Sports Notebook: Trojans' trip bonds them for season

The Tuscarawas Valley High School cross country team usually trains at nearby Atwood in preparation for the cross country season.

The Trojans traveled a little more southwest to help prepare for the upcoming campaign.

Tusky Valley head coach Sandy BeBos took her boys and girls squads to the Great Smoky Mountains.

?We usually go to Atwood, but this year I thought I?d splurge,? said DeBos. ?We rented a 15-passenger van and stayed in a couple of condos in Sevierville (Tennessee).?

DeBos and her charges ran up and down in the mountains of Tennessee of which the elevation at times was more than 5,000 feet.

?They thought they were lightheaded because they thought they were hungry,? said DeBos. ?They didn?t realize how high they were.?

The Trojans? coach said the trip was more than a training exercise.

?We have a lot of seniors and it truly was a bonding experience,? noted DeBos. ?We tried to get a team athmosphere. I think it worked.?

The Trojans, who opened their season at the OHSAA Pre-Season Invitational in Hebron on Saturday, will host the Harrier Hustle Relay on Tuesday.

* * * * *

Dover?s Julia Jennings and Kelsey Brass have been selected to compete in the Queen of the Diamonds Showcase South at Winthrop University this Friday and Saturday.

The event attracts athletes from more than 30 states and two Canadian Provinces.

Jennings, who will be a junior this fall, plays middle infield and outfield. Brass, who will be a sophomore, plays shortstop, pitcher and outfield.

* * * * *

West Holmes has announced that senior Gabe Snyder has verbally committed to attend Wright State University on a Division I baseball scholarship.

The official signing will be held in November.

* * * * *

Seventy Malone University student-athletes recently were honored when the Division II Athletic Directors Association announced its 2011-12 Academic Achievement Awards.

To achieve the award, athletes must possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, have attended a minimum of two years of college level work and have been an active member of their intercollegiate team during his or her last academic year.

The area recepients are Logan Gray (Indian Valley, baseball), Sarah Bardall (Garaway, women?s basketball), Trisha Seilhamer (women?s basketball), Lindsy Snyder (West Holmes, women?s basketball), Diana Furey (Malvern, women?s cross country),? Becky Neitzel (Malvern, women?s cross country), Ashley Weaver (Hiland, women?s soccer), Joss Celuch (New Philadelphia, men?s tennis) and Hannah Swiger (Dover (home schooled), women?s tennis).

(Submit items for the sports notebook to: sports@timesreporter.com).

Source: http://www.timesreporter.com/sports/x1789227521/Sports-Notebook-Trojans-trip-bonds-them-for-season

dwight howard trade ncaa bracket 2012 2012 ncaa bracket john carlson greg smith catamount mike dantoni