Habicht

One of the first gymnasts to reach Caryn Sanders with a congratulatory hug in Friday's county meet was the very competitor who was deniedthe outright all-around championship by the talented Old Mill senior.Meade junior Mollie Bell had watched Sanders score a 9.25 in thevault to leave the two girls tied in the all-around at 36.55. Severna Park senior Jenny Banks took second at 33.95, followed by teammate Beth Hoisington at 33.40.Sanders also propelled host Old Mill to the county team title, dethroning Severna Park, 123.95 to 120.95.

Todd Carrick, Spalding, Sr., D -- As a sweeper last season, Carrick was the Cavaliers' most valuable defender. And that role shouldn't change this year. He provides splendid protection for goalkeeper Danny Watts.Chris Cosentino, North County, Sr., M -- One of the unsung heroes in North County's drive to the 4A, Region IV championship last year, Cosentino takes over as the Knights' top player. He had six goals and five assists last year, and was a first-team All-State selection. He's one of the best players in the state, says coach Steve Malone.

Reward offered in Howard County escape Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Devin Champagne, a convicted felon who escaped custody Thursday night as he was being transported from Howard County Circuit Court to the county detention center. Champagne, 20, is accused of the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer for allegedly using his handcuffs to choke a sheriff's deputy during the escape. He had been convicted Thursday of felony theft.

President Barack Obama's plan to combat unemployment by pumping $447 billion into the nation's economy won cautious praise from Maryland-based small-business owners and labor groups Friday, but there was widespread skepticism about the proposal's chances in Congress. Business leaders and economists say the measure's centerpiece policy — a $240 billion reduction in payroll taxes — could give small companies incentive to hire new employees. Construction groups expressed hope that $100 billion in new infrastructure spending would boost their sagging industry.

WASHINGTON -- Addressing one of the most serious environmental threats to children, the Environmental Protection Agency unveiled regulations yesterday that it says will reduce the lead content in Americans' drinking water to a fraction of currently permissible levels.But while the agency touted the rules as the greatest blow against the lead hazard since the ban on leaded gasoline, critics called them a "tragic disappointment," particularly because water suppliers will have as long as 21 years to comply fully.

WASHINGTON -- Critics are calling the Environmental Protection Agency's plan to cut the lead content in Americans' drinking water a disappointment because water suppliers would have years to comply fully."

Unranked Parkville upset No. 11 Dulaney, 15-12, in a Class 3A-4A South girls lacrosse region semifinal yesterday. It was the Knights' first win over their Cockeysville opponent since Nancy Gross took over as coach of the team eight years ago.Junior Lisa Tsimbidis scored eight goals for host Parkville, two in the last 21 seconds to ice the win."Everyone on the team had a hand in the win," said Gross. "I don't think I breathed until it was over."Dulaney (11-2) took a 2-0 lead, and the Knights (12-3)

Coach Mike Parker said that reserve forward Melanie Caleb has been sort of a good luck charm for his Loch Raven girls soccer team this year.Caleb and the Raiders relied more on offense than luck in their 4-2 win over No. 8-ranked Hereford in the Class 2A North regional championship yesterday.Caleb, who scored Loch Raven's last two goals, seemed to spark the team when she got into the game."It's kind of been something we've joked about all year," Parker said. "Caleb comes off the bench, and in like six games [this season]

Boat parade at Ocean PinesThe fourth annual Ocean Pines Boat Parade will be held Saturday starting at 4:30 p.m. with a boat rendezvous on the St. Martin River near the entrance to the Country Club canal. The parade starts in the Teal Bay area and moves through the canals off the St. Martin, ending near the Ocean Pines Swim and Racquet Club.Boat owners and guests are invited to participate. There is no fee, and captains may bring their own "crews," or passengers will be provided. Captains are encouraged to choose a theme and decorate their boats accordingly.

Old Mill's Holly Firebaugh is back. So are Broadneck's Dawn McAteer, Chesapeake's Kim Johnson and Mandy Hart, and Arundel's Karen Newhard and Michelle Gagnier.You want quality gymnasts? Anne Arundel County has cornered the market.But the athletes themselves can't take all of the credit, no matter how gifted they are. There just isn't much competition out there, making them the big fish in a drying pond.Besides Anne Arundel, the only county that still offers the sport in the metro area is Harford, and it has one school participating.