WOMEN’S ATHLETICS AT GIBBONS

Cardinal Gibbons joins high school and collegiate athletic programs across the country in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX by acknowledging the many current and former student-athletes who helped build a rich tradition and legacy of success in women’s sports at our school.

1937

The Latin Lassies - The Cathedral Latin women’s basketball team earned this nickname and took the courts at a time when few athletic options were open to women.

1963

After a 10-year hiatus, women’s basketball returns the year the school moves to the Western Boulevard campus and opens under the name Cardinal Gibbons High School.

1954

All sports activities at Cathedral Latin were canceled after the school became racially integrated, and other teams refused to play against our school.

68 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS WON BY WOMEN’S TEAMS, OVER HALF OF TOTAL SCHOOL TITLES

about focusing on the player and who they are, what they’re going through, and supporting them along the way.

Holmes once had a volleyball player who was a thoughtful, introspective student who loved science and stayed humble. She was also a perfectionist who could be hard on herself. Beyond her volleyball skills, Holmes knew she was someone special; that she was “a connector.”

During her freshman year of college, she reached out to Holmes to share she had tore her ACL, and needed surgery.

Holmes helped her find the resilience she needed to have surgery, to sit the bench her entire freshman year, and to come back fighting - and regaining - her place on the court.

This is one of many instances where Holmes clearly makes a lasting impression on her students.

“She has the unique ability to connect with our student-athletes in a deep way, while also holding them to a high standard,” Monroe said. “She supports them in their pursuit for excellence in everything they do,”

These days, Holmes stays especially busy. She oversees a coaching staff of around 100 and dozens more staff who report directly to her, and there are many layers to the programming.

She’s proud of the way she has promoted better communication in the department by organizing a monthly facilities meeting, where coaches meet to review the practice schedule and ensure equity in access to resources, which arose from a need to ensure the girls’ teams had time to practice at the stadium.

“I love connecting with coaches, and I put all the coaches in a room together and now, they’re also connecting with each other.”

1976

A growing student body and staff leads to expanding sports opportunities for all students, including volleyball, softball, tennis, and track for females.

1978

1977

Julie Shea ‘77 shatters the National Track Record, running a blistering mile in 4 minutes, 43 second. She held this record for 35 years until 2012.

In 1978, Mary Shea ‘79 sets a National High School record in two-mile and 5,000 meter races. She also sets an American record, running 32:52.5 for 10,000 meters.

1999-2000

The move to Edwards Mill Road created additional athletic opportunities with expanded facilities. Intramural Sports Clubs took off, giving birth to women’s lacrosse, field hockey, and golf - rounding out the robust offerings for female athletes.

2021

Claire Curzan ‘22 wins an Olympic silver medal the summer during the summer games in Tokyo. Curzan, who currently swims at Stanford University, becomes the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Athlete of the Year and USA Today’s Girls Athlete of the Year in 2022.

2022

The women’s soccer team claims the state championship in May after starting the season as the No. 23 seed. It was their third in school history and the first at the 4A level.

12 WOMEN ‘S ATHELTICS TEAMS AT GIBBONS

Being an athletic administrator is powerful. It’s not just scheduling the games; it’s making sure you can compete at the highest level in a safe way, and in a way that lets players grow their talents and gifts.

“Tonya was an obvious choice for our next Athletic Director,” said Jeff Bell, Head of School. “She is an incredible leader with a deep knowledge of our school culture who fits our mission. She has already taken a stellar athletic department and made it better.”

Although it’s been challenging to not work directly with the students as often, Holmes is intentional about showing up at practices and games.

“If a kid’s out of line, I’m calling them out. If they’re doing something good, I’m high-fiving them,” she said.

Her presence on the sidelines not only allows her precious face time with students, it serves a higher purpose of staying in touch with students’ needs.

1979

1986

The women’s tennis team had its first undefeated season. Karen Rothschild ‘86 and Theresa Shea ‘86 were the No. 1 doubles team in the state. Rothschild was also the top singles player in North Carolina.

1982-83:

1986-1987 & 1988-1989

Women’s basketball win back-toback NCISAA State Championships.

1998-1999

Women’s cross country places first in the state for the first time.

2022

The women’s lacrosse team wins their fifth state championship since 2016. Gracie Mullahy ‘23, who will play at Harvard next year, earns MVP and Conference Player of the Year honors.

2022

The State Championship varsity cheerleading team takes home the 2022 North Carolina High School Athletic Association Carolina Cup, awarded to the top varsity team regardless of division, for the fourth time in school history.

2023

Basketball player

Rhian Lawrence ‘23 becomes the 13th women’s basketball player in school history to join the 1,000 point club and the first since Olivia Smith in 2016.

“I’m listening, and I’m seeing things, and I’m implementing things I think will be good [for students] as well.”

Overall, Holmes believes the primary work of coaching is not the teaching of sports; it’s helping kids during their formative years think about the impact their choices now will have years down the road, far beyond winning or losing state championships. Students must build resiliency and the life skills that propel them into life.

“I hate rejection and I hate failing, but it’s a part of life, and it only makes things better,” Holmes said.

A great teacher, whether in the classroom or on the field, is thinking about the ways we connect with each other, observing the student, and tailoring a flexible approach that allows for the right mix of compassion, support, and challenge.

“You get to see (students) at their highest highs and lowest lows, and in between is the formational opportunity,” Holmes said.