Wesleyan College. The business management major averaged 16 points in the first two games this season. He is cousins with Dee Brown of the Washington Wizards.

Lyles is a key for McDaniel

Ashley Lyles (Pallotti) is a junior on the women's basketball team at McDaniel. She was third on the team in scoring and rebounding last season and was first in blocks. Lyles started 11 games and played in 26, and led the team in free throw percentage at .789. "Given her height and stature, she needs to be our go-to post player," head coach Becky Martin said. "She needs to be a threat in the paint for us, which I think she can definitely be." Lyles averaged about eight points per game last season.

Meade High sports

Raymond Cotton, the quarterback this season for Meade Senior High School, is one of 100 athletes nominated for the 2008 Joe Montana High School Quarterback of the Year Award. The award will be presented to the nation's best prep quarterback and will be chosen by hall-of-famer Montana and Steve Clarkson, president of DeBartolo Sports University.

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