The honors keep rolling in for Atlee’s Ben DeJarnette. DeJarnette was cross country runner of the year in the fall and indoor track athlete of the year. Between those accolades, he was selected the boys Times-Dispatch/Sports Backers Scholar-Athlete of the year.

Long jump : 1. Quinton Fulgham, Thomas Dale, 23-¼; 2. Demondre Woodson, Petersburg, 22-11¼; 3. Michael Brooks-Richardson, Henrico, 22-9½; 4. Marquis Bagby, Petersburg, 22-7; 5. Domico Phillips, Meadowbrook, 22-4½; 6. Caleb Wyatt, Lee-Davis, 22-4¼; 7. Ben Katz, St. Christopher’s, 22-½; 8. Joshua Edwards, Matoaca, 22-½.

Kristin Carpenter, volleyball standout at Hanover High, and Ben DeJarnette, cross country and track star for Atlee, win top Times-Dispatch/Sports Backers honors and $7,500 scholarships.

Kristin Carpenter of Hanover High School and Ben DeJarnette of Atlee High School are the 2009 Times-Dispatch/Sports Backers Scholar-Athletes of the Year. They were chosen from 10 girls and 10 boys finalists and will receive $7,500 scholarships. Carpenter was a volleyball standout. DeJarnette starred in cross country and distance races in indoor and outdoor track.

Scholar-athlete award finalists (in alphabetical order) BOYS
Matthew Armentrout, Deep Run Nick Austin, James River Will Bates, Thomas Dale Ben DeJarnette, Atlee Stuart Ferguson, Collegiate Jackson Freeman, St. Christopher’s Michael Green, Thomas Dale Chris Smith, Clover Hill Alec Ward, Douglas Freeman Christopher Wheeler, Highland Springs GIRLS
Kristin Carpenter, Hanover Emma DeJarnette, Atlee Michelle Foley, Mills Godwin Paige Johnston, Midlothian Jenna Moye, Cosby Madison Parrish, Thomas Dale Susannah Piersol, Maggie Walker GS Julie Robertson, Thomas Dale Carter Stephens, Collegiate Jenna Taylor, James River

Choosing the 10 girls and 10 boys finalists for The Richmond Times-Dispatch /Sports Backers Scholar-Athlete of the Year award taxes the selection committee every year. This year was even more difficult considering the number of students who ranked No. 1 or No. 2 or in the top 10 in their class and the number of athletes sporting national and state caliber credentials.

Atlee runner who will attend Oregon posted the best times in the 1,600 (4:14.16) and the 3,200 (9:12.83) this indoor season.

Benedictine didn’t have to look far for its new football coach. Greg Lilly, the school’s director of admissions and a member of Dan Rolfe’s coaching staff, has been named to fill the vacancy left by Rolfe’s resignation. Rolfe is leaving to coach at Fort Defiance in Augusta County. “I am confident that his enthusiasm and hard work will be a positive experience for the Cadets who will play for him in the future,“ Benedictine Principal John McGinty said. “He has done an excellent job as an assistant coach while serving first as a social studies teacher and as director of admissions for the past three years.“