Three Bulldogs Sign Letters-of-Intent To Play On
Taylor Lambke, flanked by his family and head coach Sam Plank, signed his Letter-of-Intent to play baseball at George Washington University. Lambke will pitch for the Colonials in the 2011 season...
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Holly Kramer, a three-sport standout for the Bulldogs, will continue playing lacrosse in college at DI William and Mary. The Tribe womens' lacrosse team is currently ranked 17th in the nation...
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Derek Maltz, a high recruited lacrosse player, will play for the Syracuse Orange in the spring of 2011. His father also played his lacrosse career there...
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JOSH RESTIVO / GAMEDAYMAGAZINE COLUMNIST ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS STORY
ASHBURN, VA - Tuesday afternoon marked the addition of three new Stone Bridge Bulldogs who will move on to play at the collegiate level for their respective sports, adding to the already lengthy list the school has produced. Taylor Lambke, a football and baseball star for the school, signed his letter of intent to continue his baseball career at George Washington University. Holly Kramer, a cheerleader, gymnast, and lacrosse player, committed to the William and Mary Tribe girls' lacrosse program. And Derek Maltz, a highly touted lacrosse player in the area, committed to the Syracuse Orange, one of the biggest powerhouses for lacrosse in the country.
Taylor Lambke - Baseball - GW
Lambke, a senior for the Bulldogs, excels as both a member of the football and baseball teams. Lambke decided to further his career in baseball by signing with the George Washington Colonials as a pitcher. Mount St. Mary's, UMBC, Johns Hopkins, and Georgetown were the other schools involved in the baseball recruiting process for Lambke.
"I loved the strong academics at [George Washington], but the coaching staff was the major deciding factor for me," Lambke said. "I knew immediately that I wanted to play there after spending time with the coaches."
It has been a long road for Lambke throughout the course of his high school career. Lambke spent his freshman year as a Loudoun County Raider before transferring to Notre Dame Academy his sophomore year. After that, he found a home at Stone Bridge last year, and he will finish off his high school career with the Bulldogs this spring. Not only did Lambke's transfer to the Bulldogs help establish consistency in his life, but it has also benefited him athletically.
"Lambke has gotten a lot bigger and stronger since coming to Stone Bridge," head baseball coach Sam Plank said. "He plays with great passion and is a great overall athlete."
Holly Kramer - Girls' Lacrosse - W&M
Kramer has been a staple of the Bulldogs' athletic program for years. A three-sport athlete, Kramer is a member of the fall competition cheerleading squad, which has won four of the last six state titles. She is a member of the gymnastics team in the winter, which has also been very successful as of late. Then in the spring, she participates on the lacrosse team, which is her forte. She took the next step in her athletic career by signing with the William and Mary girls' lacrosse program.
"I have really achieved my goal," Kramer said. "To go to William and Mary has always been my dream and my number one choice, and I'm so happy."
Kramer's athletic career, similar to Lambke, also did not begin at Stone Bridge. She spent her freshman year as a Loudoun Valley Viking prior to moving into the Stone Bridge zoning area. After transferring, she immediately began making her impact. As a cheerleader in the fall, she won the 2008 state title. This past season, she was named to the All-Liberty District and All-Northern Region teams for cheerleading as well. She has lettered in gymnastics since her freshman year. As a defensive wing for the girls' lacrosse program, she has been a varsity starter since her sophomore year. She was named a first team All-District member in 2008 as well as second team All-Region. The Bulldogs also won the Liberty District championship in 2008 and appeared in the Northern Region tournament in 2009 largely due to her efforts on the defensive end.
"She is, quick, aggressive, and one of the most positive leaders I have ever coached," girls' lacrosse head coach Kristin Howard said.
Kramer will move on to play for one of the top teams in Division I for girls' lacrosse. The Tribe are currently ranked 17th in the nation, and are expected to improve even further as the season starts.
Derek Maltz - Boys' Lacrosse - Syracuse
Maltz has been one of the most highly anticipated lacrosse recruits to ever come out of the Northern Region. A standout player on the Bulldogs' varsity squad since his freshman season, Maltz has clearly shown that he is ready to take his game to the next level at Syracuse University, which is also his father's alma mater.
"This is just absolutely incredible," said Maltz. "I just hope to be able to contribute in any way the coaches there need me to."
The Orange are certainly excited to have Maltz, who boasts numerous accolades. He has been a captain for the Bulldogs since his freshman season. Last year, he was named first team All-District and All-Region. And U.S. Lacrosse named him a 2009 Academic All-American.
"He is just so dedicated to lacrosse. He shows so much heart and is a great leader," Bulldogs' boys' lacrosse head coach Scott Mitchell said.
Maltz not only hopes to excel on the field, but in the classroom as well. A sports enthusiast, he plans to major in broadcast journalism at Syracuse.
Maltz's younger brother, Dylan Maltz, a freshman for the Bulldogs, also comes into the program with high expectations. He also hopes to play for the Orange in the future, as he is commonly seen decked out in Syracuse gear in school.
Overall, the Bulldogs have been one of the most successful programs in the area at producing collegiate athletes. Their shining moment was most definitely last year, when they had 11 athletes from the football squad sign with Division I programs. More importantly though, college signings help set the stage for potential recruits for the future.
"It sets an example for the younger kids," Bulldogs' athletic director Dave Hembach said. "It shows them that if they work hard enough, they can make it."
