Worcester’s Butler Named Kelly Award Finalist

Worcester’s Butler Named Kelly Award Finalist
justinbutler

BERLIN- Worcester Prep lacrosse standout Justin Butler, a
2010 graduate, was honored recently as a finalist for the Ensign C. Markland
Kelly, Jr. Award for the best high school lacrosse player in the state, the top
award handed out in tradition-rich Maryland.

A four-year starter at Worcester Prep, Butler emerged as
an offensive powerhouse as a freshman and was a catalyst on several great teams
for the Mallards in recent years. In his senior season in 2010, Butler scored
43 goals and dished out 29 assists for a total of 72 points. The
Randolph-Macon-bound Butler also scooped up 55 ground balls, had a 56-percent
face-off average and a 45-percent shooting average, all while being the focus
for most of Worcester’s opponents.

“Justin Butler is the player our opponents keyed on and
tried to stop, but most of the time, with his talent and skill, he was able to
work away around them to score,” said Worcester Coach Kevin Gates.

The award is named for Charles Markland Kelly, Jr., a
Baltimore native who was a standout goalie for the University of Maryland
lacrosse team until October 1940. With the U.S. entry into World War II
imminent, Kelly left school to become a Navy pilot. In August 1941, he received
his wings and was commissioned as an ensign.

Kelly was assigned to duty as a fighter pilot with Fighter
Squadron 8 on board the U.S.S. Hornet. Flying an F-4F Wildcat on an escort
mission for the carrier’s bombers at the Battle of Midway, Kelly failed to
return from the initial strike and was reported missing in action on June 4,
1942.

In memory of his son, Charles Markland Kelly, Sr.
established the Ensign C. Markland Kelly, Jr. Memorial Foundation, which, among
other things provided the initial funding for the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
The foundation also presents annual awards for outstanding high school and
college lacrosse players. The foundation also funded the establishment of an
American Legion post in his honor, appropriately known as the Kelly Post.