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.

Middle School Sports Winners

Middle School Sports Winners

After the fall sports season was completed, Worcester Prep handed out its top awards for middle school sports. Seated from left, are Caitlin Hoen, Girls’ Soccer Coaches Award; Ava Wilsey, Girls’ Soccer MVP; and Linley Hill, Girls’ Soccer Most Improved; and, back, Dylan Simons, Boys’ Soccer Blue Coaches Award; Carson Rayne, Boys’ Soccer Blue Most… Read more »

Tough Guy Of Year Awarded

Tough Guy Of Year Awarded

Stephen Decatur offensive lineman Connor Carpenter last week was honored with the Atlantic Physical Therapy “Tough Guy of the Year” award and the handsome trophy that accompanies it. Carpenter, center, is pictured with APT Vice President Bobby Hammond, APT CEO Bob Hammond and Head Coach Bob Knox. For 18 years, APT has presented a “Tough… Read more »

New Coach For WPS Hoops, Lax

BERLIN — Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity basketball team is starting the season with a new, highly-credentialed coach at the helm.John Moeser is the new varsity basketball coach at Worcester. He comes to Worcester Prep from Calvert Hall where he spent 23 years as a teacher and coach. At Calvert Hall, Moeser was the junior varsity… Read more »

Senior Commits To Division 1 School

Senior Commits To Division 1 School

BERLIN — A remarkable season for Worcester Prep field hockey standout Hailee Arrington culminated last week with her signing a national letter of intent to continue her education and play Division I field hockey at American University.Arrington last week committed officially to American University in Washington, D.C. and will continue her athletic and academic careers… Read more »

22nd Santa’s Open To Help Charity

BERLIN — The Ocean Pines Golf and Country Club will be the celebratory host for the 21st Annual Santa’s Open Charity Golf Tournament next Saturday, Dec. 1, to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake for the Eastern Shore.The tournament’s cost per person is $75 plus one new unwrapped gift for a child… Read more »

Gymnast Commits To University

Gymnast Commits To University

BERLIN — After battling back from an injury that caused her to briefly retire from the sport she loves, a local girl followed her dream last week and signed a letter of intent with a nationally-ranked university to compete in acrobatics and tumbling.Sarena Michnick began training and competing in gymnastics at the age of four… Read more »

Wet Year Hurt OC Bus Ridership

OCEAN CITY — Bus ridership numbers throughout the season and through the early fall thus far continue to be flat or even declining slightly, setting the table for what could be a rebound year.It’s no secret bus ridership numbers in Ocean City are largely reliant on decent weather and 2018 has been a decidedly wet… Read more »