College Signing: Two Stone Bridge Athletes Make Choices - State Discus Champ Springman to Pitt and Shortstop Lighton to Play at UVA-Wise

Ashburn (Feb. 24, 2011) - Stone Bridge's talented Class of 2011 has had two more college commitments this week as state discus champion Haley Springman will join the NCAA Division I Pitt track and field team and shortstop Ty Lighton will play baseball for NAIA University of Virginia at Wise.

Spring won district, regional and a AAA state title in 2010.

Lighton, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound shortstop for the Bulldogs, has played baseball under Coach Sam Plank since his freshman season and took the reins as starting varsity short stop last year after lettering as a sophomore.

“Ty is a tremendous athlete who has developed into one of the best middle infielders in the Northern Region. UVA Wise is getting a great baseball player, said Plank. "

Lighton has grown up in Ashburn and began playing baseball for Dulles Little League at age 5. At age 9, Lighton began playing for the Potomac Riverdogs and was a key contributor to the Riverdogs 7th place finish at the 10U AAU Nationals and 3rd place at the 13U AAU Nationals.

Since then, Lighton has played for several elite local teams, most recently as short stop for the Virginia Barnstormers. The Virginia Barnstormers team won the NABF World Series in Knoxville, TN during the summer of 2010, going 7-0 over the four day tournament.

Lighton was selected as first team all-district shortstop for his performance during the 2010 season at Stone Bridge. He has a strong arm, great hands and foot speed and is a natural team leader. During the 2010 campaign he had 23 put outs and 53 assists in addition to combining on 5 double plays. Offensively he had two doubles and two triples during the season.

"I really appreciate all of the guidance and support I have been given by my parents, Coach Plank and my other coaches," said Lighton. “I am extremely happy to be given the opportunity to play at the University of Virginia College at Wise and I am looking forward to working with the coaches and my future teammates to bring a championship home to UVA-Wise."

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