COLLEGE FOOTBALL
William & Mary has been ranked fourth in the Stats Perform Preseason Top 25, announced Monday.
It is the second top-five and third top-10 preseason ranking for the Tribe this year. Athlon Sports ranked them fourth earlier this summer and HERO Sports ranked them seventh.
W&M is one of five CAA teams in the Stats Perform Top 25. New Hampshire (11th), Richmond (18th), Rhode Island (21st) and Delaware (22nd) are the others.
- Virginia Tech seniors Ali Jennings and Jaylin Lane have been named to the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which honors college football’s top receiver.
- Former William & Mary tight end Lachlan Pitts has signed with the Chicago Bears, according to reports.
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
McDermott repeats as IL’s top pitcher
Norfolk Tides right-hander Chayce McDermott has been named the International League’s Pitcher of the Week for the second straight week.
McDermott, an Anderson, Indiana, native who went to Ball State, tossed six scoreless innings and allowed one hit and two walks while striking out seven in a victory over Charlotte last Wednesday.
In his previous start against Nashville on July 27, he pitched five scoreless innings and allowed two hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.
Since being promoted from Double-A Bowie, McDermott is 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA with the Tides.
COLLEGE TRACK AND FIELD
Hampton’s Davis to compete in Worlds
Hampton’s Jalani Davis is going Hungary next week for the World Track & Field Championships.The Bethel grad finished third in the shot put at the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships, but did not hit the qualifying mark of 61′ 8¼.
She had several weeks to try to reach the qualifying mark, but didn’t.
A decision was supposed to have been made at the end of last month to determine if she would still go. She got her answer last week.
“I got an email saying, ‘Congratulations, you made the team.’ That was basically it,” she said.
She will represent Team USA at the World Championships, which begin Aug. 19.
HIGH SCHOOLS
HOF seeks scholarship nominees
The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations for its 2023 Student-Athlete Achievement Awards scholarships.
The Hall of Fame is looking for high school senior student-athletes in Virginia that excel academically and engage in their communities.
Student-athletes may nominate themselves or be nominated by a family member, coach, administrator or mentor. Individuals completing the nomination will be asked to include details and references that support the student’s achievements in each of the areas of focus: academic, civic and athletic.
The nominating period runs through Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.VaSportsHOF.com.
Briefly
- The Old Dominion women’s soccer team has been picked to finish third in the Sun Belt preseason poll. Monarchs midfielder Ece Turkoglu made the all-conference team. James Madison and South Alabama tied for first in the poll. JMU goalkeeper Alexandra Blom has been named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.
- Virginia Tech incoming freshman Emily Mathews won the 25th Carolinas Women’s Match Play Championship on Saturday at Cedarwood Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, by defeating Layla Meric of Wesley Chapel, North Carolina, 3 and 2.
