THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 2, 1996 TAG: 9605010117
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: Jami Frankenberry
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
James Temple's four years of hard work in the classroom and in athletics at Lakeland High was rewarded last week when the senior was named Group AA Male Athlete of the Year by the Virginia High School League. Temple is the first Suffolk student to win the award, which is in its fifth year and given to nine student-athletes in the state who excel in the classroom and in athletics.
``I didn't really expect it, so it was shocking,'' said Temple, who receives a $1,000 scholarship with the award. ``You have to excel in both (academics and athletics) so I was pretty pleased. A lot of people don't think it's possible to do both, so maybe it will help set an example for other people.''
Temple, who has a grade point average of 4.22 and will attend the University of Virginia in the fall, was a first team All-Bay Rivers District and Region I selection in football and placed sixth at the wrestling state championships at 215 this year.
Temple's activities at Lakeland include Beta Club, Spanish Club and Interact Club. He is also an aide in the guidance department, an SCA representative, a math tutor, a member of the concert band and involved in the school Crime Line.
``No question he put in the effort and time for an award like this,'' said Lakeland athletic director and football coach Edward Smither. ``This is a real fine tribute to a real fine young man.''
GETTING HER KICKS: Laura Askew, 11, a student at Windsor Elementary School, recently won three events - Weapons, Kata and Kumite - at the 1996 A.A.U Virginia State Karate Championships.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER: The Nansemond River softball team's seven-game winning streak was halted Thursday by Poquoson's Leslie Inge, who struck out 11 and allowed one hit for a 2-0 Islanders victory.
The Warriors (10-4 overall, 6-2 Bay Rivers) were scheduled to play York on Tuesday for second place in the district. Poquoson is undefeated.
GAME(S) OF THE WEEK: In baseball, Windsor hosts New Kent today at 4 p.m. for first place in the Tri-Rivers District.
``It's a big one,'' said Dukes coach Tex Murray, whose team beat New Kent earlier this season. ``We've got to get good pitching because they're a real good hitting team.''
Windsor (9-1 overall, 3-1 district) has won four straight games and has lost only to Surry County. Jerome Ricks leads the Dukes with a .376 average and four home runs. The senior shortstop hit three homers, including a grand slam, in one game last week against Sussex Central. Parker Ramsey is batting
In another game that could decide first place, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy hosts Greenbrier Christian Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in a Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools matchup. The Saints (8-5 before Tuesday's game with Walsingham) are ranked No. 6 in the latest Virginia Independent Schools Division II poll, while the Gators (16-3) are tied for second in Division I.
SUFFOLK INVITATIONAL: Local track teams will have a final chance to tune up before postseason begins in the Suffolk Invitational at Lakeland Saturday starting at 7:30 a.m.
Lakeland, Nansemond River, Poquoson and Smithfield are included in the Group A/AA division, while Deep Creek, Great Bridge, Western Branch and Granby are among the Group AAA participants. ILLUSTRATION: Lakeland's James Temple
by CNB