sports | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published July 14, 2021 at 5:00AM

Hanging out at Waterfront Park in Old Town in July. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Carlyle Community Survey is open until July 15 — “Do you live, work or occupy a building in Carlyle? Then make sure to take the 2021 Carlyle Commuter survey! Your feedback helps improve our Transportation Management Program, and how we as a community get to and from Carlyle. Survey closes on 7/15. ” [Twitter]

Old Town blood drive on July 26 — “On July 26, Inova Blood Donor Services will be hosting an Old Town Blood Drive at Market Square, 301 King St. As a thank you, donors will receive an exclusive Olympic themed t-shirt. The need for blood is constant and blood banks are anticipating an increase in the need for blood due to the resumption of elective surgeries.” [City of Alexandria]

News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 2, 2021 at 3:35PM

It was a quick week in Alexandria. Here’s the rundown.

With summer in full swing, three Alexandria athletes have made it on the U.S. Olympic Team — sprinter Noah Lyles, high-jumper Tynita Butts-Townsend and boxer Troy Isley.

News

Alexandria high-jumper Tynita Butts-Townsend qualifies for U.S. Olympic Team

By James Cullum

Published July 2, 2021 at 11:00AM

Alexandria high jumper Tynita Butts-Townsend has qualified for the U.S. Olympics.

Butts-Townsend, 31, joins Alexandria runner Noah Lyles and boxer Troy Isley on the team. The seven-time All-American has been ranked as ranked one of the top high-jumpers in the world, and had her best year competing in 2019 when she made it on Team USA for the World Games.

News

Alexandria’s Sportrock Climbing Center is packed with business after Biden visit

By James Cullum

Published June 30, 2021 at 4:45PM | Updated June 30, 2021 at 5:06PM

(L-R) Climbers Charlie Osborne, Abigail Humber and Tessa Huang at SportRock Climbing Center at 5308 Eisenhower Avenue. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Sportrock Climbing Center has been pretty packed since President Joe Biden visited with the First Lady and Governor Ralph Northam last month.

Sportrock staff claim that it’s the first time any president has ever visited a climbing gym, and that it has shined a spotlight on their 35,000 square-foot operation. On a recent weekday evening, every parking spot was taken outside their location at 5308 Eisenhower Avenue. Inside the massive gym, masked and unmasked climbers hung out, lifted weights, belayed, and worked their ways to the top of the tallest climbing walls in the Mid-Atlantic.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published June 30, 2021 at 5:00AM

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria turns 75 — “Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson and several City Council members were among the attendees milling about, chatting with friends, reviewing the dozens of items up for auction, and touring the facility as well as the AWLA’s new surgical and event vehicle, Waggin’ Wheels.” [Zebra]

Former Steak & Ale building demolished — “Long-time residents of Alexandria may remember the old Steak and Ale restaurant at the intersection of Kenmore Avenue and Seminary Road. The 6,800 square foot Tudor-style building has been abandoned for more than a decade, since the restaurant chain declared bankruptcy.” [Alexandria Living]

News

Alexandria’s Noah Lyles wins 200 meters, fulfills dream to compete in the Olympics

By James Cullum

Published June 29, 2021 at 9:30AM

Alexandria’s Noah Lyles is officially on the U.S. Olympic Team after winning the 200 meter race in the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, on Sunday night.

Lyles ran the race in 19.74 seconds – the fastest time clocked this year in the world — speeding to Tokyo as the second Alexandrian to join the team behind boxer Troy Isley.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published June 28, 2021 at 5:00AM

Alexandria boxer Troy Isley to compete in Olympics — “Troy Isley, 22, is a middleweight boxer from Alexandria, a T.C. Williams High School alumnus and part of the Alexandria Boxing Club. He secured his spot on the Olympic team on June 7, USA Boxing confirmed.” [Patch]

Alexandria Police helped chase down suspect Friday — “Alert:: APD assisted PG County Police and Fairfax County Police with chasing down a suspect. The chase originated in PG County and came through our city via Fairfax County. No injuries to report. The suspect was taken into custody.” [Twitter]

News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published June 25, 2021 at 3:30PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

What was an intense week in Alexandria. Here is the rundown.

History was made, as the new marquees at Alexandria City High School and Naomi L. Brooks Elementary Schools were unveiled this week, and the name changes to T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School will go into effect July 1. It’s a victory for civil rights, as the namesakes of both old schools had backgrounds steeped in racism. Maury was a Confederate leader and Williams was an ACPS superintendent who worked intently against racial integration.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published June 25, 2021 at 5:00AM

Council defers on School Resource Officer funding reallocation — “On Tuesday, Alexandria City Council deferred a decision on releasing funding for school resource officers for other positions at Alexandria City Public Schools. The decision is scheduled for a July 6 public hearing.” [Patch]

Levine agrees to pay for primary mailer on House letterhead — “Levine, who lost both his primary contests, said in an interview he saw the mailing as an “informational letter” explaining the unique circumstances of why he was appearing on the ballot twice. He said he still doesn’t think it clearly qualified as campaign advertising, but agreed to reimburse the clerk’s office to clear up the matter after others complained.” [Virginia Mercury]

News

T.C. Williams High School track stars win big at state championships

By James Cullum

Published June 21, 2021 at 1:00PM

For the second year in a row, T.C. Williams track and field stars Wisdom Williams has taken home the state championship in the shot put.

The Virginia High School League’s State Championships were held at Todd Stadium in Hampton, Virginia, on Saturday.

News

Local construction worker gets a second chance at professional baseball

By Vernon Miles

Published June 17, 2021 at 11:00AM | Updated June 17, 2021 at 11:48AM

Jake Marshall, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs player, courtesy photo

Last year, Jake Marshall thought his baseball career was over. The pandemic shut down the league he played with in California and he returned to Alexandria to set up a home construction business. But a chance connection has given him a second shot at that dream.

The 27-year-old Marshall lives in Arlington and runs his construction company out of ALX Community in Old Town, and recently signed to play with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs — a professional baseball team based out of Waldorf, Maryland. Marshall joined the team as second-string catcher, though he’s also been designated hitter more frequently than he expected.