Local briefs

From staff reports
Published: March 20, 2008

Virginia sophomore and Forest Park ‘06 grad Monica Wright was named a finalist for the 2008 State Farm Coaches’ All-American Basketball Team the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced Wednesday.

Wright, who averaged 24 points a game this year for the Cavaliers, is one of 52 candidates for the honor. She was also named to the Region 2 All-American Team.

An all-Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament player, Wright helped lead Virginia (23-9) to the women’s NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 seed.

Virginia is set to face No. 13 UC Santa Barbara Sunday at approximately 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

Banford leads Novaks gymnasts

Faith Banford captured three gold medals on Saturday at the March Madness gymnastics meet in Chantilly. The 10-year-old Novaks gymnast won the Level 5 all-around title with a score of 36.55 in the 10-year-old division and was an individual champion on vault (9.15) and floor exercise (9.3). She also placed second on the uneven bars.

Teammate Amberlyn Cottman claimed a pair of gold medals — winning the 11-year-old all-around championship with a score of 34.875 and the floor exercise (9.125).

Amanda Croxton was also an all-around champion, taking the Level 4 prize with a score of 36.8, and she also placed first on the uneven bars (9.4).

Other medal winners included Georgia Applegate, Melanie Masten, Anna Hilton and Vanessa Vargas.