USTA on-court tennis training

Parents, coaches or anyone interested in working with 10-and-under youth are invited to attend an on-court workshop with USTA volunteers 2-5 p.m., Saturday, March 20, at Ephesus Park. Participants will learn the QuickStart tennis play format, how to organize and coach a team, learn games to play and implement practice plans. The clinic is ideal for those interested in coaching a team in the upcoming QuickStart Tennis League for 10-and-under youth, which begins in April.

The cost of the workshop $10 per person. The deadline to sign up is March 14.

Training and the QuickStart League are sponsored by the Durham Orange Community Tennis Association and Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation. To sign up or for more information, please contact Patti Fox at plsfox@cs.com or call 606-1786.

Friends' Vernon named all-state

Zoe Vernon from the Carolina Friends School was named to the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 2A Girls' All-State team. Vernon, a sophomore, averaged 20 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game during the regular season for CFS, which won the Triad Athletic Conference regular season championship (going 10-0) and the TAC tournament championship.

The CFS girls were also quarterfinalists in the NCISAA 2A state tournament and finished the season with a record of 26-3.

Vernon earlier was named Player of the Year in the TAC and was joined on the TAC All-Conference team by CFS sophomore Jamilah Watson and senior Esther Cohn.

Sports Club to host Crothers talk

Local author and teacher Tom Crothers will be the guest speaker at the Chapel Hill Sports Club's March meeting. Crothers, who lectures at UNC's School of Journalism and Mass Communications, is a former senior writer for Sports Illustrated whose most recent work was co-writing Roy Williams' "Hard Work." Crothers' earlier books include "The Man Watching," a definitive examination of UNC women's soccer and its head coach, Anson Dorrance. The CHSC meeting begins at noon, at Squid's restaurant. Guest are welcome, and the cost is $20.

Bolas anchors Badger relay for Big Ten title

It was the performance the Wisconsin men's track and field team had been waiting for all day.

After getting off to a rough start, the Badgers capped the opening day of the 2010 Big Ten Indoor Championships with an outstanding run and a conference title in the distance medley relay Saturday at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse.

The quartet of senior Ryan Gasper, sophomore Grant Bughman, junior Luke Rucks and senior Jack Bolas clocked in at 9:47.96 to take the title. It's the second DMR title in three years for Bolas, who also was part of the Badgers' win in 2008.

"Because it's the last event of the first day, and because it's scored, everyone wants to win the DMR to get some momentum heading into the last day," Bolas said. "We knew that we needed to get a 'W' and give the team a lift."

As usual, the race came down to the final 1,600-meter leg, and Bolas - who set the NCHSAA 1,600 record as a senior at Chapel Hill High School - shone as the Badgers' anchor. Taking the baton from Rucks with the Badgers in third place, Bolas was content to ride along and, eventually, the rest of the pack closed the gap on what had been a three-team breakaway.

Michigan's Brendon Blacklaws briefly assumed the lead before Bolas charged to the front with 400 meters to go and coasted to a comfortable win with a final split in the 4:07 range.

"The biggest thing is making sure the team's in the race and making sure we give Jack a good position," Gasper said. "You want to make it as easy as possible on your anchor so he can bring it home."

Bolas, who had already run a preliminary race in the mile to qualify for Sunday's final in that event, had the race play out exactly as he had hoped.

"The rule for Luke was to not hand off to me in the lead so the other teams can do the work (of leading)," he said. "That saved my legs for a kick at the end, and the race was exactly what I wanted. ... It was contained, there was no pushing and shoving, and I had no wasted energy."

Cedar Ridge, and Northwood advance

The NCHSAA basketball pairings are in flux, but, as expected, Carolina-9 rivals Cedar Ridge and Northwood are split apart in their bracket. Both were to play in the east regionals tonight in Greenville's Minges Coliseum, but Northwood reportedly has been postponed to Friday night in Greenville.

Carolina-9 champion Cedar Ridge (23-2) faces Clinton (24-6) at 7 p.m. this evening. Northwood (19-6), the Carolina-9's No. 2 seed, will face Kinston (25-4) at 5:30 p.m. Friday in Minges, at least according to the latest reports.

Winners of these regional semifinals are scheduled to meet at 3 p.m. Saturday in Minges Coliseum, and the winner of that game advances to the state championship game that will be played March 13 in Raleigh.

Cedar Ridge and Northwood were originally in the same bracket of the east regional semifinals, but the NCHSAA usually split conference rivals in such cases so they don't have to meet until as late as possible.

Hillsborough/Orange Chamber offering scholarship

The Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting applications for its scholarship program. The program, funded by an annual Chamber Golf Classic, is open to seniors and December graduates of Orange County Schools (Orange High School and Cedar Ridge High School) and private/charter or home school students within the Orange County School District who are seeking to further their education at a four-year or technical institution.

Libbie Hough, Chair of the Chamber's Education Committee, said "We are so fortunate to have had a successful golf event in 2009. We have a substantial amount of money to give away this year to applicants."

Emphasis is placed on the applicant's financial need. Other factors considered include a personal essay by the student, community service and other extra-curricular activities, two letters of recommendation (one from a chamber member is preferred,) and academic school transcript. Scholarship finalists will also participate in a brief interview.

Each application must include the application form, which is available from school guidance offices, career and technical education coordinators, or www.hillsboroughchamber.com/.

The deadline for submittal of applications is Monday, April 12. Applications must be submitted to the Chamber office at 102 North Churton Street, Hillsborough, 27278.

Jaguars tee off

Carrboro High School had a solid opening to its spring golf season with a scrimmage match against Chapel Hill last week, when the Jaguars carded a 150 at the challenging Chapel Ridge golf course.

Ben Thomason, returning senior and last season's Carolina-9 Conference Player of the Year, was a medalist with a 2-under 34. Sophomore Alex Wilhelm was close behind with a 37, followed by another sophomore, Jeremy Shaheen, who posted a 39.

Returning players for Carrboro include junior Neal Patel and sophomores Zach Hepp, Andrew Witcher, James Smith and Sam Brighton. Two new players -- freshman Derek Wong and sophomore Justin Griggs - are expected to contribute to the Jaguars' success this season for coach Brenda Leeper's team.

Eventing competition set for March 13-14

The Southern Pines Horse Trials will take place March 13-14 at Carolina Horse Park, located at 2814 Montrose Road in Raeford. Area horses and riders will compete for eventing honors in dressage, cross-countryand show jumping.

The competition is tentatively scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on both days.

For more information on the competition, contact Carolina Horse Park at (910) 875-2074 or visit www.carolinahorsepark.com.

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