Steward Athletics

For the Love of the Team

There was a tremendous sense of pride in Steward's Varsity Gym during the fourth quarter of the TCIS girls basketball quarterfinal game. The Spartans were winning 44-13, and every player was jumping with excitement as they watched Sabina Mohanty '23 sink a three-pointer. They were celebrating her, not their impending win.

It is in these defining moments you begin to understand that, for the Steward Spartans, it's not about winning — it's for the love of the team.

"Every time I took a shot, our team stood up, ready to scream when the ball went in, or cheer me on even if it didn't," said Sabina. "It was definitely one of the riskier shots I took this season, so having it go in was amazing, but the reactions from my teammates were even better."

With 40 teams in 12 sports and 15 state championships in the school's history, Director of Athletics Bruce Secrest shares that Steward's caring community is central to its success.

"We aren't all about the wins and the losses,” Coach Secrest said. “That doesn't mean we're not competitive. We are. It starts with having really good people who care about the kids, invest in our community, and really put in the work to help improve our student-athletes."

Despite all the successes, Spartans appreciate that losses are part of the process that leads to success.

"I first realized that it wasn’t all about winning when, in my freshman year, we lost in the first round of states for soccer," said Wit Moore '22. "Although heartbreaking, my coaches and teammates were all incredibly proud of what we had accomplished. From then on I knew to put my teammates first, winning second."

"Those defeats make the bonds within the team stronger," said Andy Orgain '24, who plays lacrosse and volleyball. "That's when you find yourself cheering louder than ever, running faster than you thought you could, and gaining friendships that last."

It's not just Upper School athletes who learn these values. Kara Bacile, the assistant director of athletics and head coach of girls varsity basketball, shared, "We're lucky to be at a place where this lesson begins to unfold in our Middle School athletics program and really grows as the students progress into the high school sports arena."

On the sidelines, cheering students and families also make a difference. Senior class president Grady Walsh '22 and student section leader Owen Marcey '22 rallied students to as many games as possible this year. The dynamic duo spread the word on Instagram and encouraged students to participate in white-out, camouflage, and neon nights.

"I wanted Steward to have an electric environment at every game," Grady said. "Every person from the cheerleaders and the front line of the student section to the Middle Schoolers and parents deserves credit for bringing that energy to games."

Coach Bacile said, "When you have a place like Steward where you can look into the stands and see your teachers, classmates, friends, and family, that's the beauty of school sports. That's when you understand that you're playing for something bigger than yourself."

STEWARD ATHLETICS

STEWARD ATHLETICS

SENIOR ATHLETE COLLEGE COMMITMENTS

ZOE FRANK

School: Bucknell University Sport: Rowing

CAM GREGORY

School: St. Francis University Sport: Basketball

DANIEL HEITMAN

School: The Catholic University of America Sport: Basketball

LAUREN JOHNSON

School: Randolph College Sport: Volleyball

HARPER JONES

School: Mercer University Sport: Lacrosse

LILLY JORDAN

School: Sewanee: The University of the South Sport: Lacrosse

ERIN LANGENBURG

School: The College of William & Mary Sport: Swimming

RYAN MONROE

School: Christopher Newport University Sport: Tennis

NICK NELSON

School: Kenyon College Sport: Basketball

State Championship for Girls Swim and Dive Team

Through dedication, spirit, and athleticism, the girls swim and dive team was named 2022 VISAA D-II State Champions. These athletes, who practice at the NOVA Aquatics Center, are led by Coach Eric Hopp.

At the meet, Erin Langenburg ’22 placed second in the 200 individual medley, setting a new school record at 2:05.07 and third in the 100 butterfly and earning All-State in both events. Erin’s efforts also earned 33 points for the team. Allie Witdoeckt ’24 placed fourth in the 100 butterfly and second in the 500 freestyle, earning All-State in the 500 and garnering 32 points for the team. Ashley Compton ’24 went to finals in the 200 freestyle and 100 back backstroke, scoring additional points for the team. The relay of Erin, Allie, Ashley, and Bailey Owens ’24 finished fourth in the 4x50 free relay (30 pts.) and fifth in the 4x100 free relay (28 pts.). In all, the Steward team earned an impressive 130 points, with the second Division II school coming in at 71 points. Best wishes to Erin, who will swim for William & Mary next year!

We're so proud of these Spartans for their amazing seasons, and we look forward to continuing our championship-winning streak next year!

STEWARD ATHLETICS

Outstanding Achievements by Steward’s Student-Athletes

ALL-METRO AWARDS

Boys Basketball: Curtis Blair III (first-team), Cam Gregory (second-team) Boys Baseball: Michael Lewis (second-team) Girls Lacrosse: Harper Jones (first-team) Boys Soccer: Sam Roberson (first-team) Boys Tennis: Ryan Monroe (first-team)

ALL-STATE AWARDS

Boys Cross Country: Nathan Gu Girls Tennis: Nayla Turpin (first-team) Boys Soccer: Sam Roberson (first-team; co-player of the year), Henry Bearden (first-team), Wit Moore (second-team) Boys Basketball: Curtis Blair III (first-team), Cam Gregory (second-team) Girls Basketball: Sanai Green (first-team), Gates Fox (second-team) Girls Swimming: Erin Langenburg (all-state, 200 IM; all-state,100 butterfly), Allie Witdoeckt (allstate, 100 butterfly; all-state, 500 freestyle) Golf: Ian O’Hallaron (first-team all-state, medalist, player of the year) Baseball: Michael Lewis (first-team all-state), Andrew Schmeer (second-team all-state) Boys Lacrosse: Will Elles (first-team all-state) Boys Tennis: Ryan Monroe (first-team all-state, player of the year)

TCIS ALL-CONFERENCE AWARDS

Boys Cross Country: Nathan Gu (all-conference) Boys Soccer: Wit Moore (first-team allconference), Sam Roberson (first-team allconference), Henry Bearden (second-team all-conference) Girls Tennis: Nayla Turpin (first-team singles), Lilly Caldwell and Nayla Turpin (first-team doubles) Girls Volleyball: Kyla Johnson (second-team allconference) Boys Basketball: Curtis Blair III (first-team allconference - all-tournament team, TCIS Player of the Year), Cam Gregory (first-team all-conference, tournament MVP), Sam Roberson (all-tournament team) Girls Basketball: Sanai Green (first-team allconference - all-tournament team), Gates Fox (first-team all-conference), Tori West (secondteam all-conference) Baseball: Michael Lewis (first-team all-conference), Andrew Schmeer (second-team all-conference), TEAM, Betty Jean Riddick Sportsmanship Award Girls Lacrosse: Harper Jones (first-team all-conference), Gates Fox (second-team all-conference), Lilly Jordan (second-team all-conference), TEAM, Betty Jean Riddick Sportsmanship Award Girls Soccer: Erin Shaia (second-team allconference), TEAM, Betty Jean Riddick Sportsmanship Award Golf: Roman Barshow (all-conference), Ian O’Hallaron (all-conference), Brennan Zide (allconference) Boys Tennis: Ryan Monroe (TCIS Player of the Year, all-tournament team, TCIS Tournament MVP; firstteam all-conference singles Pearce Caldwell and Ryan Monroe (first-team all-conference doubles)

SCHOOL AWARDS

The Ray Tate Spartan Club Scholarship: Wit Moore and Erin Langenburg The Steward School 110% Award Winner: Cam Gregory The Steward School Janet Rice Coaches Award Winner: Grace Compton The James Vauter Buis ’92 Athletic Scholarship Winner: Will Elles The Janet L. Rice Spartan Club Scholarship Award Winners: Erin Langenburg and Owen Marcey The Richmond Times-Dispatch Male ScholarAthlete Award Winner: Wit Moore The Richmond Times-Dispatch Female ScholarAthlete Award Winner: Erin Langenburg

STEWARD ATHLETICS

TEAM AWARDS

BASEBALL

Middle School Baseball

Co-MVP: Brooks Johnson Co-MVP: Connor Papas Coaches Award: Noah Moore

Varsity Baseball

“Without” Award: Owen Marcey MVP: Michael Lewis Silent Assassin Award: Andrew Schmeer

BASKETBALL

Middle School Boys Basketball Blue

Most Improved: Andrew Gamache Best Defensive Player: Hunter Killian Best Offensive Player: Collin Olexy

Middle School Boys Basketball Gold

Offensive MVP: Callen Tyson Defensive MVP: Miles Harris Best All-Around: Korel Kobak

Middle School Boys Basketball White

MVP: Evan Wittie Coaches Award: Ryan Marshall Most Improved: Nik Johnson

Middle School Boys Basketball Spartans

Steph Curry Award: Carson King Chairman of the Boards: Eli Maitland Most Valuable Defender: Connor Papas

Middle School Girls Basketball Blue

Offensive MVP: Audra Scholtz Defensive MVP: Jillian Haar Most Improved: Hanna Qureshi

Middle School Girls Basketball Gold

Spartan Award: Mïla René 110% Award: Naomie Crosby All Defense: Izzie Aspero

JV Boys Basketball

Most Improved: Jacob Gallagher Most Valuable: Xavier Nelson Spartan Spirit: Wesley Walsh Best Teammate: Davonte Hines

Varsity Boys Basketball

MVP: Curtis Blair III Outstanding Offensive Player: Cam Gregory Outstanding Defensive Player: Nick Nelson

Varsity Girls Basketball

Most Improved: Alaina Jefferson Outstanding Offensive Player: Sanai Green Most Valuable Player: Gates Fox

CHEERLEADING

Varsity Cheerleading

Golden Megaphone Award: Alejandra Blasco Spirit Award: Sydney Rife Most Promising Newcomer: Ta’kiya Dickerson

CROSS COUNTRY

Middle School Boys Cross Country

MVP: Paul Gresock 110% Award: Brooks Johnson Coaches Award: Henry Pietratoni

Middle School Girls Cross Country

MVP: Cece Lentz Most Improved: Caroline Kim Coaches Award: Kate Gresock

Varsity Boys Cross Country

MVP: Nathan Gu Most Improved: Jackson Rhamy Coaches Award: Thatcher Hartman

Varsity Girls Cross Country

MVP: Ana Reveles Leon 110% Award: Meghan Rotter Coaches Award: Morgan Shigley

DIVING

Middle School Dive

Most Improved: Charlie Bernier

Varsity Diving

Coaches Award: Nancy Walker

GOLF

JV Golf

MVP: Joey Magnano

Varsity Golf

Most Valuable Player: Ian O'Hallaron Most Improved Player: Ethan Mitchell Rookie of the Year: Brennan Zide

LACROSSE

Middle School Boys Lacrosse

Offensive MVP: Caleb Morrison Spartan Award: Burke Jennette Defensive MVP: Clay Pruitt

Middle School Girls Lacrosse

Best on Offense: Nadine Odibo Best on Defense: Greenlee Murray Most Improved: Kenzie Marchant

Varsity Boys Lacrosse

Impact Award: Ethan Benson MVP: Will Elles Outstanding Defensive Player: Cole Tyler

Varsity Girls Lacrosse

MVP: Harper Jones Coaches Award: Elle Blangy Most Improved: Alejandra Blasco

SOCCER

Middle School Boys Soccer

Most Valuable Defensive Player: Owen Proffitt Most Valuable Attacking Player: Connor Papas Spartan Award: Linkin Rose

Middle School Girls Soccer

Spartan Award: Annika Yaratha 110% Award: Naomie Crosby Defensive MVP: Rafi Zepeda

JV Boys Soccer

“Achilles” Award: Gates Orgain Offensive MVP: Joey Magnano Most Improved: Zac Qureshi

Varsity Boys Soccer

Leadership Award: Sam Roberson, Henry Bearden, and Wit Moore

Varsity Girls Soccer

Most Valuable Attacking Player: Erin Shaia Most Valuable Defensive Player: Lilly Caldwell Spartan Award: Laura Luzzatto

SWIMMING

Varsity Swimming

Career High Point Award: Erin Langenburg Season High Point Award: Emory Sproull

TENNIS

Middle School Tennis (fall) MVP: Anne Soden Henceroth Most Improved: Korel Kobak

Middle School Tennis (spring)

Most Improved: Shem Abel MVP: Ollie Lentz MVP: Pearce Campbell

Varsity Boys Tennis

MVP: Ryan Monroe Coaches Award: Nathan Gu and Justin Fratkin

Varsity Girls Tennis

Most Improved: Gabby Marshall Leadership Award: Amy Mertz and Nayla Turpin Coaches Award: Lilly Caldwell

VOLLEYBALL

Middle School Volleyball Blue

Good Plays Queen: Jennifer Lujan Leadership Queen: Rafi Zepeda Serving Queen: Ellie Kersey

Middle School Volleyball Gold Good Plays Queen: Izzie Aspero Leadership Queen: Scottie Seay Serving Queen: Kayla Galpern

JV Volleyball

Most Improved: Katherine Green Most Consistent: Greenlee Murray Best Spartan Teammate: Lauren Meaker

Varsity Volleyball

Spartan Teammate 100%: Katherine Romero Most Improved: Ellie Brumagin Most Valuable Player: Elle Blangy

STEWARD ATHLETICS