ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 23, 1996 TAG: 9605230084
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
The tradition continues at Glenvar and there's hope for all injured athletes that any obstacle can be overcome.
Those were the lessons in the 45th B'nai B'rith Athletic and Achievement awards presented Wednesday as Salem's Amy Moore and Glenvar's Eric East were named the overall winners.
Moore had a basketball career and nearly her soccer involvement obliterated by a series of knee injuries. East, a three-sport star for Glenvar, is the fifth Highlander in seven years to win the boys' award.
The trophies for the overall winners were named for Artie Levin, who in 1951 helped initiate the B'nai B'rith awards that are among the most coveted for high school athletes in the Roanoke area.
Levin, who died earlier this month, was active in B'nai B'rith. He received a tribute from local attorney Dennis Brumberg, who noted the inspiration and guidance for the awards that came from the time of Levin's involvement until his death.
Levin certainly would have liked the way Moore conducted her high school career. At one time, the Salem senior was a standout multi-sport star who was finally forced to abandon her basketball career because of anterior cruciate ligament damage in her knee.
Moore, the State Junior Miss winner, is a standout soccer player who is headed to the University of Richmond where she will continue that sport.
``It's amazing, completely unexpected,'' Moore said of receiving the award. ``My knee surgery was a big setback and I achieved more than I ever thought I could. I didn't think I had a chance. I hope this shows people who are injured they can still achieve their goals.''
East follows Mitchell Semones (1990), James Solits (1991), Brandon Semones (1993) and Nick Varney (1995) as Glenvar winners. East played three sports and wasn't sure which one was key to his award.
``It was probably the recognition from football,'' he said. ``I didn't think I would win.''
Glenvar principal Al McClearn was a happy man as he has been there for all five winners. ``I knew Brandon and his brother had won it. Mr. McClearn was wishing me good luck, telling me to keep up the tradition,'' said East.
Though East might have received more recognition for football and basketball, as a player on the Highlanders' last two teams that reached the Group A final four, he has made baseball his main sport. He'll attend VMI on a baseball scholarship.
Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer, speaking to the audience acknowledged that Brandon Semones is a key player for his team. He stressed to always be consistent, saying, ``I tell the team that nothing's ever as good as it seems and nothing is ever as bad as it seems. Somewhere in between is reality.''
LENGTH: Medium: 60 linesby CNB