|
« January 2008 |
Main
| March 2008 »
News Archive: February 2008
FUMA Track takes VPL Championship
After winning the state meet in convincing fashion a week earlier, the Blue Devils worked hard to avoid a let down in the Prep League Championship. The team held its championship form for one last meet in the 2008 Indoor campaign and closed out a super successful season.
Marcus Dowtin won big in the 55 dash and was a close second in the shot put. The distance crew ran a best in the 4x800 against a tough Saint Christopher's crew with a 8:18 clocking. Jeremy Haney ran an incredible 1:58.5 leg and returned to win the 1600 and 1000. His efforts were rewarded with the Running events MVP. Also getting event wins were Chris Pride (300), Darren Simpson (3200), and Austin Ofoma (long jump).
The story of the meet though was Brian Zitterkopf. In very short time the Merit Scholar set a personal best in the 55 hurdles with a 7.98 for second, forced a jump off in the high jump and rallied in the last round of the triple jump with a 44'9 for the victory. The senior was named the meet's MVP.
Courtesy of Coach Winston Brown, Winged F, February 2008
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Thursday, February 28, 2008 01:36 PM
Athletics
FUMA Dominates in State Indoor Track Meet
Breaking out their best performance for the biggest meet, the Fork Union track team defended its Indoor title from a year ago. Though the meet is just two years old, Fork Union is quickly establishing itself as the indoor track power. Though the score would indicate a dominant victory, the Blue Devils had all they could handle from the host Saint Christopher's. On form the meet figured to be a 9 point swing either way. However, the day would prove to have several key moments and FUMA managed to get the most out of those times.
Austin Ofoma provided the first spark. The senior took the early lead in the long jump with a personal best 21'5. In the last round Saint Christopher's Ben Katz claimed the lead by a half an inch. Ofoma then uncorked a 22'8 best on his final jump to get the dramatic win. Ofoma came back to claim the triple jump title with another huge personal best (43'9) and with it took the meet's Field event MVP.
No less dramatic was the 4x200. Seeded third, the Blue Devils unleashed a 1:33.89 season's best and claimed the state title for the second year in a row. Chris Pride put FUMA in control with a 22.6 carry and then juniors Shaw and QB gave the stick to senior Marcus Dowtin. The Georgia bound sprinter/thrower held off a strong challenge from Episcopal. Also adding a big punch was the effort of the hurdlers and short sprinters. In the hurdles, Zitterkopf and Tembon went 2-3. In the dash, Dowtin nearly won the title and teammates Shaw and Pride would add seven more.
About the time the 4x200 was delivering big so too were seniors Brian Zitterkopf and Jeremy Haney. Zitterkopf would put up 24 points in roughly an hour with three second place finishes in the hurdles, high jump and triple jump. Jeremy Haney led a 1-3-6 finish in the 1600 and a 1-3-4 finish in the 500. The 1600/500 combo is very difficult because only one event separates the two. Haney came back in the 3200 and helped a 2-3-4 finish with Darren Simpson and Patrick Hayes that sealed an impressive win. The Navy bound distance star picked up the Running events MVP for his triple effort.
Jeremy was but one of a pack of selfless athletes that contributed to a total team effort. Fork Union 08's success centered around great athletes willing to do what was necessary for the team.
Courtesy of Coach Winston Brown, Winged F, February 2008
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Thursday, February 28, 2008 01:30 PM
Athletics
FUMA Swimming & Diving finishes 4th in State Championship
For the first time in recent history the Fork Union Military Academy Blue Devils broke into the top 10 teams in the state championship final standings, finishing 4th overall!
"I'm especially proud of how our young men came together as a team to accomplish this leap in standings (from 12th place last year), as was evident by our fantastic relay swims," states Coach Jim Bocci. "We started the meet as a huge underdog in the 200 medley relay with a group of virtually unknown swimmers seeded four seconds out of the top spot." It was going to be a struggle just to make the finals, but when the smoke cleared the team finished second overall with a time of 1:38.91 (K. Housh 26.59, S. Ibrahim 26.78, M. Jewell 23.69, T. Calhoun 21.85) - this smashed our school record by over three seconds!
For an encore the 200 free relay duplicated this same feat, again finishing second and destroying the school record with a time of 1:28.61 (M. Jewell 22.37, B. Reynard 22.65, S. Ibrahim 21.47, T. Calhoun 22.12). Finally, in the 400 free relay, composed of all underclassmen, finished eighth in the championship final with a new school record time of 3:28.90 (K. Housh, J. Warren, J. Caudill, B. Reynard). This marked the first time that FUMA placed all three relays in the championship final.
In addition to the team's incredible relay efforts, there were several great individual swims including M. Jewell (7th, 50 freestyle; 8th, 100 butterfly), K. Housh (8th, 200 IM; 10th, 100 breaststroke), S. Ibrahim (16th, 100 freestyle, 6th, 100 breaststroke), T. Calhoun (9th, 50 freestyle), B. Reynard (16th, 50 freestyle), and J. Brown (13th, 100 breaststroke). The meet also marked the championship debut for freshman C. Covington (PB times in the 200 and 500 freestyle), juniors J. Warren (PB time in the 200 freestyle) and J. Caudill (PB time 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly), and 8th grader Obi Okeyo (PB time in the 100 back).
Other notable swims came from veteran Junior J. Gencavage (PB times in the 200 IM and 100 fly). In all the Blue Devil team broke six school records.
Courtesy of Coach Jim Bocci
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Wednesday, February 27, 2008 03:21 PM
Athletics
Banner Year for Academy Appointments
Thus far, the Class of 2008 has garnered seven military academy appointments, far exceeding the total of any of the previous five classes of graduates. Jeremy Haney and Sam Reisenfeld have been appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy; Andrew Myers, Thomas Smith, Dan Tucker and Brian Zitterkopf have been appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; and Akereiam Reames will enter the U.S. Air Force Academy. The combined total of scholarships awarded to these outstanding young men totals over $2.2 million. Each appointment is valued at $325,000.
"We are very proud of these young men," states Maj. Mike Williams in Admissions. "This number is remarkable for FUMA considering how selective these academies are when choosing applicants from all over the nation." Each Academy boasts an acceptance rate of less than 20%. The only other schools with comparable acceptance rates are those located in the Northeast-Ivy League schools.
Applicants to the U.S. Academies must go through a rigorous screening process that includes medical review; a physical training test; superior grades and test scores; and it is finalized with a nomination by their U.S. Senator or Congressman. Very few applicants make it all the way through each screening process and FUMA congratulates these young men for their accomplishments.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Wednesday, February 27, 2008 02:06 PM
General News
Military School Band Festival
Select members of FUMA's band traveled to Philadelphia, PA to participate in the 32nd Military School Band Festival at Valley Forge Military Academy & College.
Cadet Young Kee Hong shares his experience of the trip.
"Home, sweet home!" Chief Patterson's voice through the microphone and woke seventeen boys in the van. I looked at my watch, which told me that it was ten o'clock at night. I could see the lights from the barracks and circle. It was what I was so used to seeing, but it was not the same after what sixteen other boys and I went through over the weekend.
We left FUMA at three o'clock in the afternoon in Thursday, February 2st. It was six hour drive to Philadelphia, PA to our destination. Valley Forge Military Academy & College hosted the 32nd MSBF, Military School Band Festival on its campus. We auditioned with excitement while band directors from each school were showing their backs to musicians. After the audition, we formed into a band from military schools all over the country and started to practice. Most of us were out of tune as a band and required a great amount of practice. Some band members even thought that it was impossible to be fully prepared for the concert. We practiced from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on the first day, and then 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the second day. Musicians were getting tired; lips were getting numb; fingers were getting stiff; some people were having headaches; and spines were crying from pain. Nevertheless, no one asked to quit or stop. "We pushed it tp our limits," said the band director from Valley Forge Military Academy & College, who conducted the concert.
On the morning of the concert, participants dressed in their own school's parade uniform and took a group picture to remember what they had gone through together. At 2:00 p.m., the concert began in Price Hall with the National Anthem. At the end of the concert, the audience expressed its great impression with a standing ovation. All the practice had paid off even though during practice time we thought it was impossible.
More than a hundred people had prepared for a month for the 1 1/2 hour concert. During our stay we met many students from other military schools across the country and played great songs in perfect tune. It was arduous, but we made it. The order of seats was not important. What was important was that we gathered in one place as a band and played concert music in tune.
When I was getting off the bus after arriving at FUMA, I realized that the memory of my experience at Valley Forge will stay a lifetime.
Courtesy of Bruce Patterson, Written by Young Kee Hong
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Wednesday, February 27, 2008 12:34 PM
General News
Isiah Davis selected to Virginia Prep League
Congratulations to Isiah Davis, 11th grade, for being selected to the 2007-2008 Virginia Prep League All-Prep Boys Basketball Team. FUMA's Prep Basketball team will compete in the VISAA State Tournament on Tuesday, February 26th at Flint Hill School in Oakton, VA.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Monday, February 25, 2008 10:19 AM
Athletics
Prep Basketball to play in VISAA State Tournament
Congratulations to the Prep basketball team! They have been selected to play in the VISAA State Basketball Tournament on Tuesday, February 26th at 6:00 p.m. Their first round game will be against Flint Hill School in Oakton, VA. The game will be played at Flint Hill's west campus in Oakton. If the team wins they will play at Bishop O'Connell on Thursday, February 28th and the time is to be determined.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Monday, February 25, 2008 10:00 AM
Athletics
FUMA track team takes Prep League Championship
The FUMA indoor track team won the Prep League Championship in a meet held at St. Christopher's in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday, February 16, 2008. Fork Union finished with 172 points, St. Christopher's 123, Woodberry Forest 65, Collegiate 56.5, Trinity Episcopal 26, and Norfolk Academy 19.5. FUMA's Jeremy Haney was named Outstanding Running Event Performer and Brian Zitterkopf was named the Most Valuable Performer of the meet.
PREP LEAGUE RESULTS
Team: Fork Union 172, St. Christopher's 123, Woodberry Forest 65, Collegiate 56.5, Trinity Episcopal 26, Norfolk Academy 19.5
Shot put: 1. Duke Mosby (WF) 49-2; 2. Marcus Dowtin (FUMA) 47-6; 3. Alex James (SC) 47-3; 4. Michael vanReekum (Col) 44-4; 5. Turner Blake (SC) 43-8; 6. Chris Delaney (SC) 43-8
Long jump: 1. Austin Ofoma (FUMA) 21-9½; 2. Ed Reynolds (WF) 21-5; 3. Ben Katz (SC) 21-0; 4. Brandon Patterson (TE) 20-8; 5. Rian Gaskins (WF) 19-5¼; 6. David Rushing (NA) 19-4½
High jump: 1. Ben Katz, Ben (SC) 6-4; 2. Brian Zitterkopf (FUMA) 6-4; 3. Brandon Patterson (TE) 5-8; 4. Chas Skidmore (SC) 5-6; 5. John Nash (WF) 5-6; 6. Jack Carmichael (Col) 5-4; 6. Austin Petersen (NA) 5-4
Pole vault: 1. Sam Hays (SC) 12-6; 2. Locke Walker (WF) 12-0; 3. Daniel Farmer (SC) 11-6; 4. Stephen Davenport (SC) 11-6; 5. Dylan Greer (FUMA) 11-0; 6. Carleton Rawles (WF) 10-0
Triple jump: 1. Brian Zitterkopf (FUMA) 44-9¼; 2. Ed Reynolds (WF) 44-1½; 3. Brandon Patterson (TE) 43-6; 4. Austin Ofoma (FUMA) 43-4½; 5. Ryan Dunlap (Col) 39-8¾; 6. Rian Gaskins WF) 39-05¾
3,200 relay: 1. St. Christopher's (Nick Molloy, Mackie Welford, Andrew Bernard, Jay Weisbrod) 8:13.08; 2. Fork Union 8:18.33; 3. Collegiate 8:28.99; 4. Woodberry Forest 8:42.29; 5. Norfolk Academy 9:22.35
55 hurdles: 1. Matt Clark (SC) 7.85; 2. Brian Zitterkopf (FUMA) 7.98; 3. Andrew Tembon (FUMA) 8.22; 4. Matt Anderson (FUMA) 8.23; 5. Jacob Huesman (SC) 8.46; 6. Brown Farinholt (SC) 8.52
55: 1. Marcus Dowtin (FUMA) 6.70; 2. Teddy Gorrell (Col) 6.80; 3. Chris Pride (FUMA) 6.81; 4. Matt Clark (SC) 6.87; 5. Alieu Sillah, (Col) 6.87; 6. Ed Reynolds (WF) 6.94
1,600: 1. Jeremy Haney (FUMA) 4:43.21; 2. Patrick Hayes (FUMA) 4:43.77; 3. Max Anderson (WF) 4:44.07; 4. Robert Warneford-Thomson (TE) 4:44.24; 5. Logan McCann (Col) 4:54.92; 6. Robert Johns (SC) 4:57.50
800 relay: 1. Collegiate (Alieu Sillah, Ben Sauer, Randolph Ives, Teddy Gorrell) 1:35.17; 2. Woodberry Forest 1:35.30; 3. St. Christopher's 1:35.75; 4. Fork Union 1:36.19; 5. Norfolk Academy 1:41.00
500: 1. Nick Molloy (SC) 1:09.42; 2. Trace LaCour (FUMA) 1:10.49; 3. Caleb Haney (FUMA) 1:10.65; 4. Michael Millard (WF) 1:11.20; 5. James Steele (FUMA) 1:12.47; 6. Joe Mastropieri (Col) 1:13.53
1,000: 1. Jeremy Haney (FUMA) 2:38.64; 2. David Rushing (NA) 2:39.39; 3. Jay Weisbrod (SC) 2:39.77; 4. Andrew Bernard (SC) 2:42.40; 5. Sam Hewitt (SC) 2:43.28; 6. Richard Crittenden (Col) 2:45.72
300: 1. Chris Pride (FUMA) 36.56; 2. Ben Katz (SC) 38.00; 3. John Hammond (TE) 38.24; 4. Nathan Lundberg (FUMA) 38.24; 5. Randolph Ives (Col) 38.40; 6. Teddy Gorrell (Col) 38.61
3,200: 1. Darren Simpson (FUMA) 10:06.23; 2. Patrick Hayes (FUMA) 10:15.45; 3. Graham Glass (Col) 10:24.20; 4. David Allen (Col) 10:31.43; 5. John Warner (NA) 10:33.44; 6. Rob Cavedo (Col) 10:34.93
1,600 relay: 1. St. Christopher's (Jay Weisbrod, Nick Molloy, Justin Thompson, Ben Katz) 3:34.88; 2. Fork Union 3:37.99; 3. Collegiate 3:39.30; 4. Norfolk Academy 3:48.06; 5. Woodberry Forest 3:49.04
Outstanding field event performer: Ben Katz (SC)
Outstanding running event performer: Jeremy Haney (FUMA)
Most valuable performer: Brian Zitterkopf (FUMA)
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Monday, February 18, 2008 09:36 AM
Athletics
Success Story: Chris Harris
"My dream since I was a little kid was to play Division I basketball," says Chris Harris. "I wasn't going to give up on that dream too easily.
Standing only 5'-5" as a high school sophomore, by the time he hit a growth spurt as a senior most college recruiters had already passed him by. He was considered a Division III basketball prospect but he was not ready to give up his Division I dreams. He enrolled in Fork Union Military Academy for a postgraduate year, added another two inches in height, and converted to point guard. Now he's living his dream.
Navy head coach Billy Lange was in attendance with several of his assistants when Fork Union' PG basketball team traveled to Annapolis to play Navy's JV. Harris' play caught the attention of Coach Lange, and today Chris Harris is a sophomore at the Naval Academy, and the starting point guard on Navy's basketball team.
"Chris is playing great and really giving the team what it needs from that position," said Coach Lange. "What he's done so far this season is nothing short of amazing." Coach Lange adds that he believes Harris to be a legitimate candidate for All-Patriot League honors.
Read all about Chris in this article in the Annapolis newspaper, The Capital.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Monday, February 18, 2008 09:13 AM
Alumni
Cadets Assist during Potomac Primaries
LTC Hitchcock's political science class were able to experience first hand the primary elections in the Virginia area. On Tuesday, February 12th a group of nine cadets helped man the polls in Fluvanna County. During the day they helped registered voters by explaining the voting process and helped with instructions on the ballot machines. The class members included Ben Colliluori, Luke Baab, Richard Marks, Dale Helm, Troy Anthony, Theo Esposito, Robert Hopkins, David George, and Doug Kavolius.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Wednesday, February 13, 2008 02:57 PM
General News
Two Cadets will attend Presidential Classroom
This year two cadets, Dale Helm and Robert Hart, will represent Fork Union Military Academy at the Presidential Classroom in Washington, DC. They will be attending the Presidential Classroom during the week of spring break, March 11th through 17th.
For nearly 40 years, Presidential Classroom, the nation's premier nonprofit, nonpartisan civic education organization, has provided over 120,000 juniors and seniors unprecedented access to the federal government and the leaders who shape public policy. The mission is to prepare young leaders for responsible citizenship and provide outstanding high school students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness and explore the political process first hand.
The session that week will focus on National Security Policy. Previous highlights from this program have included visiting the National Security Agency, Military Installations, the Pentagon, Floor of the House of Representatives, U.S. State Department, the National War College, Smithsonian Museums, and visiting congressional leaders on Capitol Hill.
During each exciting week-long program, students from the United States and abroad are immersed in the work and workings of Washington, DC. They come face-to-face and interact with notable Washington insiders, including Members of Congress, presidential appointees, senior military officials, journalists, and top business and labor leaders.
This is an outstanding opportunity that has been afforded Cadet Helm and Cadet Hart and should provide them with a greater understanding of how our government works.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Wednesday, February 13, 2008 02:21 PM
General News
Payne Forum Speaker for February 13th
Coach Brandon Hourigan, the Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Richmond, has been invited to address cadets as part of the Payne Greater Issues Speakers Forum. He will be on the FUMA campus on Wednesday, February 13th at 6:30 in the Beatty Library. His topic will include developing and maintaining physical fitness at all ages with an emphasis on using the facilities at Fork Union Military Academy.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Monday, February 11, 2008 10:41 AM
General News
FUMA takes 3rd Place at Indoor Soccer
Congratulations to the Indoor Soccer Team for taking third place in the Collegiate Valentine's Day Indoor Soccer Tournament. The tournament ran from Thursday, February 7th to Saturday, February 9th. FUMA was among eighteen teams from Virginia and the District of Columbia that participated in the event. FUMA's record for the competition was 3-1-1.
The team included the following players:
John Malley
Chris Long
Caleb Wines
Glenn Morrison
Tom Smith
Jake Hawksford
Charles Grandfield
Grant Smith
Bob Hart
Jared Wines
Justin Ives
Wynton Ellrod
Ivan Honer
Alex Ellwood
Drake Lancaster
Kevin Gunther
Coach Wood Coach Wood personally commends each member of the team who gave up their free time to practice and participate in the tournament. A special thank you goes out to the Hawksford family, the Ellwood family and Asst. Coach Matt Wood who also volunteered their time to help with transportation on Saturday.
Courtesy of Coach Bob Wood
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Monday, February 11, 2008 10:31 AM
Athletics
Cadets to Perform in District Chorus Festival
This Friday and Saturday, February 8th and 9th members of the chorus will attend the District Chorus Festival at Monticello High School in Charlottesville. These young men include Azmi Atassi, Hang Chae, Micah Evans, Robert Hart, Young Hong, Dejuan Hunter, and Josh Timmons.
Courtesy of Bruce Patterson
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Thursday, February 7, 2008 02:33 PM
General News
FUMA Chorale Helps Honor Retiring Police Captain
The FUMA Chorale did a wonderful job singing for the retirement ceremony of Albemarle Police Department Captain George Noteman on February 6th in Charlottesville, VA. There were over 200 people in attendance at the ceremony. Captain Noteman had served with the department since September 6, 1982 and also served our nation as a member of the United States Marine Corp for thirty years and rose to the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. He was deployed as part "Operation Enduring Freedom." FUMA wishes Captain Noteman all the best during his retirement.
Courtesy of Bruce Patterson
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Thursday, February 7, 2008 02:08 PM
General News
National Signing Day
Bright and early on Wednesday morning, February 6, 2008, the fax machines were busy in the Estes Athletic Center on the campus of Fork Union Military Academy. It was National Signing Day once again, and for another year the undergraduate and postgraduate football programs were sending young men off to college with valuable scholarships.
More than thirty FUMA players signed national letters of intent to attend college in the fall, or were already enrolled in college when National Signing Day rolled around this year. More athletes are expected to make similar commitments in the days ahead.
The University of Georgia received a commitment from FUMA senior and prep team standout Marcus Dowtin. Coach Micky Sullivan's high school team placed at least six players in college programs, with the possibility of a couple of commitments still to come. Patrick Myrick, the senior quarterback committed to Washburn University of Topeka, perhaps the westernmost placement ever made by the undergraduate team. Germael Raspberry, OL/DL, will be FUMA's first player ever placed in the historic Tuskegee University program.
The postgraduate team, led by Coach John Shuman, continued its tradition of putting high quality players into top college programs. More than a dozen players made commitments to Division I-A programs, including one to the University of Virginia, three players to the University of South Carolina, three to Temple University, and two to Eastern Michigan University.
Prep schools like Fork Union Military Academy often get mischaracterized as being just "football factories" where good athletes with poor academic records can rehabilitate their grades and test scores to qualify for college programs. In fact, many players at FUMA were academically eligible but were under-recruited in high school due to injury or lack of national exposure. Dave Keisling, a defensive back, came to FUMA to rehabilitate an ACL injury and had an outstanding year, despite not being one-hundred percent physically. Keisling was invited this spring to walk on at the Penn State University football program and Coach Shuman predicts he will become an impact player in that program. Steve Brown, the high-motor linebacker out of St. Anne's-Belfield in Charlottesville, was able to translate his increased exposure at FUMA into a scholarship to Eastern Michigan.
Dan Tucker, from Fluvanna County High in FUMA's own front yard, had an outstanding year at center and offensive guard and signed to play for the U. S. Military Academy at West Point next year. The U. S. Air Force Academy and the U. S. Naval Academy are each gaining a FUMA player as well.
Coach Shuman points out that nine of the players were recruited by former players or coaches now working in college football programs, another indication of the strength of FUMA's network. "They understand our program," says Shuman. "They know when we say a player will put in the effort on the field and in the classroom that they can take us at our word."
College Commitments made by February 6, 2008:
Aaron Adams, OL, Eastern Kentucky University
Lueth Akueth, OL, James Madison University
Antonio Allen, WR/DB, University of South Carolina
Jerome Ambrose, RB, Henderson State
Akeem Auguste, WR/DB, University of South Carolina
Eric Baker, RB, University of South Carolina
Yohannes Bekele, OL/DL, Glenville State College
Steve Brown, LB, Eastern Michigan University
Wiley Brown, RB/SS, Duquesne University
Tavierion Cuffee, EB, James Madison University
Nick Demith, OL/DL, Mesa State College
Marcus Dowtin, RB/LB, University of Georgia
Lawrence Ferrell, RB, Hampton University
John Hill, OL, University of Alabama
Jeff Howie, OL, Temple University
Josh Johnson, QB/S, James Madison University
Dave Keisling, DB, Penn State University
Michael Labarre, FB, Temple University
Eric Morrison, DB, Eastern Michigan University
Patrick Myrick, QB/FS, Washburn University of Topeka
Austin Pasztor, OL, University of Virginia
Anthony Rapley, WR/DB, Temple University
Germael Raspberry, OL/DL, Tuskegee University
Akerian Reames, RB/DB, U S Air Force Academy
Sam Reisenfeld, OL, U S Naval Academy
Corey Renzenaar, LB, Northwood University
Keith Stroud, WR, Rutgers
Robert Torn, Dl, University at Buffalo
Dan Tucker, OL, U S Military Academy
Jamie Veney, LB/SS, James Madison University
Zach Webb, RB, Virginia Military Institute
Prince Young, RB, Wagner College
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Wednesday, February 6, 2008 03:42 PM
Athletics
A Championship Year for Fork Union Military Academy Alums
From top to bottom, it has been a championship year for Fork Union Military Academy. Former FUMA cadets could be found on numerous championship teams during this football season.
National Football League
Two former FUMA cadets won rings at the Super Bowl on February 3, 2008 as members of the world champion New York Giants. Plaxico Burress made the game-winning touchdown catch in the final moments of the game to complete the Giants' upset win over the New England Patriots. Rookie receiver Brandon London spent the week as he has all season as a member of the Giants practice squad, helping the team get ready for the game. During Super Bowl week, London played the role of Randy Moss, giving Giants defenders the preparation they needed to shut down the explosive receiver during the Super Bowl game.
NCAA Division I & I-AA
Freshman wide receiver Ian Harding (6-1 / 196 ) was a member of the Division I National Championship winning team, the Louisiana State University Tigers. The Tigers defeated the Ohio State University Buckeyes in the national championship game to become the first team to win multiple national titles since the advent of the BCS National Championship.
Offensive lineman Xan Thomas (6-2 / 270) was a freshman on the Appalachian State University Mountaineers team that won the NCAA Division I-AA National Championship. The Mountaineers season began in a memorable fashion with an upset victory over Michigan, marking the first time a Division I-AA team had defeated a nationally-ranked Division I-A school.
NCAA Division II
A senior at Valdosta State University, Bo May (6-2 / 270) earned his D-II ring playing defensive tackle on the team that beat Northwest Missouri State to claim the NCAA Division II National Championship.
College All-Americans
Anthony Castonzo and Kareem Jackson were both named to All-American Freshman Teams following the 2007 season. Castonzo (6-7 / 262 lbs.) started at right offensive tackle for Boston College in 2007 and was named to the Sporting News All-American Freshman First Team. Kareem Jackson (5-11 / 185 lbs.) started at cornerback for Alabama's Crimson Tide in 2007, and was named to the Sporting News All-American Freshman Second Team.
Anthony Castonzo was also honored as a member of the ACC All-Academic Team in 2007. Players selected to the team must have earned a 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during his academic career. Castonzo is a biochemistry major at Boston College.
NFL Draft
The 2007 NFL season got underway with the selection of FUMA alumnus Gaines Adams as the 4th overall pick in the draft. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected the defensive end out of Clemson, making him the 10th FUMA alumnus to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft.
The 2008 NFL Draft is expected to feature another FUMA alumnus as a potential first round draft selection. Defensive end Philip Merling, currently a junior at Clemson, is projected by Mel Kiper as a top ten first round pick.
Joining Merling at the upcoming NFL Combine will be FUMA alums Dorien Bryant of Purdue University and Josh Morgan of Virginia Tech, both wide receivers. Bryant is speedy, with a 4.36 time in the 40. Morgan is touted by Coach John Shuman as "a beast" who should really pick up attention at the Combine. Both are currently projected as mid-round picks, but Shuman believes they can rise in the rankings.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Tuesday, February 5, 2008 01:16 PM
Alumni
Coach Shuman on CBS Channel 19
Coach John Shuman, FUMA's PG football head coach, was interviewed recently for Charlottesville's CBS Channel 19 news, speaking about Plaxico Burress and his Super Bowl game-winning catch.
See Coach Shuman's interview here.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Tuesday, February 5, 2008 10:47 AM
Athletics
Brandon London, FUMA Alum, plays big role in Super Bowl win
Rookie receiver Brandon London, FUMA's other Giant this year, was a member of the Giants' practice squad, helping prepare the Giant defenders by playing the role of Randy Moss during practices.
New York Post: "He's Mini-Moss"
Boston Globe: "London's Gimmick is to Mimic"
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Monday, February 4, 2008 09:10 AM
Alumni
FUMA Alum Plaxico Burress Catches Winning Touchdown in Super Bowl
FUMA Alumnus Plaxico Burress, one of two former FUMA cadets on the roster of the New York Giants, caught the winning touchdown with 35 seconds to go in the SuperBowl to upset the New England Patriots 17 - 14.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Monday, February 4, 2008 08:50 AM
Alumni
Two FUMA Wrestlers Crowned Prep League Champions
For the first time in seven years, two FUMA wrestlers took home 1st Place in the Virginia Prep League Tournament on February 2nd. Nick Demith (above) was crowned champion in the 285 class, Tim Beasley (below) was 1st Place in the 152 class. In addition, David George took 3rd Place in the 145 class and Andrew Myers placed 3rd in the 189 class.
Feb 2, 2008.
2008 V.P.L League Tournament
Place Winners
BEASLEY, Tim 1st 152 Champion
DEMITH, Nick 1st 285 Champion
GEORGE, David 3rd 145
MYERS, Andrew 3rd 189
FUMA's first Champions in 7 years
112 JELINIEK, Lucas FUMA 1W 2L
112 Feb 2, 2008 CSORBA WFS fall JELINIEK 1:03
112 Feb 2, 2008 JELINIEK FUMA fall MOHAMMADI N.A. 2:25
112 Feb 2, 2008 RISCH Coll dec JELINIEK FUMA 10 to 2
135 EDWARDS, Joe FUMA 1 W 2 L
135 Feb 2, 2008 EDWARDS FUMA dec SCHNEIDER Coll 12 to 3
135 Feb 2, 2008 PHILLIPS St.C fall EDWARDS FUMA 0:45
135 Feb2, 2008 PARKER N.A. fall EDWARDS FUMA 1:09
140 POHL, Jacob FUMA 0 W 2 L
140 Feb 2, 2008 FRIDELL Coll fall POHL FUMA 1:20
140 Feb 2, 2008 ADAMS N.A. dec POHL 12 to 10
145 GEORGE, David FUMA 1W 1L Place 3th
145 Feb 2, 2008 CIRENZA WFS dec GEORGE FUMA 21 to 9
145 Feb 2, 2008 GEORGE FUMA fall BROUGHAM Coll 2:01
152 BEASLEY, Tim FUMA 3 W 0 L Champion
152 Feb, 2 2008 BEASLEY FUMA fall DEVINE N.A. 5:00
152 Feb 2, 2008 BEASLEY FUMA dec MERTENS Coll 3 to 2
152 Feb 2, 2008 BEASLEY FUMA dec SCHWING WFS 5 to 4
160 GIGER, Billy FUMA 0 W 2 L
160 Feb 2, 2008 CRUTHER Coll fall GIGER FUMA 2:55
160 Feb 2, 2008 NUSBAUM N.A. fall GIGER FUMA 2:13
171 CAMPBELL, Alex FUMA 0W 2 L
171 Feb 2, 2008 GOTTWALD, C St.C fall CAMPBELL FUMA 0:45
171 Feb 2, 2008 RAGSDALE Coll fall CAMPBELL FUMA 3:51
189 MYERS, Andrew FUMA 1 W 1 L Place 3rd
189 Feb 2, 2008 WILSON WFS fall MYERS FUMA 1:26
189 Feb 2, 2008 MYERS FUMA dec BURLEE St C 5 to
215 SIMS, Ryan FUMA 1 W 2 L
215 Feb 2, 2008 SIMS FUMA fall JOHNSON N.A. 4:44
215 Feb 2, 2008 FREEMAN St C fall SIMS FUMA 1:34
215 Feb 2, 2008 SCHWARTZ WFS fall SIMS FUMA 2:44
285 DEMITH, Nick 1W 0 L Champion
285 Feb 2, 2008 DEMITH FUMA dec EVINS WFS 2 to 1
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Sunday, February 3, 2008 09:51 AM
Athletics
|
