“I’m excited and have been working hard and hope to play when I get there,” said Zach Lawson as he signed his letter of intent to play basketball at Wheeling Jesuit University. “It’s a great school, has a solid basketball program, and I want to contribute to their success.”

Witnessing the signing were Lawson’s parents, Megan and David, Headmaster Dr. Christian Proctor, Athletic Director, Eric Lawrence, and a great turnout of his fellow players and friends. Lawrence said, “Zach has an incredible work ethic and practically lives in the gym practicing his shots just about every afternoon. I’m sure he will do well.” Lawson was a consistent performer for the North Cross Raiders. This past season, Lawson scored 119 points, had a .265 3-point percentage, and pulled in 67 rebounds.

Wheeling Jesuit University, located in Wheeling, West Virginia, is in the WVIAC. Their team finished fourth in their conference last season, with an in-conference record of 14-8, and an overall record of 19-10.

Submitted by Whitney Campbell

The Virginia Scrappers 12U Girls Fastpitch went undefeated and winning the Championship in the ASA Terrier Tournament held April 13-14, 2013 at the Botetourt Sports Complex. Pictured L-R front row: Alexis West, Keiley Dudding, Ellasen Spangler, Lindsey Sarver, Sydney Stimeling – Middle Row: Peyton Hurd, Josie Brewer, Madison Brown, Kayla Gibson – Back row: Coach Bobby Spangler, Emma Layman, Mara Strum, Erin Hetherington, Coach Rick Strum and Coach Shannon Brewer

Submitted by Sharon Layman

From the Roanoke County website:

Final preparations are being made for the opening of Splash Valley Water Park on Friday, May 24. Visit our website for a complete season schedule. This year we’ve added new special events, weekly discounts and more! Full season add-on passes are available for Green Ridge Recreation Center members only.

From the Roanoke County website:

Renewable Energy Family Class Coming May 25

Bring your family members ages 8 and up to Green Ridge Recreation Center this Saturday to get creative with wind and solar technologies! We’ll design an electricity producing windmill & a car that will run on solar energy. We will also try our hand at cooking with a homemade solar oven which can be taken home and used again. Prizes will be awarded to the top scientists! Program runs form 10am to 1pm.

Amy Hayden shares these photos from Baseball Opening Day 2013.

You can share your photos from rec league action — or anything else around Southwest Roanoke County — at news@swo-co.com or use the “share” button to upload 10 at a time.

D.C. United today announced, in collaboration with Roanoke Star Soccer Club, that its U-23 squad will put on a showcase Roanoke, Va., on June 16 at Dwight Bogle Stadium. The event will feature a clinic for kids ages 7-12 from 2 to 4 p.m. followed by an exhibition game between the Black-and-Red U-23s and Roanoke Star SC. An opportunity for local youth to take the field with top-tier D.C. United U-23 players, the clinic will include interactive elements as well as a photo and autograph session with Jaime Moreno.

“We (Roanoke Star Soccer Club) are very excited to work with D.C. United to offer the opportunity for youth soccer players in SW Virginia to train with an MLS (Major League Soccer) club,” said Roanoke Star Soccer Club Executive Director Danny Beamer. “The Roanoke Star Soccer Club has always offered elite training for youth soccer development and we will continue create partnerships like this in the future.”

“D.C. United Showcase is an important exercise in enhancing our brand in outer rings of our regional footprint,” said D.C. United Chief Marketing Officer Doug Hicks. “We look forward to hosting several of these events each summer, bringing talented young professional prospects, accomplished legends of the club and training opportunities to important markets. Personally, this first showcase is especially meaningful, as United has established a partnership with youth clubs, that I played for and against, by activating a meaningful event in a place I call home.”

All of the details pertaining to the D.C. United Showcase are below:

Event: D.C. United Showcase Event
Location: Dwight Bogle Stadium, 4800 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke, VA
Ages: 7-12 years, male and female
Date: Sunday, June 16
Time: 2-3:30 p.m. (clinic); 5 p.m.(exhibition game vs. Roanoke Star SC)
Price: $10 (Price includes: Registration for one (1) participant for clinic and a game ticket to the June 16 D.C. United U-23 exhibition match vs. Roanoke Star SC. $7.00 (Price includes 1 ticket for the game ONLY and can be purchased by going to www.roanokestar.com)

– Submitted by the Roanoke Star Soccer Club

Cave Spring Knights Drill Team Presents Summer Dance Camp 2013

Featuring the UVA DANCE TEAM

Open to rising 9th – 12th grade girls

Friday June 21, 2013 9 am-4 pm

Penn Forest Worship Center Gym

3735 Chaparral Dr

Price per dancer $75

Bring a sack Lunch!

Drinks provided!

Learn dance technique with the UVA DANCE TEAM!

For more information and to register email: csdrillteam@yahoo.com or call: 892-1179

Submitted by Prina McTigue 

SALEM SPRINT TRIATHLON

presented by LewisGale
Regional Health System

300 yd swim • 15K bike • 5K runSunday, June 2, 2013 @ 8am
Salem Family YMCA

Individual and Team Competition
High School Competition
Ages 12 and older
Register at www.setupevents.com

Special YMCA member rates.
Ask for the discount code at
the membership desk.

Click here to register.

Submitted by Nancy M. Hans, Director, PREVENTION COUNCIL OF ROANOKE COUNTY

From the Roanoke County website:

Splash Valley Pool Parties Now Include Pizza

New this year, book a pool party at Splash Valley Water Park and get three pizzas, plus a drink and ice cream cup for each participant. Rentals also include unlimited swimming for your guests and 45-minutes in the shaded “Party Pad” area. Spaces are now being reserved for the summer by calling (540) 777-6306.

Ken Kornegay

Ben Harris of Troutville, VA was the overall winner of the Roanoke Valley Senior Golf Tour’s tournament played this week at Botetourt Golf & Swim Club in Troutville, VA.  Playing in Division 1 (handicaps 0-13) Harris carded a net score of 67.  Other Division 1 winners were: 2nd, Jim Ketron – 67; 3rd, Alan Brenner – 67; 4th, Loopy Price – 68; 5th, Dick Nelson – 69.

Playing in Division 2, (handicaps 14 to 19), Ken Kornegay of Southwest Roanoke County finished 1st Place with a net score of 68.  Other Division 1 winners were: 2nd, Jim Kearney – 69; 3rd, Keith Moore – 70; 4th, Bill Oliver – 70; 5th, Ed Weindbender – 71.

Ralph Gravely of Roanoke, VA recorded a net score of 68 to finish 1st Place in Division 3 (handicaps over 19).  Other Division 3 winners were:  2nd, Steve Blades – 68; 3rd, Ed McElmurray – 68; 4th, David Ford – 72; 5th, Randall Phillips – 73.

Low Gross honor went to Ben Harris of Troutville, VA with a 76.

Submitted by Tommy Firebaugh