BILL LEFFLER | 488-2369

The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament has awarded five scholarships totaling $20,000 to area high school scholar/ athletes.

The grants were presented Friday at the PIT’s Celebrity Luncheon. The 61st annual PIT concluded Saturday night at Churchland High School.

“These awards are given to athletes and they are based upon scholastic achievement, leadership ability and for dedicated service to their school and community,” said Mahlon Parker, chairman of the PIT.

One recipient from each of the five area cities was recognized.

The honorees were Portsmouth’s Nick Sarandria of Churchland High School, Chesapeake’s Zach Sprinkle of Indian River High School, Suffolk’s Shelbi Holloman of Nansemond River High School, Nor-folk’s Mari Green of Maury High School and Virginia Beach’s Chris Cooper of Ocean Lakes High School.

Sarandria, a four-year member of the Church-land swimming team, has a grade point average of 3.82 and ranks 12th in a class of 375. He expects to attend the University of Pittsburgh.

Sprinkle, a four-sport athlete at Indian River, played volleyball and tennis, ran track and was on the swimming
team. He ranks sixth in a class of 380 and plans to attend Virginia Military Institute.

Holloman participated in field hockey, softball and track at Nansemond River and won all-district honors in field
hockey and softball. She ranks in the top five percent of her class of 312. She has been accepted to attend Roanoke College.

Green, a three sport athlete (soccer, field hockey, and cross country) at Maury, ranks 11th in a class of 315. She has been accepted to attend the University of Virginia.

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