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Neville: College players thrive; high school athletes building skills

By By MIKE NEVILLE For the Stafford County Sun
Published: October 09, 2008

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I always enjoy it when an athlete gets a chance to play in college. Erin West, a North Stafford High School graduate who is in her senior year at Longwood College, is the Lancers starting goalkeeper on the field hockey team. In Longwood's most recent game she turned aside 25 shots including three of five penalty strokes as the Lancers dropped a 2-1 shootout decision to Radford.

West was playing despite a sore elbow. Head coach Iain Byers is hoping the team's energy continues to stay strong as the season winds down.

"Our team’s confidence continues to grow, which will be important heading into the post season," Byers stated on the school's Web site.

West is not the only Fredericksburg area athlete playing for Longwood.

Sophomores Kimmie Sullivan and Laura Sullivan who helped lead Stafford to a state championship a few years ago are also on the roster along with freshman Amanda Babineau, who helped Mountain View High School get to the state semifinals last season. Freshman Bailey Rampey played her high school field hockey at Courtland. University of Mary Washington freshman Kaitlyn Ripley is contributing to the Eagles field hockey team. She notched her first college goal earlier this season in a win over Stevenson University. Keep up the good work girls!

It looked like Colonial Forge High School’s football season was going south after the Eagles lost starting quarterback Blake Frohnapfel for the season. Veteran coach Bill Brown turned to Timothy Scott and he has delivered. On the night of Oct. 4, the Eagles reeled off their third straight win as the outscored Albemarle High School, 45-23. Scott had a touchdown run and a touchdown pass. Laith Shannon rushed for 111 yards as Colonial Forge improved to 2-0 in the Commonwealth District.

Mike Neville is sports director at the local Comcast cable channel. Contact him at info@stafford countysun.com.

View More: Albemarle High School, Amanda Babineau, Athlete, Bailey Rampey, Bill Brown, Blake Frohnapfel, Coach, Colonial Forge High School, Comcast, Commonwealth District, Education, Energy, Erin West, Field Hockey, Football, Fredericksburg Area Athlete, Head Coach, Hockey, Iain Byers, Kaitlyn Ripley, Kimmie Sullivan, Lancers Starting Goalkeeper, Laura Sullivan, Longwood College, Mary Washington, Mike Neville, Mountain View High School, North Stafford High School, Philadelphia Eagles, Sports, Sports Director, Starting Quarterback, Stevenson University, Timothy Scott, University Of Mary

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