The Goochland Gazette – 03/17/2022 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Goochland History: Courthouse remains an architectural gem. > page 2

Volume 66 Number 11 • March 17, 2022

Group aims to spotlight local cases still unsolved Founder says new nonprofit’s goal is to solicit information from the public By Roslyn Ryan Editor

When veteran news reporter Brandy Brown founded the Reopen the Case Foundation, she knew she wanted to help the families of crime victims find the closure they so desperately seek. Now, just over a year after launching the project, she’s hoping the nonprofit foundation will become a critical resource for a law enforcement community often too inundated with new cases to devote resources to those that have grown BROWN cold. Goochland has seen several such cases, including the murder of Joan Weigelhofer, a mother of three found dead in her local real estate office on Aug. 3, 2003. There are also the cases of Richard Hamm, a Goochland man found shot see Case > 5

Make up test School story

As pandemic wanes, educators are trying to help students recover ground lost during school closures By Roslyn Ryan Editor

s school divisions across the Commonwealth continue to put the most disruptive period of the COVID-19 pandemic behind them, many are now seeing more clearly the impact that school closures and all-virtual learning had on students. And in Goochland, as in

other localities, school officials remain troubled by the data they are seeing. According to Goochland County Public Schools assistant superintendent Steve Geyer, Goochland students recently failed for the first time to score above the national average on the annual Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment, a test that attempts to determine the amount of ground an individual student

gained over the course of one academic year. The division also saw an overall decline in the Standards of Learning (SOL) pass rate, as well as an increase in the number of students in need of academic support in reading and math. Geyer, who delivered the information during a March 8 joint workshop between the see Test > 4

Metro Creative photo

Home repair effort helping those in need to remain safe By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Some home repairs are relatively minor: a leaky faucet, a loose stair tread. And then there are those at the other end of the spectrum, the kinds of catastrophic breakdowns that make a house unlivable. It’s the latter kind that most deeply concerns Goochland Cares Executive Director Sally Graham. Through the organization’s Critical Home Repair program, Graham and her team work alongside area volunteers to address home repair issues for Goochland residents in need. It was through the program last year that Graham was first alerted to the plight of a local resident with a particularly alarming home repair issue. As Graham learned from members of the Goochland County Fire-Rescue department, a local woman’s living room ceiling—which was later found to have been incorrectly installed—had come crashing down, effectively trapping her in her home. The fire department had been called in to rescue the woman, who Graham learned from rescue workers would likely have been seriously injured or killed had she been sitting in her living room when the ceiling fell. Through the Critical Home Repair program, GoochlandCares was able to repair the ceiling and prevent any see Repairs > 2

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March 17, 2022

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Since 1955

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1601 Hockett Rd. Manakin Sabot, VA At the corner of Broad St. and Hockett Rd

Photograph courtesy of the Goochland County Historical Society

County’s stately courthouse is last of its kind The citizens of Goochland turned out in their Sunday best for this event, held around 1900 at the Goochland Courthouse. The county’s courthouse is the only one remaining in the Commonwealth built in the Jefferson style that hasn’t had major changes made to the building. Built in 1827 by Valentine Parrish and Dabney Cosby, an architect who worked with Thomas Jefferson, it represents for many the quiet majesty of Goochland County.

Previewing Goochland’s spring sports PAGE 7 Classifieds ......................12-14 Letters .................................... 6 Obituaries .............................. 4 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports .................................7-8 TV Listings ........................9-11

Recent Property Transfers Elrod & Dunham

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Please welcome our new hygienist, Kelsey, to our growing practice. Call to schedule your cleaning with Kelsey or Sara. We look forward to meeting your dental health needs. 7516 Right Flank Rd., 2979 River Road W. Mechanicsville, VA 23116 Goochland, VA 23063 (804) 746-1300 (804) 556-2530 elroddunhamdentistry.net

1162 Cordial Court, Manakin Sabot; Tuckahoe Creek LLC to Marc W. Mentry, $212,650. 2410 Hanway Drive, Goochland; Nancy P. Bradshaw to Maura L. Mort, $515,000. Lot 11, Section 2, Block A, Kinloch; Prasad Kilari to

Repairs continued from >1 future similar incidents from occurring. Graham said last week that this was just one of many similar stories the organization has been a part of since the repair effort launched several years ago. Last year, with a budget of $350,000, the program completed 82 projects in the county.

Michael J. Kachel, $245,000. 2434 Maidens Road, Maidens; Kelle Norris to Furman W. Goins, $287,000. 7442 Park Village Blvd., Glen Allen; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Susan Banta Long, $650,128. 12043 Talavera Terrace, Richmond; HHHunt Homes

LC to Susan B. Rubin, trustee, $458,760. 12051 Talavera Terrace, Richmond; HHHunt Homes LC to Nancy A. Arnold, $431,630. 310 Wickham Glen Drive, Henrico; Susan Edith Kemp to Thomas Capps, $2,500,000.

The group has also managed to expand its mission to include HVAC, well and septic system repairs. To Graham, the program is about more than simply helping people address ongoing home repair challenges; it’s about helping them avoid being homeless. Graham pointed out to county leaders during a recent meeting that the efforts to bolster the Critical Home Repair

program are in line with recommendations by the recent Housing GVA study conducted last year by HD Advisors. That study also suggested increasing local funding to the Critical Home Repair program with a goal of getting the program to the per capita rate of nearby jurisdictions such as Chesterfield and Henrico, and enabling GoochlandCares to expand eligibility of the program.

CONTACT US Toll Free - (877) 888-0449 Office - (804) 746-1235 Joy Monopoli Publisher (804) 775-4614 Fax: (804) 819-5529 Laura McFarland Managing Editor (804) 363-1577 Roslyn Ryan Editor (804) 339-7956 Robby Fletcher Sports Editor (804) 380-0497 Cindy Adams Classifieds (804) 775-4616 Fax: (804) 344-8746 Denine D’Angelo Production Manager (804) 775-4624

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March 17, 2022

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Since 1955

Sheriff’s office announces two new certifications Contributed report

Creasey

East

The Goochland County Sheriff’s Office has announced that Sheriff Steven Creasey and Major Mike East have successfully completed the Virginia Sheriff ’s Institute (VSI) Certification Program. This certification program recognizes the commitment of law enforcement officers, specifically those employed

by sheriff’s offices across the Commonwealth of Virginia, to continued professional development, excellence, life-long learning and advancing the law enforcement profession. During the upcoming Virginia Sheriff’s Institute meeting in Norfolk, Creasey and East will receive their certification awards and will be recognized during a special luncheon.

Goochland school division recognizes seven employees with ECCHO awards Contributed report Since 2014, GCPS has recognized staff members who embody the division’s core values of excellence, creativity, courage, honor and optimism through the ECCHO Awards. Throughout the year, staff members are nominated by their peers to receive this honor, and in February, the school board recognized seven division staff members with ECCHO Awards.

Excellence Joe Fowler, Goochland High School Fowler has long been known as an excellent teacher who always treated his students with respect. But above and beyond that excellence, he is now acting as a mentor for a kindergarten student at Goochland Elementary. Even with his busy schedule, Fowler has made an impact on the life of a child by visiting the school each week and spending time interacting with the student as a positive role model. Byron Morgan, Randolph Elementary Morgan is a remarkable teacher who enjoys the challenge of working with atrisk preschoolers. This year, he saw a colleague in need of assistance and volunteered to support that colleague by observing her classroom, collaborating with her to plan future activities and changes in classroom routines, and encouraging her. His assistance and encouragement helped his colleague to feel supported and served as yet another reminder of how valuable he is to our preschool team.

Excellence and Optimism Carrie Toney, permanent substitute nurse As an RN, Toney joined the school health team after serving as an instructional assistant by helping in absolutely any way at any clinic or building where she was needed. Toney gives each nurse a reprieve when they need it the most and is always eager and willing to help. Toney helped nurses with contact tracing and quarantining and subbed for other nurses when they were absent. Then, as staffing shortages occurred, Toney began helping as a permanent substitute. Toney has accepted every challenge with grace and a can-do attitude, and no matter the task or the job title, Toney exudes optimism.

this staffing challenge. Making such a change — in the middle of a school year and during a pandemic — takes incredible courage.

Excellence, Courage and Optimism Ashby Pond, Goochland Elementary Pond coordinated, organized and implemented the Girls on the Run program at GES this past fall. Through Girls on the Run, program-trained volunteer coaches inspired girls to build confidence and other important life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and physical activity. The girls planned a service project and celebrated the program by running a 5K. Pond’s leadership was evident throughout the course of the program, and from the participation of 20, third to fifth-grade girls, to the many volunteer coaches, and ending with a fun and celCreativity David Frith, Maintenance, Goochland ebratory 5K, Pond represented Goochland’s core values. Middle/High School When faced with an expensive repair Excellence, Creativity, Courage, Honor to a secondary complex system, Frith took the initiative and the time to seek out an and Optimism Shara Mullins, Goochland Middle School alternative solution. Due to his creativity, the Mullins has worked incredibly hard over division paid only one-third of the original price. Frith’s experience and knowledge are the course of the pandemic to make sure students and staff are all safe, cared for, huge assets for the division. heard and protected. She has gone above and beyond to ensure she is available and, not Courage only that, she is always kind and understandAmanda Steele, Randolph Elementary While Steele’s character is best described ing in her responses and always willing to through all of the division’s core values, she lend a hand and help guide her school. She is is recognized for her courage to help with a diligent, hard-working staff member with a challenging staffing situation. In late fall, seemingly endless energy, is a person that is Steele graciously offered to switch schools crucial to the school, and is that puzzle piece and teaching assignments to help GCPS with that completes GMS.

“This very unique certification from the Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute is an important achievement and speaks to the dedication this office has to professional development and being the very best we can be to provide excellent service

to the residents and visitors of Goochland County,” said Creasey. The GCSO celebrates Creasey and East’s continual commitment to excellence in leading the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office.

FREE SPRING WORKSHOP

BECOMING A LOVE AND LOGIC PARENT® A Six-Module Interactive Parenting Workshop Brought to you by Goochland Department of Social Services

WHEN: Every Tuesday from April 18th – May 23rd (6 classes total)

TIME: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM WHERE: Goochland County Administration Building: Room 270, 1800 Sandy Hook Rd., Goochland, VA 23063

COST: FREE!

IN THE SIX SESSIONS, PARENTS WILL LEARN

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• Avoid un-winnable power struggles • Put an end to arguing, back talking, and begging • Stay calm when their kids do incredibly upsetting things • Set enforceable limits • Guide children to own and solve their own problems • AND MORE! Please RSVP by calling 804-556-5875 or going online to: https://www.goochlandva.us/FormCenter/Youth-HumanServices-20/Registration-Form-Becoming-a-Love-and-Lo-89

Have an idea for a community news story? Send news tips to Roslyn Ryan at rryan@goochlandgazette.com or call (804) 339-7956.

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March 17, 2022

Test continued from >1 Goochland board of supervisors and the school board, noted that the input school leaders are receiving from teachers also underscores the fact that many students are struggling. Geyer said several long-time Goochland County Public School teachers have told administrators this year that they are seeing more students tthan ever who are not prepared to handle the level of work expected of them. Though Geyer and other school representatives were clear that they didn’t blame students, families or the school division itself for the current challenges, supervisors appeared to push back against the idea that the current situation could not have been avoided. “I think you’re right that this is not anybody’s fault,” said District 3 supervisor John Lumpkins, “but there is a cause. From my point of view, who you close schools and send kids home and put a cloth over their face and sit them down in front of a computer, that’s a cause. So we want to resist any outside force putting us through this again. There is an element of

that that I don’t think we can ignore.” District 1 supervisor Susan Lascolette agreed. “We caused this,” she said. In explaining how the division plans to continue using the roughly $7.6 million in federal grant money the division received to offset the impact of the pandemic—around $4.4 million of which has already been spent—Geyer outlined a three-tiered approach that will focus on identifying students who are struggling, developing personalized action plans and monitoring individual student progress. Goochland school superintendent Jeremy Raley told board members that while the remaining funds will be used in part to pay for additional personnel to address the immediate educational and emotional needs of students impacted by the pandemic, the division is also working to make sure that no ongoing needs will be impacted once the grant funds are gone. “Ultimately we want to use this infusion of cash short term to get us back to where we were from a metrics standpoint,” said Raley, “so ultimately we can get rid of these federal dollars and get back to our operational pattern.”

Second Century — Established 1897 — Charles D. Morehead, President and General Manager

Since 1955

Obituaries JOSEPH ALLEN Joseph “Joe” Allen, 77, of Goochland, Virginia, passed away March 11, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Allen and Bernice Moss Allen; sisters, Edna West, Bernice Berkley, Thelma Allen and Doris Markovich; and brother, Fred Allen. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Clara Allen; son, Daniel Allen; d a u g h t e rALLEN in-law, Kathy Allen; sisters, Joyce Dabney of Pemberton, Virginia and Carolyn Satterwhite of Richmond; friend, George Smith; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Joseph had a hand in building most of the roads in Richmond, as an inspector with the Virginia

Department of Transportation for 35 years. Joe loved raccoon hunting and gardening. A visitation was held Sunday, March 13 at Norman Funeral Home, 2982 River Road W, Goochland, Virginia 23063. A funeral service was held March 14, 2022 at Gum Spring United Methodist Church in Gum Spring, with interment following in the church cemetery. The family would like to thank Hospice of Virginia for Joe’s care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to American Cancer Society or Gum Spring United Methodist Church. PATRICIA RILEY Mrs. Patricia Brooks Riley, 92, was called home to be with the Lord on March 7, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on November 20, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Charles and Marion Daniels Saalfeld. She

also spoke lovingly and appreciatively of her stepfather, Roy Brooks, who adopted her and her brother when she was 12. Patricia “Pat” graduated from Beaufort High School in Beaufort, South Carolina and attended the University of Pittsburg before becoming an airline stewardess for American Airlines. She also served in various administrative capacities at Rocky RILEY Run Middle School in Clifton, Va. and the University of Richmond. However, her greatest accomplishment and legacy was being a devoted and loving wife and mother to her husband and three children. Pat was married to the great love of her life, Paul Sterling Riley,

for 42 years before his death in 1997. In addition to her husband and parents, Pat was predeceased by her brother, Charles Brooks; sister-in-law and best friend, Vivian Carneal; and daughter-in-law, Paige Riley. She is survived by her adult children, Paul (Kim) Riley Jr. of Richmond, Va., Kevin Riley of Richmond, Va., Kelly Riley Brewer (Bill) of Atlanta, Ga.; and her seven adored grandchildren, Matt, Molly, Gracie, Cassie, Ellie, Dave and Wade. She was blessed by the love of many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Her nephew, Doug Carneal, was an especially watchful guardian and caregiver nearby. A private Celebration of Life will be held in May at Fripp Island for immediate family. Those who wish to remember Pat in a special way may make a gift in her memory to the Virginia Home for Boys and Girls or to their favorite charity.

Library Calendar pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com. Call premieres for ages 12-18. Are (804) 556-4774 for more infor- you a new plant parent? Start Goochland Mystery Book decorating your pots. Learn fun mation. Group at the Goochland Branch ways to dress up an ordinary Monday, March 28 Library from 10 – 11 a.m. pot to elevate your houseplants Registration required at https:// Flower Pot Decorating and create unique decor! This video premieres on the library’s

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Pet of the week

Since 1955

H G U O , N E RE! A BIG SERVTE C O TO GH

OU N E LL SMA

Photos submitted by Julie Lawrence

Looking for a mature, calm doggie that will take those afternoon naps with you? Look no further than our girl Denise. Denise has been a pleasure to have at the Adoption Center. She is house trained, good with other dogs, walks great on a leash, and really just wants to be by your side. If you are in the market for the perfect calm canine companion, consider this absolute love bug of a dog. Denise is spayed, chipped, vaccinated and heartworm negative. The Goochland Animal Shelter, located at 1900 Hidden Rock Lane in Goochland, has many lovable pets available for adoption. For more information on these pets, call (804) 556-5302. You also can visit the shelter on Facebook at “Goochland County Animal Control.” The shelter’s hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to the shelter is asked to make donations payable to Goochland Animal Protection.

Case continued from >1 to death outside his home on Aug. 31, 2017, and Billy Maxwell, a 17-year-old who died on Sept. 18, 2010, after being found fatally injured on the side of Broad Street Road. While Brown, who currently works as a senior creative producer for WTVR CBS 6, approaches each cold case as a reporter, she also knows firsthand the kind of anguish crime victims’ families are experiencing. In explaining what helps motivate her, Brown openly shares the story of her nephew’s murder last February. In her nephew’s case, a suspect was identified and will now be tried for the crime. In so many other instances, however, Brown knows that victims’ families can be left for

years, or even lifetimes, with no answers. Reached last week, Goochland County Sheriff Steven Creasey confirmed that his office continues to work actively on both the Hamm and Maxwell cases, and declined to comment further as both investigations are ongoing. He noted that the investigation of Joan Weigelhofer is being handled by the Virginia State Police. Brown says she can certainly understand the constraints that law enforcement officers face, and pushes back against the notion that victims are ever forgotten. “[Officers] remember these cases,” Brown said. “And they know what they signed up for is to get justice for these victims.” Brown said she considers it her duty to do whatever she

can to help. “As members of the media, we play a huge role in keeping these cases going,” Brown said. The public service announcements created by the Reopen the Case Foundation are sent to all local television stations, and each spot provides the number for Crime Stoppers, (804) 780-1000. Brown said they do receive tips, which they then pass on to police. And while the task of solving cold cases can be long and arduous, Brown insists the mission is clear. “First and foremost we are fighting for the victims,” Brown said. “Anything we can do to help the victims get closure and justice, that’s what we want to do.” For more information on the Reopen the Case Foundation, visit the organization’s website at https://reopenthecase.org/.

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For the good of all, universities’ honor codes must be protected By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Warning: The following column contains language and opinions that could be seen by some as disturbingly oldfashioned. Reader discretion is advised. Before we begin, a quick note: When I graduated from college, back in 2001, the majority of the people who will earn their degrees this year were toddlers. Sadly, it seems, a few of them still are. Alright, I apologize. That was an admittedly unkind and unhelpful way to address recent reports detailing various attempts—some of them successful—by students to amend or even abolish university honor codes. Case in point, the news last week that the University of Virginia, one of the nation’s top institutions of higher learning, will amend its honor code to allow students convicted of violating that code the opportunity to return to the university after two semesters, rather than be expelled for good. I was initially content to assume that I was simply missing some aspect of the story that would have made it make sense. Surely this could not be an actual attempt to water down or otherwise weaken a policy meant to hold students to a high standard of ethical behavior… right? Sadly, despite a few ham-handed attempts to portray the move as a way of ensuring equality for all students, that

appears to be exactly what it was. And one particularly impassioned plea in support of abolishing the University’s honor code even contained the following unfortunate passage: “We must not meet this challenge with suspension and expulsion—both of which cause untold trauma on our peers — but with mutual respect, understanding and support. Students do not lie, cheat or steal out of innate malice — they do so because of some external context or circumstance which has not been adequately addressed.” Oh my. I will certainly agree that almost everyone who cheats on a test does so because of one circumstance or another, but I would guess that the “circumstance” is almost always that they found something else to do rather than adequately prepare for the test. And I will also posit that every human being of any race, religion, gender or national origin who ever told a lie has done so for more or less the same reason: the lie was more convenient than the truth. Not to be pedantic about it, but when you decide to attend a university you are making a commitment to abide by the rules of that institution, and to hold yourself to a certain standard. If you walk into a department store and start stuffing merchandise under your coat, they don’t ask about “context” or inquire whether you did it with malice. They call it stealing. You get punished. Are we

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saying that students at the University of Virginia should be held to a lesser standard than shoppers at a Target? Perhaps those halcyon days when I enrolled in college were different, but I seem to remember that there were certain nonnegotiable rules. And just as you were expected to have reached a certain level of academic achievement before you arrived on campus, there was also the expectation that you understood a few basic moral principles as well. If it can be reasonably demonstrated that an honor code is not serving its intended purpose, or that the code is not being fairly applied to any group, then this needs to be addressed without delay. But therein also lies the most glaring problem with amending or dismantling honor codes under the guise of helping level the playing field: Saying that rules against cheating, lying and stealing are inherently unfair to any people of color is outrageously insulting to all people of color. As no less a man than Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. intoned nearly 60 years ago, a just society is one in which people are judged not on the color of their skin but on the content of their character. By making character decisions about race, we are getting that exactly backwards. If character still matters—and I believe it does—we need to start sending that message.

Since 1955

Will history once again repeat itself? By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

It was an exciting event when a new television arrived at our house in 1955, but it surprisingly made little difference in the life of 5-year-old. A limited amount of program paired with my parents’ philosophy that a child was raised better playing outdoors rather than indoors added to my diminished interest in the new appliance. The following year more programs were available, and I paid more attention to the small screen that offered glimpses of places and things not available on any other media at the time. One of my first memories of the power of television occurred in 1956, when an announcer asked parents to remove children from the room for the news that followed. My sister and I headed down the hall toward our room, but stopped halfway within ear shot of the announcement. I peeked around the corner of the living room and saw tanks invading a city, tearing down statutes and demolishing buildings. Although I didn’t under-

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS The Local welcomes your signed letters to the editor on topics of interest to Goochland residents. Letters must include your address and a daytime telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters. We do not guarantee that every letter received will be published. Letters reflect the opinions and positions of the writers and not The Goochland Gazette.

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stand the seriousness of the developments or even where they might be occurring, there was something about that broadcast that seemed monumental, even to a 6-year-old. Thankfully, I had the childhood blessing of not worrying about things I didn’t understand and resumed my normal childhood the following day. Years later, I learned what I had witnessed that night on the television, and days ago, it seemed even more important as I watched Russian tanks roll into Ukraine. Those 1956 news accounts that were deemed too powerful for children’s viewing described a Soviet invasion that seems eerily similar to the current situation and horror witnessed today in Ukraine. Hungarian citizens rose up in protest over Soviet dictates in their country and expressed a desire for a more democratically-run government versus a puppet-style regime installed by Soviet officials. In what some viewed as a compromise, the Soviets named Imra Nagy as premiere and agreed to remove their troops from Hungary. As often occurs, that breath of democracy and self determination led to further efforts to exert a desire for self-rule. Nagy abolished one party rule in Hungary and threatened to exit the Soviet Bloc, a collection of countries united by Russian rule. Russian president Nikita Khrushchev had promised an end to barbaric Stalinist tactics, but the assurances

see History > 11

Thursday

March 17, 2022

SPORTS: Youth, High School, College, Recreational, Professional

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Previewing Goochland’s spring sports By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

With Goochland’s spring sports kicking off this week, it’s time to take a look at what these Bulldogs are bringing to the table in a new athletic season. Both Goochland soccer teams have shared some incredible success in the James River District, but they’ll be facing a new challenge this year with the move to the Jefferson District. How these two groups adjust to the change in competition could be one of the biggest storylines of the season for Goochland athletics. The girls varsity team will rely on the leadership of five seniors that will look to guide an otherwise young roster. Forward Erla Thorkelsdottir has proven to be a talented goal-scorer for the Bulldogs, while fellow forward Bridget Dinora leads the attack next to her. Senior Nadia Esposito will hold down the fort in the back line as the team’s starting central defender. The boys varsity team and head coach Marshall Lindner had an 11-1 season that ended in the regional semifinals last year, which they look to improve on with a group that has four seniors and returning contributors like sophomore Yoshi DaSilva and junior Conner Doersch. Goochland will also look to build off its success in its baseball and softball seasons. The baseball team, led by head coach Wes Farkas in his 16th year, had eight seniors depart after a strong 2020-21 season, but will come back just as experienced. They have three seniors and 11 juniors on the roster, including center fielder

File Photos

Top left, Goochland’s Yoshi DaSilva delivers a shot on goal versus Randolph-Henry at Goochland High School on May 7, 2021. Top right, junior Evan Bernstine warms up for a regional tournament doubles match. Bottom left, sophomore Jade Taylor pushes ahead in a outdoor track scrimmage. Bottom right, senior Jasmine Price swings at a ball in a 2021 matchup against Nottoway.

Mason Gregory, who brings a .378 batting average and a .477 on-base percentage. Infielder Riley Hite is also a player to watch with a .395 OBP and eight RBIs. With only one returning player with varsity mound experience in junior A.J. Condrey, the Bulldogs will likely be figuring out their rotations and roles early in the season. For softball, head coach

Wayland Colwell will have four returning starters back on the field, including seniors Karsyn Martin, Jasmine Price and Abrielle White. A team that has strength in every position, they’ll look to be a major player in the district. The boys and girls track teams ended last season in first place in the James River District. They’ll look to make some noise in their new dis-

trict with a girls team whose strength lies in its sprinters and jumpers like sophomore Leilani Burgess, senior Kelsey Anderson and sophomore Jade Taylor. The boys team will look to fill the void left by Chris White, who graduated last year. Distance runner Luke Farkas and pole vaulting star Tyler Black will be notable athletes to watch. On the tennis team,

defending state champion and nationally ranked junior Evan Bernstine looks to defend his title with a Bulldogs roster that has a relatively fresh start after losing five seniors. Junior Alex Peskin also returns after having a 9-3 record last year. The girls team is also bringing in a younger team with three returning players. Junior Margaret Townsend and sophomores Anna Stamey

and Genevieve Williamson will be players to watch this spring. After a successful inaugural season, the girls lacrosse team led by coach Lydia James has a roster full of excited athletes that helped get the program off the ground. With 10 seniors, the Bulldogs should be a wellrounded group heavy in leadership.

Thursday

March 17, 2022

SPORTS: Youth, High School, College, Recreational, Professional

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Photos by Robby Fletcher

From left: The Goochland girls varsity basketball comes out of a huddle against Maggie L. Walker on Dec. 10, 2021; senior Shaniyah Morris leads the fast break against Orange County on Jan. 19.

Goochland’s 2021-22 winter sports season in photos

From left: Junior Harry Belcher competes in the 200-yard freestyle at states; senior Gabe Liptak handles the ball; junior Reese Vincent picks up his Manchester opponent on Jan. 27.

From left: senior Alexander Rosenbaum gets on top in a tri meet on Feb. 2; Joe Hardman swims the butterfly in the 200 relay at states; junior Tyler Black records a first-place vault at regionals.

Thursday

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March 17, 2022 THURSDAY EVENING 4 PM 4:30 5 PM

Since 1955