Sports

Photos by Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

From left: Members of Saint Gertrude’s girls basketball team celebrate winning the VISAA Division I state championship over Catholic, 56-36, on Feb. 26, 2021, in the McMurtrie-Reynolds Pavilion; Saint Getrude player Erin Woodson (4) is introduced in the starting lineup by Class of 2021 student-athlete and captain Kaitlin Puccinelli during a 2020-21 season game. Winter scenes from 2020-21 for Benedictine, Saint Gertrude

This past winter season was a special one in that it not only featured the debut of varsity basketball games in the brand new, state-of-the art McMurtrie-Reynolds Pavilion at Benedictine’s campus in Goochland County, but it also ushered in a new era with Saint Gertrude’s girls basketball team making the transition from Richmond to Goochland County and playing its home season in the Pavilion. Saint Gertrude went on to win the VISAA Division I state championship and finish the year with a final record of 15-3. Benedictine’s boys basketball team, led by head coach Mark Royster, went 7-5 and concluded the season in the VISAA Division I state semifinals. Royster, according to Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Zach Joachim in early June, is stepping back after coaching in the Cadets program for 26 seasons. He took the head coaching role in 2018 and also served on the committee that helped design the new McMurtrie-Reynolds Pavilion. Joachim of the Times-Dispatch highlighted Royster’s hopes to take a step back, gain a different perspective and take a much-needed break after a taxing year of coaching through the pandemic, as well as his plans to remain closely involved with the Benedictine community; he hopes to cheer on his Cadets from the stands in a packed McMurtrie-Reynolds Pavilion next season.

Photos by Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

From left: Max Moreno works to pin an Amelia opponent, Gabby Ragone contests an Amelia player for a loose ball and Reid Dameron hauls in a loose ball as Jack Hoffler (11) looks on.

Kam Holman goes for a layup, Emmy Paulin puts the ball up in the post, De’Andre Robinson maintains possession and Reese Vincent reacts after a pin.

Scenes: Goochland 2021 winter sports in review

Staff Reports

Goochland High School’s winter teams were the first from the school to compete following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The boys (6-5) and girls basketball teams (3-5) both reached their respective regional tournaments. Goochland’s wrestlers placed fourth in the region and saw Ayden Doczi and Alex Rosenbaum place third and John Summitt, Jordan Duke, Corey Vincent, Riley Hite and Max Moreno all finish fourth. In a non-COVID year, all seven would have gone to states. In swimming, Anneliese Rogerson competed individually and as part of a relay with teammates Bayleigh Allen, Abby Pillion and Madalynn Thompson at states. In indoor track and field, Tyler Black won his first regional and state championships in the pole vault with respective leaps of 13 feet, 6 inches and 13 feet.