GEORGE MASON H.S.
Varsity Volleyball Girls Get Comfortable Too Late, Lose
George Mason’s girls varsity volleyball team lost their first scrimmage to the Washington and Lee High School Generals last Thursday, Aug. 27. The Mustangs fell in three games to the Generals, as they tried to gain their footing early in the season. 
GEORGE MASON H.S.
Varsity Volleyball Girls Get Comfortable Too Late, Lose
George Mason’s girls varsity volleyball team lost their first scrimmage to the Washington and Lee High School Generals last Thursday, Aug. 27. The Mustangs fell in three games to the Generals, as they tried to gain their footing early in the season.
“Once the Mustangs felt comfortable during the second and third games, we were able to score some important points,” said their coach Elizabeth Rizzi. The scrimmage highlights included a block and hit by junior Katie Breen, a team captain.
After the watching the performances of Breen, Senior Taylor Bottock, another captain, and Maddie Johnson, Rizzi named them “players to watch” this season. While the team ultimately lost to the Generals, Rizzi said the team’s cohesiveness this year should increase their chances for success.
Jordan Comes Off Injured Season With 50-Yard Touchdown
The varsity football team faced off against Sidwell Friends in an un-scored scrimmage last Friday, Aug. 28. Senior Yates Jordan, who missed most of last season because of injuries, finished the night with a 50-yard touchdown run and an interception.
Mustangs coach Tom Horn said his team is working on blocking and tackling. “Let’s just say we’re spending a profound amount of time on the building blocks of football,” Horn said.
The Mustangs are set to open the regular season against J.E.B. Stuart High School on Sept. 4. Horn expected his team to be thoroughly challenged in their season opener. The Raiders have size on their side, he said. “We expect our kids to play hard, though, and minimize that discrepancy,” Horn said.
Varsity Golf Team Outplays Strasburg High
George Mason’s co-ed varsity golf team defeated Strasburg High School 368-390 last Thursday, Aug. 27. The team’s key players this year are seniors Evans Mandes, Michael Wolfe, and Michael Dunning. Sophomores Will Powell, Ben Tourkin, and Junior Sebastian Askin will also play pivotal roles this season.
Coach Chris Carrico said his players owe their various strengths on the course to practice both with the team and on their own. “Golf is not a game you can excel at if you only play during the season, so off-season practice and work is critical for our success,” Carrico said. The team’s goal for this season is to win the district tournament and qualify for the Region B tournament.
GEORGE C. MARSHALL H.S.
Statesmen Golf Team Seals Victory on the Last Hole
The George C. Marshall High School boys varsity golf team defeated Thomas Jefferson 165-170 this past Monday, Aug. 31. Sophomore co-captain Scott Henning and senior co-captain Carson Hunt finished with the top two scores on the par 36 course at 36 and 40, respectively
Senior Annie O’Brien and Isabelle Linberg, the only two girls playing on the co-ed team, finished with strong performances on the final hole. On the par three 9th hole O’Brien landed her tee-off shot just two feet from the hold, guaranteeing a birdie put and the victory for Marshall. Lindberg followed with a par and a score of 43.
While Marshall was gearing up to face a tough opponent in Langley High School the day this issue went to press, Coach Stephen Moody said his team needs to set realistic goals. “Everyone wants to shoot par, but rarely does it happen,” Moody said. Golfers have to understand that bogies are okay.”
J.E.B. STUART H.S.
Raiders Football Looks to Balance Offense this Season
The Stuart High School varsity football team played an un-scored scrimmage against the Severn School last Saturday, Aug. 29. Coach Roy Ferri said the team is looking for more balance on the offensive side. “Defensively, the Raiders are much faster and experienced than last year,” Ferri said.
The Raiders were getting ready to take on George Mason High School in their first regular season game on Sep. 4. “They are well coached and good at what they do,” Ferri said of his opponent. “Last year’s game came down to the wire, as will this year’s.”
MCLEAN H.S.
Mooney Leads Highlanders at Cross County Invitational
McLean High School standout runner Daniel Mooney, a senior, finished the G. Meadow Invitational in 17:50. Overall, the rest of the boys and girls teams finished in the middle of the pack at the Saturday, Aug. 29 race, coach Jason Simoni said.
Simoni said the team has been training hard over the summer and their early season performances may be too raw to use as season indicators. Sophomores Eric Leimkuhler and Max Alm both stepped up and ran well with the varsity team.
The Highlanders will face tough competition at the Monroe Parker Invitational at Burke Lake on Saturday, Sept. 12, where most schools in the northern Virginia region will be represented. Simoni expects to see strong performances from Oakton and Thomas Jefferson High Schools.
Highlanders Golf Team Continues Winning Streak
The McLean High School boys varsity golf team beat South Lakes High School 162-188 this past Monday, Aug. 31, making them 3-0 this season. Junior Sam Nelson led the team with a 37, and Senior Ethan Arkin was close behind with a 38.
The schedule will become more competitive for the Highlanders, as they were set to play Madison High School the day this issue went to press, and then Fairfax High School on Tuesday, Sept. 8. While the district favorites appear to be Madison and Langley High Schools this season, McLean coach Rick Eyerly said his team has added depth this year and hopes to be a competitor for the Liberty District title.
Varsity Girls Fall by Three Strokes to Woodson
The McLean High School girls varsity golf team suffered a narrow 157-160 loss to Woodson High School on Monday, Aug. 31. Junior Emily Burke led the team shooting a 38, and Freshman Jacqueline O’Reilly, Sophomore Christe Lodge and Freshman Paridhi Bhargava all finished within five strokes of Burke.
The Highlanders will face Langley High School at Herndon Centennial next Wednesday, Sept. 9. The team has a 2-2 record since their victories over Edison and Westfield High Schools and their two losses to Woodson.
Solid Hitting, Blocking Secure V-ball Win for Highlanders
The McLean High School girls varsity volleyball team beat Washington and Lee High School on Monday, Aug. 31. Their 3-1 victory came with serving and hitting contributions from Gill Hunt. Hela Hedda, Claire Karakozoff, and Julia Glauber also supported the team with good blocking efforts, coach Steve Stotler said.
Most of the Highlanders’ starting squad graduated last year, leaving the team without its star outside gun, Cat Davis. The new lineup has forced the team to become more defensive, Stotler said. The Highlanders faced Yorktown the day this issue went to press, where they likely played a strong team with a powerful outside hitter. “We have dropped matches to them the last two years but hope to change that this year,” Stotler said.
FALLS CHURCH H.S.
Odom Shines Despite Loss to West Potomac
The Falls Church High School varsity field hockey team suffered a 1-4 loss to West Potomac High School, but Coach Emily Stone has preserved some optimism for the rest of the season. “Our goalkeeper is fantastic,” said Stone of junior Kiara Odom. Odom had nine saves in the night, which included a save off a penalty stroke in the first half.
Stone expects her seven seniors to perform big this season and continues to work on the team’s passing game. They were set to compete against Mt. Vernon High School, their first district opponent, on Wednesday, Sept. 2. “That will be a competitive game and we’re looking forward to taking advantage of forward momentum from our free hit plays,” Stone said.
Jaguar Football Scorse Big Before Losing to Woodson
The Falls Church High School varsity football team lost 40-56 to Woodson High School in a scrimmage on Aug. 29. “We didn’t run like we thought we would,” said Coach Anthony Parker.
The Jaguars have started the 2009 season in much different shape than last year. “Last year, we got injured early,” Parker said. “If we stay healthy, we have a shot at earning one of those playoff spots.”
The team was preparing to open its regular season against South Lakes High School this Friday, Sept. 4. “They have a lot of great athletes,” Parker said. “We feel like we do, too.”
