About The Author: Shawn Soper

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Shawn Soper has been with The Dispatch since 2000. He began as a staff writer covering various local government beats and general stories. His current positions include managing editor and sports editor. Growing up in Baltimore before moving to Ocean City full time three decades ago, Soper graduated from Loch Raven High School in 1981 and from Towson University in 1985 with degrees in mass communications with a journalism concentration and history.

Mallards, Dragons End in 2-2 Deadlock

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity soccer team battled visiting Salisbury School to a 2-2 tie in the dreary mist on Tuesday afternoon.The Mallards had lost two straight heading into its Tuesday home match against old Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) rival Salisbury School. Last Friday, Worcester fell to visiting Holly Grove, 3-2. The Mallards… Read more »

Jail Sentence For Death Threats

Jail Sentence For Death Threats

OCEAN CITY — An Ocean City man, arrested in May after threatening to kill his girlfriend and everyone in a downtown apartment they shared, was sentenced this week to three years in prison with all but nine months suspended.On Tuesday, Elijah Tonnie, 33, of Ocean City entered an Alford plea to reckless endangerment for the… Read more »

AGH Foundation Golf Tourney In The Books

BERLIN- The Atlantic General Hospital Foundation last week held its annual Robert E. Warfield Memorial Golf Tournament at the Ocean City Golf Club with over 200 participants competing on a picturesque fall day.With the help of many sponsors and volunteers, the annual golf tournament raised over $105,000 for the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation. With proceeds… Read more »

Seahawks Edge County Rival Pocomoke

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity soccer team edged county rival Pocomoke, 1-0, on the road on Tuesday to remain very much in the thick of the Bayside South championship race.With the 1-0 win over the Warriors, the Seahawks have now won three straight, all by shutout. The mini-streak includes a 10-0 win over Wicomico and… Read more »

Teen Charged In Salisbury Murder

Teen Charged In Salisbury Murder

SALISBURY — One Salisbury teen was killed this week and another now faces first-degree murder after a stabbing near an apartment complex late Sunday night.Shortly after 10 p.m. on Sunday, Maryland State Police (MSP) troopers responded to Parkwood apartments on Beaglin Creek Drive in Salisbury for a reported stabbing incident. Upon arrival, MSP troopers found… Read more »

Inaugural Spartan Race Called ‘Fantastic’

Inaugural Spartan Race Called ‘Fantastic’

OCEAN CITY — The inaugural Spartan obstacle race held in the downtown area last weekend was a huge success with thousands competing in the event.For the first time, Spartan, a Boston-based company that produces high-intensity obstacle course races all over the country and the world, brought its sprint-style competition to Ocean City last weekend. While… Read more »

Mallards Win 6-0, Ends Losing Skid

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s varsity field hockey team routed St. Thomas More, 6-0, on the road on Monday to end a four-game losing skid.The Mallards had lost four straight heading into Monday’s road game against St. Thomas More, the latest a 4-0 loss to Holly Grove last Friday. On the road on Monday, Worcester ended the… Read more »

Under Armour To Sponsor Tournament

SALISBURY- The Governor’s Challenge Holiday Basketball, already the largest tournament of its kind in the country, added a little more clout this week when Under Armour signed on as a major sponsor.For the last 29 years, the Governor’s Challenge Holiday Basketball Tournament, featuring of teams from all over the country, has grown to become the… Read more »

Decatur Falls To Buccaneers, 38-3

Decatur Falls To Buccaneers, 38-3

BERLIN- Decatur’s varsity football game against Bayside North powerhouse Kent Island started out with promise, the Seahawks fell to the Buccaneers, 38-3, on Homecoming.The Seahawks got nothing going on their first possession against Kent Island last Friday on Homecoming, but returned the favor by forcing the Buccaneers to punt on their first possession. On Decatur’s… Read more »