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King among locals receiving big honors
Several Loudoun sports figures have recently received recognition for their performances during the 2008 spring season.
King, Collins best in state
The Virginia High School Coaches Association recently selected Broad Run's Holly King as the 2008 Group AA Player of the Year. Spartan coach Claire Collins was named Group AA Coach of the Year.
"It's awesome. I was so shocked," King said about her recognition. She was given the news by Collins.
The midfielder adds to a list of accolades that include first-team selections within the Dulles District, Region II and Group AA, while helping Broad Run to an undefeated season and a state championship.
King gave credit to Collins, who permits her charges to address her as Claire.
"She was a good coach throughout the year, and it's great to see her getting her due," King said.
The junior remarked that the Spartans quickly clicked together on the field this past spring.
"It didn't take long for everyone to get used to each other," she said.
King, who has committed to play for the University of Florida after graduation, is participating this summer with the U17 Loudoun Hotshots and the U20 Washington Freedom. With the latter club, she is able to test herself against college-age competition.
"Playing with them has made me realize where I need to be at," said King, adding that keeping the ball under control is key at higher levels, as opposed to kicking it ahead to teammates at the high school level.
But King has one more season with the young Spartans, who also saw juniors Valerie Powell and Kelly Evans garner All-State honors. They will defend their title next spring with the same one-game-at-a-time philosophy that aided them in 2008.
"We have to keep our composure, and only think about current goals," she said.
Steele, Delahaba honored nationally
Broad Run softball coach Ed Steele was named EA Sports National Coach of the Year July 15 after guiding the Spartans to their second-straight undefeated season. The Spartan softballers are on a 57-game winning streak, having won the past two Group AA state championships, and have lost just one time in their last 84 contests.
Pitcher Caitlyn Delahaba earned recognition as an EA Sports All-American.
The Spartans were picked the nation's No. 1 softball team by both Rivals.com and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association/USA Today.
All-American Dulles laxers
The two most recent Dulles District Players of the Year, Eric Madigan of Broad Run and Heritage's Dean Stambules, recently were named 2008 All-Americans by U.S. Lacrosse.
The pair, who captained their respective high school squads, will play collegiately next season, as Madigan will be attending Sacred Heart University while Stambules is bound for Denison University.
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