Volume 5 Issue 1

05 ALBEMARLE 74’S AMAZING RUN

23 TRANSITION IN SWIMMING

26 FRIENDLY RIVALS

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EAR AWAR Y F O DS END

VOL 5 . ISSUE 1 :: AUGUST 21, 2013

DOWNTOWN ATHLETIC STORE IS PROUD TO SPONSOR

THE 2013 END-OF-YEAR ALL-SP AWARDS CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE ATHLETES SELECTED FOR THE 2013 TEAMS!

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05 AlbemArle 74’s AmAzing run

the central virginia sports authority

x’s and o’s -of-year awards end

21 07 26

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FORTUITOUS RUN The boys of summer kept it going all season long

END OF YEAR ALL-SP Our spring and end of the year honors for 2012-2013

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FAREWELLS AND NEW TIDINGS Swimmers move on, more moving up

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TRANSCENDING A RIVARLY Two soccer rivals find common bond

26 rivAls turn friendly

vol 5 . issue 1 :: august 20, 2013

-of-year awards end

VOL 5 . ISSUE 1 :: AUGUST 21, 2013

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23 trAnsition in swimming

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vol 5 . issue 1 :: august 20, 2013

S TA F F Bart Isley, Creative Director Bob Isley, Infrastructure Director Ryan Yemen, Creative Editor O N T H E COV E R Covenant’s 2013 VISAA Division 2 title winning lacrosse team M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T Local sports are the lifeblood of every community in America, and we’re here to reach beyond the basics and give compelling accounts about Central Virginia athletes to our readers.

CO N TAC T U S [ e ] info@scrimmageplay.com [ p ] 434-249-2032

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PREGAME

High stepping

Albemarle’s Dominique Talley works during the first week of training camp.

The VHSL’s new classification system is going to deliver Central Virginia a more intriguing product on the football field with Albemarle and Orange County joining the Jefferson District. Renewed rivalries, less travel and a big boost in overall attendence are just a few things to expect coming up. For in depth football coverage, look out for the next issue of Scrimmage Play on August 26 which will feature our annual previews for each team. ✖ (Photo by Bart Isley)

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Family

Corner PRESENTED BY

ABOVE » Scrimmage Play’s boys lacrosse POTY Colin Bressan had to work his way up from a third string role on the STAB boys lacrosse varsity squad to get regular playing time as a junior.

Playing time: Player’s persepctive Part of the reason we play sports is the chance to actually play. The thrill of contributing to a collective effort on the field or court is part of the lifeblood of sports.

That’s what makes playing time such a divisive issue. Every player has an idea about how much they should play. What it’s based on is often what can contribute to a lack of understanding between a coach and a player about why you were or weren’t playing. For example, you think it should be based on your perceived skill set, while the coach is balancing some combination of an entirely different set of factors.

Next time we’ll unpack what a coach can do to communicate how playing time can be achieved and how they can help determine it, but for now let’s focus on what a player can do to not allow issues about playing time to ruin a game, a season, or even a career.

One of the biggest problems with

playing time is that players, quite simply, put too much stock into it as a measure of success. Getting playing time doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the best player for that role. You could be getting playing time because of an injury or a lack of depth at your particular position.

So don’t lean on playing time as a measure for success. Instead, fall in love with the process. One of the biggest causes of burnout in high school athletics is because players don’t enjoy the daily grind of practice.

It becomes a chore, a frustrating means to an end. But the majority of your time playing a sport is going to be practicing. Football players practice 8-10 hours per week in order to play 2-3 hours of a game. That’s a nearly 5:1 ratio in favor of practice. If you don’t enjoy the five, that one isn’t going to make up for it over the long haul. Particularly if playing time is at a premium on a team, like in basketball

where five players are on the court and 12 to 15 are on the roster. There just aren’t many minutes to go around.

If your coach is being fair, you can earn playing time during practice. Listen to your coach to accomplish that. If your field hockey coach is spending the postgame speech talking about a lack of effort on defense, take your defensive intensity up a notch in practice. Focus on that aspect of the game.

If you feel like you’re practicing hard and you’re being coachable, then you’re taking a lot of the right steps. So if playing time still isn’t coming to you on gameday, have a conversation with your parents and think through the situation. Maybe even role play how to approach a conversation with your coach about what you can work on to earn that precious time. Approach it from that angle, putting the impetus on yourself to improve instead of attacking the coach for their decisions.

Los Angeles Lakers and NBA legend Magic Johnson weighed in on that attitude and approach when he said, “Any guy who can maintain a positive attitude without much playing time certainly earns my respect.”

Going negative about the issue isn’t going to give you much of a chance to improve your situation. Support your teammates and build trust in them. That’ll likely result in you finding a role on the team in some capacity, and guarantee that your experience will be a positive one. ✖ This is the first in a three-part series on playing time.

Scrimmage Play and Triple C Camp have partnered up to cover a variety of player and family

Bart Isley,

CRE ATIVE DIRECTOR

www.scrimmageplay.com :: 04

First Quarter Fortuitous run Albemarle Post 74’s impressive road trip

By Ryan Yemen

T

hey have arguably two of the best arms in the area. But when Monticello’s Josh Malm and William Monroe’s Jack Morris both were hit elbow injuries after the high school season ended, Albemarle Post 74’s American Legion baseball team was in trouble.

Former Monroe teammates Jordan Gentry and Austin Batten turn two in the D13 tournament. (Ryan Yemen)

{ BEEN THERE } Experience matters. A breakdown of high school playoff experience for Post 74’s roster.

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4

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State title Region playoffs District playoffs

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K AR A EL DER

{ PLAYERS }

This was a squad that was coming in with four straight District 13 titles despite playing mostly with underclassmen in 2012 and looked primed for a run at getting through the VALB’s state tournament and a chance to play in the Southeast Region tournament for the first time ever.

Funny things happen to teams when they’re slapped with adversity, and out of a tough spot, Post 74 regrouped, put together another outstanding regular season and went into the District 13 tournament the favorite to win again, and they did.

On multiple occasions Albemarle 74 coach Mike Maynard (who also coaches during the high school season at Monroe) has watched his team get to the championship round of the state tournament only to fall a game short of getting a shot at the SE Region. However, something clicked for this team at the end of July and beginning of August that wasn’t there with previous teams. So much gets made of overall talent at the Legion level where the best arms, bats and fielders from the top high schools around get together. Legion baseball is an all-star game of high school athletes — most of them rivals just weeks before the season starts. You also get a sprinkle of collegiate players still young enough to crack the age limit. That only adds to the chemistry issues.

Or aids it.

William Monroe’s Jordan Gentry, the Group A player of the year in 2012 and Monticello’s Connor Lilley, now a catcher at Mary Washington, both led their high school teams to the state tournament in their senior years.

Albemarle grad Austin Turner, who attends Randolph Macon, and another former Dragon, Ryan Morris now at Ferrum, also suited up.

The quiet but methodical approach of the elder statesmen for Albemarle 74 had the kind of impact that every Legion coach hopes for.

Albemarle 74’s youth was its strength in 2012, and it played a major role this time around too with Monroe’s Austin Batten and Keegan Woolford, Western Albemarle’s Jack Maynard and Albemarle’s Ty Pittman. That core group of young talent mixed with the veterans produced a playoff run through the state tournament where Albemarle 74 outscored its opponents 51-5. The tournament MVP, Batten, went 11 for 14 with seven RBI and six runs scored while also earning a win on the mound.

The amazing run in Williamsburg to win the state title carried over into Asheboro, NC the next week. There in the SE Region tourney, Albemarle 74 won its first contest, fell in its second only to rebound in the double elimination format. While the team came one win away from making it to the championship round and the chance to play in the Legion World Series, what this team put together in June, July and early August was nothing short of remarkable. No Post 74 team had every made it through the state ranks. Given the twin hits this team absorbed before its season began, making a run through a region tournament was icing on the cake. ✖

go online »

For more baseball head to our website at: www.scrimmageplay.com.

College Update

We’ve gone digital

WFS grad garnering national award attention

But you can have it in print too!

By Bart Isley Woodberry Forest alum Ed Reynolds’ list of preseason awards could nearly take up this entire space. That’s how good that Reynolds, now a senior, has been at Stanford.

But they’re so impressive, and so few players reach these heights, let’s at least hit the high notes. He’s on watchlists for the Bronko Nagurski (nation’s top defender), the Jim Thorpe (top defensive back) and the Lott IMPACT Trophy (nation’s top defensive player based on character and achievement). He’s a preseason All-American via four different media outlets including SI.com and CBSSports.com.

But that should come as little surprise.

After all, the former Scrimmage Play offensive player of the year led Stanford in interceptions with six picks in 2012, three of which went for touchdowns. He led the nation with 301 interception return yards, finishing just a yard short of the NCAA’s single season record for return yards. That particular statistic comes as little surprise to anyone who saw his prep career when teams essentially opted to punt the ball out of bounds or go for it on fourth down rather than punt to the always

dynamic, always dangerous Reynolds.

He also had 16 total pass breakups and passes defended while racking up 47 total tackles. It was an incredible breakout performance for Reynolds, who played sparingly as a freshman and then missed his entire sophomore year due to injury.

Reynolds is proof that instant success doesn’t always happen at the college level, but that if you stay committed to the process, good things will happen. They certainly have so far for the Stanford senior.

If Reynolds maintains his ball-hawking ways as a senior, there’s a good chance he’ll be a high draft pick in next spring’s NFL draft, where a lot of buzz is swirling around the Tigers’ former star. He emerged as a complete safety last year, and has opened the door for the Stanford defense to take on a lot of different looks with Reynolds manning the back line.

With a lot of the Cardinal’s front seven back and teammate Jordan Richardson joining him again at safety, the stage seems set for Reynolds to have a monster 2013. ✖

BELOW » Stanford senior and former Woodberry Forest standout Ed Reynolds is poised to make a lot of noise in PAC 12 again. (photo courtesy StanfordPhoto.com)

HOW TO GET A PHYSICAL COPY OF SCRIMMAGE PLAY Step 1 :: Click here and head to the MagCloud version of the magazine.

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Step 2 :: Click the Buy Print button next to the magazine and follow instructions to order Step 3 :: Wait patiently by your mailbox Step 4 :: When it arrives, take it out and read or stash away to your heart’s delight!

www.scrimmageplay.com :: 06

EAR AWAR Y F O DS END

Spring was its usual flurry of activity in Central Virginia with multiple programs at the public and private school level playing until the last game of the year. It was an especially strong year in softball and boys and girls lacrosse with a total of five teams playing for the right to a state championship. It was an appropriate way to end the year as at least one program won a state title in each season. With all that in mind, we’ve assembled our year-end awards and the spring rotation of our All-Scrimmage Play teams.

Presented by:

Stories by Ryan Yemen and Bart Isley /// Photos by Ashley Thornton, John Berry, Bart Isley, Ryan Yemen

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- C A R E E R ACHIE VEMENT AWARD JAVANIQUE BURRUSS, LOUISA COUNTY, SENIOR SPORTS: INDOOR AND OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD, BASKETBALL

Javanique Burruss embodied pure athleticism during her time at Louisa County High School.

She started racking up state titles as just a freshman, and quickly made Harrisonburg High School her own personal playground. The site of the Group AA outdoor championships each spring bore witness to six individual titles in the first three years of her time as a Lion. An injury cut short her career and kept her out of her chance at state-wide immortality as the most decorated outdoor girls track standout in Group AA history, but what came before that was a great deal of triumph.

Burruss is far from a one-trick pony in the track world. She came into high school as a noted jumper and sprinter. Then she picked up the hurdles in high school and quickly turned a third place finish as a freshman into a title as a sophomore. She’s a master of the long and triple jumps too, holding the Group AA indoor and outdoor record in the long jump (as well as the indoor hurdles mark that gives her three current state records).

Burruss finished her career with a total of 11 individual state titles, with five more coming during her indoor campaigns. Burruss’

11 championships in four years would make for a pretty decent performance by an entire track program, much less an individual athlete.

It’s hard to even remember that she broke onto the prep sports scene first as a standout basketball player, earning first team AllJefferson District honors as a freshman point guard for the Lions. Her athleticism served her well as a point guard, but it was just a prelude to what was coming once she took to the track and the runway.

Great athletes often make things look easy, and Burruss did that regularly, shrugging off even her finest jumps as she motored ahead, on to the next event or the next attempt.

Burruss’ natural athletic talents likely would’ve made her a force in whatever discipline she attempted. While she locked in on track as her career progressed, she turned heads of all kinds, prompting anyone who saw her to marvel at her seemingly limitless ability. She made good on that talent too, racking up those 11 titles and three state records while taking the entire local track world by storm for four years. ✖

- SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR DOUG RANDOLPH, WOODBERRY FOREST, SENIOR SPORTS: FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, LACROSSE

Doug Randolph was always difficult to miss. He stood out in every season. As a havoc-wreaking defensive end/linebacker for Woodberry’s football team, he packed a year’s worth of statistics into six games, with 11 sacks and 14 TFL in his shortened season. Then during basketball, he averaged more than 20 points and six rebounds per game for the Tigers who were in the midst of a rebuilding project under first year head coach Craig Dawson. During lacrosse he served as a midfielder who was used largely like a piece of heavy artillery by the Tigers on man-up appearances or as a dodger from the top of the formation.

Randolph was the definition of an impact player. He changed what offenses did in the fall as they either had to run away from him or throw the ball quickly to prevent his relentless pass rush from blowing up the play. He drew all kinds of

defensive attention during basketball season and drove opposing coaches crazy with his ability to drive off the dribble or post up on the block. He even changed how defenses played Woodberry in lacrosse all the way up to the state semifinals despite scoring just 17 goals, the team’s fifth highest total. He was also a great teammate, always supportive and energetic on the sidelines whenever he was injured.

Now at Notre Dame for football, Randolph was the kind of player in high school that could draw the occasional gasp or series of whispers from the opposing bench just by stepping on the field. But the best part was that he almost always delivered despite never flying under the radar.

It was an incredible run for the senior, who closed out his time in Central Virginia as one of the area’s most memorable impact athletes. ✖

www.scrimmageplay.com :: 08

- S P O RT S WOM AN OF THE YE AR CAROLINE PORCO, ALBEMARLE, SENIOR SPORTS: VOLLEYBALL, SOFTBALL

On the volleyball court or on softball field, Caroline Porco’s game was all about hustle and grit, the kind of intangibles that coaches drool over. In her last year at Albemarle, Porco left a shining example of how you wrap up a succesfull all-around high school athletic career.

Her senior season started with her helping to anchor one of the most impressive streaks any Central Virginia team has put together. As the volleyball team’s libero, Porco’s job was to do all the little things that often get forgotten by the casual fan. Albemarle’s strength was in its depth across the board with its hitters, but none of that would have mattered without Porco being the first level of defense to start the transition on offense. Porco’s passing was every bit as solid as her defense and her strong chemistry with standout senior setter Jessica Block made the Patriots’ offense work like a well oiled machine.

The results showed in the win-loss columns. Albemarle won a school record 29-straight games from August through November.

That’s a school record at a program that has a pair of state championship teams in its history. Porco and the Patriots went on to

earn their first Group AAA tournament bid since 2009. For her effort, Porco was named first team All-Commonwealth, second team All-Northwest Region and first team All-Scrimmage Play.

In the spring, Porco wanted to keep the Albemarle softball at the same level the squad reached in a breakout 2012 campaign. As the team’s leadoff hitter, Porco was constantly on base for Albemarle’s power hitters. The Patriots enjoyed a lot of success early and when Porco suddenly had to miss a chunk of the regular season with a head injury, her absence was felt. The Patriots weren’t the same without her hitting, running and defense in centerfield. When she jumped back into the lineup, Albemarle bounced out of its funk and went on to challenge Orange for the Commonwealth District regular season and tournament championship.

While the Hornets prevailed on both counts, Albemarle was able to earn a second straight trip to the NW Region tournament. Porco earned first team honors on the All-Commonwealth District, All-Northwest Region and All-Scrimmage Play squads.

Her success in volleyball and softball will be missed at Albemarle, but not as much as the example she set through her work ethic. ✖

- SPORTSMAN / SPORTSWOMAN FINALISTS -

David Taylor /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Group AA indoor track champ; cross country and outdoor track star Jhalil Mosley /// Monticello, Sr. All-Jefferson District in football, basketball

Bridget Shaffrey /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Led basketball and lacrosse teams to Group AA tournament Kendall Ballard /// Charlottesville, So. Standout in field hockey (all-Group AA), basketball and lacrosse

Christian Hackenberg /// Fork Union, Sr. All-VISAA Division 1 in football, lettered in basketball, baseball

Emily Larrabee /// Monticello, Sr. Gritty standout lettered in basketball, All-JD in soccer

Joe Burris /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-NW Region, All-CD in baseball

Catherine Towers /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. All-American girls lacrosse goalie, All-LIS field hockey

Rashard Davis /// Charlottesville Sr. All-Region II in football, Group AA standout in track Cam Johnson /// Buckingham, Sr. All-Region B in baseball and basketball, lettered in football Austin Batten /// William Monroe, Jr. Key contributor for three Group A tournament runs in three seasons John Meade /// Covenant, Sr. All-VISAA in football and lacrosse

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Chandler Gentry /// Madison County, Jr. All-Bull Run in volleyball, basketball, softball Ashleigh Harris /// Fluvanna County, Sr. All-JD in basketball and softball Emily Stotmeister /// Nelson County, Sr. All-Region B in volleyball and basketball Rachel Rapp /// Covenant, Sr. Key for Eagles in volleyball, basketball, lacrosse (Division 2 POTY)

See a photograph you like?

De fensive stand Warriors goalie has more than one trick | By Ryan

At Scrimmage Play we pride ourselves offering the best Two years agoon the and Alex Nolet, as well possible graphics we can get our defender Western Albemarle boys as senior hands on, in both our magazine soccer team was fueled Tom Rogers are all in as well as at our website at their senior seasons by its underclassmen www.scrimmageplay.com and looking to earn a with sophomores and Region freshman We wantbearing to makethe sure that our II bid, something that Orange brunt ofhave the work load.opportunity readers the same County snatched away Now later, totwo haveyears these photos.

Best of luck to our 2013 student athletes from them in the forwards Aaron Myers Western Albemarle’s Kai Shin hauls as they embark on their college careers.

Simply visit our smugmug in a shot during his team’s 1-1 tie website at scrimmageplay.

Maiah Bartlett University of Mary Washington Lacrosse smugmug.com Miles Davis St. Joseph’s University Lacrosse Blissie DuBose University of North Carolina Field Hockey Will Eppard Stevenson University Lacrosse Tyler Gimple University of Mary Washington Swimming Covenant 1/2 page Will Grossman Colorado College Lacrosse Allie Nicholson University of Virginia Crew Lloyd Smith Bates College Lacrosse Stewart Staunton University of Virginia Squash Aaron Stinnie James Madison University Football Catherine Towers Gettysburg College Lacrosse

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TEAM SPOTLIGHT C OV E NA N T G I R L S L AC RO S S E Congratulations to the 2013 VISAA State Division 2 Champion Covenant girls

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- B OYS L ACROSSE FIRST TEAM

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Tyler Pace /// Blue Ridge, Sr. First team All-VISAA D1, All-VIC, 80 goals, 72 assists

COLIN BRESSAN ST. ANNE’S-BELFIELD, SENIOR

Will Tucker /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. Second team All-VISAA D1, All-Prep, 44 goals 22 assists, 48 gbs Chase Phillips /// Monticello, Sr. West Central Division POY, First team All-WC Section Matt Crist /// Albemarle, Jr. First team All-WC Section and All-WC Division, 44 goals, 27 assists John Meade /// Covenant, Sr. First team All-VISAA D2, All-VIC, 75 groundballs, 34 takeaways J.P. Connell /// Woodberry Forest, Jr. Second team All-VISAA D1, All-Prep, 80 groundballs, 33 takeaways Miles Davis /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Second team All-VISAA D1, All-Prep, 34 goals, 13 assists Jared Arntzen /// Blue Ridge, Sr. Second team All-VISAA D1, first team All-VIC, 153 groundballs Drew Gaffney /// Covenant, So. Second team All-VISAA D2, All-VIC 40 goals, 13 assists, 74 gbs Todd Fedyck /// Woodberry Forest, Jr. All-Prep, 38 goals, 26 assists, 37 groundballs Ryan Ramey /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-WC Section, first team All-WC Division, 51 gbs Nick Pegg /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-WC Section, first team All-WC Division, 41 goals Chase Fraser /// Blue Ridge, Sr. All-VIC, 51 goals 21 assists

Colin Bressan is a ball of energy on the field. Bouncing around, constantly twitching, moving and yelling. Almost like his internal spring coils all day until the opening face off unleashes his frantic madness.

That energy has translated into results though as the former thirdstring keeper went from a relative unknown to among the area’s best.

This season, he somehow elevated his save percentage a few notches despite the fact that almost the entire defense in front of him this season were new starters. Instead of regressing, Bressan got better, becoming a more complete player than anyone could have expected.

He put together incredible performances throughout the year, and occasionally single-handedly kept the Saints in games with tough save after tough save. Bressan’s hard work and energy took his game to new heights and put STAB in the playoffs yet again.

Colin Bressan /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. All-Prep League, 170 saves, 67% save percentage, 47 groundballs Ben Pugh /// Woodberry Forest Sr. First team All-VISAA D1, All-Prep, 198 saves, 57% save percentage

HONORABLE MENTION Austin Llera /// Covenant, So. Patrick Shea /// Woodberry Forest, So. Vance Spilman /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. Michael McCollough /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Peter Garland /// Covenant, Sr. Hunter Brown /// Albemarle, Jr. Nic Drapanas ///Western Albemarle, Jr. Willis Bocock /// Charlottesville, Sr. Rob Schotta /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, So. Charlie Cory /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr.

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NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR PATRICK SHEA WOODBERRY FOREST, SOPHOMORE A number of the things that Patrick Shea brings to the table, you can’t teach. The Oakville, Ontario native is fantastically quick, creating all kinds of matchup problems for all kinds of defenders despite checking in at about 5-foot-9. His quick feet are a big reason that Shea immediately integrated himself into a veteran Woodberry lineup and became one of the Tigers’ go-to players on offense. He finished the year with 31 goals, 19 assists and 78 ground balls out of the midfield. That’s a pretty good start to his career in Woodberry’s storied lacrosse program.

- GIRLS L ACROSSE FIRST TEAM Connor Carson /// Albemarle, Sr. West Central Section and Division POY

PLAYER OF THE YEAR JULA HANEY ST. ANNE’S-BELFIELD, SOPHOMORE

Lila Satterfield /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. All-LIS, 72 goals, 12 assists Rachel Rapp /// Covenant, Sr. All-VISAA D2 POY, All-LIS Rosalie Stoke /// Western Albemarle, Sr. First team All-WC Section and Division Ari Slate /// Monticello, Sr. First team All-WC Section and Division Jamie Kusyk /// Charlottesville, Jr. First team All-WC Section and Division Julia Haney /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, So. Honorable mention All-American, First team All-VISAA D1, All-LIS Annie Cory /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Fr. 41 goals, 14 assists Bridget Shaffrey /// Western Albemarle, Sr. All-American, first team All-WC Section, 76 goals, 27 assists Becca Moriconi /// Western Albemarle, Jr. First team All-WC Section and Division, 30 goals, 41 draw controls Audrey Schreck /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, So. Second team All-VISAA D1, All-LIS, 33 groundballs Charlotte Delaney /// Covenant, Sr. First tem All-VISAA D2, All-LIS Sadie Bryant /// Covenant, So. First tem All-VISAA D2, All-LIS Maya Langman /// Western Albemarle, Sr. First team All-WC Section and Division, 152 saves Catherine Towers /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. All-American, 50% save percentage, 123 saves

HONORABLE MENTION

Jenna Clark /// Covenant, Sr. McKinley Clore /// Covenant, Sr. Kelsey Rund /// Albemarle, Sr. Kendall Ballard /// Charlottesville, So. Morgan Schuler /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Sydney Larese /// Monticello, Sr. Madison Combs /// Monticello, Sr. Ryann Murray /// Albemarle, Sr. Emily Smith /// Albemarle, Sr. Mariah Bartlett /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Megan Graham /// Fluvanna County, Sr.

Numbers aren’t everything, but sometimes, they tell an awful lot of the story. While playing in the most talent-laden girls lacrosse division in the state, VISAA’s Division I, St. Anne’s-Belfield midfielder Julia Haney poured in 118 goals and dished out 53 assists. As a sophomore. Haney averaged nearly five goals and two assists as the Saints went 18-6 and qualified for the VISAA tournament, fall. Haney has emerged as the fastest, most dynamic offensive threat in Central Virginia over the last three years as part of the STAB varsity since she joined the Saints as an eighth grader. This year, with defenses throwing a variety of looks at the young standout, she expanded her game and became a pinpoint passer and a more patient attacker. She’s also a defensive force, capable of regularly taking the ball away from the opposition. It’s no wonder Princeton already offered Haney a spot in their class when she graduates from STAB in 2015.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR SUMMER LARESE MONTICELLO, FRESHMAN It’s hard not to see the incredible potential Monticello freshman midfielder Summer Larese possesses. As just a freshman, Larese scored 42 goals and dished out 10 assists while hauling in 33 draw controls this season for the Mustangs. Larese is a matchup nightmare because of her speed and stick skills, and she is poised to be a major factor on the local girls lacrosse scene for years to come.

Her sister Sydney made an impact as a freshman too and had a fruitful career. Expect more of the same for Summer.

www.scrimmageplay.com :: 12

- SOFTBALL FIRST TEAM Caroline Porco /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Northwest Region and All-CD

PLAYER OF THE YEAR AYSHA RICHARDSON ORANGE COUNTY, SENIOR

Aysha Richardson /// Orange County, Sr. All-Group AAA, Northwest Region and CD POTY Haley Jones /// Orange County, Sr. First team All-CD Lindsey Chaney /// Albemarle, So. First team All-Region B and All-Bull Run Ashleigh Harris /// Fluvanna County, Sr. Radford signee, first team All-JD McKenzie Riner /// Louisa County, Sr. First team All-Region II, first team All-JD Lauren Seale /// Madison County, Jr. First team All-Region B, All-Bull Run Jackie Tremaine /// Goochland, So. Second team All-Region B, first team All-James River Kaitlyn Aylor /// Madison County, Jr. Second team All-Region B, first team All-Bull Run District McKenzie Flora /// Wiliam Monroe, So. First team All-Bull Run District Mattie Morris /// Monticello, Jr. First team All-Group AA, Region II and JD co-POY Jordan Flemming /// Goochland, Sr. Second team All-Region B, first team All-James River District

HONORABLE MENTION Brooke McAllister /// Albemarle, Jr. Lindsay Talley /// Louisa County, So. Chandley Gentry /// Madison County, Jr. Brittany Wratchford /// Louisa County, Sr. Courtney Wright /// Covenant, Fr. Colleen Marshall /// Albemarle, Sr. Kelsey Short /// William Monroe, Sr. Bandi Tester /// Goochland, Jr. Savannah Gough /// Buckingham, Jr. Emily McAllister /// Albemarle, Sr. Alexis Steljes /// Covenant, Jr. Lexi Bledsoe /// Orange County, So.

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Aysha Richardson went into her senior season with next to nothing to prove as she already had formally committed to play at Virginia Tech for the 2014 season. That didn’t stop her from getting Orange County to the Group AAA semifinals with Northwest Region and Commonwealth District titles along the way. Richardson’s command in the circle was the keystone for the Hornets all season as she strung together no-hitters and shutouts. She came just an inning away from a perfect game in the playoffs. But her play at the plate as the team’s leadoff was every bit as important. Richardson’s speed put her on base regularly and once on first, Orange never had to wait long for her to swipe a few bases. She had little trouble earning All-Group AAA, NW Region and CD first team honors.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR MAKAYLA MORRIS WILLIAM MONROE, FRESHMAN William Monroe took big steps forward behind its youth in 2012 but the 2013 season was even better. As a freshman, Makayla Morris stepped into a primary role for the Dragons, particularly offensively.

Morris’ bat and speed was instrumental for William Monroe and helped the program rise to the top level of standings in the Bull Run District as they competed at a high level with eventual champion Madison County and Clarke County. With three years left to play for Morris and the bulk of the program returning, Monroe can look forward to staying on the top side of the standings.

- BASEBALL FIRST TEAM Jack Morris /// William Monroe, Jr. First team All-Group A, All-Region B, All-Bull Run District

CO-PLAYERS OF THE YEAR JOE BURRIS ALBEMARLE, SENIOR

Josh Malm /// Monticello, Jr. Second team All-Region II, All-Jefferson District Austin Batten /// William Monroe, Jr. First team All-Region B, first team All-Bull Run Max Mann /// Monticello, Sr. Second team All-Region B, irst team All-James River Ryan Leake /// William Monroe, Sr. First team All-Region B, First team All-Bull Run District Alex McNair /// Monticello, Jr. First team All- Region II, All-Jefferson District Jack Maynard /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Second team All-Jefferson District Keegan Woolford /// William Monroe, So. First team All-Region B, first team All-Bull Run Maxx Turner /// Fluvanna County, Sr. First team All-Jefferson District, All-Region II, .551 BA, 1.83 ERA Joe Burris /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Northwest Region, Commonwealth District POY Will Decker /// Monticello, Sr. First team All-Jefferson District John Mark Mastakas/// Western Albemarle, So. First team All-Jefferson District

HONORABLE MENTION Christian Hackenberg /// Fork Union, Sr. Charlie Carter /// Fork Union, Jr. Parker Morris /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, So. Mason Bowman /// Madison County, Sr. Jalen Harrison /// Fluvanna County, So. Dale Richardson /// Fork Union, Sr. Jake Allen /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Trace Nixon /// Goochland, Sr. Richard Coppola /// Covenant, Sr. Mike Daily /// Miller, Jr. Stevie Mangrum /// Western Albemarle, So. Jovan Burton /// Fluvanna County, Sr. Cam Johnson /// Buckingham County, Sr. Christian Buckler /// Louisa County, Jr. Tyler Baker /// Nelson County, Fr.

With so much turnover at the top half of the lineup and in the pitching rotation, there was really only one certainty for coach Jimmy Bibb at Albemarle — his ace, Joe Burris would put the team on his back every Tuesday and help keep the Patriots’ winning ways going. Burris committed to Virginia Tech back in June of 2012 and after his outstanding junior season, the Albemarle hurler left little to be wanted from his senior season. Burris went deep into games and picked up double-digit strikeout totals on a regular basis. In a 2-0 shutout road victory against Stafford he strikeout 17 batters — that’s all but four a possible 21 outs in a seven inning game. In 65 innings on the year he struckout 96 batters. Add to it that he hit .365 with 15 RBI on two doubles, a triple and a home run and you’ve got as well rounded a talent as there was in the state on the diamond.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR BOBBY NICHOLSON ST. ANNE’S-BELFIELD, FRESHMAN Bobby Nicholson looks poised to add himself to STAB’s recent illustrious list of power hitters (Brett Johnson ‘12, Kevin White ‘11) after just one year at the varsity level with an impressive line of hitting .427, two home runs, seven doubles and leading the Saints with 25 RBI in 86 plate appearances. The ultimate stat of a hitter these days, on base plus slugging, gives you an idea of just what kind of a breakout year he had as his OPS was 1.063. Anything above .800 is outstanding. The future is awfully bright at STAB, and Nicholson has a huge role in it.

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- GIRLS SOCCER FIRST TEAM Marina Clark /// Western Albemarle, Sr. JD POTY, First team All-Region II, 24 goals, 9 assists

PLAYER OF THE YEAR MAGGIE TUBRIDY ALBEMARLE, SENIOR

Maggie Tubridy /// Albemarle, Sr. CD POTY, First team All-NW Region, 29 goals, 10 assists Rachel DeMasters /// William Monroe, Fr. Second team All-Region B, first team All-BR, 32 goals, 25 assists Cary Wingo/// Monticello, Sr. First team All-JD, 14 goals, three assists Haley Kent /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Jr. First team All-VISAA D1, All-LIS Anne Shaffrey /// Charlottesville, Sr. First team All-JD, second team All-Region II Ali Starr /// Albemarle, Jr. First team All-NW Region, first team All-CD, 13 goals, four assists Megan Schnell /// Albemarle, Jr. All-NW Region, first team All-CD, 17 goals, seven assists Christine Domecq /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Second team All-Jefferson District Sarah Grupp /// Western Albemarle, Jr. First team All-JD, second team All-Region II, four goals, six assists Anna Sumpter /// Western Albemarle, Fr. First team All-NW Region, All-Commonwealth District Lauren Gampper /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, So. First team All-VISAA D1, All-LIS Emily Marbury /// Western Albemarle, Sr. JD KOTY, second team All-Region II

Maggie Tubirdy exploded back in 2010 as one of the top freshmen in the area, providing Albemarle with an instant dose of offense. That turned into just the beginning for the four-time All-Commonwealth District honoree and it all culminated in her finest campaign to date as a senior. This year she unleashed a 29-goal, 10-assist season in leading the Patriots to brink of a state tournament berth with a run that ended in penalty kicks in the Northwest semifinals but included a sweep of the Commonwealth titles. Tubridy expanded her game this season to pass the ball more up front for the Patriots. Her 10 assists helped make the Patriots a more dynamic and unpredictable team.

That made Tubridy the area’s most complete player in 2013.

HONORABLE MENTION Ellie Linkous /// Monticello, Sr. Abby Davison /// Albemarle, Sr. TaylorAnne Barry /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, So. Jazzy Loredo /// Albemarle, So. Katie Stutz /// Fluvanna County, Fr. Christina Mills /// Goochland, Sr. Kristen Grimshaw /// Monticello, Sr. Hannah Keith /// Monticello, Fr. Sydney Hockett /// Tandem Friends, Sr. Carmen Thomas /// Albemarle, So. Kate Moody /// Tandem Friends, Sr. Abigail Intolubbe-Chmil /// Charlottesville, Sr.

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NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR ANNA SUMPTER WESTERN ALBEMARLE, FRESHMAN In a year where several big-time freshmen made a splash like Rachel DeMasters and Hannah Keith, it was Sumpter who found a way to make the biggest impact. She helped transform an already talented, tough Western squad into a fearsome group that ran roughshod over a challenging schedule and whose season ended at the hands of eventual Group AA champion Woodgrove. Sumpter poured in 23 goals and dished out 14 assists while earning All-Region II and All-JD honors.

ACADEMIC EDGE SPONSORED

BY

HARGRAVE

MILITARY ACADEMY

CHARLOTTESVILLE’S WADE KAMMAUFF

In the last three years, Wade Kammauff has toiled away on the wrestling mat, on the baseball diamond and as a tenacious under-sized center for Charlottesville High’s resurgent football team. He earned All-Scrimmage Play honors during football, placed fifth in Region II last season in wrestling and batted .405 for the Black Knights’ baseball team.

During the fall, Kammauff regularly drive blocks players much larger than himself 10-15 yards down field to help spark one of the area’s most dynamic rushing attacks while missing a grand total of three offensive plays the last three seasons for the Black Knights.

Kammauff is just as steady and resilient in the classroom, where he’s an incredible math student and boasts a GPA north of 3.7 built while taking a number of advanced placement classes. He also volunteers for McIntire Little League and the Cavalier Wrestling Club when he’s not putting in work on athletics and academics.

All those factors make Kammauff one of the area’s finest student athletes.

ABOUT HARGRAVE MILITARY ACADEMY Hargrave believes individual achievement is a gamechanger for all students, both on and off the field. With a college acceptance rate over 99% and a heavy emphasis on academics, your son will have competitive advantages ahead of his peers including leadership and character development.

The Academic athlete of the month is selected by Scrimmage Play’s staff with the consultation of coaches and athletic directors. to nominate an athlete email info@scrimmageplay.com

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- BOYS SOCCER FIRST TEAM Dale Ludwig /// Fluvanna County, Sr. JD POTY, First team All-Region II

PLAYER OF THE YEAR FORREST WHITE WESTERN ALBEMARLE, JUNIOR

Forrest White /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Second team Group AA, First team All-Region II, 19 goals, 25 assists Matt Sheffield /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-CD Noah Oakland /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Second team All-Region II, first team all-JD Mitch Spessard /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. All-Prep League Bear Bondurant /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. All-Prep League Abass Osman /// Charlottesville, Sr. First team All-JD, Radford signee Nathan Colberg /// Covenant, Sr. First team All-VIC Jake Wren /// Monticello, Sr. First team All-JD, lead defender for Mustangs Grant Tolber /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Second team Group AA, first team All-Region II, 20 goals, six assists Shahir Abdul-Shatar /// Charlottesville, Sr. Second team All-JD Marcel Berry /// Albemarle, So. First team All-CD Grant Gearhart /// Western Albemarle, Sr. JD KOTY, Second team All-Region II, allowed 8 total goals on year

Forrest White doesn’t play with all the flair of some of the area’s other standouts. He’s perhaps not even the most immediately noticeable player on his own team with tall striker Grant Tolber around. But White is a technical master with the ability to bend the ball in the clutch (he scored off a corner kick that way this year) and one of the most consistently productive area players in recent memory. Game in and game out, the junior came up big for the Warriors, ringing up a whopping 63 points (19 goals, 25 assists) to lead the team on the year. White’s control in the midfield helped set the pace for Western in every game. He did all that with a target on his back as the reigning Jefferson District player of the year, and he outperformed his sophomore campaign that earned that honor. See, flair matters, but production? That matters a little more.

HONORABLE MENTION

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Jorge Guitterez-Reyes /// Louisa County, Sr. Girma Fekadu /// Covenant, Sr. Younes Zangiabadi /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Chris Broughton /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. Sung Bin Choi /// Blue Ridge, Sr. Michael Nafziger /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Kevin Salazar /// Albemarle, Jr. Andrew Solomon /// Albemarle, Sr. Harris Tolber /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Jordan Thacker /// Fluvanna County, Sr. Robin Hauschner /// Nelson County, Sr. David Coinfino /// Charlottesville, Sr.

AIDAN SINCLAIR WESTERN ALBEMARLE, FRESHMAN It not just that Aidan Sinclair is talented. There’s no doubt about that. It’s that he was talented enough to forge a role for himself and standout on a loaded, playoff-ready Western Albemarle squad that was packed with seniors and talented, experienced players like Forrest White and Grant Tolber. He thrived as part of the ensemble cast for the Warriors, notching the fifth most productive scoring effort on the team while tallying nine goals. The freshman midfielder has clearly established he’s a potential future force in the JD.

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- GIRLS TENNIS FIRST TEAM Emily Kochard /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Group AA singles runner-up, Region II singles champion, 19-2 singles

PLAYER OF THE YEAR EMILY KOCHARD WESTERN ALBEMARLE, JUNIOR

Kassie Tulenko /// Monticello, Jr. No. 1 singles and doubles for Mustangs Fran Clifton /// Western Albemarle, Sr. No. 3 singles player, 16-2 singles record Grace Simpson /// Monticello, So. No. 2 singles, No. 1 doubles player for Mustangs Maddy Ix /// Western Albemarle, Fr. No. 2 singles, No. 1 doubles, 17-6 singles record Lila Satterfield /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. No. 1 singles and doubles for Saints Allison Henry /// Albemarle, Sr. CD singles champion, NW Region doubles state qualifier 18-4 singles Stephanie Barton /// Western Albemarle, So. No. 2 doubles for Warriors, 19-3 singles record Claire Chisholm /// Albemarle, Sr. No. 3 player for Commonwealth champions, 18-3 singles record Neely Criag /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Fr. No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles player for Saints

Emily Kochard just keeps getting better and better. Western Albemarle’s junior No. 1 has been a critical factor for the Warriors since her freshman year, and she took it to new heights in 2013, unleashing a monster junior season that boosted her to a pair of state runner-up finishes, one for her as a singles player and another for the Warriors in the team competition. While she’s shown poise since early in her career, Kochard looked even more at home as the Warriors’ No. 1 this season, often wrapping up her clashes with opposing top players efficiently and, on occasion, in dominant fashion. Kochard played big time tennis all year long while leading Western to the brink of a title, proving she’s one of the state’s best.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR HONORABLE MENTION Claire Park /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Liz Kronander/// Louisa County, Sr. Jenna Pierides /// Monticello, So. Rowan Spence /// Charlottesville, Jr. Kaitlyn Grossman /// Albemarle, Jr. Callie Murray /// Albemarle, Sr.

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MADDY IX WESTERN ALBEMARLE, FRESHMAN It’s difficult to make an impact on a varsity squad as a freshman.

To do it in Western Albemarle’s usually loaded girls tennis program, you’ve got to be awfully good and Maddy Ix was just that from day one. Ix exploded on the scene as the Warriors’ No. 2 taking over for graduated senior Cari Bland, and Western barely missed a beat, as Ix went 17-6 against stout competition in just her first varsity year. She also teamed with No. 1 Kochard to create one of the area’s most formidable doubles squads.

- BOYS TENNIS FIRST TEAM Timmy O’Shea /// Western Albemarle, Sr. No. 1 player for Jefferson District champions

PLAYER OF THE YEAR JACK THOMAS COVENANT, SOPHOMORE

Tucker Ottoway /// Western Albemarle, So. No. 2 player for Jefferson District champions Jack Thomas /// Covenant, Jr. First team All-VISAA DII, No. 1 player for state champions Boris Yang /// Albemarle, Sr. No. 2 player for NW Region champion and state-qualifying Patriots Faulkner Hereford /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. No. 2 player for Tigers Sam Adamson /// Covenant, Jr. First team All-VISAA DII, No. 4 player for state champions Matthew Rose /// Covenant, Fr. First team All-VISAA DII, No. 3 player for state champions Doug Corbett /// Albemarle, Sr. No. 1 player for NW Region champion and state-qualifying Patriots Andrew Scott /// Woodberry Forest, Jr. No. 1 player for Tigers William Rose /// Covenant, Jr. First team All-VISAA DII, No. 2 player for state champions

Jack Thomas is a huge reason that Covenant boys tennis now has the school’s sixth-straight title in the sport, a staggering accomplishment for any program. Thomas, a talented junior, led the way for the Eagles with a dominant 2013. He took on and largely vanquished opposing squads’ No. 1 contenders in the midst of an incredibly challenging schedule for the Eagles that included matchups with Woodberry Forest, Collegiate and Western Albemarle among other regional tennis powerhouses. Thomas was the cornerstone in that effort, and is on the cusp of becoming one of the area’s top tennis exports in the coming years.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR HONORABLE MENTION Will Hantzmon /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Hilton Bilbrey /// Blue Ridge, Sr. Joe Squillace /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Kyle Ottoway /// Miller, Sr. Jake Brooks /// Albemarle, Jr. Roger Wang /// Covenant, So. Eli Connell /// Fluvanna County, Jr. Michael Tamony /// Fluvanna County, Jr.

MATTHEW ROSE COVENANT, FRESHMAN Matthew Rose joined an absolutely loaded varsity Covenant squad and made them that much better as the No. 3 player for the state champions. Joining his brother Will in the Eagles’ ladder, Rose was an impact player from day one, giving Covenant incredible depth. His ascent opened the door for Sam Adamson, a potential No. 1 on most area squads, to play at No. 4, making the Eagles’ group one of the strongest local lineups in recent memory.

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- TRACK AND FIELD GIRLS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR JAVANIQUE BURRUSS LOUISA COUNTY, SENIOR

An injury slowed down South Carolina signee Javanique Burruss during the outdoor season, but her indoor was incredible enough for Burruss to wrap up one of the most storied track and field careers in local history.

Burruss won the 55-meter hurdles, the long jump and the triple jump in the indoor championships in addition to running anchor on a fifth place 4x200 relay. Those three state titles vaulted the Lions to a third place finish in the meet as she played a role in 34 of Louisa’s 36 points on the day in what became her final state championship meet.

GIRLS HONOR ROLL Javanique Burruss /// Louisa County, Sr. Group AA indoor 55-meter hurdles, long, triple jump champion Hannah Meador /// Fluvanna County, Jr. Group AA champion indoor and outdoor pole vault Taylor Watkins /// Charlottesville, So. Group AA outdoor 400-meter champion, second 200, fourth in 100 Casey Russell /// Albemarle, Sr. Group AAA eighth outdoor pole vault, NW Region fifth pole vault Annie Taylor /// Western Albemarle, So. Group AA third outdoor 3200-meter, eighth 1600-meter Chance Masloff /// Western Albemarle, So. Group AA ninth 800-meter

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BOYS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR DAVID TAYLOR WESTERN ALBEMARLE, SENIOR

David Taylor broke on to the scene as just a freshman, and he’s barely slowed down since then. The Cornell-bound runner put together his finest performance in the 2013 indoor championships, when he streaked to a pair of state titles, winning the 1600-meter and 3200-meter races for Western. He held off strong challenges in both races, winning each race by less than two seconds. After a strong outdoor season that included a runnerup finish in the 3200, he cemented his place in Western Albemarle’s distinguished distance history.

BOYS HONOR ROLL Ryan Thomas /// Albemarle, So. Group AAA indoor 1000-meter champion, NW Region 1600-meter Clyde Gross /// Fork Union, Sr. VISAA outdoor 110-meter and 300-meter hurdle champion David Taylor /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Group AA champion indoor 1600 and 3200, second outdoor 3200 Rashard Davis /// Charlottesville, Sr. Group AA third outdoor 100-meter, sixth 200-meter Raeshawn Bishop /// Louisa County, Jr. Group AA fourth long jump, fifth triple jump, ninth 300-meter hurdles Deiondre Key /// Fluvanna County, Jr. Group AA third outdoor discus, sixth shot put

- TRACK AND FIELD -

Maggie Kooken /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Radford signee, Group AA sixth outdoor shotput Monica Mallory /// Louisa County, Sr. Group AA sixth outdoor 100-meter hurdles, third in triple jump Kristen Smith /// Albemarle, Sr. NW Region fifth 800-meter, CD runner-up 800-meter Allison Huschke /// Albemarle, Sr. NW Region fifth 3200-meter Emily Rayle /// Western Albemarle, So. Group AA sixth pole vault, Region II runner-up pole vault Courtney Searcy /// Fluvanna County, Jr. Jefferson District champion outdoor discus, runner-up shotput Brieona Booker /// Albemarle, Sr. NW Region 11th long jump, 15th triple jump, CD sixth 200-meter Meg Pritchard /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Jr. VISAA ninth outdoor 1600-meter

Ty Abdul-Karim /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. VISAA 100-meter and 200-meter champion Christian Asher /// Woodberry Forest, Jr. VISAA outdoor runner-up 100-meter, third 200-meter Eric Ways /// Woodberry Forest, Jr. VISAA outdoor 400-meter champion Chance Parmly /// Fluvanna County, Sr. Group AA runner-up pole vault Russ Garver /// Fork Union, Sr. VISAA outdoor 800-meter champion James Ballowe /// Nelson County, Jr. Group A third outdoor 3200-meter, eighth 1600-meter Tyler Vest /// Nelson County, Sr. Group A third triple jump, fifth high jump Devin Smith /// Buckingham, Sr. Group A third outdoor discus, seventh outdoor shot

- GOLF -

H O N O R

Ben Perkins /// Charlottesville, Sr. Jefferson District medalist Logan Yates /// William Monroe, So. Scored for Group A Champions Ryan Pace /// Monticello, Jr. Group AA qualifier Austin Batten (pictured) /// William Monroe, Jr. Scored for Group A Champions Alex Simmons /// Albemarle, Sr. Group AAA qualifier Kent Miller /// Western Albemarle, Sr. 16th place Group AA Hunter Weis /// Western Albemarle, So. 13th place Group AA

R O L L

Jason Bell /// William Monroe, Sr. Scored for Group A champions Rob Prater /// Woodberry Forest, Fr. Low scorer for VISAA D1 champions Caleb Martin /// Albemarle, Sr. Group AAA qualifier Kurt Diduch /// William Monroe, Jr. All-VISAA Division 2 Timothy Walter /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. All-VISAA Division 1 Peter Knabe /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. All-VISAA Division 1 Robert Deane /// Monticello, So. Region II qualifier

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Flip Turns Farewells and new tidings

Jefferson Swim League sees fitting end for elite swimmers and new team champion

By Ryan Yemen

Matt Lockman (top) and Alex Montes De Oca (bottom) both set a pair of records in the JSL Championship. (Tom Pajewski)

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In so many ways, the Jefferson Swim League is a showcase. Swimmers, both younger and older get a chance to compete and interact with some of the brightest talents. And each year, the summer-long league serves as a farewell tour for a handful of athletes that have graduated high school and are headed to the next level to swim collegiately.

Since they were freshman at their respective schools, Albemarle and Orange County, Matt Lockman and Alex Montes De Oca having been contributing amazing times for their programs, establishing themselves as two of the best swimmers to come out of Central Virginia. So it was only fitting that the two go out in style in the JSL Championship.

That they did. On the first night of the two-day event, both Lockman and Montes De Oca broke a pair of JSL records at the UVA Aquatic and Fitness Center. The JSL’s format favors sprinters, and this winter Lockman and Montes De Oca dominanted that format.

Nothing changed this summer.

In the 15-18 year old JSL class, Lockman took first place with his time of 20:56 in the 50 free only to put together a mark of 22:78 in the 50 butterfly. The two times both broke the previous record, and thanks to his participation in the 2011 Fairview Swim Club 200-free relay, Lockman has three records to show for his summer swimming career as he now heads to UVa as a recruited walk-on.

Montes De Oca’s JSL finale was equally thrilling as the William and Mary bound talent took home records in the 100 individual medley and 50 backstroke with respective times of 52:03 and 23:92. Of course, breaking the 100 IM record had added meaning for Montes De Oca as the previous holder was his older brother and UVa alumus, Nick, who set the

mark previously in 2009. The 100 IM and 50 back records and his 50 butterfly mark in the 13-14 year old group back in 2009 left Montes De Oca finishing up his JSL tour with a trio of records.

While those two swimmers going out on top highlighted the first day of events, what occurred from the team aspect in day two raised eyebrows. For starters, the difference between the top four teams was a mere 202 points, a credit to the how much deeper the pool of local swimming talent has become.

But for the previous 22 years though, the only parity in the team standings came from which teams were going to finish closest to Fairview. In 2012 the Crozet Swim Team put together a solid run to challenge the long-time champs. In 2013, the Gators finally took down the Seahorses, winning by 28 points. After the elder athletes competed on day one, Fairview held a 54-point lead. In a sign of what is to come down the pipeline, particularly at Western Albemarle, Crozet’s youth took the reigns and propelled their team to the top of the standings.

With Boar’s Head Swim Club and Forest Lakes Swim Team coming in third and fourth place at 119.5 and 202 points behind Crozet, it looks as though true parity may be taking hold in the JSL in years to come, especially with seven other records being broken in 2013 by the younger ages groups, intermediate, junior and midget.

Sure, the area will certainly miss the Matt Lockmans and Alex Montes De Ocas of the Central Virginia swimming community. But with talent level so high in the younger age groups, the prominent high school programs can expect the pipeline of elite swimmers to continue. ✖

Success stories begin here.

Success Story: Merrill Robertson After he graduated from L.C. Bird High, Merrill Robertson came to Fork Union back in 1998 to play for John Shuman’s postgraduate football program. Robertson racked up 840 yards and 13 touchdowns at running back and all of the sudden, found himself a member of one of George Welsh’s last recruiting classes at Virginia.

Robertson’s ability to play at fullback, defensive end and linebacker made him one of the most versatile, and thus, more productive players at UVa during his tenure, allowing him to play in 21 of 23 possible games during his three year stay.

Not long after his playing days came to an end, Robertson found himself back home in Richmond working for Cavalier Union Investments, based out of Midlothian. This past spring, Robertson’s journey came full circle where he was able to give back to the school that helped to guide

him 14 years earlier.

At the end of May, Robertson made the short trip down to FUMA to present a check to the school with colleagues Carl Vaughn and fellow Blue Devils almunus Bobby Cobb (’71) for $30,000. The generous donation will be used for student scholarships and be split between the Paul. F. Cobb Scholarship Fund, The Coach Fletcher Arritt Fund and for the PG football program.

Fork Union has a proud tradition of getting athletes to the next level, but stories like Robertson’s are most important because like many FUMA products, he’s gone on to have a successful career after football. He also found a way to give back to the community so that today’s athletes might have a chance to pursue the same dreams of playing in college, earning a valuable degree and making the most of their potential.

Fork Union Military Academy is the leading Christian military boarding school for boys in grades 6 - 12 and PG. www.forkunion.com — 1-800-GO-2-FUMA

The West Virginia University 3-time Big East Academic All-Star and former assistant Mens’ Basketball Coach at NCAA Divison I Charleston Southern University, Brooks Berry, joined Covenant School this summer.

BROOKS BERRY West Virginia University three-time Big East AcademicFOR All-Star COVENANT NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR BS in Sports Management from WVU Assistant Mens’ Basketball Coach at Charleston Southern University - NCAA Div I

• Covenant offers over 40 Middle School, JV, and Varsity team sports  • Covenant has won 19 State Championships   • 80% of all Upper School students participate on at least one team each year     • Great college advising program and outstanding college acceptances

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THE COVENANT SCHOOL THE COVENANT LOWER SCHOOL | Pre-K through Grade 6 THE  COVENANT UPPER SCHOOL | Grades 12  7 through      1000 Birdwood Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 434-220-8125 175 Hickory Street Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 434-220-7330          

CHARLOTTESVILLE’S ONLY CHRISTIAN PK-12 LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES SCHOOL CHARLOTTESVILLE’S ONLY CHRISTIAN PK-12 LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES SCHOOL

Overtime

Transcending a rivalry Girls soccer standouts lean on each other

W

estern Albemarle girls soccer’s Christine Domecq knew instantly that it was going to be over. Eventually, she was going to feel the exact same way Monticello’s Ellie Linkous felt right then.

“It was hard for me to see her upset but also to know that that was my fate as well eventually,” Domecq said. “It was an eye-opening moment for both of us.”

So she hugged Linkous as they both cried just minutes after Linkous’ Mustangs fell in the eighth round of penalty kicks to Charlottesville, ending Monticello girls soccer’s season.

Domecq may have been moving on to the Region II playoffs, where the Warriors fell to eventual state champion Woodgrove. But in that moment, it didn’t matter much at all. For both of them, the end of high school was at hand.

“I wasn’t expecting to see her there,” Linkous said. “But it was good to see her face in the state that I was in — to hear that she understood how I was feeling. It’s good to know that you have somebody there for you. And it’s someone who knows what that feels like.”

And that knows you. Their teams were archrivals throughout the tandem’s career, they both played for the varsity early in their careers and they also happen to matchup pretty regularly on the field with Linkous playing as a forward for the Mustangs while Domecq has been the lead defender for the Warriors. But the antipathy that defines the WesternMonticello rivalry doesn’t define Linkous and Domecq’s friendship.

“I remember in a game at Monticello, we had a goal kick and someone was running to go get the ball,” Linkous said. “And I just remember looking at her and saying ‘Is it socially acceptable to hug you right now?’ And we both just laughed.”

The two grew close while playing in SOCA’s travel program, kickstarted by a weekend in ninth grade where Linkous’ family had to attend a wedding but she didn’t want to miss one of the team’s tournaments in Bethesda, Md. So Linkous joined up with Domecq’s family for the weekend and while they played a lot of soccer, they also found time crashing a bar mitzvah being held in the hotel they were staying in. They showed up in postgame soccer gear, danced, took pictures with the family that was celebrating and even picked up some party favors — fedoras that the family was handing out to everyone.

“We were trying to leave but the mom said it wasn’t a party unless we took some pictures, so we took pictures with the mom and dad,” Domecq remembered.

From that moment on, they were close friends. Friends whose bond transcended one of the area’s most competitive rivalries, and, frankly, occasionally intensified it.

“It didn’t ease up our aggression,” Linkous said. “I treat her tougher because I know she would push me back. I’d go harder because I know what she’s capable of.”

They’re both also known for pretty physical, hard-nosed play. Neither player is capable of surrendering an inch and that doesn’t always make them the most popular players with opponents.

“We both have that problem with people who play against us,” Domecq said. “We’re a lot a like, which I guess makes us really good friends.”

So they’d battle for 80 minutes — or longer in some cases. The Mustangs and Warriors had some tight, hard fought battles the last four years. Then afterwards, they’d find each

26 :: @scrimmageplay

“It’s good to know that you have somebody there for you.”

other and let each other know everything was going to be fine.

They’ll run it back and do that in college as rivals once again. Linkous is headed to play for Randolph-Macon while Domecq will play at Lynchburg College. Both finished in the top half of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference last year.

Most of us have that friend from high school that we’ll always remember doing incredibly stupid, trivial stuff with — my friends and I never crashed a bar mitzvah, but we’ve all got stories from that time. If we’re lucky, like Linkous and Domecq are, we’ll remember when that friend was there for us at our lowest point too.

We’ll remember who picked us up. We’ll remember who helped us take the next step. ✖

Bart Isley,

CRE ATIVE DIRECTOR

back talk »

Know other friendships blossoming within a rivalry? Email Bart at: bart@scrimmageplay.com