Let me say Happy New Year to each of you, as this is my first column since late December.

As always, the time off was nice, especially considering the holidays, but it's a new year, with new vacation days and time to get back to work.

During my time off, I try to keep up with the goings-on, especially among the sports I routinely cover in this season. That's girls basketball and wrestling.

I see that in wrestling, John Carroll had two grapplers reach the 100-win milestone during the Patriots' dual meet with Bel Air. George Weber and Scott Strappelli, both juniors, were the two Patriots to accomplish the feat. Congrats to both young men.

My daughter, Kelsey, doesn't play a winter sport, but like many who are to graduate in a short five-plus months, her college choice has been decided. I'm happy and pleased to know that Kelsey was accepted and committed to attend Slippery Rock University in Northwest Pennsylvania.

It's a little way out there, but a nice school and place to spend four years. So I've been told. Kelsey's acceptance came as an early Christmas present. Congrats to her as well.

I know there are many others out there who have recently made their choices and some who are still mulling it over. Congrats to all of you who have completed or are still in the progress.

Another few people I need to congratulate are the winners of the fantasy football leagues I participate in.

First, our league that represents current employees, some former employees, a husband and a son, The Aegis Gridiron 2011 league.

When Sunday night's Cowboys-Giants game was over, Kristen Melamed (Shootin' the Brees) had claimed our league's top spot with a narrow win over Allan Vought (Purple Wildcats IV). Vought tells me that's six straight wins for Melamed over Vought in two years.

Interestingly enough, Dewey Fox (Perryville's Finest) and I (Steelernation) had the honor of finishing ninth and 10th, respectively. Ouch.

In another league just for fun, with many people who I do not know, friend Bob Lomonico (Multiple Scorgasms) took top honors. He's also the commissioner, so go figure.

In that league, I had my best season, but it wasn't much to celebrate. My team (Ravens SUCK!) reeled off six straight wins to win a division, but a pair of losses in the playoffs left me sixth out of 12.

I did, however, finish ahead of Tori Lomonico (Nose Means No), so the season was not a total loss.

In my longest tenured league, Fightin' 55, my team (Got 6 going for 7) was awful. My three-year run of top three finished ended with a ninth place standing. Just plain ugly.

Nephew Scott Hurst (H de G 12th man) took the top spot with a bit of a runaway. This is the only league of the three that we play total points and not head-to-head.

Congrats to all three league winners.

I vow to be back in the thick of things next season. Wait and see.