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West Springfield is ‘Spartan’ strong after grad’s Olympic win

By Ralph Fox
WTOP Reporter

WASHINGTON — The West Springfield Spartans were Spartan strong Saturday after news that graduate Ginny Thrasher, 19, was the first to win a gold medal for Team USA, pulling off an upset in the women’s 10-meter air rifle event Saturday morning.

While many are no doubt celebrating the win, her neighbors took time out to remember the girl who baby-sat their grandchildren.

“She turned those air rifle talents into a scholarship at West Virginia University,” neighbor Harry Watkins said.

Watkins, who lives a few doors down from the Thrashers, said he believes the fame of winning won’t change the teen he’s known since she was small. He says the day she gets back from Rio, she’ll be packing her bags and driving down to WVU to start the fall semester.

She will compete again Thursday in the women’s 50-meter rifle event.

How the ‘Juventus Way’ helped young Montgomery Co. soccer players during pandemic

By Dave Johnson
When play resumes June 20 in Italy's Serie A, Juventus will be in first place and looking to secure its 68th league championship. If you're not familiar with one of the world's most famous soccer teams, think the New York Yankees of Italian soccer. But all its glamour and success is matched with true character and commitment for the way the game is played. That's not just limited to the team in Italy, but extends to a global network of youth clubs, including the Montgomery County, Maryland-based Juventus Academy DC Metro.
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