WAHS ATHLETICS

As we head into another exciting week of competition, we’re proud to celebrate the achievements of our dedicated student-athletes and share important updates from the Athletic Department.

In this edition, you’ll find:

• Senior Spotlights
• Recaps of last week’s highlights
• A look ahead at upcoming games and events .
• Spring sports details

Thank you for being a part of Western Albemarle Athletics, where sportsmanship, teamwork, and pride define our community. Let’s keep the Warrior spirit strong at every game and competition!

Go Warriors!

Sam Bledsoe (left) - A dedicated swimmer and team captain, Sam has been a leader in and out of the pool. A three-time state team member, Sam earned all-state honors and was a member of the state champion, 200 Medley Relay last year. As a Rho Kappa member and an AP Scholar, he exemplifies hard work and commitment. Beyond athletics, Sam has given back to the community through his support of Crozet Park, helping with Dome Up and Dome Down for the past 5 years, volunteering at the Arts and Crafts Festival, and supporting park beautification projects with WAHS with a Cause.

Sam would like to thank his parents for their endless encouragement, sacrifices, and belief in him from the very beginning. He also expresses gratitude to his coaches for their guidance, dedication, and behind-the-scenes work that have helped shape him into both the athlete and person he is today.

Before every race, Sam follows a unique ritual—beating his chest, arms, and legs until they turn bright red. His favorite WAHS athletic memory? Heading to Wegmans after meets, running around grabbing whatever food looks good, and then sitting down with teammates to eat while watching whatever kids' show happens to be on the TV.

Sam’s favorite quote captures his resilience:
"It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward."

Jacob Cohen (Right) - A team captain and dedicated member of the Western Swim Team, Jacob has been a key part of Western Albemarle’s success in the pool. A two-time state team member, Jacob was recognized for his leadership and dedication with the Sportsmanship Award after his Junior year.

Beyond athletics, Jacob excels academically. He is a member of the Math and English Honor Societies, Rho Kappa, and has taken an impressive 13 AP courses, earning AP Scholar with Distinction. He also serves as treasurer of Key Club, secretary and co-leader of WAHS Investment Education, and Stock Market Game Coordinator for FBLA.

Jacob has given back to the swimming community through his extensive volunteer work with the Boar’s Head Swim Team, logging over 100 hours as a volunteer coach and supervising younger swimmers during meets.

He would like to thank his parents and coaches for their continued support. His favorite memory? Qualifying for states in the 100 freestyle for the first time and feeling the overwhelming support from his team.

Jacob’s mindset is summed up in his favorite phrase: “Not dead yet.”

Congratulations, Sam and Jacob, on an incredible journey—Go Warriors!

A dedicated student-athlete and leader, Audrey Miracle has made her mark at Western Albemarle both in and out of the pool. She is President of Rho Kappa (History Honor Society), an Officer of the National English Honor Society, and Editor-in-Chief of The Western Hemisphere, serving in her fourth year of journalism.

Outside of school, Audrey is a talented cellist, performing at nursing homes, and hospitals. She also gives back to the community, spending her summer volunteering as a camp counselor and gallery worker at the Children's Discovery Museum in Charlottesville.

Audrey would like to thank her family for supporting her through early morning practices and meet travel, her teammates, who have become like a second family, and her friends, whose presence makes every day better.

Her pre-meet ritual includes eating a gin-gin (a ginger candy) to calm her nerves, doing jumps behind the blocks, and listening to either 80s rock (mostly Metallica) or 90s rap to get in the zone.

Her favorite memory? Making it to states her junior year after swimming the 500 free—or the legendary Wegmans trip after the state meet that year.

She lives by the Dalai Lama’s words: “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

Congratulations, Audrey, on an outstanding high school career—Go Warriors!

Due to weather delays and cancellations, only the track team participated in competitions last week.

Region 3C Boys Track & Field Recap

Western Albemarle had a strong performance at the Region 3C Track & Field Championship, securing the team title with 66 points. The Warriors had standout performances across multiple events.

In the sprinting events, Connor Rittenhouse led the way with a strong third-place finish in the 300-meter dash, clocking in at 35.68 seconds. Anders Felts (WHO WAS NAMED THE REGION 3C TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR) captured the region title in the 500-meter. Teammate Henry Kimbrough finished fifth and Noble Cooper secured seventh place.

In distance events, Spencer Envall delivered a thrilling race in the 1600-meter run, finishing as the runner-up with a time of 4:31.58. The 4x400 Meter Relay squad of Finn Naughton, Connor Rittenhouse, Bennett Kim and Joseph Rowland delivered a stellar performance, finishing first with a time of 3:30.87.

In the field events, Sani Reed finished fourth in the Shot Put with a throw of 40-10.50, while Joseph Rowland made an impact in the Triple Jump with a mark of 39-06.50, securing a top-ten finish. The Warrior pole vaulters, Nathan Peterson, Ollie Woodrow, and Charlie Strobach, finished 3rd, 4th, and 5th respectively to earn major points.

The well-rounded team effort across sprints, relays, and field events earned the Warriors a deserved Region 3C victory.

Region 3C Girls Track & Field Recap

Western Albemarle’s girls track and field team delivered strong 3rd place performances at the Region 3C Championship, highlighted by several top finishes on the track and in the field events.

In the 55-meter dash, Julia Hill and Maddie Hill placed fourth and seventh, respectively. The 300-meter saw Emmy Williams, Lilly Jamison, and Chloe Gates put in solid runs for the team. Western’s standout performance of the day came in the 500-meter, where Camille Love claimed the regional title. Jordan Henderson secured fifth place, with Sarah Jane Broadbent, Olivia Blakey, and Anja Lehmensiek adding depth to the squad’s showing.

In the 1000-meter run, Louise Foster and Hannah Seideman both placed in the top six. The 1600-meter run featured Daisy McCown, Juliet Kielbasa, and Leanne Hodgson all finishing in the top half of the field. In the Girls 3200m, Zoey Downer placed 4th, with Cameron Huynh finishing in 8th place.

The Western relays dominated the day! The 4x200m Relay team of Julia Hill, Maddie Hill, Emmy Williams, and Jordan Henderson took 1st place. The Girls 4x400m Relay team of Jordan Henderson, Camile Love, Julia Hill, and Lily Jamson placed 2nd in a close race. The 4 x 800 team of Zoey Downer, Leanne Hodgson, Anja Lehmensiek, and Abbie Apicella were also Region runner-up.

As great as they were on the track, the Warriors were equally impressive in the Field Events. Caroline Pearson and Lilly Jamison both cleared 4-06.00 in the Girls High Jump, tying for 6th place. Raina Fitzwater won the Girls Pole Vault title, Evie Woodrow placed 3rd, and Louise Foster finished 7th. In the Girls Long Jump, Maddie Hill placed 4th. Maddie also excelled in the Triple Jump, finishing 4th, while Julia Hill placed 8th.

Congrats to our Warrior track and field athletes and good luck as you prepare for States on March 3rd and 4th.

Disclaimer: The information in the team updates section is gathered from coaches and others associated with each program. If you notice missing or incomplete details, please reach out to the team directly to ensure all accomplishments are recognized.

Monday, February 24th : Both teams won on Monday - on to Wednesday!!!!

Wednesday, February 26th

Let’s pack the stands for another Region 3C Playoff Doubleheader!!

Girls vs. EAST ROCK – 6:00 PM

Boys vs. Liberty Christian Academy – 7:45 PM

Single Game: $8.00/person (ages 6 & up)

Doubleheader: $10.00/person (ages 6 & up)

Tickets are available online at GoFan

Warrior Nation, it’s time for spring sports season! Tryouts and practices begin this week (for most teams), so make sure you have all necessary forms completed and are ready to go!

For practice schedules and coach contact information, check out the link below:

Spring Sport Information

Let’s make it a great season—Go Warriors!

MARCH 5th - Spring Sport Parent Meeting (6:30PM) (Originally scheduled for February 26th)

As we gear up for the Spring sports season, we invite you to our mandatory parent meeting in the cafeteria. This meeting is essential for all families with student-athletes participating in Spring sports.

We will cover important information regarding schedules, expectations, safety protocols, and our commitment to fostering a positive and supportive environment for our athletes. Your involvement is crucial to our success, and we encourage all parents to attend.

March 19th - Winter Sport Awards Event (6:30PM in Main Gym)

We are thrilled to announce the revival of our Winter Sports Awards Event.This celebration will honor the outstanding achievements of our teams and individual student-athletes from the winter season. Join us as we recognize their hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship. It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate our athletes’ accomplishments. We hope to see you there!

Mark your calendars! Tryouts and practices for Western Albemarle’s fall sports begin this summer on the following dates:

• Golf – July 28
• Football & Cheer – July 31
• Volleyball, Field Hockey, & Cross Country – August 4

If you have a conflict with your sport’s start date, please contact the head coach or Athletic Director Dan Bledsoe (dbledsoe@k12albemarle.org) as soon as possible. We’re looking forward to another great season—Go Warriors!

Warrior fans, we are incredibly fortunate to have a group of talented photographers who capture the excitement, energy, and dedication of our student-athletes. Their images (like the one of Jack Hathway swimming breaststroke shot by Luke Winters) not only showcase the hard work and passion in the pool, on the field, court, and track but also provide lasting memories for athletes, families, and fans.

These photographers generously share their work, making photos available for viewing and downloading. We encourage our community to check out their incredible galleries and show appreciation for their efforts.

Thank you to all who contribute their time and talent to documenting the Warrior athletic experience!

WAHS Sports Photography

Ron Wade of Crozet Gazette

Luke Winters Photography

Emmy Franklin Photography

Kai Fusco Photography

Scrimmage Play

Support our school and show your spirit! Visit our online store to browse a variety of school-related gear, from apparel to accessories. A portion of every purchase goes directly back to our school, helping to fund programs and activities that benefit all our students. Shop now and make a difference while looking great!