Postseason Awards, Strong Seasons Have Essex Teams Optimistic About Future

Eastern Tech senior softball pitcher Liz Bondarenko has been named the recipient of the Mildred Murray All-Academic Scholar-Athlete Award and Scholarship, the school announced last week.

The award and scholarship is named after Mildred Murray, a former coordinator of physical education and athletics for the Baltimore County Public School system.

In addition to a plaque, Bondarenko will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship, which she can use while attending the University of Maryland beginning in the fall.

A stellar player, Bondarenko helped to guide the Mavericks to an 18-1 mark, the Baltimore County championship and a runner-up finish to Lansdowne in the Class 2A North Region finals.

On May 19, the right hander struck out six batters, walked one and yielded just one hit during a 10-0, Class 2A North Regional semifinal shutout of Baltimore County rival Dundalk.

Bondarenko improved to 8-0 and had a 1.78 ERA for the Mavericks, who, at the time, had risen to 18-0 entering their clash with Lansdowne.

According to a list provided by Mavericks coach Jack Meyers, Bondarenko is among seven players who have been honored by the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association for Minds In Motion by sustaining a grade point average of at least 3.25.

The others are Jordan Cargile, Nicole Dell, Lindsay Meyers, Alexis Peay, Ashley Sauerwein and Carly Wheat. Also, Corrin Cromwell, Michelle Mohr and Allison Williams have at least a 3.0 average, Jack Meyers said.

Bluebirds Battled in Baseball

Urbana of Frederick County ended Kenwood's baseball season, 6-3, during Friday's Class 4A North Regional semifinals despite a yeoman effort by University of Maryland-bound Shane Campbell.

However, Kenwood coach Jay Diggs said his team will not dwell on the loss.

"We're already preparing for next season," he said.

Against Urbana, Campbell struck out nine batters and scattered four hits only to be victimized by "a couple of passed balls" and the generally quiet bats of the Bluebirds (9-9), said Diggs, in his ninth season.

The Bluebirds were coming off of a 6-1 quarterfinal win over their Baltimore County League rival Perry Hall on May 16 that had avenged an earlier loss.

Campbell had earned the win over the Gators, scattering four hits against 10 strikeouts.

 "It was a most unusual season that will be remembered by one word: rain," said Diggs. "Rain and more rain. In spite of Mother Nature wreaking havoc, our young men worked through those tough times by going deep into the playoffs."
 
Diggs graduates Campbell as well as Chad Goings, Gene McGeeney, Eddie Cole and Brett Schappell, but will return First-Team All-County Anthony Pelekakis along with Brandon Hovel, Justin Kitko, Aaron Brzezinski, Daniel Carnes, Edgar Walker, Corey Willems, Gitau Gatheru, Nick Andrews, Eric Prachniak, John Thomas and Ryan Faheeley.

Kenwood Stays On Track

Kenwood track competitor Travis Jenkins was named to the Baltimore County Coaches' All-County First-Team, while teammates Xavier Franklin, Jada Boyd and Shannon Foster received honorable mention recognition.

In addition, the Bluebirds' varsity girls and JV boys and girls teams were crowned as 4A-3A Division titlists.

Out of last weekend's Class 4A North Regionals, Jenkins qualified for next weekend's state tournament with a long jump leap of 21 feet, 3 3/4 inches, as did teammate Xavier Franklin by clearing 20-11 1/2

Teammate Alexis Moog is headed for states thanks to his time of 1 minute, 2.35 seconds in the 400-meter dash.

The 400-meter relay team of Jenkins, De'Shawn Alexander, Jaleel Feggins and Keith Moody also qualified, as did the boys 800 relay squad anchored by Alexander and including A'donta Wallace, James Hicks and Feggins.

With her fifth-place finish in the 3,200 meter run at regionals, Boyd eclipsed the Bluebirds' school record with a time of 12 minutes, 40.36 seconds. Boyd was also sixth in the 800 meter and 1,600 meter runs.