Shown are some of the swimmers coming out of the water.

First Colony Swim Team sent 4 swimmers to the 2013 Open Water All-Star Challenge in Fort Myers, Florida.

The swimmers were selected from all the teams in the southeast Texas region to represent Gulf Swimming.  Chris Yeager, Peyton Quattlebaum, Shelby Fruge, and Corey Duke swam the 3rd Annual Fran Crippen Mile on Saturday.

FCST was well represented as Chris finished 2nd for 13-14 boys and Peyton finished 1st for 13-14 girls.  The swimmers also competed on Sunday in the 5K challenge. Chris and Peyton both took 2nd place for the 13-14′s, while Corey and Shelby represented the 15-18 age group taking home 6th and 12th place.

Pictured from left to right are: (Back Row) Coach Harlan Vossos, Josh Werner, Andre Davis, Zach Zost, Cameron Henry, Coach Ryan Karnowski, Jackson Cormier, Cole Karnowski and Jaydn Whitsitt. (Front Row) Coach Tom Pepe, Nic Pepe, Conner Sauer, Justin Vossos, Peyton Vossos, Kade Baron and Coach Karl Baron. Not pictured are Coach Trace Werner and Coach Willie Davis.

The boys from Spikes baseball continue to roll with an impressive tournament win at the Texas Prospects Classic in Tomball, Texas.

After a 1-1 pool record, the boys came out on Sunday and beat the Banditos White 14-4, Pro-way Colt 45′s 11-3 and avenged their Saturday loss in huge fashion by beating the Texas Royals from Humble 25-7.

This was a complete team effort and the team would like to thank their sponsors again(Gee Eye Care, JP Morgan, Boyar Miller, Title Club Boxing, Parks and Associates, PC, Markham Development LLC, Savelovegive.com and Dr. Schaffer) for all the support. They also welcome the newly added Texas Direct Auto to the Spikes family.

In game one of the first double-header, of the young season, the Skeeters needed to come from behind again. The Skeeters fell behind 4-0 in the third after six consecutive Barnstormers reached base, five by single. Then the Barnstormers added another run off an Olmo Rosario triple in the fourth to make it 5-0. The Skeeters began to mount their comeback in the fifth, when Pressley and Clemens walked, then were driven in by a Bates double;  Bates was driven in on a Michael Rockett double.  Then in the seventh following back-to-back singles by Rockett and Anthony Granato, Dominic Ramos drove home Rockett on a fielder’s choice, and then Godwin singled home Granato to tie the game at five.  The game would then go to extras, where in the top of the tenth, Adam Godwin reached base on a double. He advanced to third on a wild pitch by Jason Urquidez. He then scored and ended the game on Urquidez’s second wild pitch of the inning.

In the second game of today’s double dipper, the Skeeters jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, on a Steve Moss sacrifice fly. That would be all Elarton would need as he cruised through six innings of four-hit baseball, allowing no runs and striking out one. The Skeeters would add to their lead in the sixth off a Josh Pressley homerun to left-center field. Clemens would follow with a double, he was driven home by Michael Rockett to make it 3-0.  Then in the eighth, Moss was able to extend his hitting streak to eight games with an infield single, and later, along with Dustin Martin, came around to score on Michael Rockett’s second hit of the ball game to make it 5-0, which would be our final. The bullpen was once again perfect this afternoon, pitching three scoreless innings.

Up Next

The Skeeters have Thursday off, but return to action for the last three games of the series against the Lancaster Barnstormers.  Friday is a 7:05pm start. After the game Dr. Larry Caldwell presents kids run the bases.  The pitching matchup will feature Skeeters LHP Bobby Livingston (0-1, 12.15 ERA) vs.  LHP Lenny DiNardo (1-1, 2.45) for the Barnstormers.

Skeeters Notes:

Game 1

• Adam Godwin: 2-5, 2B, SB, Scored winning run
• Josh Pressley: 2-3, 2 singles, BB
• Michael Rockett- 2-4, 2RBI, 2B
• Skeeters Bullpen: 4IP, 0ER

Game 2

• Scott Elarton:6 IP, 0ER, 4H,K
• Josh Pressley: 2-3,HR, RBI, BB
• Aaron Bates: 2-4, 2B
• Skeeters Bullpen: 3IP, 3H, 0ER. Bullpen ERA 1.14
• Dominic Ramos: 2-5, HR, 4 RBI, 2R

Clements Cadets enjoy the warm fire at the camp out.

Despite very chilly nights and windy days the first weekend in March marked the 5th annual Orienteering weekend campout for the Clements High School NJROTC Unit.  Ninety cadets participated in the event at Stephen F. Austin State Park in San Felipe, TX.

The weekend started off with the cadets pitching 27 tents and a dining-fly.  After dinner, the fire-watch was set and the remaining cadets zipped-up in sleeping-bags for a 38 degree night.  Early Saturday morning, the cadets were awakened by Cadet Domingo Alvarado-Castillo and his trumpet, as he played the traditional reveille.

Following breakfast, the cadets set off on an orienteering course, designed by Cadet Robert Bear.  The teams of cadets, with compass and map in hand, had to locate 13 points.

The course was timed and competitive. First place team: Cadets Devlyn Russell and Dakota Homewood, 2nd place team: Cadets Kiana Farokhpour, Katia Sanchez and Valerie Cazares, and 3rd place team: Cadets Christopher Pierson, Samin Fardin and Jonathan Mansaram.

After completion of the orienteering event, the cadets participated in leadership and team-building exercises. Cadets Dakota Homewood and Ian Dunning performed a traditional United States Flag Retiring Ceremony.

To finalize the evening, the cadets, by platoon, put on a talent show, which included humorous skits, favorite songs, and funny jokes.  Early Sunday morning, the cadets rolled-up their tents, ate breakfast, did a traditional cadence-march by platoon through the park, and then boarded the buses to return to Clements.

It is a well-known fact that many parents have to find something for their children to do during the summer. They would prefer to find something better for their child than just a babysitter or day care. It is also a fact that children who have too much free time tend to find things to do that can lead them down a negative path. In addition many children tend to lose focus and adopt negative exercise and eating habits during the summer.
KICKSTART KIDS has 20 years of well documented studies that show that our students have higher grades, better attendance, and fewer discipline issues than non-KickStart Students in the same schools. However, we are limited to the number of students that can be in the program during the school year due to class size, student grade level, and program locations. Since our entire foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of young people we decided to create a summer camp that would allow a larger group of children to have the opportunity to benefit from our foundation.
Campers will enjoy full days of fun activities, martial arts training, exercise, games, and character building. In addition to the regular scheduled daily activities there will be special events, movies, field days, and seminars from world champion martial artist. All of our camp instructors are full-time professional martial arts teachers from one of our KickStart Kids campuses, and all camp counselors are certified KickStart Kids black belts. Everyone working with our students has undergone a federal background check and rigorous “in class” training.
They will improve their physical, mental, and emotional health – all while having a lot of fun.  They will participate in activities that have been specifically designed for them to learn things about themselves and be challenged to give their best in every part of their lives. These activities and lessons will encourage them to develop their own healthy eating habits, daily workouts, dedication to studying, work ethic, self-discipline, compassion for others, and sense of personal responsibility. All the while they will be learning how to be leaders and examples to others as they enjoy team building activities that teach teamwork, sacrifice, dedication, and confidence. They will develop friendships with others who will be a positive influence on their lives. All of this will be done with the most exciting and fun activities that many of our campers will have done in their lives.

No martial arts experience. For more information 713-868-6003 or email powens@kickstartkids.org.

All Sugar Land and Missouri City-area families are encouraged to attend Make a Splash Water Safety Day on Saturday, April 27 from 1:00-5:00 PM at The Settler’s Park Pool at 3010 Settler’s Way Blvd, Sugar Land.

The event will feature water safety stations including: diving safety, slide safety, mini-swim lessons and water rescue techniques. The Fort Bend County Police and Fire Departments will also be in attendance with car safety, fire safety and other children’s safety information.

Plus, families will be able to get information about free and reduced price swim lessons. First Colony Swim team will offer these lessons, on a limited basis, to families who participate in the free and reduced lunch program at the public schools.

For information or to register please visit our website at: www.firstcolonyswimming.com.

Make a Splash is the national child-focused water safety initiative of the USA Swimming Foundation. The initiative aligns the nation’s top learn to swim resources in an effort to save lives, and to date, 1.1M children have taken lessons through the initiative.

For more, visit www.makeasplash.org.

The Skeeters are now 2-0 after their 4-1 win on Friday night. The Skeeters fell behind early on Friday after Josh Barfield led off the game with a double, advanced on a passed ball and then scored on a sac fly to right field. That is all the Ducks would get though.

In the bottom of the first, Josh Pressley hit a three-run homerun to deep right field, putting the Skeeters on top for good. In the third inning, Chase Lambin hit a home run to right field. Starter Jason Lane went 5.0 innings and only gave up one unearned run.

Gary Gaetti used five pitchers Friday to navigate his way through the game.

The bullpen for the Ducks also stepped up. They pitched 3.0 scoreless innings, scattering four hits, a walk, and a hit batter.

Friday night’s attendance was 5,076.

Saturday night -  Skeeters win again

Faith & Family Night, was sponsored by Christ United Methodist Sugar Land with the post game Farmers Fireworks Series, presented by Farmers Insurance.

The Skeeters walked off in the 11th inning for a 5-4 win on Saturday night. Both starting pitchers were out of the game early, and this one would be a battle of the bullpens. Scott Elarton pitched 1.1 innings and allowing four runs. Matt Way went 2+ innings and allowed three runs, and issued six walks.

The bullpen for the Skeeters again answered the call giving the team 9.2 innings of scoreless baseball.

The Ducks bullpen allowed two unearned runs in the midst of an 8.1 inning stretch.

The Skeeters crept back in this game in the bottom of the second inning thanks to four wild pitches and four walks in that inning, as they scored three time to cut it to 4-3. The Skeeters tied it in the fifth, thanks to a throwing error by Ducks third baseman Bryant Nelson. Then, in the bottom of the 11th with two men aboard, Aaron Bates hit a ball up the middle that went through the legs of second baseman Josh Barfield, allowing Dustin Martin to score the winning run from second.

Sunday afternoon – No perfecto means 4-0 for Skeeters

On Sunday afternoon the Skeeters won 2-1, but nearly had a perfect game thrown against them. Ducks pitching retired the first 22 batters of the ballgame and it looked like it might be a long day against Long Island.  Ralph Henriquez broke the scoreless pitching duel in the seventh when he hit a solo homerun with two outs that game the Ducks a 1-0 lead.

For the second night in a row the Skeeters would come from behind for the win.  In the eighth, Dustin Martin singled to break up the string of 22 in a row retired batters to begin the game. He was followed by a two-run homer by Koby Clemens, which turned out to be the final.  Skeeters sweep the four game series and begin the 2013 season with a record of 4-0.

The Skeeters are off for a six-game road trip.The first of three games will be against the Somerset Patriots.

Pictured left to right are Griffin Clark, Jourdin Smith and Matthew Farmer flashing their tickets for the April 21, Skeeters game.
Photo by Brenda Perry

The Sugar Land Skeeters will take on the Long Island Ducks during opening weekend on April 21. The goal is to take home a win and help Hope for Three Strike Out Autism. The two organizations, along with Judge Bob Hebert and the Mayors of Fort Bend County are set to host the event with the first pitch at 1:35 p.m.

Tickets are now on sale for $12 each. Half of each ticket purchase will benefit Hope for Three and the autism families of this community by using promo code H43 when you log onto www.sugarlandskeeters.com/tickets/fundraising/ or call 281-207-9121. Fans and supporters can also use the H43 code at the ticket box office.

During the season opener, Judge Bob Hebert will recognize April as Autism Awareness Month with the reading of a Proclamation in the presence of all the City Mayors. Other highlights of game day include a silent auction with the opportunity to bid on a custom made, Skeeters game day jersey. Winners will be announced, post game and take to the field to receive their winning autographed jersey. Fans and supporters can also purchase the Official Strike Out Autism t-shirt at the Skeeters Store.

There is a special treat for families living with autism that will also take place on game day. Hope for Three will host families to an exciting day of exclusive events, including a meet and greet with Skeeters players, a parade, play catch on the field and food and fun.

For more information on Strike Out Autism, Hope for Three, the early signs of autism, Family Resource Assistance and the many ways you can help be the difference, call 1-800-317-0787 or http://hopeforthree.org.