By Spencer DuPuis LoCoSports Staff Writer [twitter-follow screen_name=’SpencerDuPuis’] Leesburg (April 7, 2016) — Heritage High School junior Gio Vasquez has made an early verbal commitment to continue his soccer career at the University of Maryland starting in the 2017-2018 school year. “This is only the beginning, now I have to work even harder with academics and on the field,” the 5-foot-9 forward said. “It’s going to be a lot harder now because I’m going to be playing with and against the best players in the nation.” The Division I Terps are coached by Sasho Cirovski — who will enter his 24th…

By Spencer DuPuis LoCoSports Staff Writer [twitter-follow screen_name=’SpencerDuPuis’] Leesburg (April 2, 2016) — Tuscarora High School senior Jamel Howard has made a commitment to continue his basketball career at Eastern Mennonite University starting in the 2016-2017 school year. “I think it’s a huge relief [to be committed],” the 6-foot-3 Howard said. “I feel accomplished of what my mission was, which was to be able to play in college.” The Division III Royals are coached by Kirby Dean — who will enter his 15th season as the head of the program. In his 14 seasons, he has compiled a record of 177-164.…

By Spencer DuPuis LoCoSports Staff Writer [twitter-follow screen_name=’Spencer DuPuis’] Aldie (March 21, 2016) — John Champe High School senior Zach Burdick has made a commitment to continue his football career at Division I-AA William & Mary starting in the 2016-2017 academic year. “It feels amazing [to be committed] because I know that all the hard work I have put in is starting to pay off,” Burdick said. The Tribe are coached by Jimmye Laycock — who enters his 37th season at the helm of the program. While at William & Mary, Laycock has compiled a record of 240-174-2 including 23 wins since…

By Spencer DuPuis LoCoSports Staff Writer [twitter-follow screen_name=’SpencerDuPuis’] Leesburg (February 23, 2016) — Heritage High School senior Georgie Mackenzie has committed to continue her running career at Division I University of Virginia starting in the 2016-2017 school year. “I am so excited to be committed to a school I absolutely love,” the 5-foot-6 Mackenzie said. “[I] am [also] excited for my next four years of running as well as education in the school of engineering.” Although unsure of the events she will run for the Cavalier’s cross country and track teams, she hopes to be able to make an impact…

By Spencer DuPuis LoCoSports Staff Writer [twitter-follow screen_name=’SpencerDuPuis’] Sterling (February 16, 2016) — Potomac Falls High School senior Malik Crowe has made a commitment to continue his football career at Bridgewater College starting in the 2016-2017 school year. “It feels good to be committed because now I know what I’m going to do with these next [four] years of my life after high school,” the 5-foot-10, 320-pound Crowe said. “It’s a blessing too; I am able to do what I love for the next [four] years and that’s play football.” The Division III Eagles are coached by Michael Clark –…

By Spencer DuPuis LoCoSports Staff Writer [twitter-follow screen_name=’Spencer DuPuis’] Ashburn (February 11, 2016) — On January 26 — exactly six months after he originally verbally committed to Old Dominion — Stone Bridge High School senior interior offensive lineman Andrew Vastardis made a commitment to continue his football career at Division I University of Michigan starting in the 2016-2017 school year. “Ever since I was a young boy, I have been a Michigan fan,” the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Vastardis said. “My mom’s family is from Michigan, so I have watched Michigan play football my whole life. It is a top tier academic…