Sports

The Malibu’s Classic ESA surf contest sponsored by Malibu’s Surf Shop on 8th Street in Ocean City, Md., ran for it’s 14th year this past Saturday, July 12, in great waves, compliments of Hurricane Bertha, situated just below Bermuda.

The Warriors of American Legion Post 28 had an up-and-down battle this week, as they failed to clench a consistent streak. Come-from-behind wins on the part of Delaware Post 1 posed problems for the Warriors as they slipped in Saturday’s doubleheader at McKean High School.

At 16, Bethany Beach resident Christina Vosters is already defying odds and demonstrating athletic excellence. She has registered her performance in an array of contact sports at Worchester Preparatory School in Berlin, Md., and tallied undefeated seasons on the tennis team, but it’s her passion on the links that has recently helped her ascend to the top.

Beaches worldwide have coaxed new breeds of athletes and thrill-seekers, from surfers and skimmers to body- and wake-boarders. Now there’s another sensation that’s hitting the water, catching curious eyes and ambitious beachgoers. Welcome to the world of SUP (stand-up paddle) surfing.

Though their season started off shakier than expected, the American Legion Post 28 Warriors seem to have grounded themselves in a comfortable stance as the team approaches its season midpoint. Coming off back-to-back wins against the Milford Red Sox of Post 3, the 6-7 Warriors are showing stability as they improve to 4-3 in the Southern Division.

“You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with.” All his life, Mark Browne has lived by that motto, from his youthful days playing a variety of sports to his leadership as head coach of the Indian River softball program.

School may be out, but the soccer season is just gearing up for the River Soccer Club in Roxana. Tryouts will be held this weekend for a wide range of teams, for both boys and girls, ages 6 to 18, as young athletes strap on their cleats, slip on their shin guards and take to the pitch.

An accomplished baseball all-star and local high school teacher has found a comfortable fusion of instructional leadership and athletic knowledge to fuel summer camps that will undoubtedly stick with children for years to come.

HipAHA, Fenwick Island Boot Camp, is gearing up for its second season, with a June retreat fast approaching.

A slip against Dickinson brought a close to the Indian River High School’s 2008 varsity baseball season last week. But, for six of the team’s athletes, it meant the end of an era.

The 2008 Indian River High School baseball season came to a disheartening end after they fell two runs shy in the second game of the Delaware state tournament, to third-ranked Dickinson (21-1) at Wesley College on Tuesday.

ESPN has been dubbed “the worldwide leader in sports,” airing anything and everything under the sun that has to do with athletic activity. This August, they’ll be returning to none other than Sussex County for live coverage — yes, live coverage — of the Little League Senior Softball World Series championship.

It’s hard to believe that Kristine Johnson has only just wrapped up her third year as Indian River’s head cheerleading coach when recounting the accomplishments her athletes have achieved. This past year, the squad managed to capture a collection of trophies, with first- and second-place finishes including the state championship for the large varsity coed division.

The majority of the starters for Caesar Rodney’s and Sussex Tech’s golf teams were lined up as contenders for the Henlopen Conference title on Thursday, May 22, but Indian River planned to give them a run for their money, with an impressive roster of juniors, one senior and one freshman.

In an unfortunate repetition of last year’s ill-fated post-season, the Indian River’s girls’ soccer team ended their year in the state tournament’s opening round. Last year, A.I. DuPont proved too much for the girls, while this year, despite a 14-2 finish on the year, and a conference clinch, the Lady Indians couldn’t walk out victorious against Archmere Academy.

Businesses and homeowners weren’t the only ones who caught the brunt of the nor’easter early this week. High school sports were heavily affected, as Indian River softball was forced to drop their match against Newark from the schedule. Both softball and baseball saw a loaded agenda this week as the end of the season closed in upon them.

For years, the Sea Colony Tennis Club has been recognized for its excellence and superiority, including everything from lessons and programs to the immaculate courts themselves. With each year, their honors seem to climb higher, boundless with worldwide acknowledgment.

Area beach patrols are right on track for lifeguard staffing at coastal Delaware beaches this summer. Despite beach patrols in other areas citing struggles to find adequate recruits, local lifeguard captains say their seasonal employment efforts are going just fine.

As Indian River’s golf team rounds out the season, first-year head coach Paris Mitchell is pleased with the way the team has come along. Three consecutive wins last week, against Cape Henlopen, Milford and Seaford, helped bring the Indians to an 8-6 record on the links.

This year’s Spring Fishing Tournament is set Saturday, May 10, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it will be hosted for the first time by Old Inlet Bait and Tackle.

Indian River baseball refuses to let up, taking recent wins against Woodbridge and Caravel Academy. Their hot streak barely survived this past Tuesday, though, when they squeaked one by Lake Forest with a final score of 3-2. With the end of the season barreling down upon them and three conference match-ups still in their sights, there’s no room for error, as head coach Howard Smack and his squad fix their eyes on the state championship.

The season schedule may be winding down for Indian River High School’s boys’ and girls’ tennis team, but their racquets are all but retired. There will be no time for relaxing this weekend as the teams head to the Sea Colony tennis club on Friday, May 9, to square off in the Henlopen Conference tournament, beginning at 1 p.m.

Each afternoon and evening, athletes, fans and family take to the fields, courts and diamonds to indulge in a number of sporting events. Much praise is given to the players, coaches and managers, but little acknowledgement is given to the few who make it possible.

Indian River High School girls’ varsity soccer coach Steve Kilby has his team right where they need to be this year. In a month’s time, the Lady Indians have worked together, combining young, fresh talent with established, reputable experience to prove that they are very much contenders for the state title.

Indian River High School’s baseball team will be tested with upcoming back-to-back games, but judging from their driving record, it shouldn’t hinder the squad all too much.

The Indian River wrestling program has been a dominant force over the years with overpowering performances and notable state finishes, but now they have another feather in their cap, and a student athlete brimming with pride. Following his graduation this year, wrestler Michael Magaha will look to further his education and athleticism on the mat at Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C.

Seven days, five games. It’s not an easy task for any soccer club, but the Lady Indians proved triumphant, even under pressure, tallying four wins — including three shutouts — in the last week to tighten their grip on the conference.

The Delaware Wrestling Alliance took time at an awards banquet earlier this month to recognize Indian River head wrestling coach Jeff Windish, who was honored as the Division II State Coach of the year for his leadership with the program.

Sussex County has been known to produce some of the most talented athletes in the Mid-Atlantic region, and such holds true for 2007 Sussex Tech graduate Hope Cornell.

The Indian River baseball team refuses to let up, advancing to 6-0 on the season following a powering 11-1 triumph over league rivals Caesar Rodney last Friday, and a victory over Delmar the day before. The conference heavy-hitters of CR, who sat at 4-1 coming into last Friday’s game, were no match for the Indians, whose pitching and hitting quieted the visiting crowd early in the game.