I am predicting that when we evaluate the Baltimore Ravens' 2014 draft after this season, the name with the most upside will be none other than former River Hill star Mike Campanaro. If used properly, Campanaro could become a big time receiver like Wes Welker and Julian Edelman. He has the moves and he hangs onto the ball. He has always been considered to be too small, but at Wake Forest, he set the school's all-time receiving record with 229 catches and would have added to that number if not for a late season injury.
Mike Campanaro is big enough at 5'9" and 190 pounds, and he might just turn out to be the best seventh round pick in Ravens' history. Here's hoping.
HCC puts on fine banquet
Congratulations to Howard Community College for the wonderful Dragons Athletic Banquet held at the Sheraton Columbia Hotel last week. A special salute goes to Mike Scrivener and Katie Turner of the school's public relations department for the unique unveiling of the school's new logo. When each winner of an individual award was called to receive their plaque, a square behind the podium was removed by that athlete to reveal a new section of the logo. It was a great way to introduce everyone to the new Duncan the Dragon who has a fiercer look than the old guy, who was showing his age after 14 years as the face of HCC athletics.
Dr. Cindy Peterka, Vice President of Student Services, presented the Athletes of the Year awards to Lisa Bianchini and Gary Smolyak.
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HCC sports have improved dramatically over the past two decades thanks in great measure to athletic director Diane Schumacher, a strong coaching staff, and support from the administration. The future looks bright at HCC and the campus itself looks absolutely wonderful.
ACC lax honors locals
In viewing the 2014 Atlantic Coast Conference women's lacrosse individual honors, two names jump off the page as Howard County residents at the University of Maryland. Cathy Reese has led the women Terrapins to a 21-1 overall record so far in 2014 and she earned her seventh ACC Coach of the Year honors, a new conference record. As a player at Maryland, her teams did not lose a single game in two seasons. She was a two time All-American and, as a senior, she was the NCAA Tournament's Most Valuable Player. As an assistant coach at Maryland, her teams went an astounding 65-1 and she then went to the University of Denver and brought its lacrosse program into national prominence. She returned to Maryland as head coach in 2007.
Zoe Stukenberg was named co-Freshman of the Year along with North Carolina's Sydney Holman. She was Howard County's Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012, leading Marriotts Ridge to two state championships. In 2013, she was named Baltimore Sun Player of the Year, and was selected to the US Lacrosse All-American team. She started every game but one as a freshman this spring and scored 28 goals, scoring four times in her first game against UMBC.
Bobinski will be missed
Special Olympics lost a dear and devoted member of its family with the passing of Joe Bobinski to prostate cancer on May 8. A resident of Scaggsville, Joe was born in Connecticut, received his Bachelor's degree from Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts and a Master's degree from Penn State. He retired from the National Security Agency in 2013 after 30 years of service. He was a community activist who served on several boards and committees including the school board and parish council of St. Mary of the Mills and served for 12 years as an athletic coordinator, coach and unified partner with his son, Joey.
We lost a talented and caring man in Joe Bobinski. Those of us who knew him were fortunate to have had him in our lives.