Columnist

Larry Rubama

Larry Rubama is a columnist for The Virginian-Pilot. He joined The Pilot in 1999 after writing for The (Ind.) Journal-Gazette. A former track athlete at Ohio University, he became a sports reporter so he could tell other athletes’ stories.

Ocean Lakes coach Mario Mullen died Friday, his former high school coach Ron Jenkins confirmed. Mullen, who led Bayside High to back-to-back state titles and played for Old Dominion University, was 50.

News Obituaries |
Former ODU, Bayside basketball standout Mario Mullen dies at age 50

July 6, 2024 at 6:48 p.m.

Ocean Lakes coach Mario Mullen died Friday, his former high school coach Ron Jenkins confirmed. Mullen, who led Bayside High to back-to-back state titles and played for Old Dominion University,...

Davis is coming off a sixth-round technical knockout of former two-division champion Jose Pedraza to improve to 10-0 with seven knockouts.

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Sports columnists |
Norfolk’s Keyshawn Davis fights in Newark on Saturday. Could a hometown bout be next?

July 5, 2024 at 4:02 p.m.

Davis is coming off a sixth-round technical knockout of former two-division champion Jose Pedraza to improve to 10-0 with seven knockouts.

"It's not your normal football camp," the New York Jets defensive lineman said. "They're getting the top-notch of everything."

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Sports columnists |
Rubama: Former Lake Taylor star Jalyn Holmes honors late stepfather with academy to teach football, life lessons

July 2, 2024 at 3:52 p.m.

"It's not your normal football camp," the New York Jets defensive lineman said. "They're getting the top-notch of everything."

First Colonial's Keegan Haesler, a junior who played multiple positions, is the All-Tidewater Baseball Player of the Year after leading the Patriots to the Class 5 state championship.

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757Teamz Baseball and Softball |
Meet the 2024 All-Tidewater Baseball teams

July 2, 2024 at 3:56 p.m.

First Colonial's Keegan Haesler, a junior who played multiple positions, is the All-Tidewater Baseball Player of the Year after leading the Patriots to the Class 5 state championship.

Haesler, a junior, batted .486 with 47 hits, 34 runs, 24 stolen bases and 22 RBIs to help lead the Patriots to their first state championship in more than 30 years.

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757Teamz Baseball and Softball |
All-Tidewater Baseball Player of the Year: First Colonial’s Keegan Haesler helped lead Patriots to state title

July 2, 2024 at 2:39 p.m.

Haesler, a junior, batted .486 with 47 hits, 34 runs, 24 stolen bases and 22 RBIs to help lead the Patriots to their first state championship in more than 30...

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757Teamz Football |
Norcom football standout Matthew Outten commits to Virginia Tech

July 30, 2024 at 2:57 p.m.

He was rated the No. 6 athlete in the state for the Class of 2025 by 247Sports. The site also rated him No. 5 nationally at his position and the...

My wife and I loved playing tennis. Now, I can't get her off the pickleball court.

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Sports columnists |
Rubama: Pickleball is sweeping the nation — and my house

July 1, 2024 at 2:13 p.m.

My wife and I loved playing tennis. Now, I can't get her off the pickleball court.

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757Teamz Baseball and Softball |
Gloucester places three, Smithfield one on the Class 4 state team

June 29, 2024 at 11:42 a.m.

Gloucester's Austin Shackelford, Brayden Enoch and Dylan Deyoung named first-team All-Class 4. Smithfield's Maddax Brown also named to the first team.