Coach Gabriel Hochstetler has built a boys soccer program at Meadowbrook High that’s been knocking at the door of the state tournament for the past several years. After a 10-6 mark and falling to Mills Godwin last season, he and the Monarchs hope to find a high-water mark this year despite a young roster. Meadowbrook lost three skilled seniors at each level: a defender, a midfielder and a striker. Penny Senior, Elvin Romero and Juan Menjivar have moved on, but the Monarchs still have talent to burn. Of note, Senior is working out with Randolph-Macon College, while Menjivar had a…
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Matoaca High School softball has long been a proud program, but the team experienced a dip last season, won just six games and qualified for the postseason as the No. 8 seed, falling to top-ranked Atlee. “We are an older team, but we have some players in new positions this year,” coach Scott Driskill said. Gone is pitcher Katie Higgins, who had a standout career. Senior Paige Berberette will step into the circle as the Warriors’ primary pitcher. Sophomore Rylee Franklin and freshman Brianna Branch are also expected to throw. Sophomore Hailey Hengle will finish out the battery at catcher.…
Scott Graber demonstrates a golf simulator at The Bunker. Robert Nowak stands next to the sign he designed and built. It features 24-inch galvanized metal letters on laminate flooring with vinyl decals. In its 25th year, The Golf Club at The Highlands is offering what it considers a rather unique experience. The Bunker indoor golf center consists of two golf simulation bays and a putting and chipping green, along with an adjacent bar and entertainment area called The 19th Hole that features pool, table tennis, darts and TV sets. “A lot of other places have golf simulators but not the…
David Bedwell Former L.C. Bird High School head football coach David Bedwell will be coaching football again. After stepping away from coaching and becoming L.C. Bird’s athletic director, Bedwell was recently named Hermitage High School head football coach. Bedwell won state championships in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and recorded 203 wins between stints with L.C. Bird and Henrico. Bird and Hermitage met in the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons, with the Skyhawks winning four of the seven meetings. Hermitage had another local tie, as former Matoaca High coach D.L. Johnson took over the job after Patrick Kane retired from coaching.…
Chris Barfield runs during gridiron action last fall. Two L.C. Bird High Skyhawks saw new offers roll in recently, and one of them came from a school in the Ivy League. Junior Chris Barfield reeled in an offer from the University of Pennsylvania, while C.J. Lynch scored his second offer, this one from Mount St. Joseph’s in Cincinnati. Barfield is listed as a strong safety and running back on his Hudl account, but also played with the linebackers in the L.C. Bird defense last season. Barfield made plays on the gridiron and in the classroom, boasting a 4.4 grade point…
Garrett Graves punts the pigskin. Thomas Dale High School had another player sign to the college ranks last week. Kicker-punter Garrett Graves will be heading to Bridgewater College. “Garrett is a hard-working young man who knew very little about football when he started four years ago,” coach Kevin Tucker said. “He has matured and grown into a fine young man who understands the game of football and will bring a wealth of knowledge to his team.” Originally a soccer player, Graves was convinced to join the football team by Plato Eliades, a Thomas Dale grad who played both versions of…
Leon Gholson and Ka’lia Johnson Thomas Dale High alum Ka’lia Johnson had a storied career and will go down as one of the best players to ever suit up in the state of Virginia. She was recently honored by her school by having had her jersey number retired last week. “I’m very thankful to Coach Gholson for making this happen,” Johnson said. “I never believed something like this would happen. It’s something to be proud of.” Johnson won Central District player of the year three times, was regional player of the year as a senior and received first team All-State honors…
Front, Jessica Henderson and Daizjah Brown signed letters of intent; back, from left, varsity coach Leon Gholson, varsity assistant coach Antonio Gilliam, and junior varsity coach Rashad Tims. A duo of talented Thomas Dale High School basketball players recently signed on the dotted line to play college basketball. Jessica Henderson is headed to Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C., and Daizjah Brown will suit up for Pittsburgh-Bradford. “Jessica [Henderson] was the first true point guard I’ve had in the program,” coach Leon Gholson said. “But she could score the ball as well.” He applauded Henderson’s loyalty as well. “In an…
A storybook season for the Wolverines came to a halt as they fell in the state quarterfinals this past weekend. Coach Reggie Simon led the team to 21 wins and a top seed at the Class 1 state tourney by virtue of a region title. In his fourth year at the school, it’s been a complete turnaround from a program that struggled to field a team in his first season. Mikkel Jaaber was perhaps the team’s most valuable player, and Rome Hudson earned MaxPreps player of the game honors in the team’s regional championship win over Riverheads. Maury 50, LC…
L.C. Bird High’s track team. Front, from left, coach Justin Snyder, head coach Adam Canning, Carlos Quijano, Ivan Biju, Jamari Roper and Sean Johnson; middle, Jaden Payoutte, Jeremiah Hill and Josiah Hill; back, coach Darlington Tawiah, Jeremiah Wilks, Corey Pisa, Jayson Ward, Jacob Plummer, Evan Powell and coach Anthony Callicut. INDOOR TRACK In a balanced team effort, the L.C. Bird High boys’ track team recently brought home the indoor state title for the second year in a row. Bird totaled 76 points to runnerup Highland Springs’ 66.5. In the 12 events in which the boys participated, the Skyhawks placed fifth or…